Rowan University, Bamboo Therapeutics partner to combat Canavan disease

Jul 17 2015

Rowan University and Bamboo Therapeutics, Inc. have entered into an asset transfer agreement to commercialize a novel gene therapy for the treatment of Canavan disease. A rare but devastating neurological disease that tragically takes a child's life by age 10, Canavan disease is one of the most common and complex degenerative cerebral diseases in infants.

"This is an important agreement for Rowan University and we are pleased to partner with Bamboo in combating this terrible disease," said Dr. Kenneth Blank, senior vice president for Health Sciences at Rowan University. "This agreement is an excellent example of Rowan's commitment to create partnership opportunities with the business community."

The Rowan University Cell and Gene Therapy Center was the first to demonstrate the long-term safety and benefit of a virus-based gene therapy in a clinical setting. Led by Paola Leone, PhD, this study represents the first gene therapy study for a clinical neurological application ever approved by the National Institutes of Health as an Investigational New Drug (IND) application.

Under this agreement, Bamboo Therapeutics, Inc., acquires the exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize Rowan University's proposed treatment for Canavan Disease. Bamboo expects to advance through the regulatory pathways, with the goal of achieving final drug approval and providing much-needed patient access to this therapy.

"Bamboo is pleased to partner with Rowan in developing effective gene therapy for Canavan's Disease," says Larry Altstiel, MD, PhD, the company's chief medical officer. "We look forward to translating the groundbreaking research established by Dr. Paola Leone into novel gene therapy that provides meaningful benefits for both patients with this devastating disease and their families."

Source: Rowan University