The partnership will use Charles River’s eXpDNA plasmid platform and experience at its plasmid DNA manufacturing centre of excellence
The collaboration between Charles River and Purespring aims to develop a gene therapy platform for kidney diseases. (Credit: Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash)
Charles River Laboratories International and Purespring Therapeutics have forged a plasmid DNA contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) collaboration to develop the first gene therapy platform for kidney diseases.
The partnership will use Charles River’s plasmid platform, eXpDNA, and experience at its plasmid DNA manufacturing centre of excellence.
Purespring Therapeutics, which is a gene therapy company, is involved in developing new therapies to stop or considerably slow down the progression of chronic renal disorders that do not have any current therapy available, except for dialysis or transplantation.
Purespring Therapeutics CEO Julian Hanak said: “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.”
The firm’s Adeno Associated Virus (AAV) based gene therapy is said to deliver a lower-dose, local delivery method that enhances safety and efficacy, while minimising the cost of goods.
Its AAV gene therapy is designed to treat kidney diseases by targeting the podocyte cell directly. Podocyte is a specialised kidney cell, which is implicated in various kidney diseases.
Charles River biologics solutions corporate senior vice president Kerstin Dolph said: “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.”
Charles River is said to offer necessary products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to speed up their research and drug development efforts.
Following the acquisitions of Cobra Biologics, Vigene Biosciences, and Cognate BioServices in 2021, the firm has been broadening its cell and gene therapy portfolio to include plasmid DNA, viral vector, and cell therapy production.