Avista and Forge Partner on AVST-101 for XLRS

Avista Therapeutics and Forge Biologics have entered a strategic partnership to accelerate the development and manufacturing of AVST-101, Avista’s lead gene therapy candidate for X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS).

AVST-101 Overview and Development Goals

AVST-101 is designed as a next-generation gene therapy with optimized intravitreal delivery, low-dose efficacy, and broad retinal coverage. The goal is to provide a safer and more accessible treatment for patients living with XLRS, a rare inherited retinal disease that can cause early-onset vision loss.

“Partnering with Avista to support the advancement of AVST-101, their innovative intravitreal gene therapy for XLRS, aligns with our mission to help our clients accelerate the path to gene therapies for patients with urgent needs,” said John Maslowski, President and CEO of Forge. “Our AAV manufacturing services are designed to support programs like Avista’s with the speed, consistency, and quality required for success.”

Manufacturing and Technology Collaboration

Under the agreement, Forge will provide process development, cGMP manufacturing, toxicology support, and analytical development for AVST-101.

Avista will also leverage Forge’s proprietary FUEL technologies, including HEK293 suspension Ignition Cells for robust, scalable AAV production and the pEMBR 2.0 adenovirus helper plasmid for improved manufacturing efficiency.

All manufacturing activities will be conducted at The Hearth, Forge’s 200,000 sq. ft. gene therapy development and manufacturing facility in Columbus, Ohio.

Strengthening Gene Therapy Development Capabilities

“Forge’s AAV-specific manufacturing expertise and platform technologies give us confidence in a smooth path forward in the development of AVST-101,” said Robert Lin, PhD, CEO of Avista Therapeutics. “This collaboration further strengthens our ability to advance our mission of delivering transformative gene therapies to patients with vision loss.”