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news.Seattle's Targeted Genetics Corporation and California's Celladon Corporation have signed a collaboration agreement to develop adeno associated virus-based gene therapies for the treatment of congestive heart failure.
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Simultaneous with the initiation of this collaboration, Enterprise Partners and Venrock Associates, venture capital funds that have invested in Celladon, made a $6 million common stock investment in Targeted Genetics.
The collaboration combines Targeted Genetics’ expertise in the development, manufacture and clinical evaluation of adeno associated virus (AAV)-based therapies, with Celladon’s portfolio of genes with potential in the treatment of congestive heart failure. Under the terms of the agreement, Targeted Genetics and Celladon will work together to develop AAV vectors for the treatment of heart failure.
Targeted Genetics agreed to commit $2 million towards the development, manufacture and pre-clinical development of AAV vectors containing the SERCA2a gene and phospholamban gene mutations. Celladon agreed to cover all additional development, manufacture and pre-clinical development costs.
Targeted Genetics will receive milestone payments upon the completion of pre-specified product development milestones, and will also receive significant royalties on any sales of potential products commercialized under the collaboration.
“Celladon’s therapeutic candidates target the SERCA2a pathway, an important regulator of myocardial contractility. Malfunction in this pathway can lead to progressive heart failure,” explained Krisztina Zsebo, president of Celladon Corporation. “Pre-clinical studies indicate that AAV agents targeting this pathway can reverse the progression of congestive heart failure in animal models.”
“We are pleased that these investors have decided to increase their investment in our company beyond the amount of funding committed to the Celladon collaboration,” said Todd Simpson, chief financial officer of Targeted Genetics. “In addition to funding development activities under the collaboration, this investment will also help to support our other therapeutic product development programs.”
Targeted Genetics has three clinical product development programs, targeting cystic fibrosis, AIDS prophylaxis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as a pipeline of product candidates focused on hemophilia and cancer, and a platform of gene delivery technologies for application in nucleic acid-based drug development.