Chicago-based VectorBuilder and Ireland-based Lir Therapeutics have announced a platform collaboration to engineer adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids optimized for both biological performance and manufacturability. The agreement combines VectorBuilder's DeepCap capsid discovery platform and GMP manufacturing capabilities with Lir's AI-driven nAAVigator computational protein engineering platform. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The collaboration aims to address several challenges that have constrained AAV gene therapy development, including manufacturing productivity, capsid yield and quality, therapeutic dose requirements, tissue specificity, and immune evasion. Rather than starting with entirely new vectors, Lir will apply nAAVigator to lead capsids identified through VectorBuilder's DeepCap platform, iteratively optimizing their biological and manufacturing properties.
DeepCap combines machine learning, rational design, and large-scale screening of AAV sequence space to identify capsid candidates. Lir's nAAVigator platform uses computational protein engineering coupled with experimental testing in a lab-in-the-loop workflow, allowing designs to be refined against multiple performance criteria.
The companies will initially evaluate several VectorBuilder capsids across multiple therapeutic applications, with VectorBuilder responsible for process development and GMP manufacturing and Lir providing computational engineering and experimental validation. No specific indications or therapeutic candidates have been disclosed. The partners ultimately intend to generate optimized capsids for potential therapeutic partnerships.
The agreement extends VectorBuilder's efforts to commercialize its gene delivery technologies through external partnerships. In January 2026, the company entered an exclusive worldwide option agreement with Ikarovec covering a DeepCap-derived intravitreal AAV capsid for the IKAR-003 gene therapy program in intermediate age-related macular degeneration. The companies said that transaction could ultimately be worth more than USD 1 billion.