VectorY and Shape Therapeutics Partner to Develop AAV5-Based Vectorized Antibodies for Neurodegenerative Diseases

On Sep 19, 2025

VectorY Therapeutics and Shape Therapeutics Inc. have announced a new partnership aimed at advancing gene therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Under an option and license agreement, VectorY will gain access to Shape’s proprietary AAV5-derived CNS capsid, SHP-DB1, for the development of vectorized antibody therapies targeting three specific indications.

The deal gives VectorY an exclusive option to evaluate SHP-DB1—a deep-brain penetrating adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid—for use with its proprietary antibody payloads. If the evaluation is successful, VectorY will obtain exclusive rights to use the capsid across the selected targets. The agreement positions VectorY to lead the development and commercialization of the resulting therapies, while Shape Therapeutics will receive an upfront payment and may earn up to $1.2 billion in total fees and milestone payments, including up to $338 million for rare disease programs and $503.5 million for non-rare disease applications. Shape is also eligible for tiered royalties on future product sales.

Jim Scibetta, CEO of VectorY, described the deal as a strategic move aligned with the company’s commitment to delivering transformative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. “We designated AAV5 as our capsid of choice from day one, and this partnership strengthens our pipeline and our ability to leverage this safe and effective viral vector delivery platform,” he said.

VectorY is currently advancing multiple programs using AAV5 capsids, including:

VTx-003, a dual-targeting vectorized antibody therapy for Huntington’s disease targeting mutant huntingtin (mHTT) and TDP-43.
VTx-005, a candidate targeting phosphorylated tau in Alzheimer’s disease.
VTx-002, the company’s lead ALS candidate targeting TDP-43 in motor neurons, for which regulatory filings are expected by the end of 2025.

Shape’s SHP-DB1 capsid has demonstrated the ability to penetrate deep brain regions while avoiding areas with known AAV toxicity risks, such as the liver and dorsal root ganglion. These properties make it a strong candidate for safe intravenous delivery of genetic medicines to the central nervous system.

“This partnership highlights the potential of our AAV platform to power next-generation treatments,” said Dr. Adrian Briggs, interim CEO and CTO at Shape Therapeutics. “VectorY’s approach to vectorized antibodies aligns perfectly with our mission to enable safe and effective delivery of genetic medicines to previously unreachable areas of the brain.”

The agreement marks a significant step forward in the development of targeted therapies for diseases like ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s, where traditional delivery methods have fallen short.