BY Fraser Tennant
In the latest of a series of deals involving emerging forms of cell therapy, Cambridge-based drugmaker AstraZeneca is to collaborate with biotechnology start-up Quell Therapeutics to develop cell-based treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Under the terms of the agreement, Quell will receive $85m upfront from AstraZeneca – which comprises a predominant cash payment and an equity investment – and is also eligible to receive over $2bn for further development and commercialisation milestones, if successful, plus tiered royalties.
The collaboration between AstraZeneca and Quell Therapeutics will develop multiple engineered T-regulator (Treg) cell therapies that have the potential to be curative in type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease indications.
“We are extremely pleased to have AstraZeneca on board as our first major partner,” said Iain McGill, chief executive of Quell Therapeutics. “This collaboration builds on our pioneering work to develop exquisitely engineered, multi-modular Treg cell therapies for immune disorders and provides excellent validation for the technologies and capabilities we have established.”
In addition, Quell’s proprietary toolbox of Treg cell engineering modules, including its innovative Foxp3 Phenotype Lock will be leveraged to develop autologous multi-modular Treg cell therapy candidates for major autoimmune disease indications.
“This is a very exciting collaboration with Quell as we look to expand our next-generation therapeutic toolbox and explore the untapped potential with Treg cell therapies in autoimmune indications,” said Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca. “This is aligned with our strategy to target underlying disease drivers to stop or slow disease progression and ultimately accelerate the delivery of transformative care to patients with chronic autoimmune conditions.”
A global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines in oncology, rare diseases and biopharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
Mr McGill concluded: “We are proud and excited to partner our leading science with the deep experience of AstraZeneca to accelerate the application of our Treg cell therapy platform in major autoimmune disease, where we believe there is a broad opportunity to reset immune tolerance and drive durable responses for patients.”
News: AstraZeneca signs $2 billion agreement with Quell to develop cell therapies