Sirion, which focuses on viral vector-based gene delivery technologies for gene and cell therapy and vaccine development, will combine its AAV tech platform with the Barcelona biomedical research centre’s knowledge of genetic regulatory mechanisms.
The aim is to develop AAV vectors that target specific pancreatic cell types and contain payloads that express therapeutic genes under control of cell-specific regulatory elements. This new approach hopes to increase the precision, safety, and efficacy of future AAV based gene therapies for diabetes.
However, the tech also has promise for treating other disorders.
“As we look to the future of precision medicine, we are excited to collaborate with CRG on new generation AAV vector technology,” said Dr. Christian Thirion, founder and managing director of Munich-headquartered Sirion, which offers platforms based on lenti-, adeno-, and adeno-associated viruses to expedite gene therapy research and advance drug development.
“Our hope is that our joint efforts will not only facilitate better gene therapy options for type 1 and type 2 diabetes but also bring the life science industry closer to creating more successful and specialized gene therapies for other diseases such as neuronal disorders.”