Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. has entered into a research and worldwide license agreement with Janssen Biotech to develop allogeneic Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-T). CAR-T therapies have shown promise in early trials for the treatment of blood cancers and have the potential for use as off-the-shelf cancer treatments without the need of matching donor with recipient.
 
Transposagen will use its genome editing technologies, including the piggyBac Footprint-Free Gene Editing System, to create the allogeneic CAR-T therapies. Janssen has exclusive rights to any CAR-T therapy jointly developed and has a non-exclusive research license to utilize Transposagen’s gene editing technologies for gene and cell therapy solutions. Transposagen will retain the rights to develop autologous CAR-T therapies and CAR-T therapies using Natural Killer (NK) cells or NK-like cells.
 
Transposagen will receive as much as $292 million per CAR-T therapeutic, which includes an up-front fee and potential development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. Transposagen will also receive royalties on sales of any CAR-T products commercialized by Janssen. Both companies will work together on preclinical research for a three-year term. Janssen will be responsible for manufacturing and commercialization.
 
“The research collaboration with Janssen will pair Transposagen’s cutting-edge gene editing and gene delivery technology and expertise with Janssen industry-leading technologies in the antibody and antibody alternative areas to create what may be the ideal CAR-T therapy,” said Eric Ostertag, president and chief executive officer of Transposagen.