Originally developed for therapeutic delivery of RNA, Mirus’ LPNCs have been adapted for a wide range of gene delivery applications.
The deal expands Gamma Biosciences’ reach in gene therapy and next-generation vaccines, while supporting the launch of Mirus Bio’s flagship TransIT VirusGen platform for manufacturing of adeno-associated viruses (AAV) and lentivirus-based viral vectors for gene therapy.
The investment will also help to further develop and commercialize TransIT VirusGen for in vivo delivery applications, according to the parties.
The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. Current Mirus shareholders will retain a substantial equity ownership stake in the company.
Demand for efficient and scalable gene delivery technologies
Demand for efficient and scalable gene delivery technologies continues to increase as larger volumes of viral vector are required to support the growing number of gene therapies in development, said Gamma Bio, an investment platform supported by global investment firm KKR.
TransIT VirusGen and Mirus’ portfolio of additional products and services enable customers at both research and clinical scales achieve cost effective, industry leading functional titers, it added.
Mirus can leverage Gamma Bio’s strategic and commercial resources and will work closely with its other operating companies, including Univercells Technologies, Astrea Bioseparations, Nanopareil and BioMagnetic Solutions, to help advance the advanced therapy industry.
“Highly efficient, GMP compliant nucleic acid delivery into a wide variety of cell types will continue to be a critical path item for advanced therapies, from viral vectors such as AAV for gene therapy to engineered cellular therapies to novel mRNA-based vaccines,” said Matt Gunnison, president, Gamma Biosciences. “Mirus brings decades of experience in transfection and cell engineering and a portfolio of best-in-class transfection products for in vitro and in vivo delivery, adding a new foundational platform that complements Gamma’s existing offering in advanced therapy manufacturing.”