On October 24 Taysha Gene Therapies announced a business deal with Astellas Gene Therapies. Under the terms of the arrangement, Astellas is investing $50 million to acquire 15% of Taysha’s stock. The deal also gives Astellas the right to license in the future two programs from Taysha, including the Rett program, TSHA-102. For now the programs remain under Taysha’s control. Should Astellas decide in the future to exercise the licensing option, then the Rett program would transfer to Astellas and be under their control. Below is Taysha's statement to the Rett community about this new agreement.
This business deal gives Taysha the financial resources it needs to advance the two programs, including the Rett clinical trial. We will keep you apprised of further information as Taysha makes it available to us.
The more than $10 million that RSRT has invested in gene replacement fueled the innovative Gene Therapy Consortium, through which Steve Gray, PhD, developed a mechanism to control the level of MECP2 expression that will be used in TSHA-102. In addition, TSHA-102 delivers a shortened “min-gene” version of the MECP2 gene, which was developed by Adrian Bird, PhD, and funded through RSRT’s MECP2 Consortium.
RSRT is tremendously grateful to all its supporters and to families that fundraise for the research. Without their actions, we would not be in this exciting stage where clinical trials are imminent. The ongoing support of the Rett community is vitally important as RSRT continues to advance its priority approaches and facilitate the involvement of the biopharmaceutical industry.
Taysha Gene Therapies Letter to the Rett Community
October 26, 2022
Dear Rett Community,
We are pleased to share that Taysha announced a strategic investment by Astellas Pharma to support the advancement of Taysha’s investigational gene therapy program for Rett syndrome. Under the terms of the deal, Astellas will invest a total of $50 million and will receive an exclusive option to license Taysha’s program for Rett syndrome.
“We are excited to enter this strategic investment with Astellas, a premier biopharmaceutical company with global research & development, manufacturing, and commercial capabilities, including gene therapy experience. This investment strengthens our commitment to the Rett community,” said RA Session II, Founder, President, and CEO, Taysha Gene Therapies.
Taysha’s investigational gene therapy for Rett syndrome is designed to deliver a functional MECP2 gene to the brain in patients with Rett syndrome. The REVEAL Adult Study is a Phase 1/2 study of the safety and preliminary efficacy of a single intrathecal administration of the investigational gene therapy in adult females with Rett Syndrome.
We are grateful for the continued support of the Rett syndrome community and our Rett advocacy partners. We look forward to providing further information about Taysha’s investigational gene therapy approach for Rett syndrome and the first clinical trial, the REVEAL Adult Study, soon.
Sincerely,
The Taysha Team