The rapid growth of biopharma is causing a shift to a new paradigm for the drug development and delivery model. In the same manner that the personal computing industry grew and developed business models that fit the way products were sourced, constructed and delivered, a business model for biopharma is taking shape.
Jeff Galvin, CEO of American Gene Technologies (AGT), had 30 years of business and entrepreneurial experience in Silicon Valley during the formative years of the personal computing and internet era. He left retirement as an Angel Investor in real estate and high tech in 2008 to found AGT and lead it in developing a bank for Lentiviral vectors with different characteristics for use with its gene delivery platform.
The use of these vectors with this platform will save time and money in drug development, Galvin said as he shared his vision for the biopharma industry with BioSpace.
The Personal Computing Industry as a Model
In the early days of the personal computing industry, a computer company was responsible for its product from start to finish. This could not only include hardware and software but peripherals as well. As the industry grew and matured, Galvin explained, other industries grew up around the personal computer industry. These were not mere opportunities to outsource; these were companies acting with their own plans and interests in mind. The result of this was the development of software by vendors having no more to do with a computer manufacturer than the ability to code in a language that the computer would recognize.
This autonomy made it possible for companies to specialize in certain types of software, even to the point of supporting one specific app. The need to save data and put new software onto a computer led to an industry based on physical storage media. As computer technology grew, the precise product - floppy to CD and onward - evolved. Over time, it has led to cloud-based computing in which the software no longer comes on a physical medium, says Galvin. This uncoupling of software and peripherals from the computer hardware itself has given rise to exponential growth in applications and the ability to use computers to solve myriad problems.
American Gene Technology (AGT) Offers a Delivery System
Similarly, as the gene and cell therapy industries grow, companies that specialize in one aspect of the drug development process or in one application will be able to focus on that one part. As long as what is developed will work with the human body, genes and cell therapy can be used to alter the DNA. For AGT, this means collaborating with researchers who are looking for a delivery system for the innovative treatments they develop.
Galvin explains, AGTs platform is a broad set of reusable components and fundamental innovations on the use of any or all viral vectors to reliably deliver genetic changes to cells that are safe, predictable, and that maintain therapeutic expression for the duration necessary for the mission of mitigating the disease state. The viral vectors are the diskettes that carry the software updates to your DNA, the operating system, of your organic computer, aka the human cell. Rather than machines and code, AGT delivery platform makes it possible to use the human body and its genes to treat disease.
AGT began with lentiviruses because, Galvin explains, it happens to be what we believed was the right vector delivery on our three lead programs of HIV, phenylketonuria (PKU), and cancer. This was because the lentivirus matched the attributes we were looking for in terms of cargo space for genetic constructs.
With the ability to deliver the genes needed to modify specific cells types or tissue, AGT is able to provide this capability for a range of therapies. Currently, AGT is working to cure HIV through the use of its lentivirus delivery platform. With a viral vector as the diskette used to load the genetic construct into that vector as the software, the virus will do the work of delivering the critical change to a cell.
The Future
AGT views itself as a vector agnostic delivery company, Galvin explained. In the future, they will work with whichever delivery vector is needed. As delivery vectors improve, AGT will have the capability of combining more of their components on a single vector, resulting in the opportunity to address increasingly complex diseases.
We will look to partners that pioneer new methods of modifying DNA in cells (even CRISPR when it becomes as reliable and safe as lentivirus), and we will continue to revise and optimize our drugs to utilize the capabilities that those partners develop, Galvin said.
To date, AGT has seen that each time we start a new drug, we find that our previous R&D yielded components and techniques that provide a base, the starting point, that is up to 80% of the next drug candidate, Galvin said.
This efficiency is AGTs strategy for remaining competitive in this disruptive industry. It is also necessary if the benefits of the gene and cell therapy revolution are to achieve the reductions in cost necessary to reach the greatest number of patients in need.
Galvin believes the evolution of the gene and cell therapy technology and industry will track closely with the evolution of the computer industry. His vision is an encouraging one for the rest of us. If the comparison holds, well see that as companies find their place in the industry and hone their offering, the advances to be made will be rapid and significant. The result will be improved treatments, along with treatments for diseases that are currently considered incurable.
-Please click here for more information on our contributing writer,Gina Hagler.
