Poseida Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage allogeneic cell therapy and genetic medicines company advancing differentiated non-viral treatments for patients with cancer, autoimmune and rare diseases, has entered into a merger agreement to be acquired by Roche Holdings Inc. in a transaction that values the company’s total equity at approximately $1.5 billion.
 
The proposed acquisition aims to establish a new core capability for Roche in allogeneic cell therapy, with lead opportunities focused on CAR-T programs covered by the existing strategic collaboration between Poseida and Roche in hematologic malignancies. It will include CAR-T programs for solid tumors and autoimmune diseases, along with Poseida’s genetic engineering platform and related preclinical medicines.
 
Poseida has developed a unique technology platform featuring comprehensive non-viral capabilities to design, develop, and produce allogeneic T stem cell memory (TSCM)-rich CAR-T therapies. TSCM cells are considered optimal for CAR-T therapy because they are long-lived, multi-potent and self-replicating nature, potentially leading to enhanced safety and efficacy. This could provide advantages over other methods that use different cell types or drive T cell differentiation as part of the process to manufacture the CAR-T cells.
 
“Poseida has demonstrated the unique ability of its proprietary non-viral technology platform to create allogeneic, TSCM-rich CAR-T therapies with the potential to improve clinical outcomes and expand access to this important class of medicines. Most recently, this was highlighted by the compelling interim clinical data for P-BCMA-ALLO1 in patients with multiple myeloma,” said Kristin Yarema, Ph.D., President and CEO of Poseida Therapeutics. “We have worked closely with Roche through our collaboration focused on hematologic malignancies, and we are excited to join Roche to work as colleagues together across our pipeline and future programs. Roche’s global capabilities in late-stage development and commercialization will enable patients worldwide to benefit from the transformative potential of allo CAR-T.”
 
Poseida and its employees will join the Roche Group as part of Roche’s Pharmaceuticals Division.
 
The transaction’s closing is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2025.

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