Human Stem Cell Use: Somatic Cell
Development of an Optogenetic Vision Restoration Gene Therapy Using an Engineered Form of Melanopsin
Research Objective The objective of this research proposal is to develop a lead AAV candidate for an optogenetic vision restoration therapy for patients suffering from blindness due to loss of photoreceptors. Impact Our optogenetic vision restoration AAV gene therapeutic candidate would non-invasively restore sight to patients terminally blinded by photoreceptors loss. Major Proposed Activities Complete […]
Orthogonal IL2 Receptor Transduced Regulatory T Cells for Clinical Application
Research Objective Genetically modified cells that help control immune reactions Impact Improved treatment for patients undergoing transplantation Major Proposed Activities To identify the optimal source of regulatory T cells for introduction of the novel IL2 receptor To test the impact of a novel IL2 protein on activating the regulatory T cells To determine the optimal […]
In Utero Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy with Non-viral Gene Editing
Research Objective To develop a lipid nanoparticle/mRNA complex that can safely and efficiently edit muscle stem cells in utero, correct the dystrophin mutation, and develop a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy Impact If successful, we will have developed an effective and low-cost treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and a robust method to safely and efficiently […]
CAR T cells targeting abnormal N-glycans for the treatment of refractory/metastatic solid cancers
Research Objective Develop genetically modified chimeric antigen receptor T cells to kill incurable solid cancers by targeting a previously un-targetable tumor associated carbohydrate antigen. Impact Refractory/metastatic solid cancers are almost always incurable and have limited therapeutic options. Directing the immune system to kill cancer cells provides an unprecedented new approach. Major Proposed Activities Engineer and […]
Cardiac Reprogramming Gene Therapy for Post-Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure
Research Objective The candidate is a gene therapy that delivers cardiac reprogramming factors to convert resident cardiac fibroblasts into functioning cardiac muscle. Thus, it is a regenerative cardiac gene therapy. Impact The targeted condition is heart failure arising from myocardial infarction or other insults causing focal heart muscle loss. Cardiac muscle cells are post-mitotic and […]
Providing a cure for sphingosine phosphate lyase insufficiency syndrome (SPLIS) through adeno-associated viral mediated SGPL1 gene therapy
Research Objective AAV-SPL 2.0 is a gene therapy cure for SPLIS, a lethal childhood disorder of metabolism that causes kidney failure. Our gene therapy may also work in more common fibrotic (scarring) kidney diseases. Impact Our treatment may cure a rare but often fatal genetic disease (SPLIS) for which no specific treatment is available. It […]
Generating deeper and more durable BCMA CAR T cell responses in Multiple Myeloma through non-viral knockin/knockout multiplexed genome engineering
Research Objective We will use integrated gene editing techniques to develop a new CAR-T cell therapy for multiple myeloma treatment Impact Develop an improved CAR-T cell therapy for patients with refractory multiple myeloma and a new manufacturing strategy that circumvents the costs and inefficiencies of viral production. Major Proposed Activities Establish and optimize a CRISPR […]
Optogenetic Therapy for Treatment of Geographic Atrophy
Translational Candidate Optogenetic gene therapy for patients with geographic atrophy age related macular degeneration. Area of Impact Blindness from geographic atrophy age related macular degeneration Mechanism of Action Gene therapy to deliver optogenetic protein to the targeted cells of the retina to restore vision. Unmet Medical Need Geographic atrophy (GA) age related macular degeneration is […]
Development of an AAV gene therapy immunotherapy for the treatment of glioblastoma
Translational Candidate SRN-101, an experimental AAV gene therapy for treating glioblastoma Area of Impact Cancer – solid tumors Mechanism of Action Following delivery with an AAV, engineered cytokines are expressed from within the tumor to kill the tumor from the inside out, they are then further secreted to stimulate local immune cells to kill remaining […]
Optogenetic therapy for treating retinitis pigmentosa and other inherited retinal diseases
Translational Candidate Ray-001 is an AAV gene therapy delivering a light sensitive gene to treat patients with advanced Retinitis Pigmentosa. Area of Impact Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a genetic disease that causes retinal degeneration leading to near or complete blindness for most patients. Mechanism of Action Ray Therapeutics' therapy (Ray-001) delivers a potent transgene with […]