In major news that broke this morning, Celularity (CELU) has announced a partnership with Regeneron (REGN) to support the research, preclinical development, and manufacturing of allogeneic targeted cell therapy candidates targeting difficult-to-treat cancers.
The selection follows months of rigorous assessment and due diligence by Regeneron and showcases a high level of confidence and validation of Celularity’s core science, business model, and strategic vision. Celularity’s expertise in the off-the-shelf allogeneic cell therapy field is exceptional and includes the engineering and design of chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) for use with T and natural Killer (NK) cells.
During its early stages, this collaboration will focus on developing and manufacturing a targeted allogeneic gamma delta (CAR) T-cell therapy designed to enhance proliferation and potency against solid tumors. This has the potential to contribute significantly to the development of new therapies targeting various cancers.
To date, the U.S. FDA has approved six CAR-T cell therapies, including Kymriah, Yescarta, Tecartus, Breyanzi, Abecma, and Carvykti. None of these approved CAR-T cell therapies target solid tumors. Each of these approved therapies is focused on the treatment of liquid tumors. Additionally, nearly 75% of the ongoing CAR-T clinical trials utilize an autologous treatment approach, which makes the allogeneic focus of this research collaboration unusual as well.
For Celularity, this partnership provides an opportunity to expand its leadership in the industry as the two companies’ research and scientific teams collaborate at its commercial-scale, cGMP-ready facility in Florham Park, NJ. For Regeneron, this collaboration gives it access to one of the world’s leading cell therapies companies with a diverse portfolio of IP.
Celularity’s has an usually robust intellectual property and research portfolio that consists of 800 patents as well as pre-clinical and clinical assets, including CAR constructs for allogeneic CAR-T/NK products and licenses to 100+ immunotherapy assets. To date, Regeneron has achieved 9 U.S. FDA approved medicines and has 35 product candidates in clinical development across multiple therapeutic areas. The companies, which have complimentary technologies and capabilities, are powerfully positioned to push forward cutting-edge regenerative medicine therapeutics at scale.
“The agreement with Regeneron announced today is an important milestone for Celularity that recognizes our expertise in the research of cellular therapies, including the engineering of CAR- T cells. We believe that this relationship paves the way for future industry collaborations leveraging our world class cell therapy facilities and capabilities,” said Robert J. Hariri, M.D., Ph.D., Celularity’s CEO, Chairman and Founder. “We have long admired the exceptional scientific legacy at Regeneron and welcome the opportunity to collaborate with a world leader in innovative medicines.”
Celularity Inc. (Nasdaq: CELU) is a biotechnology company leading that is headquartered in Florham Park, N.J.. It is leading the next evolution in cellular and regenerative medicine by developing allogeneic cryopreserved off-the-shelf placental-derived cell therapies, including therapeutic programs using mesenchymal-like adherent stromal cells (MLASCs), T-cells engineered with CAR (CAR T-cells), and genetically modified and unmodified natural killer (NK) cells. These therapeutic programs target indications in autoimmune, infectious and degenerative diseases, and cancer. In addition, Celularity develops, manufactures and commercializes biomaterial products also derived from the postpartum placenta.
Congratulations to the Celularity and Regeneron teams on this collaboration services agreement and the therapeutic breakthroughs we can anticipate ahead.