Opal Therapeutics, MGH To Jointly Develop New HIV Immunotherapy

Opal Therapeutics is an immunotherapy development company focusing on novel therapies for HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) based on proprietary technology licensed from the University of Melbourne.

The human clinical trials for this new therapy is expected to initiate in London.

Under the joint development collaboration, Opal retains rights to commercialise the vaccine globally. Opal will not only develop a product for developed markets such as the US, Europe and Japan, but will also work together with other parties to ensure access to the vaccine to the least developed countries at minimum cost and without royalties.

Opal is also expected to contribute funds, technology, intellectual property, and commercialisation expertise to the collaboration.

MGH will contribute funds, intellectual property, technical expertise, and clinical development capability to the collaboration.

As per the joint development agreement, Medicines Development Limited (MDL) has been engaged to undertake initial clinical studies of the Opal therapy. MDL employs pharmaceutical industry development methods to produce licensed medicines/vaccines for delivery to those most in need.

Joshua Funder, chairman of Opal Therapeutics, said: “The joint development collaboration brings together the best of biotech with the best of academic research and the best of philanthropy for product development. Together we hope to develop a new therapeutic vaccine to treat HIV and make it available to all patients in need.

“This unique model of development partnership is underpinned by our joint commitment to develop new therapies for HIV. Opal will be able to commercialise the product and the Ragon Institute will be able to fulfill its mandate to develop and make available new therapies to address the global health challenges related to infectious disease.”