Sarepta Therapeutics and Dyno Therapeutics to Develop Next-Generation Gene Therapy

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., the leader in precision genetic medicine for rare diseases, and Dyno Therapeutics, Inc., a biotech company applying artificial intelligence (AI) to gene therapy, today announced an agreement to develop next-generation Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vectors for muscle diseases, using Dyno’s CapsidMap™ platform. AI and machine learning technologies have the potential to deliver enhanced vectors for gene therapies. Dyno’s proprietary CapsidMap platform opens up new ways to identify novel capsids – the cell-targeting protein shell of viral vectors – that could offer improved muscle targeting and immune-evading properties, in addition to advantages in packaging and manufacturing. “Sarepta’s world-leading gene therapy engine is founded on three pillars: developing a broad portfolio of programs to treat rare diseases; our first-in-class manufacturing expertise; and investment in advancing and further improving the science of gene therapy to help patients in need of more options. To that end, our agreement with Dyno provides us with another valuable tool to develop next-generation capsids for gene therapies to treat rare diseases,” said Doug Ingram, Sarepta’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “By leveraging Dyno’s AI platform and Sarepta’s deep expertise in gene therapy development, our goal is to advance next-generation treatments with improved muscle-targeting capabilities.” Under the terms of the agreement, Dyno will be responsible for the design and discovery of novel AAV capsids with improved functional properties for gene therapy and Sarepta will be responsible for conducting preclinical, clinical and commercialization activities for gene therapy product candidates using the novel capsids. If successful, Dyno could receive over $40 million in upfront, option and license payments during the research phase of the collaboration. Additionally, if Sarepta develops and commercializes multiple candidates for multiple muscle diseases, Dyno will be eligible for additional significant future milestone payments. Dyno will also receive royalties on worldwide net sales of any commercial products developed through the collaboration. AI and machine learning technologies have the potential to deliver enhanced vectors for gene therapies. Dyno’s proprietary CapsidMap platform opens up new ways to identify novel capsids – the cell-targeting protein shell of viral vectors – that could offer improved muscle targeting and immune-evading properties, in addition to advantages in packaging and manufacturing.