Talee Bio Announces $4.5 Million Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to Advance Development of Two Gene Therapy Product Candidates

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Talee Bio, Inc., a development stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing gene therapy treatments for cystic fibrosis, today announced agreements with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CF Foundation) to fund the preclinical development of two mutation-agnostic gene therapy product candidates, TL-101 and TL-102. The CF Foundation committed up to $4.5 million to expedite the development of both product candidates for all people with cystic fibrosis, and particularly those individuals with no viable treatment options for the underlying cause of the disease.

TL-101 is an aerosolized, recombinant AAV product candidate to treat pulmonary manifestations of cystic fibrosis through single or multiple doses. TL-101 is currently in preclinical development with a goal of initiating clinical trials in 2020. TL-102 is an aerosolized lentiviral product candidate with the potential to cure pulmonary manifestations of cystic fibrosis after one dose. Each of these product candidates is the result of decades of research by world-class academic experts developing innovations that overcome historical hurdles to achieving meaningful efficacy in diseased lung.

“We are delighted that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is continuing to support the development of these gene therapy product candidates,” commented Joan Lau, CEO of Talee Bio. She continued, “Gene therapy treatments offer great potential to treat all patients with CF, including those with nonsense mutations and no available treatment options. We are honored to be working with the CF Foundation to expedite the development of these important development products in order to improve and extend the lives of every CF patient.”

About Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a progressive, life-threatening genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system that impacts more than 75,000 worldwide. CF is characterized by thickened mucus and inflammation, especially in the airways, leading to chronic infections and progressively worsening ability to breathe. CF is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, an ion channel whose malfunction causes the thickening of mucus. Currently, the disease has no cure and leads to premature death at an average age of 39 years.

About Talee Bio

Talee Bio is a development stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing gene therapy products for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. The company is developing two inhaled gene therapy drug candidates to treat all cystic fibrosis patients: TL-101, a recombinant AAV-based gene therapy, and TL-102, a lentivirus gene therapy. The company was founded by world-class academic researchers from the University of Iowa and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Militia Hill Ventures, an active-build venture capital firm based in Philadelphia, with support from Emily’s Entourage.

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