From launch to IPO, Taysha Gene Therapies has maintained strong ties to UT Southwestern. Now, it’s deepening that tie with the launch of a new research fund.
The Dallas-based central nervous system-focused drug development and commercialization company and UT Southwestern are partnering to launch a new innovation fund aimed at funding research and develop new gene therapies.
“We believe that the combination of UT Southwestern’s translational research expertise in gene therapy and strong track record of innovation, and our experience in drug development and GMP manufacturing will create opportunities to reach more patients with unmet medical needs,” said RA Sessions II, president, founder and CEO of Taysha, in a statement.
While the fund's amount was not disclosed, it will be used exclusively on researchers at UT Southwestern’s Gene Therapy Program. Taysha has the right to acquire options on new gene therapy programs and intellectual property coming from the research.
Taysha’s relationship with UT Southwestern goes back to when it emerged from stealth last April with a $30 million seed round led by Fidelity Management & Research Company and an alliance with UT Southwestern’s research program. Since then, the relationship has produced 18 novel gene therapy candidates, including two in clinical development. The company also counts Dr. Berge Minassian and Steven Gray, both with UT Southwestern Gene Therapy Program, as advisors.
For now, much of Taysha’s production has taken place at UT Southwestern’s GMP viral vector manufacturing facility. Last month, the company chose Durham, North Carolina, for the site of a 160,000 square-foot facility – a $75 million investment that can create about 200 jobs.
On the heels of that announcement, Taysha announced plans to move its headquarters to a new 36,000 square-foot space at Pegasus Park, a planned biotech hub in Northwest Dallas. Before that, the company was based out of the UT Southwestern Medical Center, according to regulatory filings. UT Southwestern also announced plans to lease an 180,000 square-foot space at Pegasus Park for its Office of Technology Development.
After raising more than $100 million in backing as a private company, Taysha went public in September, with a nearly $1 billion market valuation.
“We are pleased by the significant progress our partnership has achieved and are excited to build on that foundation and momentum to bring additional compelling innovation to the clinic,” Sessions said.
