French company Ceva Santé Animale acquired Scout Bio, a startup co-founded by Penn scientist Jim Wilson that develops gene therapies for pets.
The deal, announced on Jan. 25, will allow the company to develop and test gene therapy technologies to address chronic diseases in pets. The gene therapies will focus on common animal ailments such as arthritis and are expected to cost less than similar treatments for humans, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Ceva, based in Libourne, France, employs 7,000 individuals across 47 countries, making it one of the top 5 animal health companies in the world. The privately held company did not disclose the cost of the acquisition.
Wilson is a Penn Medicine physician and professor who directs Penn's Gene Therapy Program, which has collaborated with Scout Bio in the past on joint programs. In the announcement on Jan. 25, Ceva stated that it will continue building on Scout Bio's success and maintain a "strong relationship" with Wilson's gene therapy program at Penn.
GTP has been the site of workplace difficulties over the past few years. In 2021, the DP reported that employees alleged a "dysfunctional, toxic" workplace environment and ineffective leadership under Wilson.
In 2022, internal reports suggested that University officials allegedly manipulated a Perelman School of Medicine investigation into workplace abuse allegations in order to protect GTP's financial interests and Wilson. Most recently, the program laid off 84 employees in December 2023, nearly a quarter of its regular staff members.
Wilson told the Inquirer that the job cuts were “unfortunately necessary” and pointed to the Ceva acquisition as a sign of optimism for the biotech market.
While the price for human gene therapies can surpass $1 million, the pet treatments will come at a lower cost, according to Wilson. Ceva will contract with GTP to develop gene therapy vectors — viruses that deliver healthy genes into cells.
Ceva Chairman and CEO Marc Prikazsky wrote in a statement that the acquisition marked a "pivotal moment" in the progress of pet therapeutics.
“Indeed, with the growing trend of ‘pet humanization,’ owners aspire to extend the lives and well-being of their four-legged companions,” Prikazsky wrote. “Together [with Scout Bio], we are poised to lead in shaping the future of biotherapeutic solutions for the well-being of pets worldwide.”
Wilson also co-founded Philadelphia-based startup iECURE, which collaborates with GPT to develop gene editing technologies for treating liver diseases. In 2022, iECURE raised $65 million to support its clinical testing after extending its venture funding round.
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