The pharmaceutical development and manufacturing organization Hovione has entered into a strategic collaboration with Firstgene Life Sciences, a portfolio company of Swiss incubator Xlife Sciences AG, to develop a novel gene therapy approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer.
Announced on May 6, 2025, the partnership includes an exclusive license agreement allowing Firstgene to utilize Hovione's proprietary virus-like particle drug delivery platform for the targeted treatment of HCC. This collaboration aims to address a significant unmet medical need, as HCC is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with approximately 900,000 new cases diagnosed annually and a five-year survival rate of only 21%.
Novel Approach to Gene Therapy Delivery
Hovione's innovative technology centers on Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV)-Like particles engineered for tissue-specific delivery of genetic material. This approach addresses key challenges of conventional gene therapy, particularly off-target effects that have limited therapeutic applications.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hovione will be responsible for molecular engineering, supplying tailor-made virus-like particles (VLPs), and executing proof-of-concept studies. The virus-like particle technology will be specifically engineered and functionalized for HCC carcinoma cells using therapeutically validated AAVs, including a novel primer compound.
Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, CEO of Hovione, emphasized the significance of the collaboration: "Our partnership with Firstgene represents a timely and significant advancement in our mission to expand the reach of our virus-like particle platform beyond rare diseases and into oncology. By uniting our expertise in particle engineering and gene delivery with Firstgene's deep clinical insight and focus on hepatocellular carcinoma, we are working to accelerate the development of precision therapies for one of the world's most urgent and complex cancer challenges."
Strategic Expansion for Xlife Sciences
For Xlife Sciences AG, this collaboration marks a strategic entry into the gene therapy market, expanding its portfolio into high-potential therapeutic areas. The partnership leverages synergies with existing portfolio companies while validating Xlife's business model of advancing early-stage biotech innovations through partnerships with established industry players.
Oliver R. Baumann, CEO of Xlife Sciences AG, commented on the strategic importance of the collaboration: "This partnership underlines the scalability of our business model and confirms the strategic and financial value we create at the interface between innovation and industrial application. By entering the field of gene therapy, we are not only expanding our technological footprint but also demonstrating our ability to attract and work with highly specialized partners."
Addressing Critical Unmet Medical Needs
Dr. Alexander Zink, Managing Director of Firstgene Life Sciences GmbH, highlighted the clinical significance of the project: "HCC, the most common liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related death, continues to represent a major unmet medical need. The combination of Hovione's expertise in complex chemistry and particle engineering and the commercialization expertise of Xlife Sciences positions Firstgene well to offer patients potential new safe and effective therapy options."
Dr. Frank Plöger, CSO of Xlife Sciences AG, further explained the technological advantages: "The key advantage of Hovione's novel gene therapy platform lies in its tissue-selective gene transfer. This precision has the potential to minimize unwanted side effects and significantly increase the safety of a therapy - an essential factor for clinical success and patient acceptance."
Industry Context and Future Outlook
Cell and gene therapy represents one of the most promising fields in modern medicine, with virtually all leading pharmaceutical companies heavily investing in this revolutionary technology. The collaboration between Hovione and Firstgene aims to establish new standards for drug delivery and durable personalized medicine.
The partnership combines Hovione's 60+ years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing with Firstgene's focus on innovative treatments for indications with high unmet medical needs. With sites in Europe, the US, and Asia, Hovione brings substantial expertise in complex chemistry and particle engineering to the collaboration.
As the project advances through preclinical development, it could potentially transform treatment options for HCC patients worldwide, offering a more targeted and effective approach to this devastating disease.
