Gene Therapies to Incorporate Enhanced Immune-Modulatory Effects

AffyXell Therapeutics (South Korea), the recently established joint venture between biotherapeutics and reagents supplier Avacta and Korean pharmaceutical company Daewoong, (Jan 8) is now working under a collaboration and licensing agreement with Avacta for the generation of new cell and gene therapies.

The two companies will develop Avacta’s Affimer® proteins against a range of targets which, when produced by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are intended to inhibit inflammatory and autoimmune pathways and improve the overall efficacy of MSCs, creating a next generation of stem cell therapies.

The initial focus for AffyXell will be on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In the longer term, there is potential for AffyXell to address oncology uses for these Affimer-enabled cell and gene therapies.

Dr Alastair Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Avacta Group, commented: “The potential for AffyXell’s new class of cell therapies, which can be applied to a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, is enormous. We are therefore very excited by the opportunity to be part of this new venture and to demonstrate the power of Affimer proteins in the field of engineered cell therapies. 

Seng-ho Jeon, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, commented: “We are very excited to contract this Collaboration and License Agreement followed by the successful establishment of an innovative joint venture, AffyXell. Daewoong and Avacta will make every effort to (help) AffyXell’s growth and its development of distinguished and innovative cell and gene therapy treatment.