Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals Enters Into Research Collaboration and Worldwide License Agreement with Janssen for Allogeneic Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapies

On November 24, 2014 Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals reported that they have entered into a research collaboration and worldwide license agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen) to develop allogeneic Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-T) (Press release Transposagen, NOV 24, 2014, View Source [SID:1234501015]). To date, CAR-T therapies have shown promise in early human clinical trials for the treatment of blood cancers and allogeneic CAR-Ts have the potential for use as off-the-shelf cancer treatments without the need of matching donor with recipient.

Transposagen will be using its proprietary genome editing technologies, including the piggyBacTM Footprint-FreeTM Gene Editing System, to create the allogeneic CAR-T therapies. Under the agreement, Janssen has exclusive rights to any allogeneic CAR-T therapy that is jointly developed by Transposagen and Janssen. In addition, Janssen has received a non-exclusive research license to utilize Transposagen’s proprietary gene editing technologies for gene and cell therapy solutions for treating diseases with significant unmet medical need. Transposagen will retain the rights to develop autologous CAR-T therapies and CAR-T therapies using Natural Killer (NK) cells or NK-like cells.

Janssen will pay Transposagen up to $292 million per CAR-T therapeutic, which includes an up-front fee and potential development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments. Transposagen will also receive tiered royalties on net sales of any allogeneic CAR-T products that are commercialized by Janssen.

Transposagen will enter into a 3-year research collaboration with Janssen whereby both companies will work together on preclinical research. Janssen will be responsible for manufacturing and commercialization of allogeneic CAR-T therapies.

“The research collaboration with Janssen will pair Transposagen’s cutting-edge gene editing and gene delivery technology and expertise with Janssen industry-leading technologies in the antibody and antibody alternative areas to create what may be the ideal CAR-T therapy,” said Eric Ostertag, President and CEO of Transposagen.