On October 27, 2022 2seventy bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: TSVT), a leading immuno-oncology cell therapy company, and JW Therapeutics (HKEX: 2126), an independent and innovative biotechnology company focusing on developing, manufacturing and commercializing cell immunotherapy products, reported a strategic alliance to establish a translational and clinical cell therapy development platform designed to more rapidly explore T cell-based immunotherapy therapy products in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong (China), and Macao (China) (Press release, 2seventy bio, OCT 27, 2022, View Source [SID1234622447]).
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"The true patient benefit of this collaboration lies in the ability to establish additional capabilities to rapidly test, learn and progress our innovative cell therapy programs," said Steve Bernstein, chief medical officer, 2seventy bio. "JW Therapeutics possesses extensive understanding of the unmet medical needs of the population and the regulatory affairs process in China as well as the clinical development pathways. The opportunity to bring together our distinctive areas of experience to create a differentiated platform supports our goal of bringing new therapies to patients as quickly as possible."
The initial focus of the collaboration is 2seventy bio’s MAGE-A4 TCR program in solid tumors which is being developed as part of a collaboration with Regeneron. MAGE-A4 is a member of the MAGE family of cancer-testis antigens expressed in a number of solid tumor types. The program is designed to develop T cell receptor (TCR) therapies for the treatment of MAGE-A4 positive solid tumors.
"We are delighted to work with 2seventy bio to jointly develop the MAGE-A4 TCR program and potentially other assets in China," said Dr. Mark J. Gilbert, Chief Medical Officer of JW Therapeutics. "2seventy is a top-tier cell therapy company with advanced technologies and a highly experienced team. This alliance will further leverage our world-class integrated capabilities, including translational research and clinical development, and we look forward to accelerating the development of more cell immunotherapy products with breakthrough therapeutic value to serve more patients with cancer in China and potentially worldwide."
Under the terms of the agreement, 2seventy bio will grant JW Therapeutics a license for the MAGE-A4 cell therapy in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong (China), and Macao (China). JW Therapeutics will be responsible for development, manufacturing, and commercialization within China. 2seventy bio is eligible to receive milestones and royalties on product revenues in China. Additionally, 2seventy bio may leverage the early clinical data generated under the collaboration to support development in other geographies. The detailed arrangements are not disclosed. The closing of the transaction will be subject to the approval of the JW Therapeutics shareholders and other customary closing conditions.
About the MAGE-A4 Program
MAGE-A4 is a member of the MAGE family of cancer-testis antigens expressed in a number of solid tumor types. Our program employs a highly potent TCR discovered in our MediGene collaboration that recognizes HLA-presented MAGE-A4 peptides and further enhances the potency of these re-directed T cells using our CTBR12 TGF-beta "flip" receptor technology — which converts the immunosuppressive effects of TGF-beta into an activation signal for the T cells. Regeneron and 2seventy bio are co-developing the program under their collaboration entered into in 2018.