Aptuit signs deal with Dimension Therapeutics to study therapies targeting rare diseases

Aptuit, a drug discovery and development CRO, has signed a deal with gene therapy player Dimension Therapeutics to support studies for select rare disease programs.

Under the agreement, Aptuit will support GLP IND-enabling studies currently being conducted at Dimension, the company said. Three key integrated development projects have already begun under the partnership.

Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

“This best-in-class partnership builds upon Aptuit's scientific excellence in integrated IND development in the exciting area of gene therapies,” Jonathan Goldman, Aptuit’s CEO, said in a statement. “In particular, we plan to ensure full and timeline resourcing of these programs, in order to increase probability of success, and reduce time and cost." 

Dimension, which was named a Fierce 15 company in 2014, has a lead program for DTX101 that uses an AAV vector to deliver Factor IX into hemophilia patients. It's one of several biotechs to focus their first gene therapy programs on hemophilia, which a number of experts believe makes a logical focus for the new wave of upstarts now working in the field.

Aptuit’s small molecule discovery capabilities are in the therapeutic areas including neuroscience, oncology, infectious disease, inflammation and respiratory.

In April, Aptuit purchased early stage drug discovery outfit Exquiron for an undisclosed sum in a move that the company said would bolster its offerings in areas including assay development and candidate nomination.

That deal came a few months after Aptuit decided in December to inject $16 million into facilities in the U.K. and Italy--adding 90 scientists--to meet customer demand. Before that, the company sold off two facilities in Scotland and Indiana for $60 million to AMRI.

- check out the release

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