An option and license agreement has been announced between VectorY Therapeuticsand Shape Therapeutics Inc., enabling VectorY to advance its pipeline.

VectorY is a biotechnology company focused on vectorized antibody therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, while Shape Therapeutics uses AI and RNA technologies to engineer genetic medicines.

The agreement gives VectorY the exclusive right to evaluate and potentially license Shape's SHP-DB1, an advanced adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid designed to penetrate deep regions of the brain. This capsid, derived from AAV5, is considered a strategic fit for VectorY's mission to develop safe and effective therapies, as it has been shown to effectively deliver genetic medicines to neuronal populations while minimizing toxicity risks to the liver and dorsal root ganglion.

VectorY plans to use this technology to advance multiple programs in its pipeline, including VTx-003 for Huntington's Disease and VTx-005 for Alzheimer's Disease, which will be delivered non-invasively via intravenous administration.

Under the financial terms of the deal, Shape Therapeutics will receive an upfront payment and is eligible for up to $1.2 billion in total fees and milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties on future sales, which highlights the value of Shape's AAV engineering platform and its commitment to expanding access to its innovative capsids through partnerships. This collaboration solidifies VectorY's strategic emphasis on using clinically validated AAV5 vectors and its expertise in large-scale manufacturing to bring transformative treatments to patients with devastating CNS disorders.