Baxalta, Precision BioSciences Collaborate
News Feb 26, 2016

Baxalta Incorporated and Precision BioSciences, the genome editing company, has announced a global collaboration to develop a broad series of allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies directed towards areas of major unmet need in multiple cancers.
CAR T is widely recognized as a breakthrough technology with the potential to become a curative option for certain malignancies. Most CAR T cell therapy technologies isolate cells from cancer patients’ blood and re-engineer them to specifically target receptors on tumor cells. The reprogrammed cells are multiplied in a laboratory and then returned to the patient to target the tumor. This approach has had initial success in clinical trials for certain tumor types, but persistent scaling challenges remain based on the highly personalized nature of the therapy. Precision BioSciences’ proprietary ARCUS genome editing technology enables the production of CAR T cells derived from healthy donors rather than relying on the patient. This approach aims to overcome the manufacturing-related limitations with existing CAR T therapies and enable a broader range of malignancies to be targeted.
“Collaborating with Precision BioSciences enables Baxalta to accelerate innovation in immuno-oncology with a next-generation, donor-derived CAR T strategy using a proprietary combination of genome editing expertise and technology,” said David Meek, executive vice president and president, Oncology, Baxalta. “Combining Precision BioSciences’ ARCUS technology with Baxalta’s global infrastructure, expertise and growing immuno-oncology portfolio is a synergistic approach that we believe has the potential to make disruptive approaches available to people with a range of underserved cancers.”
“Baxalta is an ideal partner in CAR T for Precision and our ARCUS genome editing platform because of their global reach, collaborative business model, and long-term commitment to succeeding in immuno-oncology," said Matthew Kane, CEO of Precision BioSciences. “We look forward to working closely with the team at Baxalta to develop novel CAR T therapeutics that could transform the treatment of cancer.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Baxalta and Precision BioSciences will develop CAR T therapies for up to six unique targets, with the first program expected to enter clinical studies in late 2017. Precision BioSciences will be responsible for performing early-stage research activities up to Phase 2, following which Baxalta has the exclusive right to opt in for late-stage development and commercialization. Precision BioSciences will receive an upfront payment of $105 million fromBaxalta, with additional option fees, developmental, clinical, regulatory, and sales milestones, potentially totaling up to$1.6 billion, in addition to royalties on worldwide sales. Precision also has the right to participate in the development and commercialization of any licensed products resulting from the collaboration through a 50/50 co-development and co-promotion option in the United States. Additional terms and initial targets were not disclosed.
The agreement follows another recently established Baxalta collaboration to advance novel therapeutics against checkpoint targets, advancing the company’s strategic commitment to investing in immuno-oncology and building an innovative portfolio of cancer immunotherapies.
RELATED ARTICLES
Feisty Fetal T Cells Can Rebel In Utero
NewsPreterm labor, a common pregnancy complication, has long been a mystery to scientists. But a new study shows it may sometimes happen when the fetal immune system “wakes up” too early and begins to reject the mother, causing the uterus to start contracting.
READ MOREInvestigating Inflammasomes Implicated in Diabetic Retinopathy
NewsTeam of researchers employ mouse model exhibiting diabetic retinopathy symptoms that could lead to future translational research studies.
READ MORECan Genetics Help Explain Teen Drug Use?
NewsCommonly, environmental factors such as peer pressure are blamed for teenage substance abuse. A new study suggests that to fully understand the problem, we have to look at genetic factors as well.
READ MOREComments | 0 ADD COMMENT
Like what you just read? You can find similar content on the communities below.
Biopharma Genomics ResearchTo personalize the content you see on Technology Networks homepage, Log In or Subscribe for Free
LOGIN SUBSCRIBE FOR FREEWorld Congress on Advanced Structural and Molecular Biology 2018
Aug 22 - Aug 23, 2018
Asia Pacific Congress on Probiotics, Prebiotics and Nutrition
Oct 15 - Oct 16, 2018
Login
You must be logged in to post a comment.