Research to Assess Gene Therapies Delivery

A research collaboration is to assess the effectiveness of developing gene therapies using Avacta Group’s Affimer technology combined with FIT Biotech Oy’s gtGTU® platform. The very small, simply structured Affirmer proteins have ideal potential for delivering the DNA blueprint of therapeutic proteins into patient’s cells where it can be reproduced, although this natural process does need to achieve clinically relevant levels of the protein drug to be effective.

FIT Biotech’s gtGTU, a vector for delivering genes to patients, was developed to ensure the stable and prolonged production of therapeutic proteins by the patient’s cells, in a safe manner. It removes the requirement for frequent administration of biological therapeutics which are cleared from the body after a limited time.

Dr Alastair Smith, Avacta Group Chief Executive Officer said: “I am delighted that we are starting this collaboration with FIT Biotech. It is a very exciting prospect and the Group is keen to see the initial data from the pilot study which we anticipate will be in the first half of 2018.”

James Kuo, Chief Executive Officer of FIT Biotech added: “We very much look forward to working on this project together with Avacta (which) offers an exciting opportunity to take targeted therapies to a new level. This collaboration follows our strategy of bringing gtGTU to the gene therapy market through strong partnerships.”