Pfizer and Cellectis Partner To Develop CART Cells For Oncology Targets
By Cyndi Root
Pfizer Inc. announced in a press release that it has partnered with Cellectis to develop Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CART) immunotherapies. Cellectis’ cell technology platform uses T-cells from donors for oncology therapies. Cellectis recently partnered with contract research organization (CRO) Accelera for preclinical studies on CART cells and it engaged CELLforCURE, a European facility, to manufacture CART cells for clinical use. Cellectis stated that it will open a U.S. facility for CART cells in order to work with Pfizer scientists.
Andre Choulika, PhD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Cellectis, said, “This alliance provides access to Pfizer’s state-of-the-art therapeutic development capabilities.” Mikael Dolsten, MD, PhD, President of R&D at Pfizer, said, ““This leading immuno-oncology collaboration aimed at delivering immunotherapies is built upon Cellectis’ advanced genome editing and cell engineering capability and Pfizer’s cutting-edge biotherapeutic cancer therapy platform.”
Pfizer and Cellectis
Pfizer has secured the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize CART therapies under the terms of the agreement. Pfizer can choose 15 oncology targets and the two companies will complete preclinical work together. Pfizer will then develop the CART therapies through clinical trials. Cellectis will select 12 oncology targets, four of which it will work with Pfizer on and eight of which it will work on independently. Cellectis will develop the targets it selected and Pfizer has the right to refuse four Cellectis-selected targets.
Pfizer agrees to pay Cellectis $80 million upfront and fund the development costs of Pfizer-selected targets and the four Cellectis-selected targets. Pfizer will also pay for development costs, regulatory filings, commercial milestone payments, and royalties. Pfizer has also agreed to acquire Cellectis shares, pending shareholder approval. Pfizer may cancel the partnership if the shareholders do not approve the sale of equity.
About CARTs
Cellectis’ CART (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells) cells are an allogenic cell product family based on genome engineering and CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) technology. The cells use the body’s immune system to target tumor antigens. Targets include tumors, leukemias, and lymphomas. Cellectis intends to manufacture the cells at CELLforCURE, a subsidiary of the biopharmaceutical group LFB. The arrangement allows for product quality at a cost savings.