J&J Puts Up $245 Million for Two Promising Autologous CAR-T Candidates

After limited activity in the CAR-T therapy space, Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Biotech Inc. is jumping right back into the arena with a sizable partnership with Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. Janssen is laying down $245 million upfront in exchange for two of Cellular Biomedicine’s autologous CAR-T therapy candidates.

Related article: Astellas Trains Sights On Iveric Bio In $5.9 Billion Acquisition

The CAR-T Candidates in Question

Both of Cellular Biomedicine’s autologous CAR-T therapy candidates focus on treating relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) with a particular emphasis on relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Accounting for about a third of B-cell lymphomas globally, DLBCL is the most common type of aggressive lymphoma. 

The first candidate in the deal is C-CAR039, a bispecific CAR-T therapy targeting CD19 and CD20 antigens. So far, the FDA has already granted the therapy Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance and Fast Track Designation to treat relapsed or refractory DLBCL. C-CAR039 is currently in a Phase 1b study evaluating the therapy in treating relapsed or refractory DLBCL in the U.S.

Details are a bit scanter on the other candidate, C-CAR066, but we know it is a CAR-T therapy targeting CD20 antigens. The therapy has also received IND clearance from the FDA, and a Phase 1b study is set to begin in the second half of this year. 

Terms of the Deal

Janssen said it would pay a whopping $245 million upfront for the two autologous CAR-T therapy candidates and their exclusive worldwide rights, excluding China. Still, the company can negotiate for commercialization rights in China later. 

In addition to the upfront payment, Cellular Biomedicine could gain additional payments contingent upon certain development, regulatory, and sales milestones. The company could also pull in some extra cash from tiered royalty sales if the candidates make it to the market. 

Sen Zhuang M.D., Ph.D., Vice President of Clinical Research and Development at Janssen, said, “We are committed to advancing the science and treatment of B-cell malignancies, especially in DLBCL where deeper responses and long-term remissions represent a persistent unmet need. A tenet to our continued innovation is a focus on accelerating the development of cell therapies as we strive to profoundly transform patient outcomes and, ultimately, progress potentially curative regimens.”

With two new CAR-T therapies under its wing, Janssen is looking to compete with some of the best in the arena. The two new candidates will round off Janssen’s pipeline nicely, adding to the company’s other autologous CAR-T therapy, Carvykti. 

Author

Reed Slater