Astellas inks rare eye disease deals with 4D Molecular

Yesterday after market close, US genetic medicines company 4D Molecular Therapeutics (Nasdaq: FDMT;4DMT) announced a license agreement with Japanese drug major Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503) that sent its shares up 4.5% to $18.76 pre-market today.

Under the accord, Astellas gains rights to utilize the intravitreal retinotropic R100 vector invented by 4DMT for one genetic target implicated in rare monogenic ophthalmic disease(s), with options to add up to two additional targets implicated in rare monogenic ophthalmic diseases after paying additional option exercise fees.

R100 is an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector invented by 4DMT for intravitreal delivery. It has the ability to penetrate the internal limiting membrane barrier and to efficiently transduce the entire retina, resulting in robust transgene expression within retinal cells. All three 4DMT clinical-stage ophthalmic product candidates utilize the R100 vector, including 4D-150 for wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.