Astellas inks gene therapy deal with AviadoBio

UK-based AviadoBio, a LifeArc Ventures portfolio company, and Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503) today announced an exclusive option and license agreement for AVB-101, an investigational, AAV-based gene therapy in Phase I/II development for patients with frontotemporal dementia with progranulin mutations (FTD-GRN).

FTD is a devastating form of early-onset dementia that typically leads to death within three to 13 years from diagnosis. People with FTD commonly experience a rapid decline in executive function (attention control, working memory, problem-solving etc), uncharacteristic behaviors, loss of language, apathy, and reduced mobility. It is an important cause of dementia in those under the age of 65 and is often underrecognized, and misdiagnosed.

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