Sino-US biotech firm NeuShen Therapeutics Inc., focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders, has announced a three-year Sponsored Research Agreement with UMass Chan Medical School (UMass Chan) to develop gene therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare and severe neurological disease. The collaboration aims to advance therapeutic solutions for ALS, a condition with no known cure and limited treatment options.
Research Agreement Details
Under the agreement, Dr. Jun Xie, PhD, Associate Professor of Microbiology & Physiological Systems at UMass Chan, will serve as the principal investigator. NeuShen will provide comprehensive support in project management, biological, and analytical assessments. The program will be directed by Dr. Guangping Gao, PhD, the Penelope Booth Rockwell Professor in Biomedical Research, Professor of Microbiology & Physiological Systems, Director of the Horae Gene Therapy Center, and co-director of the Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research.
ALS: A Critical Unmet Need
ALS is the most common type of motor neuron disease, with an average survival period of two to four years from onset. Currently, only six drugs are approved by the FDA, offering limited clinical benefits. The collaboration between NeuShen and UMass Chan aims to address this significant unmet need through innovative gene therapy approaches.
Dr. Gao’s Contributions
Dr. Guangping Gao is an internationally recognized gene therapy researcher who has played a key role in discovering and characterizing a new family of adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes. His work has significantly impacted gene therapy research for currently untreatable human diseases, positioning the collaboration to make meaningful progress in ALS treatment development.-Fineline Info & Tech
