Renova Therapeutics secures novel AAV vector license for use in metabolic and cardiovascular gene therapy development
December 8, 2016
San Diego, CA – Renova™ Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing gene therapy treatments for congestive heart failure and type 2 diabetes, announced that it has obtained a nonexclusive license for a novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector developed in the laboratory of Professor Mark Kay, M.D., Ph.D., at Stanford University. The company plans to use this vector in development of its paracrine gene therapy product pipeline.
“Early research has shown promise with this second-generation AAV vector for the therapeutic areas that we’re pursuing,” says Jack W. Reich, Ph.D., CEO and Co-founder of Renova Therapeutics. “With this agreement in place, we’re able to conduct further preclinical – and eventually clinical – studies that are critical to advancing our pipeline.”
Renova Therapeutics intends to use Dr. Kay’s invention for its paracrine gene therapy program in preclinical models of various metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, including type 2 diabetes.
Renova Therapeutics’ paracrine gene therapy treatments are based on a novel systemic approach that introduces therapeutic genes capable of directing the body’s cells to work more normally. This proprietary approach exploits the use of peptide genes that possess favorable cardio-metabolic effects via their paracrine activity. This single-IV-injection treatment method is a foundation for future products that have the potential to bring about permanent improvements in heart failure and type 2 diabetes patients.
The company’s paracrine gene therapy approach was developed by Dr. H. Kirk Hammond, Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, a cardiologist at the San Diego Veterans’ Affairs Healthcare System, and Co-founder of Renova Therapeutics.