CEVEC Pharmaceuticals has signed an option and license agreement with Roche for the use of its newly launched ELEVECTA Technology for large scale manufacturing of adeno‐associated virus (AAV) vectors for gene therapy applications.
Under the terms of the agreement, CEVEC will grant Roche, and Spark Therapeutics, a member of the Roche Group, an option for a non‐exclusive license for the development of AAV producer cell lines based on CEVEC’s ELEVECTA Technology.
The partnership will provide Roche the rights to use CEVEC’s technology for its portfolio of gene therapy products. Under the license, CEVEC will be eligible for payments based on achievement of certain milestones for products, as well as royalties on sales of potential products using the technology. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
“We are delighted to partner with Roche with the goal to manufacture AAV vector‐based gene therapy programs on a large scale by leveraging our novel ELEVECTA Technology. This agreement represents a major milestone while highlighting ELEVECTA as the technology of choice for next generation viral vector manufacturing,” said Dr. Nicole Faust, CEO of CEVEC.
“Given the enormous progress of gene therapies, manufacturing technologies must keep up with the needs of the industry in terms of volumes, quality, robustness and ease of use. With ELEVECTA we are paving the way for many more commercial gene therapy applications in the future.”
“Across the Roche Group, we are always looking for new and innovative technologies that provide clear competitive advantages and add significant value to our portfolio,” said James Sabry, Head of Roche Pharma Partnering.
“We are excited to use CEVEC’s ELEVECTA Technology for potential large‐ scale production of gene therapies and providing them to patients in need.”
Image credit: Hush Naidoo
