Bayer and Acuitas Therapeutics Join Forces for Targeted Gene Editing Delivery

Bayer and Acuitas Therapeutics Join Forces for Targeted Gene Editing Delivery

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(IN BRIEF) Bayer AG has partnered with Acuitas Therapeutics, Inc. to enhance its gene therapy portfolio. Acuitas’ lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology will enable targeted and efficient delivery of gene editing RNA components to the liver. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of Bayer’s gene editing programs. Acuitas’ LNP platform has been successfully used in various clinical vaccines and therapeutics, including some COVID-19 vaccines. The financial details of the partnership remain undisclosed.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERLIN, 5-Jun-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Bayer (ETR: BAYN), a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and nutrition and and one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, is collaborating with Acuitas Therapeutics, Inc. to strengthen its gene therapy programs. Acuitas’ proprietary LNP technology enables efficient, targeted, and temporary delivery of gene editing RNA components to the liver, supporting Bayer’s in vivo gene editing and protein replacement initiatives.

LNPs are spherical drug delivery systems equipped with therapeutic payloads for intracellular delivery. Acuitas’ LNP technology, which has been successfully utilized in various vaccines and therapeutics in clinical development, including certain COVID-19 vaccines, safeguards the messenger RNA (mRNA) payload, facilitating safe and effective delivery into cells. In addition to mRNA, Acuitas’ LNP platform is versatile enough to deliver different nucleic acid therapeutics such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), antisense oligonucleotides, and DNA.

“Complementing in-house expertise with external collaboration continues to be a priority in areas of high unmet medical need where insufficient, or no treatment options are currently available,” said Friedemann Janus, acting Head of Business Development and Licensing/Open Innovation, Pharmaceuticals Division, Bayer. “Accessing state-of-the-art LNP technology through this collaboration will add momentum to our gene editing efforts for the benefit of patients.”

“Developing therapies at scale is fundamental to provide breakthrough innovations to patients who have no time to wait,” said Jost Reinhardt, Head of Cell and Gene Therapy, Pharmaceuticals Division, Bayer. “Adding Acuitas’ clinically-validated and scalable LNP technology to our genomic medicine toolbox is another important step to advance our leadership in the field of cell and gene therapies.”

“We are delighted to partner with Bayer in the area of gene therapy. Innovation is the foundation of who we are at Acuitas, and we continue to invest heavily in internal research and development to provide our partners – such as Bayer – with the safest and most effective LNP delivery technology available,” said Dr. Thomas Madden, President & CEO of Acuitas Therapeutics. “We support our partners to advance new therapeutics to address unmet clinical needs, and we are excited to work with the Bayer team in the development of medicines that are intended to address serious health issues faced by people worldwide.”

Under the development and option for license agreement, Bayer and its gene therapy-focused affiliate Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio) will gain access to Acuitas’ high potency ionizable lipid technology and LNP carriers. This collaboration aims to expedite the development and clinical implementation of Bayer and AskBio’s first in vivo gene editing programs by leveraging Acuitas’ market-mature and scalable manufacturing capabilities. The financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.

About gene editing
Gene editing is the targeted manipulation of genetic material. It enables a range of edits to the DNA allowing a diverse range of therapeutic applications. Gene editing can be applied inside and outside the patient to treat a variety of diseases and provide diverse clinical benefits. Gene editing as therapeutic treatment of genetic diseases can be used ex vivo to treat genetic dysfunctions, e.g., sickle cell anemia where a patient’s cells are ex vivo modified and afterwards re-administered, or in vivo, where modifications are made directly within the human body. To deliver the different components needed for in vivo gene editing to the right place in the patient’s body, transport vehicles, such as LNPs can be used.

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2022, the Group employed around 101,000 people and had sales of 50.7 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

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Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Media contact:

Dr. Imke Meyer
External Innovation and Partnering
imke.meyer@bayer.com
+49 214-600-01275
imke.meyer@bayer.com

SOURCE: Bayer AG