Charles River and Purespring Therapeutics Announce Gene Therapy Manufacturing Collaboration

Rhea-AI Summary

Charles River Laboratories (NYSE: CRL) has partnered with Purespring Therapeutics to develop a gene therapy platform focused on kidney diseases, affecting about 840 million people globally. This collaboration utilizes Charles River's eXpDNA™ plasmid manufacturing capabilities, bolstering their CDMO services in cell and gene therapy. Purespring aims to innovate treatments targeting podocytes, leveraging a lower-dose, local delivery approach to enhance efficacy and safety. Supported by significant investments, this initiative seeks to accelerate the development of novel therapies, transforming kidney disease treatment and significantly improving patient outcomes.

Positive

• Collaboration with Purespring Therapeutics enhances CRL's position in gene therapy for kidney diseases.
• Leveraging the established eXpDNA™ platform supports the development of innovative therapies.
• Purespring's focus on podocyte targeting may lead to significant advancements in treatment efficacy and safety.

Negative

• None.

Plasmid CDMO alliance supports first gene therapy platform targeting kidney diseases

WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) and Purespring Therapeutics, a pioneering gene therapy company focused on transforming the treatment of kidney diseases, today announced a plasmid DNA contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) collaboration.

Supporting the first gene therapy platform targeting renal diseases, which affect approximately 840 million people, or around 10 percent of the global population, the program leverages Charles River’s established plasmid platform, eXpDNA™, and decades of experience at the Company’s plasmid DNA manufacturing center of excellence.

Purespring is engaged in the development of novel therapies which have the potential to stop or significantly slow down chronic kidney diseases for which there is no current therapy available, except for dialysis or transplantation. With an innovative focus on the podocyte, a specialized kidney cell type implicated in many kidney diseases, Purespring’s Adeno Associated Virus (AAV) based gene therapy presents a lower-dose, local delivery approach which maximizes both safety and efficacy, as well as lowering the cost of goods.

Plasmid DNA CDMO Services
Expanding its comprehensive cell and gene therapy portfolio to span plasmid DNA, viral vector, and cell therapy production, through the acquisitions of Cobra Biologics, Vigene Biosciences, and Cognate BioServices in 2021, and in addition to recent expansion projects, Charles River offers end-to-end support and supply chain simplification for developers seeking to accelerate their program while ensuring the highest quality control.

The eXpDNA plasmid manufacturing platform builds on Charles River’s proven plasmid DNA CDMO capabilities and processes, fine-tuned over decades successfully supporting vaccine and advanced therapy clients through clinical trials and beyond.

For more information, watch Sustainable Plasmid DNA Strategies, a case study webinar presented by Andrew Frazer, PhD, Associate Director Scientific Solutions, Charles River, and Amanda Weiss, Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC), Purespring Therapeutics, available on demand.

Approved Quotes

• “Purespring’s unique and targeted approach has the potential to radically change the treatment of kidney diseases. Their work is incredibly important to patients worldwide, and we are thrilled to collaborate.” – Kerstin Dolph, Corporate Senior Vice President, Biologics Solutions, Charles River
• “Our team is proud to be leading a revolution in the treatment of kidney diseases and understands that a key factor to our success is developing a robust and reliable CMC platform. Purespring’s established relationship with Charles River leverages a breadth of contract development and manufacturing experience and expertise.” - Julian Hanak, Chief Executive Officer, Purespring Therapeutics

About Charles River
Charles River provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies and leading academic institutions around the globe accelerate their research and drug development efforts. Our dedicated employees are focused on providing clients with exactly what they need to improve and expedite the discovery, early-stage development and safe manufacture of new therapies for the patients who need them. To learn more about our unique portfolio and breadth of services, visit www.criver.com.

About Purespring Therapeutics
Purespring is the first company to treat kidney diseases by directly targeting the podocyte, a specialized kidney cell implicated in many kidney diseases, through AAV gene therapy.

Headed by former Biogen Head of Global Gene Therapy Development, Julian Hanak, Purespring was founded on the work of Professor Moin Saleem, Professor of Pediatric Renal Medicine at the University of Bristol, where he heads a world leading group researching glomerular diseases. Purespring seeks to advance gene therapies for the treatment of both monogenic and non-monogenic chronic renal diseases that are currently poorly addressed with existing treatments.

The company also has a proprietary in-vivo pipeline engine, FunSel, which is a library of 1,200 biological factors that could be candidates for gene therapy, combined with a screening method to evaluate these factors in disease models. FunSel allows Purespring to discover new gene therapy candidates across all indications, unconstrained by genetics, to find the right candidate to make the best therapy.

An initial £45 million commitment to Purespring from Syncona Ltd is enabling Purespring to progress its assets to the clinic. Syncona’s Chief Investment Officer, Chris Hollowood, serves as Chairman. For more information please visit: purespringtx.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230215005179/en/

Charles River Investor:

Todd Spencer

Corporate Vice President,

Investor Relations

781.222.6455

todd.spencer@crl.com

Charles River Media:

Amy Cianciaruso

Corporate Vice President,

Chief Communications Officer

781.222.6168

amy.cianciaruso@crl.com

Purespring Therapeutics:

Nick Cetateanu

Head of Operations and Business Development

+44 (0)20 3855 6324

contact@purespringtx.com

Source: Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

FAQ

What is the recent partnership announced by CRL?

Charles River Laboratories announced a partnership with Purespring Therapeutics to develop a gene therapy platform for kidney diseases.

How does the CRL and Purespring collaboration impact kidney disease treatment?

The collaboration aims to innovate treatments by targeting podocytes, potentially improving efficacy and safety in kidney disease therapies.

What platform will CRL utilize for the gene therapy development?

CRL will utilize its eXpDNA™ plasmid manufacturing capabilities for the gene therapy development.

How many people are affected by kidney diseases worldwide?

Approximately 840 million people globally are affected by kidney diseases.

What major investment supports Purespring's initiatives?

Purespring has received a significant initial commitment of £45 million from Syncona Ltd to progress its assets.