Beacon Therapeutics to assess Abeona’s AAV204 capsid for potential gene therapies

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AAV204 is a novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid from the AIM capsid library licensed by Abeona from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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Abeona Therapeutics and Beacon Therapeutics have announced an agreement by which Beacon will evaluate Abeona’s patented AAV204 capsid for the development and commercialization of potential gene therapies for select ophthalmology indications.

Abraham Scaria, Chief Scientific Officer of Beacon Therapeutics commented on the announcement in a press release from the company.

“We are looking forward to evaluating AAV204 for its ability to transduce various layers of the retina in order to develop therapies for multiple retinal diseases with high unmet need.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Beacon will have the right to evaluate the AAV204 capsid for potential use in certain ophthalmology indications for a 12-month period. Beacon will also have the option to take a worldwide, non-exclusive license to use AAV204 in connection with up to 5 gene or disease targets. Abeona will receive an upfront payment upon Beacon’s exercise of its option to license AAV204, with additional payments upon the achievement of certain development, regulatory, and sales milestones.¹

AAV204 is a novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid from the AIM capsid library licensed by Abeona from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. AAV204 has been shown to achieve high macular and optic nerve transduction levels after para-retinal administration and has also been shown to facilitate transduction of both the inner and outer retina after intravitreal administration in mice and non-human primates.¹

The AIM capsid library is a collection of novel AAV serotypes that target the delivery of genetic payloads to key tissues implicated in devastating genetic diseases