- Charles River Laboratories and Gazi University Faculty of Medicine have announced a gene therapy CDMO collaboration to support AAV production and in vitro efficacy studies.
- Under the agreement, Charles River will provide off-the-shelf research-grade plasmid DNA for early-stage gene therapy programmes.
Charles River Laboratories International has announced a gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) collaboration with Gazi University Faculty of Medicine. The collaboration will focus on providing plasmid DNA to support adeno-associated virus (AAV) production and in vitro efficacy studies.
As part of the agreement, Charles River will supply Gazi University with research-grade AAV plasmids. These plasmids are described as off-the-shelf, pre-manufactured, and ready to use for early-stage gene therapy projects. According to the announcement, they are produced using animal component-free methods and are royalty-free, with the aim of accelerating research timelines and reducing costs.
The collaboration supports research into hyperphosphatemic tumoral calcinosis, a rare inherited disorder characterised by elevated blood phosphate levels and calcium phosphate deposits in soft tissues. Gazi University has identified GALNT3 as the gene responsible for the condition, and the supplied plasmids will be used to support gene therapy research related to this disease.
“We are excited to build a strong collaboration with Gazi University.”
Kerstin Dolph, Corporate Senior Vice President, Global Manufacturing at Charles River
She noted that the company’s cell and gene therapy CDMO expertise will support the Faculty of Medicine in advancing concepts towards potential therapies.
