Advising IP Group on option exercise to accelerate development of first-in-class gene therapy for patients with cystic fibrosis

We have advised IP Group on behalf of the UK Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium (GTC) on the exercise by Boehringer Ingelheim of an option to certain intellectual property and know-how to progress and further accelerate the development of a potential new treatment for patients with cystic fibrosis.

In the partnership, IP Group, acting on behalf of the three GTC host Universities (Imperial College London and the Universities of Oxford and Edinburgh), is granting Boehringer Ingelheim exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture, register, and commercialise a lentiviral vector-based gene therapy for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. The GTC is additionally contributing its knowledge in pre-clinical research and clinical gene therapy development.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disease caused by a defective or absent protein resulting from mutations in the CFTR gene. This innovative development partnership encompassing academia, life science investors, pharma, and biotech focuses on the advancement of BI 3720931, a novel, replication deficient lentiviral vector which selectively introduces a healthy CFTR gene into the relevant target cells.

Commenting on the transaction, intellectual property partner Colin McCall said: "We initially advised on the grant of the option back in 2018, and it is fantastic to see this collaboration  progress so promisingly with Boehringer Ingelheim now exercising those option rights. We were very pleased to support IP Group and by extension the GTC on this significant deal, which will further enable the partnership to move towards developing a potential breakthrough with the power to be lifechanging for those suffering from cystic fibrosis. We wish them and Boehringer Ingelheim the best of luck in this exciting next phase."

Jeremy Holmes, Head of IP at IP Group added: "Building on the considerable progress the partnership has made to date, we are delighted that Boehringer Ingelheim has exercised its option to accelerate the development of GTC's novel therapy. We are extremely grateful to the Taylor Wessing team for their exceptional guidance and the in-depth sector expertise they demonstrated throughout this process."

The transaction was led by Colin McCall with support from senior associate Nabil Asaad and trainee Alice Matthews.