Spark signs gene therapy licensing deal valued at up to $328.5M
Philadelphia gene therapy pioneer Spark Therapeutics signed a collaboration and licensing agreement Tuesday that gives its exclusive rights to further develop and commercialize a Swedish company’s experimental focal epilepsy treatment.
PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 12, 2021 – Spark Therapeutics, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and a fully integrated, commercial gene therapy company dedicated to challenging the inevitability of genetic disease, and CombiGene AB (‘CombiGene’) today announced the signing of an exclusive collaboration and licensing agreement for CombiGene’s CG01 project, an investigational gene therapy which aims to treat drug resistant focal epilepsy. The agreement provides Spark with the exclusive, worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize CG01. CombiGene will continue to execute certain aspects of the preclinical program in collaboration with Spark.
Under the terms of agreement, Spark, of division of Roche, will pay CombiGene up to $328.5 million, plus royalties, for the rights to its CG01 gene therapy project.
The deal includes $8.5 million upfront and $50 million when certain preclinical and clinical milestones are met. In addition, CombiGene, which will continue to execute certain aspects of the preclinical program in collaboration with Spark, will be reimbursed for research and development expenses.
“Spark is constantly evaluating new opportunities to challenge the status quo when it comes to the treatment of genetic diseases and collaboration is a critical part of our strategy,” said Joseph La Barge, chief business officer, Spark Therapeutics. “We were impressed by CombiGene’s gene therapy platform and look forward to harnessing our collective expertise to tackle diseases that affect the central nervous system.”
Focal epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurring seizures that affect half of the brain.
The company is public and listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market and the company’s Certified Advisor is FNCA Sweden AB, +46 (0)852 80 03 99, [email protected].
Media Contacts:
Spark Therapeutics
Denise Bradley
Head of Corporate Communications and Community Engagement
Tel: +1 (267) 583-8267
[email protected]
CombiGene AB (publ)
Jan Nilsson, CEO
Tel: +46 (0)704 66 31 63
[email protected]
Bert Junno, Chairman of the Board
Tel: +46(0) 70 7 77 22 09
[email protected]
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