Virica and eXmoor Partner to Optimize AAV Production and Lower Gene Therapy Costs

eXmoor pharma, a full-service cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing partner, and Virica Biotech Inc., a leader in viral vector scaling technologies, have announced a new collaboration to enhance the production of adeno-associated vectors (AAVs), a key element in gene therapies. This project is part-funded by a joint Canada-UK government biomanufacturing initiative. The goal is to develop formulations of Virica’s VSEs™ (Viral Sensitizers for Enhanced production) and validate their ability to improve AAV yields, thereby reducing the costs of gene therapy at a commercial scale.

AAV-based gene therapies are highly effective, often requiring only a single dose to treat or even cure diseases. However, the manufacturing processes for these therapies are complex and expensive, primarily due to the challenges of growing AAVs in specialized HEK293 cells. To address this, Virica’s VSE™ library, developed through its High Throughput Virology Platform, consists of small molecules that enhance the productivity of viral vectors by modulating cellular immune responses in HEK293 cells.

Through this collaboration, Virica will develop VSE formulations to increase AAV production, while eXmoor will focus on optimizing the manufacturing process from small-scale to commercial-scale. The project is expected to be completed next year.

Angela Osborne, CEO of eXmoor, expressed gratitude to Innovate UK for supporting the project, noting that it will benefit the industry and patients alike. Jean-Simon Diallo, co-founder and CEO of Virica, highlighted the commercial opportunity to increase the efficiency and reduce the costs of life-saving gene therapies, while also fostering strong business ties between Canada and the UK.

Funding and advisory services for the project will come from Canada’s National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) and Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.