Sangamo and Genentech Partner for Neurological Gene Therapies

Sangamo Therapeutics, a genomic medicine startup, has teamed up with Genentech, a division of Roche Group, to create intravenous genetic medicines for the treatment of certain neurological illnesses. Sangamo has licensed exclusively to Genentech its unique zinc finger repressors that target the tau gene, implicated in tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, Sangamo has consented to grant Genentech an exclusive license for tau and the neurotropic AAV capsid STAC-BBB, which has shown strong brain transduction and blood-brain barrier penetration in nonhuman primates.

For years, Sangamo has been at the forefront of genomic medicine to treat neurodegenerative illnesses for which there are currently few effective treatments. The discovery of STAC-BBB, an AAV capsid administered intravenously, offers the potential to resolve long-standing issues with administering medications to the central nervous system. With its combined experience, knowledge, and resources in neurological research, Roche is in a unique position to investigate ground-breaking methods for treating neurodegenerative illnesses, such as gene therapy.

As per the agreement, Genentech is in charge of clinical development, regulatory contacts, manufacturing, and worldwide commercialisation, while Sangamo is required to finish a technology transfer and some preclinical efforts. Under the terms of the deal, Sangamo is entitled to receive up to $1.9 billion in research and commercial milestones distributed over many possible products, while Genentech is slated to pay Sangamo $50 million in near-term upfront licensing fees and milestone payments.