Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio), a subsidiary of Bayer, has entered a strategic partnership with China-based Belief BioMed (BBM) to advance the development of new gene therapies.
The partnership aims to leverage both companies' expertise in gene therapy technology, particularly for conditions that can be treated through a liver-targeted approach.
Using viral vector technology, BBM unifies the development, production and clinical usage of experimental gene therapy products for severe hereditary and chronic illnesses.
The business has created advanced vector technology and set up a platform for the commercial manufacture of gene therapy medications in China.
AskBio chief scientific officer Mansuo Shannon stated: “AskBio takes a collaborative approach when developing new gene therapies, and we look worldwide to use the most promising science to realise our goals.
“The potential of BBM’s next-generation capsid technology, together with the work we are conducting at AskBio, is promising. We are looking forward to working closely with the team at BBM.”
Belief BioMed's new drug application for a haemophilia B treatment was accepted by the China National Medical Products Administration in July 2024.
This application is the first submitted in China for a gene therapy product for an inherited genetic disease.
BBM has developed new engineered adeno-associated virus vectors. These products have demonstrated the potential to reduce immunogenicity and increase transduction efficiency in human and non-human trials.
Bayer Pharmaceuticals business development and licensing head Juergen Eckhardt stated: “Gene therapy has some of the greatest potential in modern medicine, particularly from a technical perspective.
“One path to success lies in collaborations such as this and in bringing together experts with broad expertise and experience. We are excited for AskBio’s new collaboration with BBM and the advancements it may one day bring to patients.”
In January 2023, AskBio entered a research partnership and option agreement with ReCode Therapeutics to assess its single-vector gene-editing platform.
