SonoThera™ Receives Exclusive Licensing of GE HealthCare’s Optison® and Sonazoid® Microbubble Products for use with its Ultrasound-guided Gene Therapy Platform

Rhea-AI Summary

GE HealthCare has granted SonoThera exclusive global commercial licensing rights for its Optison® and Sonazoid® microbubble products. These products will aid the development of SonoThera’s innovative ultrasound-guided, nonviral gene therapy platform. The technology aims to non-invasively deliver diverse nucleic acid payloads to various organs, addressing significant delivery challenges in gene therapy. SonoThera is currently in preclinical development, preparing for Phase 1 clinical trials. Terms of the licensing agreement were not disclosed, but the collaboration underscores a shared commitment to improving patient outcomes.

Positive

• The licensing agreement allows SonoThera to develop innovative gene therapies using GE HealthCare's microbubble products.
• SonoThera's platform aims to enhance the precision of gene delivery, potentially overcoming existing delivery challenges in the industry.

Negative

• None.

• Global agreement allows the microbubble products to be used in the development and commercialization of SonoThera’s novel, ultrasound-guided, nonviral, gene therapy platform.
• SonoThera’s platform uses a microbubble-mediated biophysical process to non-invasively deliver nucleic acid payloads of diverse formats and sizes, selectively targeting a wide range of organs within the body.
• SonoThera’s technology platform and treatments aim to overcome the most significant delivery challenges in gene therapy.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SonoThera™, a biotechnology company dedicated to treating the root cause of human diseases through genetic therapy, today announced it has received exclusive, global, commercial licensing rights from GE HealthCare (Nasdaq:GEHC) for use of Optison^® and Sonazoid^® microbubble products. The products are being used in the development of SonoThera’s novel, ultrasound-guided nonviral gene therapy platform.

“By integrating GE HealthCare’s microbubble products into SonoThera’s platform, we are developing the next generation of non-viral genetic therapies capable of selective delivery to multiple target organs in a safe and efficacious manner,” said Kenneth Greenberg, PhD, co-founder, and chief executive officer of SonoThera. “Our preclinical testing has demonstrated that the platform can address many of the key delivery challenges facing current gene therapy approaches.”

SonoThera’s ultrasound-guided platform uses sonoporation, a microbubble-mediated biophysical process to non-invasively deliver genetic payloads of diverse formats and sizes, selectively targeting a wide range of organs within the body. Unlike traditional gene therapies, the technology does not require viral vectors which can be immunogenic and lead to both safety and efficacy challenges.

“SonoThera’s development of an ultrasound-guided, nonviral gene platform aligns with our dedication to providing innovative, precision care and therapies to patients in order to improve their healthcare outcomes,” said Sigrid Fossheim, Global Ultrasound Product Leader at GE HealthCare’s Pharmaceutical Diagnostics unit. “We believe what SonoThera is developing has the potential to improve patient care by overcoming the current challenges of existing gene therapies.”

Terms of the licensing agreement were not disclosed. SonoThera is currently in preclinical development of its technology, preparing for Phase 1 clinical trials.

About SonoThera™

Founded by Drs. Kenneth Greenberg, Michael Davidson, and Steve Feinstein, SonoThera, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to treating the root cause of human disease through genetic therapy. SonoThera is developing an ultrasound-guided, nonviral gene therapy platform and treatments designed to provide patients with the next generation of safe and effective genetic medicines. The platform utilizes sonoporation, a microbubble-mediated biophysical process to non-invasively deliver genetic payloads selectively targeting a wide range of organs within the body. SonoThera is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.

Visit www.sonothera.com to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230227005131/en/

Investor Inquiries:

investors@sonothera.com

Media Inquiries:

McDougall Communications on behalf of SonoThera™

Elizabeth Harness, +1 585-435-7379, elizabeth@mcdougallpr.com

Source: SonoThera

FAQ

What is the significance of GE HealthCare's licensing agreement with SonoThera?

The agreement allows SonoThera to utilize GE HealthCare's microbubble products in developing its nonviral gene therapy platform, enabling improved gene delivery.

What technology is SonoThera using for its gene therapy platform?

SonoThera's platform employs a microbubble-mediated process called sonoporation for the non-invasive delivery of genetic payloads.

When is SonoThera expected to start clinical trials?

SonoThera is currently in preclinical development and is preparing for Phase 1 clinical trials.

How does SonoThera's technology differ from traditional gene therapies?

Unlike traditional gene therapies, SonoThera's approach does not utilize viral vectors, aiming to improve safety and efficacy.

What are the microbubble products licensed from GE HealthCare?

The licensed microbubble products are Optison® and Sonazoid®.