Biogen/Capsigen Ink Up To $1.3bn Deal For Improved AAV Capsids

Collaboration Is Latest Focused On Next-Generation Gene Therapies

Biogen is Capsigen’s first partner, while Dyno Therapeutics has also entered into deals potentially worth billions with large drug and biotech firms.

Scientific vector illustration genetic engineering and gene manipulation concept. DNA helix, DNA strand, molecule or atom, neurons. Abstract structure for Science or medical background. — Biogen and Capsigen ink a $1.3bn deal for improved AAV capsids • Source: Shutterstock

A $1.3bn deal between Biogen, Inc. and Capsigen Inc. points to how a growing number of large biopharma companies are turning to small firms focused on developing novel capsid technology to aid their gene therapy development efforts. Along with that, there is growing interest in adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-based gene therapies more specifically tailored to diseases than the ones currently on the market, and the firms’ ability to net potentially billion-dollar-plus deals shows there is room for better capsids.

Biogen said 10 May that it had tapped Capsigen to engineer AAV capsids to address central nervous system and neuromuscular...