The Life Sciences team represented Tessera Therapeutics on a global collaboration with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to develop and commercialize TSRA-196, Tessera’s lead investigational in vivo Gene Writing program for the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), an inherited monogenic disease that can affect the lungs, liver, or both organs, and currently impacts approximately 200,000 people in the U.S. and Europe.
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will share worldwide development costs and potential future profits relating to TSRA-196 equally. Tessera will receive $150 million, inclusive of a cash upfront payment and equity investment from Regeneron. Tessera is also eligible to receive additional near and mid-term development milestone payments totaling $125 million. Tessera will lead the initial first-in-human trial, while Regeneron will lead subsequent global development and commercialization.
Tessera Therapeutics is pioneering a new approach to genome engineering through the development of its Gene Writing™ and delivery platforms, with the aim to unlock broad new therapeutic frontiers. Their Gene Writing platform is designed to write therapeutic messages into the genome by efficiently changing single or multiple DNA base pairs, precisely correcting insertions or deletions, or adding exon-length sequences and whole genes. Their proprietary lipid nanoparticle delivery platform is designed to enable the in vivo delivery of RNA to targeted cell types. The Company believes their Gene Writing and delivery platforms will enable transformative genetic medicines to not only cure diseases that arise from errors in a single gene, but also modify inherited risk factors for common diseases and create engineered cells to treat cancer and potentially autoimmune and other diseases. Tessera Therapeutics was founded in 2018 by Flagship Pioneering, a life sciences innovation enterprise that conceives, creates, resources, and develops first-in-category bioplatform companies to transform human health and sustainability.
The Goodwin deal team was Sarah Solomon, Alison Liou, and Alexandra Haas (Licensing), Stephanie Richards and Joe Flynn (Corporate), Arman Oruc, Simone Waterbury, and Arom Yun (Antitrust). Tessera is a client of Stuart Cable.
For more information on the deal, please read the press release and coverage from Endpoints News.