Date: 2015-01-22
Type of information: Series A financing round
Company: Autolus (UK)
Investors: Syncona (UK)
Amount: £30 million
Funding type: series A financing round
Planned used: Autolus is a private biopharmaceutical company, focused on the development and commercialisation of engineered T-cell immunotherapy products with extreme efficacy in treatment of life-threatening cancers. The company is founded upon the work of Dr Martin Pule, an academic clinical haematologist and thought-leader in T-cell engineering. Using its proprietary platform, Autolus is developing next-generation engineered CAR T-cell products, and is positioned to be a leader in the use of human cells to treat disease. It is expected that this platform will provide a source of sustainable competitive advantage in both haematological and solid cancers, most of which are not addressable using the current CAR technology. Christian Itin, Chairman of Autolus, said: “A key element of Autolus’ strategy is to progress CAR T-cell products quickly into clinical trials, leveraging our strong partnership with UCL. The company has engaged a team of thought-leading academics in London as advisors, and will perform its Phase 1 clinical studies and manufacturing within the academic infrastructure of the city, including the integrated cancer clinical trials infrastructure at University College Hospital and the expert cell therapy manufacturing facility at the UCL Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital.”
Others: * On January 22, 2015, Syncona and UCL Business, the wholly-owned technology transfer company of University College London, announce the creation of Autolus, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of next-generation engineered T-cell therapies for haematological and solid tumours. Autolus is founded upon the work of Dr Martin Pule, an academic clinical haematologist and thought-leader in T-cell engineering. Syncona has committed £30m to Autolus in a Series A financing. Dr Christian Itin, former CEO of Micromet and a leader in the cancer immunotherapy field, has joined the company as Chairman. Autolus’ shareholders include Syncona LLP and UCL Business PLC.
Therapeutic area: Cancer - Oncology
