Fuse Vectors secures USD $5.2m for gene therapy tech

Danish biotech firm Fuse Vectors has announced the acquisition of USD $5.2 million in pre-seed financing, led by HCVC, to further develop its cell-free gene therapy technology.

The company is replacing traditional 1980s cell-based methods with a cell-free technique, intending to make gene therapy more accessible and expedient. This approach promises improved quality in the creation of gene therapies, reducing the timeline from weeks to mere hours.

The funds are poised to expedite the advancement of Fuse's platform and its pipeline of innovative gene therapies. With its technological method, Fuse Vectors aims to offer a universal solution for Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) gene therapy development that could meet previously unmet patient needs and widen accessibility to a broader array of conditions.

The founders, Benjamin Blaha and Jordan Turnbull, were motivated to innovate after witnessing the limitations of existing manufacturing technologies. They noted the current reliance on outdated methods that were costly and slow to produce high-quality therapies. According to them, the traditional method is akin to "tossing LEGO bricks into a tumble dryer and hoping houses emerge."

They questioned the fundamental processes of drug development, leading them to develop a controlled, cell-free approach to viral vector assembly. "Fuse Vectors' cell-free Fuse Technology offers significant improvements, reducing production time and costs while enhancing vector quality to meet patients' unmet needs," said Benjamin Blaha. "The enzymatic AAV capsid filling process eliminates cell-based AAV production, using efficient technologies storing components in a module library. This allows on-demand, controlled biocatalytic reactions to fill capsids and works across all serotypes."

The novel method eschews the unpredictable nature of living cells, opting for controlled biochemical reactions to assemble viral vectors. This results in over 99% filled capsids synthesised in a matter of hours, with a simple procedure where partners provide a gene sequence for packaging into an AAV vector, significantly decreasing setup time and cost while improving quality.

Henrik Stage, co-founder and Executive Chair of Fuse Vectors, expressed enthusiasm for the investment from HCVC, noting, "This investment from HCVC is a pivotal step for Fuse Vectors, bringing our pre-seed financing to 5 million EUR. We are excited to work towards our vision of making gene therapy more efficient, cost-effective, and accessible, and are grateful for the early support and financing received from BioInnovation Institute, EIFO and Innovation Fund during our ideation and start-up phase."

Currently in the alpha testing phase, Fuse Vectors is working with numerous partners ranging from academic research groups to major pharmaceutical corporations. The company plans to implement two commercialisation strategies: partnering with various entities to enhance drug candidates using their technology and developing its own line of therapeutic candidates.

Trine Bartholdy, Chief Business Officer of BioInnovation Institute, remarked, "Fuse Vectors' approach to gene therapy has the potential to make gene therapy much more interesting for the Industry to develop as well as increase accessibility to patients. Their start-up development exemplifies BII's commitment to empowering innovative platform technologies based on world-class scientific research to grow into successful companies capable of making meaningful impact on the future of gene therapy and human health."

Alexis Houssou, Managing Partner of HCVC, commented on the firm's support for Fuse Vectors, stating, "We are thrilled to support Fuse Vectors in their mission to revolutionize gene therapy. With their unique cell-free viral vector solution, expert founding team and strong business model, Fuse Vectors has the potential to overcome significant challenges in the field, and we believe in their ability to bring transformative treatments to patients."

This development comes at a critical juncture for gene therapy, as the industry continues to search for methods to deliver safe, effective, and affordable treatments for the many genetic diseases still lacking options. Fuse Vectors' technology aims to overcome manufacturing hurdles and harness the full potential of gene therapy, providing hope for patients in need.