Analysis by Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) and ELISA showed varying levels of expression, with the highest observed in cassettes containing the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter followed by those with various tissue-specific promoters. Plasmids with inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) flanking the regulatory cassettes driving LGIC expression were transfected in SKNAS neuroblastoma cells, as well as HeLa cells to determine which cassettes were able to target the cells more efficiently and provide high levels of LGIC expression. The first round of selection was performed in vitro with 23 unique expression cassettes containing various combinations of regulatory elements including, enhancer, promoter, intron, 5' untranslated region, 3' untranslated region, and polyA tail. Washington Convention Center Presenter: Edward Yeh Title: Assessment of AAV Regulatory Cassettes with Optimal Hippocampal Neuron Expression for the Treatment of Focal Epilepsy Date: 5:30-6:30 PM ET Session: Neurological Diseases I Poster Board Number: M-158 Abstract Number: 277 Location: Hall D, Walter E. We look forward to advancing our assessment of these two selected cassettes in epilepsy models to inform the final decision of our development candidate in focal epilepsy." This research details the analysis and selection process of AAV regulatory cassettes that should drive optimal expression of our LGIC for the treatment of focal epilepsy. Recurrent seizures can result in cognitive and emotional deficits, with current interventions offering limited efficacy and multiple side effects. ![]() Michael Narachi, president and CEO of CODA, said, "Focal epilepsy is a chronic, debilitating neurologic disorder that is characterized by unpredictable seizures initiated from a specific location in the brain and affects millions of people around the world. To create an effective gene delivery approach for focal epilepsy, the Company generated a series of AAV expression cassettes that could drive optimal expression of its LGIC in target cells of the hippocampus. Oral administration of this small molecule ligand, which is designed to only interact with CODA's chimeric LGIC, can be finely tuned to control the aberrant activity of neurons and suppress seizures without adverse effects. (PRNewsfoto/CODA Biotherapeutics, Inc.) (PRNewswire)ĬODA's approach to treat focal epilepsy is adeno associated virus (AAV)-mediated delivery of a novel engineered ligand-gated ion channel (LGIC) that can subsequently respond to an exogenous ligand. “These lower quality companies and programs, they’re going to be shut down,” Mike Rice, Life Sci Advisors told BioSpace when discussing the “brutal” financing environment.īioSpace has contacted CODA’s former exec team for comment but has not received a response.CODA Biotherapeutics, Inc. The immediate liquidity will keep Sorrento afloat for now. In February, Sorrento Therapeutics received interim court approval for a $75 million financing through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In addition to staff cuts, companies are making tough financial calls to keep the doors open. That’s more than a 100% increase compared to the 10 announced in 2021. More than 35 companies have already been added to BioSpace’s Layoff Tracker for 2023.Ĭuts first started to accelerate in 2022, as 28 U.S.-headquartered public pharma and biotech companies made official downsizing announcements, according to a report shared with BioSpace from LifeSci Communications. Companies of all sizes are making cuts to make ends meet. ![]() While the reason for CODA’s shuttering has not been disclosed, biopharma is facing an era of slim funding across the board. Its initial targets focused on focal epilepsy and chronic neuropathic pain. According to her profile, Catalona moved from CODA to Capsida Biotherapeutics in February.ĬODA has been working on a novel chemogenetic gene therapy platform to treat intractable neurological diseases. Susan Catalona left her CEO role at Cognition Therapeutics after 14 years last March to take on the CSO role at CODA. CODA’s SVP of drug discovery, Steve Dodson, started at Aeovian Pharmaceuticals in November 2022. In October 2022, Keravala moved up the ladder to CSO at Genescence Corporation. While no official statement has come out, Google shows the company as “permanently closed.” CODA’s website still exists but it appears the top execs started jumping ship as early as last fall.Īccording to her LinkedIn profile, the first to go was SVP of gene therapy, Annahita Keravala. ![]() In tough market, CODA quietly shuts doorsĪs life science companies feel the burn of the current economy, one Bay Area biotech, CODA Biotherapeutics, quietly shut its doors.
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