A new gene therapy company is launching in Montgomery County with plans to cure HIV.

Addimmune  – a spinoff of American Gene Technologies  – will focus strictly on developing gene and cell therapy technologies to eliminate the human immunodeficiency virus. The new company will build on the decade of research and success by American Gene Technologies, including its recent successful Phase 1 clinical trial.

“I founded American Gene Technologies fifteen years ago in the wake of the Human Genome Project, inspired by scientific discoveries in viral vectors and other technological advancements in gene and cell therapy,” said American Gene Technologies CEO Jeff Galvin. “Now we’re launching a new company, Addimmune, to accelerate our research and continue to pursue our mission to cure HIV.”

Addimmune will take the lead on the HIV Phase 2 clinical trial, with the potential for treating up to 100 participants, with the end-goal being commercialization of a cure for people living with HIV. The company plans to launch with 50 employees and hire an additional 50 workers over the next 18 months.

“Additional capital and a laser focus on HIV will align our company with the hopes and needs of the HIV community and maximize our chance of success,” said Galvin.

American Gene Technologies will continue to operate with a focus on treating genetic diseases and cancers.

Read the original announcement