On January 9, 2023 Autolus Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: AUTL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation programmed T cell therapies, reported that it has entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with Cabaletta Bio, Inc (Nasdaq: CABA). The agreement allows Cabaletta to incorporate Autolus’ proprietary RQR8 safety switch1 into a cell therapy program for the treatment of autoimmune disease, with an option for Cabaletta to incorporate the safety switch in up to four additional cell therapy programs (Press release, Autolus, JAN 9, 2023, View Source [SID1234626158]).
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
"We are delighted to partner with Cabaletta and to expand the use of our safety switches in autoimmune disease," said Dr. Martin Pule, Chief Scientific Officer of Autolus. "Safety switches are critical to the future of our field of advanced cell therapies. They allow us to develop approaches that are designed to significantly improve patient outcomes, whilst at the same time potentially reducing the risk of adverse side effects from the treatment."
Under the terms of the agreement, Autolus will receive an upfront payment for non-exclusive access to the RQR8 safety switch for use in Cabaletta’s CD19-CAR T cell therapy program for the treatment of autoimmune disease, with the potential for near term option exercise fees and development and regulatory milestone payments. In addition, Autolus is entitled to receive royalties on net sales of all Cabaletta cell therapy products that incorporate the RQR8 safety switch.
This agreement demonstrates how Autolus is able to generate value from its technologies and pipeline and follows similar deals with Bristol Myers Squibb and Moderna.