Biogen and Sangamo announce collaboration to develop gene regulation therapies for neurological diseases
Collaboration for development of ST-501 for tauopathies including Alzheimer’s disease, ST-502 for synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s diseases
Sangamo will receive $350 million upfront, $2.37 billion for potential milestones
Biogen will receive exclusive global rights of ST-501, ST-502 and product for third undisclosed neuromuscular disease
Biogen and Sangamo therapeutics have announced a global licensing collaboration to develop ST-501 for tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s diseases, ST-502 for synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease, a third product to target another undisclosed neurological disease, and other nine neurological diseases. The company utilizes Sangamo’s zinc finger protein (ZFP) technology delivered via adeno-associated virus (AAV).
“There are currently no approved disease modifying treatments for patients with many devastating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, creating an urgency for the development of medicines that will not just address symptoms like the current standards of care, but slow or stop the progression of disease,” said Sandy Macrae, CEO of Sangamo.
“As a pioneer in neuroscience, Biogen will collaborate with Sangamo on a new gene regulation therapy approach, working at the DNA level, with the potential to treat challenging neurological diseases of global significance” said Alfred Sandrock Jr., Executive Vice President, Research and Development at Biogen.
Sangamo will be responsible for GMP manufacturing activities for clinical trials. Biogen will be responsible for clinical trials beyond first clinical trial for these three products.