View original post here:
AGT CEO Jeff Galvin on the Future of the Gene and Cell Therapy Industry - BioSpace
- Cell Therapy Basics - February 21st, 2024
- FDA Approves Amtagvi, First Cell Therapy for Skin Cancer - BioPharm International - February 21st, 2024
- Cellenkos Approved to Proceed with CK0803 Neurotrophic T regulatory Cell therapy to Treat Second Cohort in ALS Trial - PR Newswire - February 21st, 2024
- Astellas and Kelonia enter CAR-T cell therapy collaboration worth over $800m - PMLiVE - February 21st, 2024
- Bridging Therapy With CAR T-Cell Therapy in LBCL - OncLive - February 21st, 2024
- FDA approves first cell therapy to treat aggressive forms of melanoma - NPR - February 21st, 2024
- Iovance, with approval of 'TIL' cell therapy, readies for complex launch - Yahoo Finance - February 21st, 2024
- Cancer treatment: FDA approves type of cell therapy for patients with late-stage melanoma - FOX 26 Houston - February 21st, 2024
- Pharmalittle: We're reading about weight loss drugs, a cell therapy for melanoma, and more - STAT - February 21st, 2024
- On heels of cancer cell therapy win, Peninsula biotech looks to raise $211M - San Francisco Business Times - The Business Journals - February 21st, 2024
- FDA approves cell therapy to treat melanoma - FOX 26 Houston - February 21st, 2024
- Toddler Beats Childhood Leukemia After Car T-Cell Therapy - City of Hope - February 21st, 2024
- FDA Approves First One-time Cell Therapy for a Solid Tumor - BioSpace - February 21st, 2024
- Iovance wins FDA approval for cell therapy - BioProcess Insider - BioProcess Insider - February 21st, 2024
- FDA Approves Iovance Cancer Treatment, the First Cell Therapy for a Solid Tumor - MedCity News - February 21st, 2024
- Promising target for CAR T-cell therapy leads to potent antitumor responses against cutaneous and rare melanomas - Medical Xpress - February 21st, 2024
- Reinforcing Cell Therapy with Microfluidic Cell Sorting - RegMedNet - February 21st, 2024
- Study finds interleukin-24 enhances CAR-T cell therapy's effectiveness against cancer stem cells - News-Medical.Net - February 21st, 2024
- Understanding CAR T-Cell Therapy: Balancing the Risks and Benefits - Medriva - February 21st, 2024
- Keeping Track: Iovance's Amtaqvi Approval Brings T Cell Therapy To Solid Tumors - Pink Sheet - February 21st, 2024
- Tevogen Bio Holdings Inc., a Cell Therapy Company, Announces Completion of Business Combination and is to be ... - Yahoo Finance - February 21st, 2024
- What is CAR-T cell therapy, used for cancer treatment? Experts explain - India Today - India Today - February 21st, 2024
- UPDATE: 2seventy splits once more, sending cell therapy pipeline to Regeneron in 'dramatic' change - FierceBiotech - January 31st, 2024
- Revolutionary CAR T-cell therapy shows promise in reversing age-related metabolic dysfunction - News-Medical.Net - January 31st, 2024
- BioCardia Pivots to Biomarker Strategy to Prove Heart Failure Cell Therapy Benefits - precisionmedicineonline.com - January 31st, 2024
- Sequencing With CAR T-Cell Therapy for LBCL - OncLive - January 31st, 2024
- Single-cell analysis of refractory anti-SRP necrotizing myopathy treated with anti-BCMA CAR-T cell therapy ... - pnas.org - January 31st, 2024
- Regeneron to acquire 2seventy's cell therapy pipeline - Yahoo Finance - January 31st, 2024
- Trial of cell-based therapy CK08031 finishes dosing 1st patients - ALS News Today - January 31st, 2024
- Exploring Gene and Cell Therapy Integration in Pharmacies - PharmaNewsIntel - January 31st, 2024
- HBS Alumna Fighting Cancer with a Novel Cell Therapy - MBA - hbs.edu - January 31st, 2024
- YUHS partners with KURE.AI Therapeutics for cell therapy development - KBR - January 31st, 2024
- Global CAR-T Cell Therapy Market Report 2024-2034: Accelerated Growth Fueled by Intensive R&D, Growing Medical ... - Yahoo Finance - January 31st, 2024
- Oricell Announces FDA Clearance of IND Application for OriCAR-017, a novel GPRC5D Targeted CAR-T Cell Therapy ... - PR Newswire - January 31st, 2024
- A new chapter in cell therapy: engineered B cells reach the clinic for the first time - Labiotech.eu - January 31st, 2024
- Harnessing the Dark Genome: New Approach Greatly Improves Cancer T-Cell Therapy - SciTechDaily - January 31st, 2024
- Cell therapies | Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) - November 16th, 2023
- Oncternal Therapeutics Participating in Oppenheimer & Co.’s Virtual Fireside Chat: Discussion of ROR1 CAR T Cell Therapy in Hematological... - April 15th, 2023
- Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment - The Skin Cancer Foundation - January 4th, 2023
- Adoptive Cell Therapy - Cancer Research Institute (CRI) - December 27th, 2022
- National Medical Commission prohibits use of stem cell therapy to treat patients with autism - Hindustan Times - December 18th, 2022
- Tumor buster - where will the CAR-T cell therapy missile go? - December 18th, 2022
- Gilead lands new cell therapy for Kite in $225M Arcellx deal, providing global scale for future J&J-Legend showdown - FierceBiotech - December 10th, 2022
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ)Patient Version - November 24th, 2022
