Leiden, The Netherlands, 28th November 2024 - Amarna Therapeutics, (“Amarna” or “the Company”), a privately held biotechnology company specializing in transformative gene therapies, is pleased to announce its strategic collaboration with NorthX Biologics, a leading biologics manufacturing partner. This partnership represents a major step in advancing the clinical trial manufacturing of Nimvec™ AM510, Amarna’s groundbreaking gene therapy platform designed to transform the treatment of immune-mediated diseases. The collaboration will begin with the transfer of Amarna’s research-scale production process for Nimvec™ AM510 to NorthX Biologics. This critical step initiates the Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) development process at NorthX, laying the groundwork for cGMP-compliant manufacturing to support First-in-Human (FiH) clinical trials. Together, the companies will focus on optimizing and scaling production processes to ensure high-quality, safe, and effective therapies for future clinical applications.
A Shared Vision for Transformative Gene Therapy:
This partnership highlights the shared commitment of Amarna Therapeutics and NorthX Biologics to advance innovative solutions in gene therapy. By combining Amarna’s cutting-edge Nimvec™ platform with NorthX’s world-class expertise in biologics manufacturing, the collaboration aims to address unmet medical needs and set new standards for therapeutic development. “We are delighted to partner with NorthX Biologics, whose proven expertise in biologics manufacturing perfectly complements our vision of delivering transformative gene therapies,” said Henk Streefkerk, CEO of Amarna Therapeutics. “This collaboration is a pivotal milestone in bringing Nimvec™ AM510 closer to clinical application."
”We are excited to collaborate with the Amarna team, allowing us to leverage NorthX Biologics’ expertise in viral vector manufacturing, to support the development of this pioneering gene therapy platform. Together, we aim to accelerate the journey of Nimvec™ AM510 toward providing life-changing treatments for patients in need," said Janet Hoogstraate, CEO of NorthX Biologics.
Looking Ahead
This partnership embodies a shared vision to revolutionize gene therapy through scalable innovation. By uniting their expertise, Amarna Therapeutics and NorthX Biologics are set to advance transformative therapies that enhance patient outcomes while establishing new standards in therapeutic development and manufacturing excellence. Additionally, this collaboration enables the production of batches for future products, supporting the development of groundbreaking treatments yet to come.
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About T1D
T1D is a debilitating disease occurring in millions of patients globally, with rising incidences each year, where despite advancements in therapy the life expectancy remains lower than the general population. Diabetes is an autoimmune disease where self-reactive T lymphocytes selectively attack and destroy insulin-producing β cells lodged within the pancreas, leaving the patient unable to maintain glucose homeostasis. To date, T1D cannot be cured, and glucose homeostasis can only be maintained using daily insulin injections. In addition, secondary complications of the current therapy are considerable and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Using Nimvec™ AM510 Amarna intends to restore the immune tolerance to insulin and potentially cure the patients.
About Nimvec™ AM510
The development of AM510 is based on our proprietary Nimvec™ platform, which has demonstrated exceptional promise in preclinical studies. Unlike other gene therapies that induce a strong immune response, limiting the possibility for repeat dosing and efficacy, Nimvec™ does not trigger such immune responses. Instead, it moderates the immune system to induce tolerance, making it an ideal vehicle for our therapeutic approach. Our preclinical data with Nimvec™ AM510 showcases its protective effects in delaying the onset of hyperglycemia and preventing the development of T1DM in relevant animal models.