Cell therapy weekly: improved AAV packaging technique awarded key patent
Also this week: 3D cell culture market valued at US$3.2 billion by 2027 and CNS gene therapy given Fast Track Designation by US FDA (MD, USA).
The news highlights:
Improved AAV packaging technique awarded key patent
3D cell culture market valued at US$3.2 billion by 2027
CNS gene therapy given Fast Track Designation by US FDA
Improved AAV packaging technique awarded key patent
This week, leading biotechnology company, Vigene Biosciences (MD, USA) secured a patent from The United States Patent and Trademark Office (VA, USA) for their improved viral vector production technique. The company specialize in viral vector production for gene and cell therapy, and their latest patent covers their new ‘helper vectors’. The ‘helper vector’ plasmids are designed to improve packaging efficiency into recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors ensuring stronger yields.
“We are pleased to have this technology available to our clients for AAV GMP production,” stated Zairen Sun (Vigene Biosciences). “The ability to more efficiently package transgenes will significantly improve the yield of viral vector productions, enabling our clients to attain amounts necessary for therapeutic application more rapidly and at a lower overall cost.”
3D cell culture market valued at US$3.2 billion by 2027
A report released by Grand View Research (CA, USA) estimates that the market for 3D cell culture will increase to US$3.2 billion by 2027. The market size was valued at US$1.4 billion in 2019, demonstrating a stark increase in the expected value.
Scaffold based techniques are expected to retain their dominance within the market, however, a rising demand for 3D models in research are expected to propel the market forward. The report suggests that while cancer research is expected to be the major application utilizing the tools, we can also expect growth from tissue engineering and drug discovery.
Major players in the growth are predicted to be companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific (MA, USA), Lonza (Basel, Switzerland), the Merck Group (NJ, USA) and Corning Inc. (NY, USA).
CNS gene therapy given Fast Track Designation by US FDA
US FDA (MD, USA) has provided Lysogene’s (Paris, France) Phase III gene therapy treatment for mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIA (MPS IIIA) with Fast Track Designation. The gene therapy, LYS-SAF302, is designed to restore a functional copy of the N-sulfoglucosamine sulfohydrolase gene through a one-time injection into the CNS. With the new designation, Lysogene will receive accelerated reviews and more frequent interactions with the FDA, in a bid to move the drug to market as swiftly as possible.
“MPS IIIA is a lethal neurological disease with debilitating symptoms for which there is currently no treatment. The FDA’s recognition of LYS-SAF302’s potential to improve neurocognitive deficits in children with MPS IIIA represents an important achievement for Lysogene and the patient community,” explained Karen Aiach (Lysogene).
For more weekly cell therapy news, read previous editions of the cell therapy weekly.
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