Fortress Biotech Announces Aevitas Therapeutics Enters Sponsored Research Agreement to Advance AAV Gene Therapy Technology 

Fortress Biotech recently announced that its subsidiary, Aevitas Therapeutics, Inc. has entered into a sponsored research agreement (SRA) with the laboratory of Wenchao Song, PhD, a professor of Pharmacology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania to evaluate Aevitas’ adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy technology in Dr. Song’s animal models of complement-mediated diseases.

The SRA will explore dosing and attempt to further establish that the gene therapy is restoring lasting production of proteins that regulate the alternative pathway in the complement system, an interactive multimolecular system composed of proteins and cell membrane receptors that support immune system function. Irregularities in these proteins can cause immune-dysregulation and may play a role in numerous complement-mediated diseases, including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and age-related macular degeneration.

Lindsay A. Rosenwald, MD, Fortress Biotech’s Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, said “Further validation of Aevitas’ AAV gene therapy in animal models of complement-mediated diseases is a key step in advancing meaningful therapies toward the clinic, and follows vector construct optimization conducted by our collaborator, AAV gene therapy expert, Dr. Guangping Gao at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. We look forward to working with Dr. Song, a world-renowned leader in the pathogenesis of complement-mediated diseases, to advance gene therapies with the potential to provide long-term benefit to patients in need.”

 Aevitas Therapeutics, Inc., a subsidiary of Fortress Biotech, Inc., is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies for complement-mediated diseases. Aevitas aims to develop these potentially lifelong cures in multiple disease areas, including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and age-related macular degeneration.

 Fortress Biotech, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to acquiring, developing, and commercializing novel pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. Fortress develops and commercializes products both within Fortress and through certain subsidiary companies, also known as Fortress Companies. In addition to its internal development programs, Fortress leverages its biopharmaceutical business expertise and drug development capabilities and provides funding and management services to help the Fortress Companies achieve their goals. Fortress and the Fortress Companies may seek licensing arrangements, acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, and/or public and private financings to accelerate and provide additional funding to support their research and development programs. For more information, visit www.fortressbiotech.com.