ReCode Therapeutics partnering with Bayer's AskBio on single vector gene-editing platform
The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The tie-up is focused on the discovery of precision genetic medicines through the development of a platform for full gene insertion by single vector delivery of gene editing and DNA cargoes. The parties said the collaboration could extend the reach of gene editing for liver and lung disease targets.
AskBio outlines how it will combine its synthetic DNA and gene editing nucleases with ReCode’s selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology to develop an all-in-one solution that enables full gene insertion by delivering both the gene editing tool and DNA as mixed cargo in a single LNP to desired targets.
ReCode said the SORT LNP platform is the foundation for its pipeline of disease-modifying mRNA and gene correction therapeutics. Its lead programs are focused on primary ciliary dyskinesia and cystic fibrosis.
“This collaboration pairs AskBio’s expertise in synthetic DNA and CRISPR applications with ReCode’s novel SORT LNP delivery technology to enable the potential discovery of new genetic medicines with novel genetic cargoes,” commented Sheila Mikhail, chief executive officer of AskBio. “Through this collaboration, we have an opportunity to advance AskBio’s gene editing and non-viral delivery efforts,” she added.
Milestone payments
Under the terms of the agreement, ReCode will receive an upfront cash payment with potential for downstream milestone payments and royalties on novel therapeutics resulting from the collaboration.
In June 2022, ReCode announced the closing of a $200m Series B extension financing round, co-led by Leaps by Bayer, the impact investment unit of Bayer AG, and AyurMaya, an affiliate of Matrix Capital Management, with participation by Amgen Ventures.
With global headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and European headquarters in Edinburgh, UK, AskBio holds more than 750 patents in areas such as AAV production and chimeric and self-complementary capsids.
