#USA #Burlington #AAV Gene Therapy #Azenta Life Sciences #Form Bio

Azenta Life Sciences and Form Bio Partnerships

Azenta, Inc., a renowned player in life sciences, recently announced an exciting partnership between its GENEWIZ sector and Form Bio, a pioneer in AI-powered life sciences technology. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the development of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies by integrating advanced sequencing capabilities with sophisticated data analysis powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

The Objectives of the Partnership

The core objective of this strategic alliance is to streamline and enhance the AAV gene therapy workflow. By merging GENEWIZ's outstanding next-generation sequencing services with Form Bio's innovative machine learning analysis pipelines, the partnership intends to provide invaluable insights into AAV capsid contents. This integration is expected to boost the safety, efficacy, and manufacturability of gene therapies, ultimately making solutions available to patients at a more rapid pace.

Enhanced Sequencing Services

As part of this collaboration, GENEWIZ will offer synthesis and packaging of transgene expression cassettes. The sequencing facets will include long-read sequencing services specifically catered to AAV gene therapy, ensuring high quality and reliability. On the other hand, Form Bio will apply its Long-read AAV Analysis (LAAVA) software to conduct comprehensive assessments of AAV genome integrity. This analytical procedure aims to pinpoint potential opportunities to enhance the integrity and safety of AAV vectors while delivering actionable insights through detailed reporting.

Simplified Workflow for Developers

The amalgamation of these advanced technologies facilitates a seamless process that encompasses sequencing, vector design, and development workflows. By streamlining these elements, the partnership aspires to minimize time and expenditure associated with reaching lead candidates. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the journey to market for groundbreaking therapies that could significantly impact patient outcomes.

Expert Perspectives

Ginger Zhou, President of GENEWIZ, expressed excitement about the partnership, remarking:

“Our collaboration with Form Bio marks a major step forward in simplifying AAV gene therapy workflows. By combining our sequencing expertise with their cutting-edge analysis, we are enabling researchers to make more informed decisions and break through traditional hurdles found in gene therapy development.”

Andrew Busey, Co-Founder and CEO of Form Bio, also highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating:

“By integrating analysis earlier in the process, we're helping gene therapy developers accelerate timelines, enhance vector safety, and improve the likelihood for clinical success.”

Upcoming Presentation at ASGCT

This innovative partnership will receive a significant spotlight at the upcoming 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) scheduled for May 2025. Both companies will have booths at the event (numbers 1711 and 1143), where a poster titled “The Long and Short of It: Comparing Next Generation Sequencing Methods for Quality Control in AAV Development” will be presented. This poster aims to demonstrate the collaborative efforts undertaken by both firms in advancing gene therapy solutions.

About Form Bio

Form Bio is dedicated to providing cutting-edge AI and computational solutions to accelerate therapeutic development in cell and gene therapy sectors. Their proprietary FORMsightAI platform enables swift genome integrity characterization and optimization of nucleic acid-based therapies, effectively streamlining lead candidate selection processes. With its fusion of AI-driven design and extensive expertise in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and data science, Form Bio empowers developers to ameliorate therapeutic safety and efficacy while also reducing time and costs.

About Azenta Life Sciences

Azenta, Inc. is a preeminent name in the life sciences industry, committed to facilitating impactful breakthroughs in healthcare through rapid market access to innovative solutions. Headquartered in Burlington, MA, Azenta delivers an extensive suite of reliable cold-chain sample management and multiomics services across the pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic sectors globally. By leveraging its established brands, including GENEWIZ, FluidX, Ziath, and more, Azenta stands at the forefront of advancing healthcare initiatives.

In conclusion, by synergizing their innovative capabilities, Azenta Life Sciences and Form Bio represent a significant step forward in the evolution of gene therapy. This partnership not only promises to enhance AAV gene therapy development but also signals hope for many patients awaiting transformative therapies.