StemCell Therapy

PTC Therapeutics announced a strategic partnership with Aldevronto ensure the production of high-quality plasmid DNA to be used with PTCs investigational gene therapies, including AGIL-AS for the treatment of Angelman syndrome (AS).

PTCs growing gene therapy pipeline for genetic disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) also includes an investigational gene therapy for AADC deficiencythats nearing submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as candidates for Friedreichs ataxiaand Angelman syndrome that are at earlier development stages. Other candidates for cognitive disorders and inherited retinal disorders are in preclinical research.

Our strategic collaboration with Aldevron represents our continued commitment to produce and provide the highest quality product to patients, Neil Almstead, PhD, PTCs chief technical operations officer, said in a press release.

Our gene therapy pipeline is addressing the unmet needs of multiple patient populations, and we feel an urgent need to develop safe products with the utmost speed. The development of relationships with top-tier companies like Aldevron aligns with our goal of partnering with the best collaborators as we drive meaningful improvements in the lives of patients, Almstead said.

PTCs gene therapy candidate for Angelmans syndrome is called AGIL-AS. It uses a modified virus that does not cause infection called an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to deliver a working copy of the UBE3Agene, the faulty gene in Angelman syndrome, to the brain and spinal cord of patients. The process is designed to restore production of the E6-AP protein produced by the UBE3A gene, this way improving cell function and rescuing neurological defects in Angelman syndrome.

Preclinical studieshave shown that AGIL-AS targets nerve cells in the brain, increases levels of E6-AP, and eases AS-like cognitive deficits in animal models of the disease.

AGIL-AS was granted orphan drug designationfrom the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2015, followed by a similar designation from theEuropean Commission in 2016.

Under the agreement, Aldevron will manufacture the plasmid DNA (circular molecules of DNA) where the functional version of UBE3A gene will be enclosed for delivery. The company ensures the materials are produced under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), a set of guidelines allowing products to be consistently made and controlled according to quality standards.

It is truly an honor to work with PTCs motivated team of experts. They are making enormous contributions to the future of genetic medicine, saidMichael Chambers, founder and CEO of Aldevron.

This is Aldevrons mission to serve scientists and researchers who are relentlessly pursuing cures for people who need them, he added.

Ana is a molecular biologist enthusiastic about innovation and communication. In her role as a science writer she wishes to bring the advances in medical science and technology closer to the public, particularly to those most in need of them. Ana holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, where she focused her research on molecular biology, epigenetics and infectious diseases.

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Ana holds a PhD in Immunology from the University of Lisbon and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Instituto de Medicina Molecular (iMM) in Lisbon, Portugal. She graduated with a BSc in Genetics from the University of Newcastle and received a Masters in Biomolecular Archaeology from the University of Manchester, England. After leaving the lab to pursue a career in Science Communication, she served as the Director of Science Communication at iMM.

See the article here:
PTC, Aldevron Partner to Advance Angelman and Other Gene Therapy Candidates - Angelman Syndrome News

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