4D Molecular, Arbor Biotechnologies establish partnership to co-develop

4D Molecular Therapeutics and Arbor Biotechnologies announced a strategic partnership focused on advancing new AAV-based gene-editing therapies for central nervous system, CNS, diseases with high unmet medical needs in both rare and common disease populations. 4DMT and Arbor will co-develop and co-commercialize up to six AAV-delivered CRISPR/Cas-based therapeutic candidates, with the costs and profits shared evenly based on mutually agreed plans. Arbor will lead research, development and, if approved, commercialization efforts on the first product candidate in the collaboration, which will address a molecular target implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 4DMT will lead research, development and, if approved, commercialization efforts on the second product candidate. “The recent landmark FDA approval of the world’s first CRISPR-based treatment is a revolutionary event for genetic medicines and the biotech industry. Gene editing technology continues to rapidly advance and we believe the safe and efficient delivery of these potentially transformative therapies can address CNS diseases of high unmet need,” said David Kirn, M.D., Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of 4DMT. “Arbor is at the forefront of this rapid innovation, and they have discovered and optimized gene editing payloads that are compact enough to be delivered within a single AAV vector. We look forward to combining our complementary technologies and capabilities to power a new generation of potential genetic medicines. This collaboration provides us with the opportunity for next-generation gene editing capabilities and CNS products, while simultaneously allowing us to maintain our focus on clinical development in large market ophthalmology and pulmonology.”