Date: 2014-05-20
Type of information: Development agreement
Compound: gene-modified T-cell receptor therapy targeting WT1-overexpressing cells
Company: Cell Therapy Catapult (UK) Imperial Innovations (UK) UCL Business (UK)
Therapeutic area: Cancer - Oncology
Type agreement: development
Action mechanism: cell therapy/gene therapy
Disease: acute myeloid leukaemia
Details: * On May 20, 2014, Cell Therapy Catapult, which is focused on the development of the UK cell therapy industry to increase the nation\'s health and wealth, UCL Business (UCLB) and Imperial Innovations announced a partnership to develop a novel cell therapy approach to the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia. The new therapy was developed initially at Imperial College and then at UCL by scientists funded by the charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. It targets disorders associated with overexpression of the WT1 antigen, such as acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. As part of the deal, the Cell Therapy Catapult will work to accelerate the delivery of Phase I/II clinical trials. To expedite this exciting new therapy, UCLB, Imperial Innovations and the Cell Therapy Catapult have formed a joint venture, Catapult Therapy TCR Limited, which will assume responsibility for its further development. The technology transfer companies have contributed their relevant patents and know-how to Catapult Therapy TCR Limited, and will be eligible for late-stage development milestones and royalties as the therapy progresses. The Cell Therapy Catapult will invest up to £10m to take the therapy into and through Phase II trials, providing a full range of expertise including manufacturing development and clinical trial sponsorship. The product is a gene-modified T-cell receptor therapy targeting WT1-overexpressing cells, with potential in the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia and haematological disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome. It involves modification by gene therapy of the patient\'s T cells, so that they recognise and destroy WT1-expressing cells when infused back into the body. The clinical trials are expected to enrol their first subjects in 2015. Manufacture is being undertaken at the world-leading UCL Institute of Child Health/Great Ormond Street Hospital cell therapy production unit led by Professor Adrian Thrasher and Dr Waseem Qasim.
Financial terms:
Latest news:
