Astellas Pharma Invests $50 million in AviadoBio to Bolster Gene Therapy Offering

Astellas Pharma has invested $50 million in AviadoBio, giving the pharmaceutical giant an option to acquire the London-based biotech's gene therapy aimed at frontotemporal dementia (FTD). AviadoBio's innovative approach targets a specific protein deficiency associated with the disease, aiming to deliver long-term therapeutic benefits.

Specifically, Astellas is interested in AviadoBio's single dose AAV-based gene therapy, AVB-101, currently in phase 1/2 clinical trials. The partnership also includes potential milestone payments if development progresses successfully, showcasing Astellas' commitment to gene therapy as a major focus for treating neurodegenerative diseases. The deal is part of Astellas’ broader strategy to expand its gene therapy pipeline.

AviadoBio's CEO, Lisa Deschamps, commented “As we complete dosing of the first cohort of patients in our phase 1/2 ASPIRE-FTD trial of AVB-101, we are excited about the potential of this collaboration to help address the unmet need that exists today in frontotemporal dementia".

Of the $50 million total sum being paid by Astellas Pharma, $30 million constitutes an upfront payment while the remaining $20 million comes in the form of an equity investment. In return, Astellas will be granted the option of being the therapy's exclusive global license holder.

Astellas Pharma is a Japanese multinational pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies in various areas, including oncology, immunology, and gene therapy. It is heavily investing in cutting-edge medical technologies, such as gene therapies, to address complex diseases.

AviadoBio, a London-based biotech, specializes in gene therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The company is working on treatments that target specific genetic causes of these conditions, with a particular focus on frontotemporal dementia (FTD), aiming to deliver durable therapeutic benefits.