Vascular Genetics, GenStar merging

Gene therapy companies Vascular Genetics (Atlanta, Ga.) and GNT will merge in a stock-for-stock deal. The combined company, to be called Autus Genetics, will be equally owned by shareholders of Vascular Genetics and GNT. Autus will focus on development of Vascular's VEGF-2 naked DNA gene therapy, which is in Phase I/II testing for cardiovascular disease and angina, GNT's Factor VIII gene therapy, which is in Phase I testing for hemophilia A.

Vascular Genetics is developing VEGF-2 gene therapy under an exclusive license from Human Genome Sciences (HGSI), which will own 15% of Autus. Baxter (BAX), which has been partially funding GNT's Factor VIII compound, also will own 15% of Autus. ...