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Creates alliance with Allogene Therapeutics, a biotechnology company co-founded and led by former executives of Kite Pharma that is positioned to expedite the development of allogeneic CAR T cell therapy
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Allogene Therapeutics, a Two River portfolio company, was formed with one of the largest Series A financings in biotechnology of $300 million from a premier investment consortium that includes TPG, Vida Ventures, BellCo Capital, the University of California Office of the Chief Investment Officer and Pfizer
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Pfizer will hold a 25 percent ownership stake in Allogene Therapeutics
Cesca Therapeutics is making BIG moves to dominate the CAR-T space
Cesca Therapeutics is making big moves to become a player in the CAR-T space. In recent months it filed a a patent application for innovation to its CAR-TXpress™ technology, signed a license agreement with China’s IncoCell Tianjin Ltd. for CAR-T related CDMO services in Asia, and is continuing development of Thermogenesis’ novel CAR-TXpress platform.
The company also recently announced the launch of its 2nd gen AXP® II system for isolating and collecting hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood. Since the launch of its first AXP® system, Cesca has been a leader is cord blood processing technologies.
2017 Marks the 1st Year That Regenerative Medicine Disrupted Healthcare
The regenerative medicine industry has been rapidly expanding over the past few years, making it a high-value, fast-growth market. Key drivers for the market include high rates of clinical trials, accelerated pathways for product approvals, new technologies to support cell and gene therapy manufacturing, and the potential for cell therapies to revolutionize healthcare.
The regenerative medicine market gained major momentum when the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis made history as the first company to win FDA approval for a CAR-T cell therapy in the U.S. in August 2017 (Kymriah). In October 2017, Kite Pharma became the second company to get FDA approval of a CAR-T cell therapy (Yescarta).
With swelling momentum to support the CAR-T technology, there are now close to 40 companies developing redirected T cells or NK cells for therapeutic use. [Read more…]
Gilead Sciences and Kite Expand CAR-T Domination with Acquisition of Cell Design Labs
— Adds Two Technology Platforms that May be Broadly Applicable in Cellular Therapy —
— Enables Research and Development of Potential Future Generations of CAR T and TCR T-cell Therapies for Solid Tumors —
FOSTER CITY, Calif. & SANTA MONICA, Calif.–Dec. 7, 2017–Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) and its cell therapy subsidiary Kite announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which they have agreed to acquire Cell Design Labs, Inc., gaining new technology platforms that will enhance research and development efforts in cellular therapy.
Under the terms of the agreement, Gilead will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Cell Design Labs, which includes the approximately 12.2 percent of shares of Cell Design Labs that are currently held by Kite, for up to approximately $567 million. The agreement includes an initial upfront payment of approximately $175 million, subject to certain adjustments, and additional payments of up to $322 million that will be paid to the shareholders of Cell Design Labs other than Kite upon the occurrence of certain events, including the achievement of development and approval milestones. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, and is expected to close shortly. [Read more…]
J&J to Compete in CAR-T: Subsidiary Janssen Biotech Signs $350M Deal with Legend Biotech
Janssen Enters Worldwide Collaboration and License Agreement with Chinese Company Legend Biotech to Develop Investigational CAR-T Anti-Cancer Therapy
HORSHAM, Pa., Dec. 21, 2017 — Janssen Biotech, Inc. (“Janssen”), a Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson, announced today that it has entered into a worldwide collaboration and license agreement with Legend Biotech USA Inc. and Legend Biotech Ireland Limited (“Legend”), subsidiaries of Genscript Biotech Corporation, to develop, manufacture and commercialize a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell drug candidate, LCAR-B38M, which specifically targets the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). LCAR-B38M is currently accepted for review by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) and in the planning phase of clinical studies in the United States for multiple myeloma. [Read more…]