Merck and GTRI to develop gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease

German company Merck kGaA has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gene Therapy Research Institution (GTRI) to produce a gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease. GTRI, a Japanese biotech start-up, specializes in creating gene therapies using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. The collaboration will utilize Merck’s Sf-RVN insect cell line platform for manufacturing viral vector-based gene therapies under good manufacturing practices (GMP) compliance. The agreement includes establishing an AAV production platform to scale up production, using Merck’s cell line and platform technologies. Merck will provide GTRI with technical support, training, and process optimization at the M Lab Collaboration Center in Tokyo. Isao Hatano, head of process solutions for Merck's life science business in Japan, emphasized the potential of gene therapy clinical trials to develop new treatments. He noted that Merck's extensive portfolio could support GTRI in accelerating the development and manufacturing of viral vector-based gene therapies, ultimately helping many patients with serious diseases. GTRI CEO Katsuhito Asai highlighted their work since 2014 on gene therapy for diseases like Parkinson’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where effective treatments are lacking. He mentioned the challenges in developing robust and safe manufacturing processes for viral vectors on a large scale and expressed confidence that the partnership with Merck would optimize this process and expedite bringing therapies to market. Additionally, Merck recently collaborated with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to further research on slowing Parkinson’s progression. In July 2024, Merck’s Life Science sector also signed a non-binding MoU with Afrigen Biologics to develop an mRNA vaccine technology platform.