AI technology company launches with Novartis and Sarepta deals

Collaborations focus on gene therapies for serious eye and muscle diseases using Dyno’s CapsidMap artificial intelligence platform to design AAV vectors.

Novartis collaboration

The biotechnology company's deal with Novartis will focus on developing improved AAV vectors for research, development, and commercialization of gene therapies for ocular diseases.

The partnership will allow the parties to utilize Dyno’s CapsidMap AI platform along with Novartis expertise in ophthalmology and gene therapy development and global commercialization to deliver innovative gene therapies to patients with serious diseases of the eye.

According to Eric D. Kelsic, CEO and Co‑founder of Dyno Therapeutics, many eye diseases are particularly suitable for gene therapy treatment, and new and improved AAV vectors could open up more opportunities.

Dyno will use AI technology and its suite of machine learning and experimental tools for the design and discovery of novel AAV capsids, the cell-targeting protein shell of viral vectors, with improved functional properties for gene therapy.

Novartis will conduct preclinical, clinical, and commercialization activities for the gene therapy product candidates created with the novel AAV capsids.

Dyno will receive upfront consideration plus committed research funding and license fees. In addition, Dyno will be eligible to receive clinical, regulatory and sales milestone payments, as well as royalties on worldwide net sales of any commercial products developed through the partnership.

In a separate deal, Dyno and Sarepta Therapeutics will work together to develop next-generation AAV vectors for muscle diseases, also using Dyno’s CapsidMap platform.

AI and machine learning technologies have the potential to deliver enhanced vectors for gene therapies. Dyno’s proprietary CapsidMap platform offers new ways to identify novel capsids that could offer improved muscle targeting and immune-evading properties, in addition to advantages in packaging and manufacturing.

Under the terms of this agreement, Dyno will be responsible for the design and discovery of novel AAV capsids with improved functional properties for gene therapy whereas Sarepta will be responsible for conducting preclinical, clinical and commercialization activities for gene therapy product candidates using the novel capsids.

If successful, Dyno could receive more than $40 million in upfront, option and license payments during the research phase of the collaboration.