Astellas and AviadoBio Announce Exclusive Option and License Agreement for Gene Therapy AVB-101 Targeting Frontotemporal Dementia and Other Indications

Core Insights - Astellas Pharma has entered into an exclusive option and license agreement with AviadoBio for AVB-101, a gene therapy in Phase 1/2 development targeting frontotemporal dementia with progranulin mutations (FTD-GRN) [1][2] - The agreement includes a $20 million equity investment from Astellas, up to$30 million in upfront payments, and potential total payments of up to $2.18 billion in license fees and milestone payments, along with royalties if the option is exercised [2][3] Company Overview - AviadoBio is focused on developing gene therapies for neurological conditions, leveraging proprietary platforms and delivery technologies to maximize therapeutic potential [5] - Astellas Pharma operates in over 70 countries and emphasizes a Focus Area Approach to identify opportunities for new drug creation, particularly in areas with high unmet medical needs [7] Strategic Collaboration - The collaboration aims to combine AviadoBio's gene therapy expertise with Astellas' global capabilities in drug development and commercialization, addressing the unmet needs in treating FTD-GRN and other neurological diseases [3][4] - Astellas Gene Therapies is dedicated to developing genetic medicines, particularly for rare diseases affecting the central nervous system, and is advancing multiple gene therapy programs toward clinical investigation [8]