BioCentury
ARTICLE | Company News

Biogen bolsters gene therapy portfolio

May 17, 2016 1:11 AM UTC

Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) and the University of Pennsylvania will collaborate to develop gene therapies for eye, skeletal muscle and CNS conditions.

Biogen will pay $20 million up front to UPenn, which is to develop therapeutic candidates using both new and existing AAV vectors as well as new manufacturing approaches. Biogen is to provide $62.5 million in R&D funding over three to five years for seven preclinical programs from the laboratories of UPenn professors James Wilson and Jean Bennett. UPenn is eligible for $77.5-$137.5 million in milestones per program, plus royalties. Biogen said UPenn is eligible for a total of $2 billion in research funding, options and milestones. ...