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Voyager Therapeutics Announces Positive Preclinical Data from New Vectorized anti-HER2 Antibody Program at the 26th Society for Neuro-Oncology Annual MeetingNovel intravenous (IV) vectorized antibody approach designed to activate innate immune system, destroy metastatic breast cancer tumors, and inhibit tumor progression in CNS Proprietary TRACER™ capsid screening technology enables broad expression of vectorized antibody in mouse brain TRACER AAV vector encoding anti-HER2 antibody demonstrated tumor reduction across multiple mouse models and survival benefit CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VYGR), a gene therapy company developing life-changing treatments and next-generation adeno-associated virus (AAV) platform technologies, today will present preclinical data demonstrating that IV dosing of a proprietary AAV vector identified by the TRACER™? screening technology, encoding an anti-HER2 antibody payload, prevented tumor growth in models of HER2+ brain metastases. Dan R. Laks, Ph.D., Voyager Scientist II, will present key findings at 4:15 p.m. ET during the 26th Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Annual Meeting. “Today’s findings demonstrate that AAV gene transfer of HER2-directed antibodies to the central nervous system shows promise to treat brain metastases in patients with HER2+ breast cancer,” said Glenn Pierce, M.D., Ph.D., interim chief scientific officer of Voyager. “While approved anti-HER2 therapies are effective for peripheral disease, they have limited ability to reach the CNS in sufficient concentrations to treat brain metastases. By using a proprietary, TRACER AAV capsid to deliver Voyager’s vectorized payload, and by utilizing brain cells to produce therapeutic antibodies, we have demonstrated a durable effect against CNS tumors in several mouse models. We look forward to continued optimization of this innovative gene therapy approach as we progress toward clinical development.” Voyager’s vectorized anti-HER2 antibody was shown to inhibit proliferation and promote antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC), a process that recruits natural killer cells, macrophages and/or brain-resident innate immune cells called microglia to eliminate tumor cells. IV administration of a proprietary AAV vector incorporating a TRACER blood-brain barrier penetrant capsid and a payload encoding an ADCC enhanced anti-HER2 antibody conferred a survival benefit in a mouse model of HER2+ brain metastasis. SNO Oral Presentation Details Key Findings
Voyager intends to further optimize this gene therapy approach in ongoing studies progressing towards application of a human therapeutic. About HER2+ Brain Metastases About the TRACER™ AAV Capsid Discovery Platform About Voyager Therapeutics Voyager Therapeutics® is a registered trademark, and TRACER™ is a trademark, of Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. Forward-Looking Statements For example, all statements Voyager makes regarding Voyager’s ability to continue to identify and develop proprietary capsids from its TRACER AAV screening platform; Voyager’s ability to identify and develop proprietary capsids from its TRACER AAV screening platform with increased transgene expression, increased blood-brain barrier penetration and increased biodistribution compared to conventional AAV9 capsids; the initiation, timing, progress, activities, goals and reporting of results of its research and development programs; Voyager’s ability to continue to develop preclinical data on its early pipeline programs relying upon its novel capsid discovery efforts; and Voyager’s ability to utilize its novel proprietary capsids in its own product development programs are forward looking. All forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions by Voyager’s management that, although Voyager believes such forward-looking statements to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that Voyager expected. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the severity and length of the COVID-19 health crisis; the continued development of Voyager’s technology platforms, including Voyager’s TRACER platform; the ability to initiate and conduct of preclinical studies in more advanced pre-clinical animal models; the ability to attract and retain talented contractors and employees; the ability to create and protect intellectual property; and the sufficiency of cash resources. These statements are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties that are described in Voyager’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in the press release is as of the date of this press release, and any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Voyager undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise this information or any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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