Voyager Therapeutics & Genzyme Announce Major Strategic Collaboration to Develop and Commercialize Novel AAV Gene Therapies for Patients with CNS Disorders
Up to $845 Million Collaboration to Support Development, Expansion and Commercialization of Voyager’s Novel CNS Product Pipeline Cambridge, Mass., February 11, 2015 – Voyager Therapeutics, a gene therapy company developing life-changing treatments for fatal and debilitating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), and Genzyme, a Sanofi company and gene therapy pioneer, today announced a major strategic collaboration to discover, develop and commercialize novel gene therapies for severe CNS disorders. The collaboration will leverage Genzyme’s long-standing commitment and scientific leadership in the field of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy and Voyager’s industry-leading AAV product engine to develop breakthrough therapies for patients suffering from severe CNS disorders. The alliance will encompass multiple gene therapy programs, including programs for Parkinson’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia and Huntington’s disease, as well as other CNS disorders. Each program targets a severe, debilitating disease and has the potential to deliver transformational therapeutic benefit for patients. The collaboration portfolio created will combine programs and intellectual property from both companies. Voyager will drive research and development activities for all programs, working with Genzyme in a highly collaborative way. Genzyme will have the option to license several programs following completion of an initial proof-of-concept human clinical trial. However, Voyager will retain all U.S. rights to its lead product programs in Parkinson’s disease (VY-AADC01) and Friedreich’s ataxia (VY-FXN01). Voyager will split U.S. profits with Genzyme for the Huntington’s disease program (VY-HTT01). In addition, Voyager’s lead amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) program (VY-SOD101) is not part of the collaboration and Voyager retains worldwide rights to this program. Genzyme will make an upfront commitment of $100 million to Voyager, including $65 million in cash, a $30 million equity investment in Voyager and additional in-kind contributions. Voyager is eligible to receive future potential development and sales milestone payments of up to $745 million, as well as tiered royalties on product sales. “Through our combined efforts, Voyager and Genzyme are at the forefront of converting the promise of gene therapy into innovative therapies for CNS disorders that make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives,” said Steven Paul, M.D., president and CEO of Voyager. “Voyager is proud to be collaborating with one of the biotechnology industry pioneers of gene therapy to not only advance development of our lead programs, but also expand our pipeline into new CNS diseases in need of new treatments. This strategic collaboration provides significant funding to drive the development of our expanded product pipeline, while also allowing Voyager to continue to thrive as an independent company.”
full article http://www.voyagertherapeutics.com/pdfs/Genz_Voy%20PR%20Final%202.11.15.pdf