Nimvec™ gene delivery platform
Amarna has developed a new non-immunogenic gene delivery vector platform named Nimvec™, derived from the macaque polyomavirus Simian Virus 40 (SV40). Replication-deficient SV40 vectors are highly effective in transducing a wide range of cell types and their therapeutic potential has been shown in animal models of human disease.
Since the virus strictly replicates in macaques, humans are immunologically naïve for SV40. In addition, it evades the human immune system and induces tolerance, making SV40 vectors non-immunogenic and tolerogenic in humans and thereby constitute a highly attractive platform for use in gene and immunotherapies
SuperVero vector production cell line
The translation of SV40 vectors to the clinic has historically been hampered by the lack of a suitable packaging cell line. Amarna has constructed a safe and efficient vector production cell line named SuperVero, derived from the classical Vero cells that are routinely used for vaccine production. Amarna’s SuperVero cells solely express the viral protein necessary to generate large quantities of vector particles, completely free from replication-competent SV40 virus contamination. The Nimvec™ production process is robust, scalable and generic for different target genes, supporting the production of different therapeutics using the same process.
Gene therapy focus areas
Armana’s pipeline currently targets three different types of indications, with different therapeutic modes of action: