AbbVie is expanding its strategic collaboration with Capsida Biotherapeutics for the development of targeted genetic medicines to treat eye diseases with high unmet needs.

The latest partnership builds on the 2021 neurodegenerative disease collaboration.

It will combine the extensive capabilities of AbbVie with the new adeno-associated virus (AAV) engineering platform and the manufacturing capability of Capsida for identifying and advancing three programmes.

Under the expanded deal terms, Capsida will take charge of capsid discovery efforts for all the programmes, along with process development and early clinical manufacturing.

AbbVie will lead therapeutic cargo approaches and handle the development and commercialisation activities.

AbbVie vice-president and discovery research global head Jonathon Sedgwick said: “This expanded collaboration with Capsida has the potential to develop transformative therapies for patients with serious eye diseases.

“In pursuing the promise of genetic medicine-based therapeutics, AbbVie continues to expand our capabilities, and we are pleased to have Capsida as a partner.”

Capsida will get $70m in upfront payments and a potential equity investment.

The company will also be eligible for option fees and research and development milestone payments of up to $595m, along with further commercial milestone potential, for the three programmes.

It will also get mid-to-high single-digit royalty payments on future product sales.

Capsida CEO Peter Anastasiou said: “AbbVie has been an excellent partner, and we are excited to expand our collaboration into ophthalmology with the world leader in this therapeutic area.

“Combining AbbVie’s expertise in eye disease drug development and commercialisation with Capsida’s fully integrated next-generation AAV engineering platform and manufacturing capabilities offers the potential to provide novel therapies enabling unprecedented benefit to patients with serious eye diseases.”

Cell & Gene Therapy coverage on Pharmaceutical Technology is supported by Cytiva.

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