VectorY Strikes $1.2B Option and License Pact with Shape Therapeutics for Brain-Penetrant Gene Therapy Delivery

VectorY Therapeutics has signed an exclusive option and license agreement with Shape Therapeutics that could be worth up to $1.2 billion in total milestone and upfront payments12.

The deal centers on the use of Shape’s engineered AAV5-derived capsid SHP-DB1, which has shown a significantly increased ability to penetrate deep brain regions, enabling intravenous (IV) delivery of genetic medicines to neural populations previously inaccessible with conventional capsids12.

VectorY will evaluate SHP-DB1 for delivery of its vectorized antibody therapeutics targeting three neurodegenerative disease pathways, with Huntington’s disease program VTx-003 and Alzheimer’s disease asset VTx-005 specifically mentioned as likely initial beneficiaries12.

Payment structure includes up to $338 million for rare disease milestone payments, $503.5 million for non-rare disease milestones, plus additional upfront fees and tiered royalties if products reach market12.

If VectorY moves forward and licenses SHP-DB1, the capsid will enable IV delivery of programs currently in preclinical and discovery phases, expanding reach for therapies aimed at hard-to-target brain regions12.

Shape Therapeutics has similar capsid delivery collaborations with major pharmaceutical partners such as Roche and Otsuka Pharmaceutical for various CNS disease targets1.

The partnership highlights increased pharma interest in advanced AAV vector technologies for brain-delivery and the development of next-generation gene therapies for serious neurodegenerative diseases12.

Sources:

1. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/vectory-pens-12b-biobucks-pact-use-shapes-capsid-deliver-gene-therapies-brain

2. https://www.biospace.com/business/vectory-bets-up-to-1-2b-that-shapes-brain-penetrant-capsids-are-a-fit