Roche and Dyno Therapeutics Enter $1.8 Billion AI-Driven Collaboration to Develop Next-Generation AAV Vectors for CNS and Liver Gene Therapies

Dyno Therapeutics Announces Collaboration and License Agreement with Roche to Develop Next-Generation AAV Vectors Using Its CapsidMap Platform for CNS Gene Therapies and Liver-Targeted Treatments in Roche’s and Spark Therapeutics’ Pipelines

Current gene therapies are largely limited to the use of a few naturally occurring AAV vectors, which are constrained by challenges in delivery, immunogenicity, packaging capacity, and manufacturing. CapsidMap employs artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to design novel capsids. This platform leverages cutting-edge DNA libraries and next-generation DNA sequencing to high-throughput characterize the properties of AAV capsids for in vivo gene therapy delivery. At its core, CapsidMap utilizes advanced search algorithms built on machine learning and extensive experimental data from Dyno, enabling not only the optimization of AAV capsid tissue tropism and immune evasion properties but also enhanced cargo capacity and manufacturability.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dyno will be responsible for designing novel AAV capsids to improve the functional profile of gene therapies, while Roche and Spark Therapeutics will be responsible for conducting preclinical, clinical, and commercialization activities for candidate gene therapies using these novel capsids. Dyno will receive upfront and milestone payments, as well as royalties on sales of any products resulting from the collaboration. Future milestone payments payable to Dyno could potentially exceed $1.8 billion in total.

“This collaboration represents Dyno’s largest partnership to date, and we are delighted to work with Roche and Spark Therapeutics to advance gene therapies for the central nervous system and liver. The teams at Dyno, Roche, and Spark all believe that optimizing vectors for gene therapy delivery is key to developing new treatments for patients,” said Dr. Eric Kelsic, CEO and Co-Founder of Dyno.

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[1] Dupixent® (dupilumab) significantly reduced severe asthma attacks in children and is the only biologic to demonstrate improvement in children’s lung function in a randomized Phase 3 trial. Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/10/13/2107178/0/en/Dupixent-dupilumab-significantly-reduced-severe-asthma-attacks-in-children-and-is-the-only-biologic-to-demonstrate-improvement-in-children-s-lung-function-in-a-randomized-Phase-3-t.html

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