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Voyager Therapeutics to Present Preclinical Data from its Vectorized anti-HER2 Antibody Program and a Novel AAV5-Derived TRACER™ Capsid at the 25th American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Annual MeetingSingle dose of TRACER AAV vector encoding anti-HER2 antibody reduced CNS tumor burden and extended survival across multiple mouse models of breast cancer brain metastasis Novel AAV5-derived capsid improved transduction in multiple CNS regions and cell types in non-human primates with partial detargeting of the dorsal root ganglia CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VYGR), a gene therapy company developing life-changing treatments and next-generation adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids, today is scheduled to present findings demonstrating preclinical proof-of-concept for its vectorized anti-HER2 antibody program and cross-species translatability for its novel AAV5-derived capsid at the 25th American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) Annual Meeting. Vectorized anti-HER2 Antibodies Reduce Tumor Burden in Models of Breast Cancer Metastasis “The ability to deliver antibodies to the CNS in concentrations sufficient to diminish tumor burden and prolong survival in mouse models illustrates the potential power of our TRACER capsids to improve treatment options for HER2+ brain metastases that are a significant cause of mortality in patients with HER2+ breast cancer,” said Todd Carter, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Research at Voyager. “By coupling a better capsid with a targeted therapeutic payload, we have demonstrated that this innovative gene therapy approach can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and promote antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity to eliminate tumor cells in multiple mouse models of HER2+ brain metastasis.” Key Results
Additional results are scheduled to be presented today at the ASGCT Annual Meeting at 5:15 p.m. ET in Room 204. The Company intends to make full results available on the Investor page of the Voyager website following the conclusion of the presentation. TRACER Platform Discovers AAV5-Derived Variant with Enhanced CNS Transduction Across Species “While conventional AAV5 capsids have a reduced prevalence of preexisting neutralizing antibodies and are easier to manufacture, to date they have not demonstrated sufficient CNS transduction to be considered for clinical gene therapy development,” said Mathieu Nonnenmacher, Ph.D., ice President of Capsid Discovery at Voyager. “The discovery of an AAV5 variant with improved transduction in primate CNS tissue via intravenous administration is an exciting finding, and the ability of this variant to function across primates and rodents makes it a strong candidate for use in the clinical development of CNS-targeted gene therapies. The discovery of this capsid further demonstrates the potential of Voyager’s TRACER screening and iterative evolution technology to identify highly-differentiated capsids featuring a range of desirable characteristics.” Key Results
Additional results are scheduled to be presented today at the ASGCT Annual Meeting at 5:30 p.m. ET in Hall D (Poster M-10, Abstract 129). Full results will be available on the Investor page of the Voyager website at the start of the presentation. About HER2+ Brain Metastases About the TRACER™ AAV Capsid Discovery Platform About Voyager Therapeutics Voyager Therapeutics® is a registered trademark, and TRACER™ is a trademark, of Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. Forward-Looking Statements For example, all statements Voyager makes regarding the presentation of preclinical data at ASGCT 2022; Voyager’s ability to continue to identify and develop proprietary capsids from its TRACER AAV screening platform; Voyager’s ability to identify and develop proprietary capsids from its TRACER AAV screening platform with increased transgene expression, increased blood-brain barrier penetration and increased biodistribution compared to conventional AAV9 capsids; Voyager’s ability to develop a gene therapy approach to treating brain metastases in patients with HER2+ breast cancer; Voyager’s ability to identify an AAV5 derived capsid with high transduction in CNS tissue via intravenous dosing across species; Voyager’s ability to progress its research and development programs; Voyager’s ability to continue to develop preclinical data on its early pipeline programs relying upon its novel capsid discovery efforts; and Voyager’s ability to utilize its novel proprietary capsids in its product development programs are forward looking. All forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions by Voyager’s management that, although Voyager believes such forward-looking statements to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that Voyager expected. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the severity and length of the COVID-19 health crisis; the continued development of Voyager’s technology platforms, including Voyager’s TRACER platform; the ability to initiate and conduct of preclinical studies in more advanced pre-clinical animal models; the ability to attract and retain talented contractors and employees; the ability to create and protect intellectual property; and the sufficiency of cash resources. These statements are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties that are described in Voyager’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in the press release is as of the date of this press release, and any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Voyager undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise this information or any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Contacts Investors [email protected] Andrew Funderburk [email protected] Media Scott Santiamo [email protected] Peg Rusconi [email protected] |