Cellectis and Servier Expand Collaboration on CD19-Targeting CAR T-cell Products
Cellectis and Servier have amended their collaboration agreement for the development of CD19-targeting gene-edited CAR T-cell products. The updated terms include an upfront payment and potential milestone payments.
Biopharmaceutical company Cellectis and pharmaceutical company Servier have expanded their collaboration concerning the development of gene-edited allogeneic CAR T-cell immunotherapies. The companies announced on February 18, 2020, the execution of a binding term sheet to amend an agreement originally signed in 2014.
Under the terms of the amendment, Cellectis grants Servier an expanded exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize all next-generation gene-edited allogeneic CAR T-cell products targeting CD19. This includes rights to ALLO-501A, a candidate where rituximab recognition domains have been removed, either directly or through Servier's US sublicensee, Allogene Therapeutics.
The amendment improves financial terms for Cellectis, including an additional upfront payment of $27.6 million (EUR 25 million) and up to $410 million (EUR 370 million) in clinical and commercial milestones. The royalty rate will also increase from tiered high single-digit royalties to a flat low double-digit percentage of net sales.
Furthermore, Cellectis will regain exclusive control over five previously undisclosed allogeneic CAR T-cell targets that were covered by the initial agreement. The amendment becomes effective upon execution. Cellectis focuses on developing gene-edited allogeneic CAR T-cells as immunotherapies for cancer treatment.