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Bristol Myers, Century to Develop Allogeneic Cell Therapies
The first two programs under the partnership will focus on allogeneic cell therapies for acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma.
Bristol Myers Squibb and Century Therapeutics recently collaborated to develop and commercialize up to four engineered natural killer (iNK) and/or allogeneic cell therapies for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
The first two induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) programs include a program in acute myeloid leukemia and a program in multiple myeloma. These programs could incorporate either the iNK or a gamma delta iT platform.
Under the terms of the agreement, Bristol Myers Squibb has the option to add two additional programs that can be nominated subject to certain conditions agreed with Century in the agreement.
“The collaboration with Century Therapeutics is an important part of our investment strategy in next-generation cell therapies for hematologic and solid tumors,” Rupert Vessey, MA, BM, BCh, FRCP, D.Phil., executive vice president & president of research & early development at Bristol Myers Squibb, said in the announcement.
“We look forward to exploring the full potential of the iPSC approach to develop potentially best-in-class allogeneic cell therapies to help patients with hematologic and solid tumor malignancies,” Vessey continued.
Century Therapeutics will be responsible for candidate discovery and preclinical development activities and receive a $100-million upfront payment.
On the other hand, Bristol Myers Squibb will be responsible for clinical development and commercialization activities and receive a $50 million equity investment in Century’s common stock.
Lalo Flores, chief executive officer of Century Therapeutics, stated that Bristol Myers Squibb is an ideal partner because they bring extensive clinical development and scientific expertise in cell therapy to increase the probability of technical success of these programs.
Allogeneic stem cell therapy involves transferring the stem cells from a healthy person to the patient’s body after chemotherapy or radiation. The donor stem cells create their own immune cells, which could help kill any cancer cells that remain after high-dose treatment.
In August 2021, Kite and Appia Bio collaborated to research and develop HSC-derived allogeneic cell therapies for cancer.
Under the collaboration, the companies will develop chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered invariant natural killer T (CAR-iNKT) using Appia Bio’s ACUA technology platform for allogeneic cell therapy.
