Dong-A ST Collaborates with University of Massachusetts on Gene Therapy Research

Dong-A ST announced on the 3rd that it has signed a joint research agreement on adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy with UMass (University of Massachusetts Medical School).

Exterior view of Dong-A ST headquarters. [Photo by Dong-A ST]

Dong-A ST is focusing its research and development (R&D) capabilities on gene therapy targeting immune system diseases. Starting with this joint gene therapy research, the company plans to develop innovative gene therapies in the long term.

The two institutions will conduct joint research on AAV-mediated gene therapy targeting chronic inflammatory diseases among immune disorders. According to the agreement, UMass will load genes targeting chronic inflammatory diseases into AAV, and both UMass and Dong-A ST will screen the efficacy of the genes loaded into AAV. Subsequently, for the selected AAV candidates, UMass will evaluate efficacy in mouse models, and Dong-A ST will assess efficacy in animal models.

The joint research involves faculty members from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, including Professor Guoping Gao, a global authority on gene therapy, and Professor Shim Jae-hyuk, an expert in gene therapy for osteo-inflammatory diseases.

Professor Guoping Gao has been researching gene therapy for over 30 years and is a scientist who discovered AAV7, AAV8, and AAV9 and developed therapies based on them. He is an authority in the field of AAV research and development. He has served as president of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy and is the director of the Horae Gene Therapy Center funded by the Massachusetts state government. He co-founded the U.S. biotechnology companies Voyager Therapeutics, Adrenas Therapeutics, and Aspa Therapeutics, and co-founded the Korean biotechnology company Ava Therapeutics with Professor Shim Jae-hyuk. Voyager Therapeutics is developing gene therapies using AAV technology in collaboration with Novartis and Pfizer.

AAV is a type of viral vector used for gene delivery that is highly stable, induces low immune responses, and unlike other viral vectors, is non-pathogenic. Currently, global pharmaceutical companies are also focusing on developing AAV-based gene therapies, with more than 250 clinical trials underway.

Jae-hong Park, CEO of Dong-A ST, said, "We have high expectations for conducting joint research and development with the research team at UMass, a world-leading institution in AAV research and development." He added, "We will concentrate our R&D capabilities and collaborate closely to develop innovative new drugs for chronic inflammatory diseases, and starting with this joint research, we will establish a foundation to lead future-oriented research and development in the field of gene therapy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.