Renowned Geneticist Philip Beales Launches Axovia Therapeutics to Develop Transformative Medicines for Ciliopathies

Renowned Geneticist Philip Beales Launches Axovia Therapeutics to Develop Transformative Medicines for Ciliopathies

• Axovia is focused on developing transformative gene therapies for cilia disorders, starting with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome
• Axovia is a majority-owned subsidiary of Jaguar Gene Therapy, which is backed by Deerfield Management

LONDON (February 25, 2021) -- Axovia Therapeutics, an innovative gene therapy company developing disease-transformative medicines for ciliopathies, led by renowned researcher Professor Philip Beales, launched today after being in stealth mode for the past year. Axovia is a majority-owned subsidiary of Jaguar Gene Therapy, which is backed by Deerfield Management, and is also partially funded by UCL Technology Fund. Axovia is receiving initial operational support from Jaguar Gene Therapy, including critical manufacturing guidance intended to expedite Axovia’s development timelines and enable it to bring its much-needed discoveries to patients.

Professor Philip Beales, former head of Genetics and Genomic Medicine at UCL has led the most comprehensive research and care efforts for Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) patients in the world. He and Axovia’s co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Victor Hernandez, Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at Brunel University, aim to advance gene therapy programs that have already shown early promise in treating some of the most severe symptoms of BBS, such as early onset blindness and severe obesity.

“Our goal is to build on the scientific discoveries and molecular diagnosis of Bardet-Biedl syndrome to accelerate the development of disease-transformative treatments for patients as early as possible,” said Philip Beales, CEO and co-founder of Axovia Therapeutics. “Our aim is to halt the progression of BBS so patients and families will experience dramatic improvements in their quality of life.”

The Axovia team is currently working to develop a gene therapy treatment for BBS1, a subset of BBS, which is life-threatening and affects many organs of the body. The major impact of BBS includes early-onset retinal blindness, metabolic disease (including severe obesity and diabetes), intellectual disability often with autism, kidney failure and a range of abnormalities of the endocrine system. Using adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) as a platform delivery technology, Axovia plans to develop gene replacement therapies to treat ciliopathies that together affect up to 1 in 700 individuals spread across at least 35 diseases.

“We at Jaguar are excited by the vision of Professor Beales and the Axovia team to develop transformative therapies for patients suffering from ciliopathies,” said Joe Nolan, Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Gene Therapy. “Our collaboration with Axovia to date has been productive, and we look forward to Axovia’s continued evolution as it becomes an independent company with an initial focus on serving the BBS community.”

Professor Beales has long been at the forefront of research, discovery and clinical care of BBS. Discovered in 1866, BBS lacked diagnostic criteria until Professor Beales established them in 1999. A year later, he co-led the team that discovered the first BBS gene and determined that the cause lies with dysfunctional cilia. This work has driven research efforts for treatments for BBS and the broader disease group of ciliopathies.

About Axovia Therapeutics

Axovia is dedicated to developing disease-transformative therapies that target key aspects of ciliopathies, addressing the devastating impact of the disease head-on for patients, their families and caregivers. Building on the most comprehensive BBS program started at UCL more than 25 years ago, Axovia is working to advance gene therapy programs that have already shown early promise in treating some of the most severe aspects of BBS, such as early onset blindness and neurometabolic disease. Axovia is a majority-owned subsidiary of Jaguar Gene Therapy, which is backed by Deerfield Management, and is also partially funded by UCL Technology Fund. To learn more about Axovia, visit https://axoviatherapeutics.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.

About Jaguar Gene Therapy

Jaguar Gene Therapy, LLC is accelerating breakthroughs in gene therapy for patients suffering from severe genetic diseases. Backed by Deerfield Management, a healthcare-specific investment firm, Jaguar brings streamlined R&D, manufacturing and clinical operations to accelerate development and potential approval of therapies for severe genetic diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.jaguargenetherapy.com/ and follow Jaguar Gene Therapy on LinkedIn.

About Deerfield Management Company

Deerfield is an investment management firm committed to advancing healthcare through investment, information and philanthropy. For more information, please visit www.deerfield.com.

About UCL Technology Fund

The UCL Technology Fund is dedicated to investing in intellectual property commercialization opportunities arising from UCL’s world-class research base, focusing in particular on the physical and life sciences. The fund helps UCL academics achieve the full potential of innovations that have prospects for outstanding societal and market impact, right through the development journey from initial proof of concept to practical commercial application. The fund is managed by AlbionVC, one of the largest independent venture capital investors in the UK, in collaboration with UCL Business. For further information please visit: www.ucltf.co.uk.