Bayer News - AskBio to collaborate with Belief BioMed to explore the potential of new gene therapies

Reading, UK, 25^th September 2024 – Bayer AG and Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), a gene therapy company wholly owned and independently operated as a subsidiary of Bayer AG, today announced a new strategic collaboration with Belief BioMed Inc. (BBM) to explore the potential for new gene therapies.

Under the terms of the contract the companies will combine efforts and experience in gene therapy technology to explore potential therapies in diseases that may be treatable using a liver-targeted approach.

“AskBio takes a collaborative approach when developing new gene therapies, and we look worldwide to use the most promising science to realise our goals,” said Mansuo Shannon, Chief Scientific Officer, AskBio. “The potential of BBM’s next-generation capsid technology, together with the work we are conducting at AskBio, is promising. We are looking forward to working closely with the team at BBM.”

With global headquarters in Shanghai, China, BBM integrates the research and development, manufacturing, and clinical application of gene therapy products for serious genetic and chronic diseases through viral vector technology.^[i] The company has developed advanced vector technologies and has established an extensive pipeline for gene therapy drugs in China.^[ii] In July 2024, BBM announced that the New Drug Application (NDA) for its core product for haemophilia B was accepted by China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), making this the first NDA submitted in China for gene therapy product indicated for an inborn genetic disease.^[iii]  

BBM has independently developed a variety of novel engineered adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors; relative to conventional AAV vectors, the novel AAV vectors have shown reduced immunogenicity and robust transduction efficiency in human and non-human trials, respectively.^[iv],[v]

“This strategic collaboration with BBM is an excellent example of how we work at AskBio and is particularly special given the extraordinary contributions Dr. Xiao Xiao has made to the field as BBM’s Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer, and before as a co-founder of AskBio,” said Gustavo Pesquin, Chief Executive Officer, AskBio. “Collaborating with innovative, like-minded partners with complementary gene therapy expertise enables us to find the best way forward for our pipeline assets and bolster our efforts to advance new therapies for conditions with significant unmet need.”

“Gene therapies have some of the greatest potential for advancing modern medicine, particularly from a technical perspective,” said Juergen Eckhardt, MD, Head of Business Development & Licensing at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. “One path to success lies in collaborations such as this and in bringing together experts with broad expertise and experience. We are excited for AskBio’s new collaboration with BBM and the advancements it may one day bring to patients.”