TÜBINGEN, Germany and BOSTON, May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CureVac AG, a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company pioneering the field of mRNA-based drugs, announced it has entered into a sponsored research agreement (“SRA”) with Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, for discovery research in mRNA-based eye therapy candidates.
The exclusive SRA covers the development of an undisclosed number of novel mRNA-based candidates for undisclosed eye indications. Under terms of the SRA, CureVac will provide all funding for the discovery research. The Schepens Eye team will carry out discovery research on targets related to eye diseases and present therapeutic candidates to CureVac for preclinical and subsequent clinical development. CureVac retains the option to acquire any rights regarding the candidates.
“We are honored to partner with the Schepens team, which is performing cutting edge discovery research in the ocular field,” said Dan Menichella, CEO of CureVac. “CureVac has developed a next generation mRNA delivery vehicle, the CureVac Carrier Molecule (CVCM™), to reach targets in the eye and other organs and is well suited for repeated dosing administration.”
About CureVac AG
CureVac is a leading company in the field of messenger RNA (mRNA) technology with more than 19 years’ expertise in handling and optimizing this versatile molecule for medical purposes. The principle of CureVac's proprietary technology is the use of mRNA as a data carrier to instruct the human body to produce its own proteins capable of fighting a wide range of diseases. The company applies its technologies for the development of cancer therapies, antibody therapies, the treatment of rare diseases, and prophylactic vaccines. To date, CureVac has received approximately $420 million (€400 million) in equity investments, including significant investments from SAP founder Dietmar Hopp’s dievini and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. CureVac has also entered into collaborations with multinational corporations and organizations, including Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly & Co, CRISPR Therapeutics, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and others.
For more information, please visit www.curevac.com or follow us on Twitter at @CureVacAG.
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Matthew Beck, Vice President Investor Relations
CureVac AG, Boston, MA, United States
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matthew.beck@curevac.com