Orchard Therapeutics PLC – ADR (NASDAQ:ORTX) announced last week that it extended its multi-year collaboration with MoIMed as its gene therapy development and manufacturing partner.
Orchard Therapeutics revealed that the extended collaboration with MoIMed will allow them to work together for another five years. This means that the new extended contract will expire in June 2025. The extension of the production partnership contract will allow MoIMed to continue providing its services to Orchard.
MoIMed has played an important role of helping Orchard develop and produce vectors and other drug products. The extended collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to the pharmaceutical company’s ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene targeting treatments in the next few years. This includes OTL-103, which the company has been developing to treat Wiskott Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and OTL-200 that targets metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD).
MoIMed is also expected to assist Orchard in developing and producing other developmental programs such as OTL-203, which targets mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS-I). MoIMed is also a strategic partner for Orchard Therapeutics because it was the first company to receive good manufacturing practice (GMP) approval in Europe. It also manufactures Orchard’s ex vivo HSC gene therapy called Strimvelis. The latter targets severe combined immunodeficiency, which is caused by denosine deaminase deficiency.
“We are looking forward to continuing to build and expand upon our partnership with MolMed, who have supported the progression of many of our programs since their earliest clinical development stages,” stated Orchard’s Chief Operating Officer, Frank Thomas.
MoIMed is a strategic partner for Orchard Therapeutics
Mr. Thomas also pointed out that MoIMed’s expertise in the production of gene therapies and their deep understanding of Orchard’s programs make it an ideal partner for the pharmaceutical company. He also added that MoIMed’s strategic focus and market positioning will assist in regulatory pursuits and commercialization in European markets.
MoIMed’s Chief Business Officer, Luca Alberici, stated that his company was pleased to strengthen its partnership with Orchard. He also added that his company was excited to continue helping Orchard Therapeutics provide transformative treatments, especially to those who suffer from severe illnesses.
