Forge Biologics Selected as AAV Partner for MDA’s Kickstart Program

• Forge Biologics has been chosen by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) as the adeno-associated virus (AAV) development and manufacturing partner for the new Kickstart Program.

• The partnership aims to advance gene therapy for ultra-rare neuromuscular diseases, utilizing Forge’s proprietary gene therapy platform.

Forge Biologics, a gene therapy CDMO, has been selected as the adeno-associated virus (AAV) manufacturing partner for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) Kickstart Program. This initiative, created by the MDA, aims to lower commercial barriers and facilitate the development of gene therapies for ultra-rare neuromuscular diseases, such as muscular dystrophy and ALS.

The collaboration will involve Forge Biologics offering process and analytical development, leveraging their HEK293 suspension Ignition Cells and pEMBR adenovirus helper plasmid technologies. The production activities will take place at Forge’s Hearth facility in Columbus, Ohio, a 200,000 square foot gene therapy manufacturing site.

John Maslowski, CCO at Forge Biologics, stated: “Collaborating with the MDA embodies our mission at Forge to help deliver potentially life-changing treatments to patients suffering from rare disease.”

The Kickstart Program is designed to accelerate the development of gene therapies, and Sharon Hesterlee, Ph.D., CRO at MDA, emphasized the importance of this partnership, highlighting Forge’s expertise in helping to progress treatments for patients with rare diseases.