VectorY and Shape Therapeutics Forge $1.2B+ Partnership for Brain-Penetrant Gene Therapies

VectorY Therapeutics and Shape Therapeutics have announced a groundbreaking collaboration potentially worth over $1.2 billion, focusing on the development of novel gene therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The partnership, revealed on September 18, 2025, centers around Shape's innovative adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid technology designed to penetrate deep into the brain.

Revolutionizing Brain-Targeted Therapies

At the heart of this collaboration is Shape's SHP-DB1, an engineered AAV capsid that promises to overcome limitations of naturally occurring AAV serotypes. VectorY will evaluate SHP-DB1's ability to deliver antibody payloads for three therapeutic targets, with a particular focus on treatments for Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases.

Jim Scibetta, CEO of VectorY, emphasized the strategic importance of this partnership, stating, "The addition of Shape's SHP-DB1 technology is a strategic fit with our mission to deliver transformative and disease modifying safe and effective therapies for devastating neurodegenerative diseases."

Financial Terms and Milestone Potential

The agreement includes an upfront payment to Shape, with the potential for up to $1.2 billion in fees and milestones. Specifically, Shape could receive up to $338 million for rare disease applications and $503.5 million for non-rare disease programs, contingent on VectorY exercising its exclusive license option for SHP-DB1.

Expanding the Therapeutic Pipeline

VectorY plans to leverage SHP-DB1 for intravenous administration of its developmental programs, including:

• VTx-003: An antibody targeting mutant huntingtin (mHTT) and TDP-43 for Huntington's disease
• VTx-005: An antibody against phosphorylated tau for Alzheimer's disease

Additionally, VectorY's lead asset, VTx-002, a TDP-43 motor neuron-targeting vectorized antibody for ALS, is expected to enter clinical trials with an IND filing anticipated by the end of 2025.