Fortress Biotech Announces Aevitas Therapeutics Enters Sponsored Research Agreement With the University of Massachusetts Medical School

Fortress Biotech recently announced that its subsidiary, Aevitas Therapeutics, Inc. (Aevitas), has entered into a sponsored research agreement (SRA) with the laboratory of Guangping Gao, PhD, at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMass Medical School). The SRA will evaluate construct optimization in the development of gene therapies based on Aevitas’ adeno-associated virus (AAV) technology.

Aevitas also announced the formation of a scientific advisory board and has named Dr. Gao as its first member. Dr. Gao has more than 20 years of experience in the discovery and characterization of AAV serotypes. He currently serves as Vice President of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy, Founding Co-Director of the Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research at UMass Medical School, Founding Director of the Horae Gene Therapy Center & Viral Vector Core, Scientific Director of the UMass Medical School China Program Office and Professor of Microbiology and Physiological Systems.

Lindsay A. Rosenwald, MD, Fortress Biotech’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said “Dr. Gao is a world-renowned AAV gene therapy researcher who has made significant contributions to the development of safer and more effective AAV-based treatments. We look forward to leveraging his expertise as part of Aevitas’ newly formed scientific advisory board, and through the research agreement with UMass Medical School, which will enable Aevitas to advance potentially lifelong treatments for complement-mediated diseases toward the clinic.”

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.