TIDMAZN
RNS Number : 0074S
AstraZeneca PLC
01 November 2023
01 November 2023
AstraZeneca announces collaboration and investment agreement
with Cellectis to accelerate cell therapy and genomic medicine
ambitions
Collaboration leverages the Cellectis gene editing technologies
and manufacturing capabilities, to develop up to 10 novel cell and
gene therapy candidate products
AstraZeneca today announced a collaboration and investment
agreement with Cellectis, a clinical-stage biotechnology company,
to accelerate the development of next generation therapeutics in
areas of high unmet need, including oncology, immunology and rare
diseases.
Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, AstraZeneca will
leverage the Cellectis proprietary gene editing technologies and
manufacturing capabilities, to design novel cell and gene therapy
products, strengthening AstraZeneca's growing offering in this
space. As part of the agreement, 25 genetic targets have been
exclusively reserved for AstraZeneca, from which up to 10 candidate
products could be explored for development.
Marc Dunoyer, Chief Strategy Officer, AstraZeneca, and Chief
Executive Officer, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, said: "The
differentiated capabilities Cellectis has in gene editing and
manufacturing complement our in-house expertise and investments
made in the past year. AstraZeneca continues to advance our
ambition in cell therapy for oncology and autoimmune diseases as
well as in genomic medicine, which has potential to be
transformative for patients with rare diseases ."
André Choulika, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Cellectis, said:
"We believe AstraZeneca is the perfect match to Cellectis by
providing world-class expertise in the development and the
commercialisation of innovative medicines. This collaboration will
allow us to leverage our pioneering research in gene editing and
cell therapies, as well as our cutting-edge capabilities in
manufacturing with the ambition to bring potentially life-saving
therapies to patients with unmet medical need."
Building on AstraZeneca's own expertise in cell and genomic
therapy, the Company has enhanced its capabilities through several
collaborations and investments in the past year as part of its
ambition to bring cell therapies to more patients living with
cancer and to advance genomic medicines for rare diseases.
Financial considerations
In Q4 2023, Cellectis will receive an initial payment of $105m
from AstraZeneca, which comprises a $25m upfront cash payment under
the terms of a research collaboration agreement and an $80m equity
investment.
The initial equity investment of $80m, at $5/share, represents
an equity stake of c. 22% in Cellectis. A further $140m equity
investment, at $5/share, is expected to close in early 2024 subject
to the signing of a final binding agreement following completion of
a consultation with the Cellectis employee representative bodies
and customary closing conditions including Cellectis shareholders'
approval and regulatory clearances. Post-closing of this second
investment, AstraZeneca will hold a total equity stake of c. 44% in
Cellectis. AstraZeneca expects to treat its investment in Cellectis
as an associate.
Under the terms of the research collaboration, Cellectis is also
eligible to receive an investigational new drug (IND) option fee
and development, regulatory and sales-related milestone payments,
ranging from $70m up to $220m, per each of the 10 candidate
products, plus tiered royalties.
AstraZeneca retains an option for a worldwide exclusive license
for the candidate products developed under the research
collaboration agreement, to be exercised before IND filing.
Notes
Alexion
Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, is the group within
AstraZeneca focused on rare diseases, created following the 2021
acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. As a leader in rare
diseases for nearly 30 years, Alexion is focused on serving
patients and families affected by rare diseases and devastating
conditions through the discovery, development and commercialisation
of life-changing medicines. Alexion focuses its research efforts on
novel molecules and targets in the complement cascade and its
development efforts on haematology, nephrology, neurology,
metabolic disorders, cardiology and ophthalmology. Headquartered in
Boston, Massachusetts, Alexion has offices around the globe and
serves patients in more than 50 countries.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the
ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the
science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover,
develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers.
It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one
of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with
the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and
transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day,
eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led
biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery,
development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in
Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including
Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory &
Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over
100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of
patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the
Company on social media @AstraZeneca
Contacts
For details on how to contact the Investor Relations Team,
please click here . For Media contacts, click here .
Adrian Kemp
Company Secretary
AstraZeneca PLC
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