Two lentiviral vectors have already been developed by Tailored Genes to support Vessl Therapeutics preclinical program. Next comes clinical-grade manufacturing to support future clinical trials in Canada.
VAUGHAN,
Ontario, September 2026
Tailored Genes Inc. and Vessl Therapeutics announced a strategic partnership to advance cell and gene therapies for vascular disease, with the goal of bringing Vessl’s technology into clinical trials in Canada.
This partnership is a result of collaboration, innovation, and demonstrated progress between Tailored Genes and Vessl Therapeutics. Tailored Genes has successfully developed and delivered two lentiviral vectors to support Vessl Therapeutics early R&D and preclinical programs. Under the expanded agreement, Tailored Genes now plans to advance the vectors towards clinical-grade manufacturing when its new GMP laboratories come online in Vaughan in 2027, positioning Vessl’s therapies for human studies in Canada.
Vessl’s approach starts with the patient. Endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells are isolated from a short vein segment, genetically modified outside the body with angiogenic genes, and then returned to the patient to encourage new blood-vessel growth. Its lead program targets peripheral artery disease, addressing significant unmet medical needs for patients who may face repeat procedures and, in severe cases, limb loss.
For Vessl, the partnership addresses a challenge that has stalled more than one promising therapy: access to reliable clinical-grade vector supply.
“We are pleased to partner with Tailored Genes as we advance our innovative approach to vascular regeneration,” said Dr. Moshe Flugelman, CEO of Vessl Therapeutics. “Tailored Genes has provided valuable expertise in the development of the lentiviral vectors supporting our programs. Together, we are taking an important step toward advancing our therapies into clinical development and bringing this novel approach to patients in Canada. We look forward to continuing our collaboration as we work toward initiating our first clinical trials in Canada.”
“We are very excited to partner with Vessl Therapeutics and to play a role in bringing innovative blood-vessel gene therapy to Canada,” said Dr. Chetan Tailor, Founder and CEO of Tailored Genes Inc. “We have successfully developed two lentiviral vectors to support Vessl’s initial R&D work, and this next phase of our collaboration will focus on manufacturing vectors for clinical use. This is an important milestone for Tailored Genes and demonstrates how Canadian expertise in viral vector development and manufacturing can contribute to advancing innovative cell and gene therapies toward the clinic.”
The collaboration brings together Vessl Therapeutics expertise in vascular biology, endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell engineering, and development of autologous cell and gene therapies with Tailored Genes lentiviral and AAV vector design/ development, production and characterization.
It also carries broader significance for Canadian biotech. Tailored Genes is building one of Canada’s few domestic pathways from viral vector R&D through to clinical-grade production with its upcoming GMP laboratories, a capability Canadian developers have traditionally had to source from the United States or Europe.
Bringing an international vascular gene therapy platform onto Canada’s growing manufacturing infrastructure helps keep the work, the supply chain and future patient studies in Canada.
Tailored Genes opened its expanded Vaughan facility in 2025, supported by more than $1 million from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario’s Business Scale-up and Productivity stream.
Both companies say the near-term focus is manufacturing readiness, with clinical study planning to follow.
About Tailored Genes Inc.
Founded in 2014, Tailored Genes is a Canadian viral vector development and manufacturing company specializing in lentiviral (LVV) and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for cell and gene therapy. The company provides vector design, development, production, purification,
analytical testing and process development from its facility in Vaughan, Ontario. It has supplied hundreds of viral vector products for R&D to academic institutions and biotech companies worldwide. With the upcoming GMP laboratories, Tailored Genes will expand towards clinical-grade vector manufacturing. Learn more at tailored-genes.com.
About Vessl Therapeutics
Vessl Therapeutics develops autologous cell- and gene-based therapies for vascular-related conditions. Its technology modifies a patient’s own endothelial and smooth muscle cells with angiogenic genes to promote blood-vessel formation. Lead programs address peripheral artery disease.
Media Contact
Chetan Tailor, Ph.D
Founder and CEO
Tailored Genes Inc.
701 Millway Avenue, Unit 5
Concord, ON, L4K 3S7
www.tailored-genes.com
Cell: 647 929 8691
