Capsida Biotherapeutics Inc. and Kate Therapeutics (KateTx) entered a strategic partnership to leverage Capsida’s adeno-associated virus (AAV) manufacturing capabilities to enable KateTx’s initial internal portfolio of muscle and heart disease programs.
 
Capsida will provide GMP manufacturing of KateTx’s gene therapies as the medicines advance through preclinical and clinical development. Capsida will receive funding for the term of the agreement.
 
KateTx’s internal programs include myotonic dystrophy type 1 and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, which are two of the leading causes of adult-onset muscular dystrophy.
 
“Capsida possesses end-to-end expertise – which includes AAV capsid engineering, preclinical, clinical, and state-of-the-art manufacturing,” said Peter Anastasiou, chief executive officer (CEO) of Capsida Biotherapeutics. “We are thrilled to be able to leverage our established capabilities in AAV manufacturing and support a peer company to reach patients in a complementary space, while continuing to advance our own internal and partnered pipeline in CNS and ophthalmology.”
 
“KateTx is leading the way in developing capsid and cargo combinations to address muscle and heart diseases in ways that have not been previously possible,” said Kevin Forrest, Ph.D., president and CEO of Kate Therapeutics. “Capsida’s exceptional AAV manufacturing capabilities allow us to build our pipeline, de-risk our programs, and advance them into the clinic in the most rapid manner possible, so we can bring much-needed therapies to patients quickly.”