Allogene Therapeutics Acquires Pfizer's Allogeneic CAR T Portfolio

Allogene Therapeutics has finalized its acquisition of Pfizer's portfolio of allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy assets, a move that advances Cellectis' gene-editing technology in cancer treatment development. The transaction, completed on April 9, 2018, grants Allogene rights to 16 preclinical and one clinical CAR T-cell candidate.

The acquired assets include UCART19, an allogeneic CAR T therapy targeting CD19-expressing hematological malignancies. This therapy, which employs Cellectis' proprietary TALEN® gene-editing technology, is currently in Phase I clinical trials for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in partnership with Servier.

The transfer of Pfizer's portfolio to Allogene is intended to accelerate the development of novel immunotherapies and potentially bring them to patients more rapidly. Allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy aims to provide an off-the-shelf treatment option, contrasting with patient-specific approaches and potentially improving accessibility.

Cellectis, the developer of the TALEN® gene-editing technology, continues to focus on advancing its platform for therapeutic applications. The company licenses its technology to partners like Allogene to further develop treatments for various diseases, including cancer.