VectorBuilder, a Chicago, Illinois-based gene delivery technology company and contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), and Lir Therapeutics have partnered to develop adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids designed to improve biological performance and manufacturability for gene therapy applications.

The collaboration combines VectorBuilder’s AAV discovery, capsid engineering, process development, and GMP manufacturing capabilities with Lir Therapeutics’ nAAVigator artificial intelligence (AI) platform. The companies will evaluate and optimize selected capsids from VectorBuilder’s DeepCap platform through computational design, laboratory testing, and manufacturing assessment.

Rather than developing new capsids from the ground up, Lir will use its AI-based platform to modify capsids that have already demonstrated biological potential. The companies said the approach is intended to address manufacturability during early vector development rather than after a candidate has advanced into later-stage development.

The collaboration will reportedly evaluate capsids for manufacturing productivity, process robustness, full capsid yield, product quality, therapeutic dose requirements, and tissue specificity. The partners will also assess potential effects on off-target delivery and immune recognition.

The companies plan to use iterative AI-guided engineering and experimental validation to evaluate multiple lead capsids across selected therapeutic applications. Data generated through the collaboration will be used to further optimize VectorBuilder’s capsid portfolio and support potential therapeutic partnerships.

The collaboration follows VectorBuilder’s June partnership with MaxCyte to develop a gene delivery platform for clinical-grade cell engineering. Earlier that month, VectorBuilder also announced plans for a $50 million biomanufacturing and R&D center in Chicago, integrating plasmid, viral vector, nonviral vector, and cell engineering capabilities.