FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PARIS, France and HEIDELBERG, Germany (October 2, 2024) –
SK pharmteco, a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for small molecules and advanced therapies, and AaviGen GmbH, a preclinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of curative gene therapies for cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary diseases, today announced a multi-year manufacturing agreement wherein SK pharmteco will be the preferred manufacturing partner for Aavigen’s lead gene therapy product AVG-101 for the treatment of heart failure.
“SK pharmteco is a key partner for AaviGen as part of our strategy to develop and commercialize innovative gene therapies against diseases of the cardiovascular and cardiovascular system,” said Patrick Most, CEO of AaviGen. “The SK pharmteco team offered the trust, competence, and understanding of how a young company like AaviGen must operate in a dynamic market from the first minute of our interactions. We look forward to the collaboration with great confidence.”
AaviGen’s proprietary heart-specific adeno-associated viral vector technology enables the development of therapies that target and reverse the underlying molecular causes of heart muscle dysfunction. By focusing on key areas such as cardioprotection, contractility, and energy metabolism, AaviGen is committed to improving patient outcomes and restoring normal cardiac function.
“We are thrilled to partner with AaviGen on their innovative gene therapy for heart failure,” said Patrick Mahieux, SK pharmteco’s President of Cell and Gene, Europe. “Our deep expertise in viral vector manufacturing and our commitment to quality and efficiency make us the ideal partner to support the development and commercialization of this promising therapy. We look forward to contributing to the advancement of this groundbreaking treatment for patients in need.”
Martin Busch, PhD., COO of AaviGen added: “SK pharmteco stands out from the global pool of suppliers because of its extensive experience in process development and manufacturing of adeno-associated viral-based gene therapies. Additionally, their recent investments in expanding manufacturing capacity provide us with exceptional support from the earliest stages of development to the commercial phase, especially for common cardiac disorders, such as chronic heart failure.”
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About AaviGen
AaviGen was founded in 2019 on the understanding that successful gene therapy requires optimized delivery of therapeutic targets to the diseased heart. AaviGen’s scientific approach is documented in numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications and validated by its founders’ track record in scientific innovations for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac diseases, including gene therapy medicinal products. For more information, please see: www.aavigen.com
About SK pharmteco
SK pharmteco is a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with production sites, research & development facilities, and analytical laboratories across the U.S., Europe, and Korea. The company partners with biopharmaceutical companies of all sizes to manufacture Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and intermediates, cell and gene therapy technologies, registered starting materials, and analytical services for the biopharmaceutical industry worldwide. SK pharmteco is a subsidiary of SK Inc. (KRX: 034730) (SK), the strategic investment company for SK Group, South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate.
Contact:
SK pharmteco
Keith Bowermaster, APR, CCMP
Communications Consultant
keith.bowermaster@skpt.com
Website: www.skpharmteco.com
AaviGen
Prof. Marc Lerchenmüller, CFO
contact@aavigen.com
Website: www.aavigen.com
