NIHR GOSH BRC spinout Orchard Therapeutics signs strategic agreement with GSK

13 Apr 2018, 1:10 p.m.

Orchard Therapeutics logo

GSK and Orchard Therapeutics today announced a strategic agreement, under which GSK will transfer its portfolio of approved and investigational rare disease gene therapies to Orchard, securing the continued development of the programmes and access for patients.Orchard Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that develops transformative gene therapies for life threatening rare diseases. Orchard’s founding scientists include NIHR GOSH BRC researchers Professor Bobby Gaspar, Adrian Thrasher and Waseem Qasim. This acquisition strengthens Orchard’s position as a global leader in gene therapy for rare diseases and GSK will continue to invest in the development of its platform capabilities in cell and gene therapies, with a focus on oncology.

This agreement is evidence of GOSH BRC’s continued success in accelerating the delivery of new medicines for patient benefit and is testament to the GOSH BRC’s unique expertise in novel therapies for rare diseases.

Under the agreement, GSK will become an investor in Orchard Therapeutics, receiving a 19.9% equity stake along with a seat on the company’s board. GSK will also receive financial considerations in the form of royalties and commercial milestone payments related to the acquired portfolio. GSK and Orchard will exchange manufacturing, technical and commercial insights and learnings on the development of gene therapy medicines to ensure the success of the assets.

The acquisition of GSK’s programmes complements Orchard’s pipeline of clinical and preclinical gene therapies for primary immune deficiencies and inherited metabolic disorders.

Read more.

Young people donate tissue samples to unlock mysteries of arthritis

A new groundbreaking study led by researchers at the University of Birmingham, Great Ormond Street Hospital, University College London and Birmingham Children’s Hospital has revealed important clues into what is driving arthritis in children.

Toddler doing well after receiving newest gene therapy available on NHS

A toddler with a life-limiting and life-threatening rare disease is the youngest to be treated with the newest gene therapy available on the NHS at GOSH.

Genes may help to predict which children will respond well to arthritis treatment

A team of researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and University College London (UCL) have identified a set of genes that could be used to help doctors predict which children will respond well to treatment for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Making it easier to invest in frontline care

GOSH and UCL have signed a landmark agreement to simplify the commercialisation of any joint research and innovation and ensure any financial proceeds are shared equally.