Latham & Watkins Advises ShapeTX in Collaboration With Otsuka to Develop Novel AAV Gene Therapies for Ocular Diseases

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and ShapeTX, the programmable medicine company using AI and RNA to end genetic diseases, has announced a multi-target collaboration to develop intravitreally-delivered adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) for ocular diseases, with options to add additional targets and tissue types. The companies will collaborate to apply ShapeTX’s AAVid™ capsid discovery platform and transgene engineering technology along with Otsuka’s expertise in genetic payload design and ophthalmology to develop novel treatment options for people living with serious eye diseases.

Latham & Watkins LLP advised ShapeTX in the transaction, with a corporate deal team led by Bay Area partner Judith Hasko, with associate Billy Wu. Advice was also provided on tax matters by Bay Area partner Kirt Switzer, with associate Derek Gumm.