VIRALGEN VECTOR CORE

Viralgen Vector Core: Paving the Way for Gene Therapy

Gene therapy, the use of genetic material to treat or prevent disease, has long been touted as a potential game-changer in the medical field. However, bringing this technology to market has been a slow and difficult process, with numerous challenges to overcome. Enter Viralgen Vector Core, a Spanish biotechnology company that is at the forefront of the gene therapy revolution.

Viralgen Vector Core was founded in 2017 as a joint venture between two companies, AskBio and Columbus Venture Partners. AskBio is a leading US-based gene therapy company, while Columbus Venture Partners is a Spanish venture capital firm specializing in life sciences. The goal of the partnership was to create a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for viral vectors, which are the delivery vehicles used to transport genetic material into cells for gene therapy.

Viralgen Vector Core's facility, located in San Sebastian, Spain, is the largest of its kind in Europe. The company has invested heavily in cutting-edge technology, including a fully automated production line, to ensure the highest quality and efficiency in vector manufacturing. In addition, the facility has been designed with flexibility in mind, allowing it to produce vectors for a wide range of diseases and applications.

The company's flagship product is a vector for adeno-associated virus (AAV), a commonly used vector in gene therapy. AAV vectors have shown great promise in treating a range of genetic disorders, including hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis. However, the production of high-quality AAV vectors is a complex and challenging process, which is where Viralgen Vector Core comes in.

Viralgen Vector Core's AAV vectors have been used in clinical trials for several diseases, including a gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) developed by AveXis, a subsidiary of Novartis. The therapy, called Zolgensma, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019, making it the most expensive drug in the world at a cost of $2.1 million per patient.

Viralgen Vector Core's success in producing high-quality AAV vectors has made it an attractive partner for gene therapy companies around the world. The company has already entered into partnerships with several major players in the field, including Pfizer, Biogen, and Takeda, and is poised to play a leading role in the future of gene therapy.

But Viralgen Vector Core's ambitions extend beyond simply manufacturing vectors for other companies. The company is also developing its own gene therapies, with a focus on rare genetic diseases. One of its lead programs is a therapy for Pompe disease, a rare and debilitating muscle disorder. The therapy is currently in preclinical development, but has shown promising results in animal models.

In conclusion, Viralgen Vector Core is a company that is paving the way for the future of gene therapy. With its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, expertise in AAV vector production, and focus on rare genetic diseases, the company is well-positioned to make a significant impact on the field. As the promise of gene therapy becomes a reality, Viralgen Vector Core is poised to be at the forefront of this exciting and rapidly-evolving field.