AskBio Partners with Belief BioMed to advance gene therapies

Sklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio), has formed a strategic alliance with Belief BioMed in China to further the progress of innovative gene therapies. The goal of the collaboration is to take advantage of the experience of both companies in gene therapy technology, especially for conditions that can be addressed with a focus on the liver.

BBM integrates viral vector technology to streamline the development, manufacturing, and medical application of gene therapy products for serious genetic and long-term diseases. The company has developed cutting-edge vector technology and established a platform for producing gene therapy drugs for commercial use in China.

AskBio's chief scientific officer Mansuo Shannon explained that the company adopts a collaborative approach in developing new gene therapies, and they search globally for the most promising scientific advancements to achieve their objectives.

“The potential of BBM’s next-generation capsid technology, together with the work we are conducting at AskBio, is promising. We are looking forward to working closely with the team at BBM.”

In July 2024, China National Medical Products Administration approved Belief BioMed's new drug application for a treatment of haemophilia B. This is the initial gene therapy product application submitted in China for an inherited genetic disorder.

BBM has created novel engineered adeno-associated virus vectors. These items have shown promise in lowering immunogenicity and boosting transduction effectiveness in tests involving both humans and animals. Juergen Eckhardt, the head of business development and licensing at Bayer Pharmaceuticals, pointed out that gene therapy holds significant promise in the field of modern medicine, especially in terms of technical advancements.