- CAR-T Cell Therapy Program - Frequently asked questions - November 24th, 2022
- EdiGene Announces Completion of Last Patient Dosing in Phase I Clinical Trial of ET-01, its Investigational Gene-editing Hematopoietic Stem Cell... - November 24th, 2022
- Radiation Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - November 6th, 2022
- AvenCell to Present New Data from Lead Universal CAR T Cell Therapy Program at 64th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition -... - November 6th, 2022
- Instil Bio's stock falls 35% after disclosing the cell therapy company paused enrollment in clinical trials - MarketWatch - November 6th, 2022
- Creative Medical Technology Holdings Announces FDA Clearance of Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for AlloStem, a Novel Cell Therapy for the... - November 6th, 2022
- Photodynamic Therapy to Treat Cancer - NCI - October 29th, 2022
- Researchers at University Hospitals create a breakthrough in CAR-T cell therapy for cancer patients - News 5 Cleveland WEWS - October 29th, 2022
- Mustang Bio Announces Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Data of MB-106, a First-in-Class CD20-targeted, Autologous CAR T Cell Therapy, to be Presented at 11th... - October 29th, 2022
- Gilead, working to improve cancer cell therapy, partners with California startup - BioPharma Dive - October 21st, 2022
- Allogene starts first pivotal trials of an 'off-the-shelf' cell therapy for cancer - BioPharma Dive - October 13th, 2022
- Vita Therapeutics Closes $31 Million Series B Financing to Develop Cell Therapies for Neuromuscular Diseases and Cancers - Business Wire - October 13th, 2022
- CAR T-cell Therapy Market Riding on the Wave of Growth and will Grow at a CAGR of 30.6% to 2031 | TMR Study - GlobeNewswire - October 13th, 2022
- Inceptor Bio and Avectas Announce Collaboration to Improve Manufacturing of CAR-T Cell Therapies for the Treatment of Solid Tumors - PR Newswire - October 13th, 2022
- Cell Therapy Technologies Market Expected to Reach US ~$12.27 Billion and CAGR 14.5% by 2030 Polaris Market Research - Digital Journal - October 13th, 2022
- Early Data on GPRC5D-Directed CAR T-Cell Therapy Open Doors for New Myeloma Treatment Strategies - Precision Oncology News - October 13th, 2022
- BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY FOR IPS-DERIVED CELL THERAPIES TURNED INTO GMP PLATFORM BY TREEFROG THERAPEUTICS & INVETECH - PR Newswire - October 13th, 2022
- Cabaletta Bio Announces CABA-201, a Newly Designed CD19-Targeting CAR T Cell Therapy Engineered to Address a Broad Range of Autoimmune Diseases -... - October 13th, 2022
- Breast cancer treatment: These targeted therapies are a ray of hope for patients - Health shots - October 13th, 2022
- Two-Year Clinical Data for DiscGenics's Progenitor Cell Therapy for Lumbar Disc Degeneration to Be Presented at NASS 2022 - PR Newswire - October 13th, 2022
- Mayo Clinic Minute: What is CAR-T cell therapy? - Finger Lakes Times - October 13th, 2022
- Gamma Biosciences and Lonza Collaborate to Co-develop Reagents for Clinical Cell Selection in the Cocoon Platform USA - English - USA - English - PR... - October 13th, 2022
- Merck and Moderna Move Forward with Personalized Cancer Vaccine - BioSpace - October 13th, 2022
- First Patient With B-NHL or CLL Treated With MB-106 in Phase 1/2 Study - Targeted Oncology - October 13th, 2022
- MaxCyte to Report Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results on November 9, 2022 - Yahoo Finance - October 13th, 2022
- Iovance Biotherapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed with PD-1 Inactivated Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) Therapy - GlobeNewswire - October 13th, 2022
- Elicera Therapeutics: PhD thesis describing the iTANK-platform awarded best of the year 2021 in Sweden in the field of gene and cell therapy -... - October 13th, 2022
- Integrating CAR T-Cell Therapy Into Community Oncology Practices - Targeted Oncology - October 4th, 2022
- About CAR-T cell therapy - Mayo Clinic - October 4th, 2022
- Autologous immune-cell therapy, practiced in Japan, now helping Vinmec Hospital, treat cancer patients in Hanoi, Vietnam, after technology transfer by... - October 4th, 2022
- Oncternal Therapeutics Receives IND Clearance for ONCT-808, its autologous CAR T Product Candidate Targeting ROR1 for the Treatment of Aggressive B... - October 4th, 2022
- Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute: Treating Pain with PRP and Stem Cell Therapy - Community News - October 4th, 2022
- City of Hope To Accelerate Immunotherapy Research And Treatment Innovation with $15 Million Gift From Ted Schwartz Family - City of Hope - October 4th, 2022
- Lineage Establishes New R&D Facility in U.S. and Expands Current GMP Manufacturing Facility in Israel - Business Wire - October 4th, 2022
- Century Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Daphne Quimi and Timothy Walbert to its Board of Directors - Yahoo Finance - October 4th, 2022
- SQZ Biotechnologies Publishes Preclinical Research Demonstrating SQZ AAC Platform's Potential as an Effective Red Blood Cell-Derived Immunotherapy -... - October 4th, 2022