Gene Therapy-Focused Dyno Therapeutics Adds Astellas To List Partner List With $1.6B Pact

Gene therapy startup Dyno Therapeutics Inc has partnered with pharmaceutical giants such as Novartis AG NVS and Roche Holdings AG RHHBY. 

• It has added another major biotech, Astellas Pharma Inc ALPMY
• Astellas is dishing out $18 million upfront and up to $1.6 billion in milestone and royalty payments to develop adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for gene therapies. 
• Now, Astellas wants to tap into Dyno's AAV capsids platform to develop gene therapies for skeletal and cardiac muscles. 
• Under terms of the deal, Dyno will design the AAV capsids, and Astellas will conduct all preclinical, clinical, and marketing functions. 
• Dyno can receive more than $235 million for each product developed using the capsids. 
• In May 2020, Dyno collaborated with Novartis to research, develop, and commercialize new gene therapies for eye diseases incorporating improved AAV vectors. 
• In October 2020, Roche and Dyno Therapeutics a $1.8-billion collaboration under which Roche will use Dyno's CapsidMap platform to develop AAV vectors for gene therapies for central nervous system (CNS) diseases and liver-directed therapies.
• Price Action: ALPMY shares are up 2.75% at $15.70 during the market session on the last check Thursday.