Marguron, Inc. licenses novel technology that could demonstrate an effective HIV functional cure

Marguron, Inc. licenses novel technology that could demonstrate an effective HIV functional cure


February 19, 2025

 

[Atlanta, GA, Los Angeles, CA, and Miami, FL, USA] Marguron, Inc. (Marguron) and the University of Miami (UM) have entered into a global license agreement based on technology developed by Dr. Ronald C. Desrosiers, Dr. James Termini and colleagues at UM, and Dr. Anjie Zhen at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

"We are pleased to have licensed the rights to these important technologies," said Vijai Mohan, CEO of Marguron. “The licensed intellectual property from UM and UCLA has the potential to prevent and treat HIV infections with a single intramuscular therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy, generating a cocktail of powerful, broad-spectrum anti-HIV antibodies (bnAbs). Importantly, the improved technology appears to show lasting treatment effects, mitigating the persistent challenge of anti-drug antibody (ADA) formation.”

 

In mice and non-human primates, a one-time intramuscular treatment was effective in producing continuous transgene expression thereby reducing HIV-1 viral loads to undetectable levels for a prolonged period without developing anti-drug antibodies, a historical roadblock in the implementation of gene-based delivery of bnAbs. Monkeys demonstrating persistent antibody expression have been followed for over five years, making clear the potential durability of the treatment.

 

“We are delighted to partner with Marguron to advance the development of the Desrosiers Laboratory’s work for the benefit of persons affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide” said Norma Sue Kenyon, PhD, Vice Provost for Innovation at the University of Miami and Chief Innovation Officer at its Miller School of Medicine.

 

Dr. Desrosiers, UM professor and a principal Founder of Marguron, stated “in a recent experiment using a proprietary immunomodulatory agent to inhibit ADA formation at the time of gene therapy administration, we successfully achieved therapeutic levels of anti-HIV monoclonal antibodies with potent neutralizing activity against a broad range of HIV isolates in five of five monkeys for more than six months. We are excited to work with an experienced team at Marguron to advance this remarkable technology for a ‘One and Done’ strategy for ART-free HIV remission. Our results were presented in full for the first time at the 2024 HIV-DART meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico.”

 

About Marguron, Inc (www.marguron.com)


Marguron, Inc. is at the forefront of gene therapy-based cures for infectious and metabolic diseases, with an initial focus of preventing and treating HIV-1 infections. HIV/AIDS remains one of the most significant infectious disease threats. Globally, forty million people were living with HIV-1 in 2023, with 1.3 million new infections and 630,000 deaths from AIDS-related diseases. While advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) have markedly improved the outlook for infected individuals in economically developed countries, the stark global statistics reflect the challenges with implementing ART, particularly in resource-limited countries. Even in the developed world, HIV/AIDS remains a disease that markedly impacts millions of lives, without access to an available functional cure. Marguron’s vision is to make reality that "one shot and you are protected for life".

 

About University of Miami


The University of Miami is one of America's top research universities located in one of the most dynamic and multicultural cities in the world. With more than $456 million in research and sponsored program expenditures annually, the University of Miami is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). Only 3 percent of four-year institutions in the nation are invited to join the AAU, which recognizes breadth and quality of research and scholarship. While the majority of this work is housed at the Miller School of Medicine, investigators conduct hundreds of studies in other areas, including marine science, engineering, education, and psychology.

 

 # # #

MEDIA CONTACTS:


Kai Hill

khill@med.miami.edu

c:-+1-305-332-3189

 

and

 

Katie Roach

info@marguron.com

c: +1-404-490-0182

Georgia Life Sciences Applauds Congressman McCormick for Introducing Federal Biotech Leadership Legislation

July 24, 2026
July 24, 2026, Atlanta, GA - Georgia Life Sciences applauds Congressman Rich McCormick (R-GA) for introducing the Biotechnology Diplomacy Leadership Act , legislation designed to strengthen America's leadership in biotechnology by establishing a senior biotechnology leadership position within the U.S. Department of State. As biotechnology continues to drive breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and national security, the United States must remain a global leader in innovation while strengthening strategic partnerships with allies around the world. The proposed legislation recognizes biotechnology as a critical component of U.S. economic competitiveness and foreign policy and would help ensure that the federal government is well positioned to advance these priorities internationally. The legislation also reflects recommendations from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology , which called for a more coordinated national approach to advancing biotechnology and protecting U.S. leadership in this strategically important sector. "Georgia is home to one of the nation's fastest-growing life sciences ecosystems, and policies that strengthen America's global biotechnology leadership directly benefit innovators, researchers, manufacturers, and patients," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "We appreciate Congressman McCormick's leadership in recognizing biotechnology as both an economic engine and a strategic national priority." Georgia Life Sciences looks forward to working with policymakers at both the federal and state levels to advance policies that foster innovation, strengthen the U.S. bioeconomy, and ensure America remains the global leader in biotechnology.

Georgia Life Sciences Names Renee' Martin, Ph.D., Program Manager to Lead Flagship Educator Workforce Development Program

July 21, 2026
Georgia Life Sciences names Renee Martin, Ph.D., to lead its Teacher Training Initiative, advancing educator workforce development and Georgia's future life sciences talent pipeline.

Georgia Life Sciences Partnership Expands Plant Biotechnology Education for Agriscience Teachers Across Georgia

July 17, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  July 16, 2026 ATLANTA, Ga . – Eighteen Georgia high school agriscience teachers recently participated in a hands-on plant tissue culture training at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, equipping educators with biotechnology skills and classroom resources that will expand access to experiential STEM learning for students across the state. Hosted through a partnership led by Georgia Life Sciences (GLS), the workshop was facilitated by Julie Throne, Agriscience Teacher, FFA Advisor, and CTAE Department Chair at Cedar Shoals High School. Participants received practical instruction in plant tissue culture techniques using newly developed portable tissue culture kits generously donated by California-based Athena Ag. Plant tissue culture is a foundational biotechnology technique used in agriculture and plant science research to propagate plants under aseptic conditions. By incorporating these concepts into agriscience classrooms, educators can provide students with hands-on experiences that introduce biotechnology while building technical skills relevant to careers in agriculture and biotechnology. As part of the workshop, each participating teacher received two complete plant tissue culture kits to take back to their school, enabling students throughout Georgia to engage in laboratory-based biotechnology activities and explore emerging career pathways in the life sciences. "Providing educators with access to industry-relevant training and classroom resources is one of the most effective ways to inspire the next generation of Georgia's life sciences workforce," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "Through partnerships like this, we're helping teachers bring real-world biotechnology into their classrooms while expanding opportunities for students to discover careers in one of Georgia's fastest-growing industries." The training is part of Georgia Life Sciences' broader Teacher Training Initiative, a statewide workforce development program that equips middle and high school educators with the knowledge, tools, and industry connections needed to deliver hands-on biotechnology instruction. Through strategic partnerships with industry, education, and nonprofit organizations, the initiative continues to strengthen Georgia's talent pipeline by connecting classroom learning with real-world workforce opportunities. Georgia Life Sciences extends its appreciation to Julie Throne for leading the training and to Athena for its generous donation of classroom kits, helping expand access to biotechnology education for educators and students across the state.
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