Kriya Presents Data at the 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting
UF startup Kriya Therapeutics, Inc., presented preclinical data on its gene therapy candidate, KRIYA-825, being developed for the treatment of Geographic Atrophy.
Ascend Acquires Beacon Gene Therapy Manufacturing Site
Ascend Advanced Therapies, a gene therapy development partner, has purchased Beacon Therapeutics’ contract, manufacturing, and controls team—along with the company’s site, previously owned by UF Innovate | Accelerate graduate AGTC, located in Alachua, FL—a town considered to be a “biotech hub” in the state. The acquisition introduces a good manufacturing practice (GMP) plant into the fold, along with process and analytical development capabilities.
Celebrating a Mentor – College Honors Faculty Members With New Award Named for the Late Mavis Agbandje-McKenna, PhD
Mavis Agbandje-McKenna, PhD, a UF College of Medicine professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology and the director of the Center for Structural Biology, dedicated 32 years to advancing discoveries in adeno-associated viruses, or AAV, and other parvoviruses at UF before passing away in 2021. In addition to being a globally recognized parvovirus researcher, she demonstrated an unwavering commitment to training the next generation of scientists.
Clinical Challenges: Gene Therapy for Inherited Retinal Diseases
The FDA approval of UF’s AAV technology in voretigene neparvovec (Luxturna) for the treatment of patients with confirmed biallelic RPE65 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy almost 4 years ago marked a turning point in gene therapy.
AavantiBio Furthers Strategic Partnership With University of Florida To Research and Develop Next Generation Gene Therapy Capsids
UF startup and UF Innovate | The Hub resident AavantiBio, a gene therapy company focused on transforming the lives of patients with rare genetic diseases, announced it is partnering with the University of Florida to research and develop next generation gene therapy capsids with the goal of creating safer, more effective, and tissue specific gene therapies.
FDA Includes UF Researcher As Advisory Board Considers Gene Therapy Risks
FDA’s Cellular, Tissue, and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee experts prepare for a two-day meeting to talk about high-dose that gene therapy developers and investigators are allowed to give patients in each trial.
StrideBio Announces Closing of $81.5M Series B Financing
StrideBio, Inc., a leading developer of novel engineered adeno-associated virus (AAV) based gene therapies, announced the closing of an oversubscribed Series B funding round, which raised $81.5 million.
Atsena Therapeutics Raises $55 Million Series A Financing to Advance LCA1 Gene Therapy Clinical Program, Two Preclinical Assets, and Novel Capsid Development for Ocular Diseases
UF startup Atsena Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on bringing the life-changing power of genetic medicine to reverse or prevent blindness, announced it has closed an oversubscribed $55 million Series A financing led by Sofinnova Investments with participation from additional new investors Abingworth and Lightstone Ventures.
Lacerta Therapeutics Signs Gene Therapy Research Partnership With UCB
UF startup and UF Innovate | Sid Martin Biotech alum Lacerta Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company, announced a new gene therapy research collaboration with UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company. The research collaboration and licensing agreement with UCB will focus on a central nervous system (CNS) disease with a high unmet need. “At Lacerta, we […]
Concept Companies Unveils New Office for Lacerta Therapeutics in Alachua’s Copeland Park
Gainesville-based developer Concept Companies has completed construction on a new 12,950-square-foot office and lab building in Copeland Park for UF startup and UF Innovate | Sid Martin Biotech alum Lacerta Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company. With its official move-in date on July 27, 2020, Lacerta Therapeutics is the newest tenant in Alachua’s Copeland Park. […]