Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGMO), a genomic medicine company based in the U.S., has entered into a licensing agreement with Genentech, a subsidiary of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche. The deal is aimed at developing intravenous genomic medicines for the treatment of specific neurodegenerative diseases.
Sangamo has provided Genentech with an exclusive license to its proprietary zinc finger repressors targeting the tau gene, which plays a pivotal role in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies. Additionally, the license includes an undisclosed second neurology target. As part of the agreement, Sangamo will also grant Genentech exclusive rights to its neurotropic adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid, STAC-BBB, known for its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively and transduce the brain in nonhuman primates.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sangamo will handle the technology transfer and certain preclinical activities, while Genentech will take on the responsibility for all clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, and global commercialization efforts. Genentech is set to pay Sangamo USD 50 million in upfront license fees and milestone payments. Sangamo is also eligible to receive up to USD 1.9 billion in development and commercial milestones for multiple potential products under the agreement, plus tiered royalties on net sales of such products.- Flcube.com
