REG - AstraZeneca PLC - AstraZeneca agreement with Quell Therapeutics

AstraZenecaAnnouncement

09/06/2023 07:00

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RNS Number : 1786C  AstraZeneca PLC  09 June 2023

09 June 2023

 

AstraZeneca announces agreement with Quell Therapeutics

to develop, manufacture and commercialise

engineered T-regulatory cell therapies for autoimmune diseases

 

Collaboration focused on Type 1 Diabetes and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

using Quell's proprietary multi-modular T-regulatory cell engineering

 

AstraZeneca has entered into an exciting collaboration, exclusive option and
license agreement with Quell Therapeutics to develop multiple engineered
T-regulator (Treg) cell therapies that have the potential to be curative in
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) indications.

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Quell's proprietary toolbox of Treg cell
engineering modules, including its innovative Foxp3 Phenotype Lock will be
leveraged to develop autologous multi-modular Treg cell therapy candidates for
major autoimmune disease indications.

 

Iain McGill, Chief Executive Officer of Quell Therapeutics, said: "We are
extremely pleased to have AstraZeneca on board as our first major partner.
This collaboration builds on our pioneering work to develop exquisitely
engineered, multi-modular Treg cell therapies for immune disorders and
provides excellent validation for the technologies and capabilities we have
established. We are proud and incredibly excited to partner our leading
science with the deep experience of AstraZeneca to accelerate the application
of our Treg cell therapy platform in major autoimmune disease, where we
believe there is a broad opportunity to reset immune tolerance and drive
durable responses for patients."

 

Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D at
AstraZeneca, said: "This is a very exciting collaboration with Quell as we
look to expand our next-generation therapeutic toolbox and explore the
untapped potential with Treg cell therapies in autoimmune indications. This is
aligned with our strategy to target underlying disease drivers to stop or slow
disease progression and ultimately accelerate the delivery of transformative
care to patients with chronic autoimmune conditions."

 

AstraZeneca will have the option to further development and commercialisation
of successful clinical candidates in T1D and IBD.

 

Financial considerations

Quell will receive $85 million upfront from AstraZeneca, which comprises a
predominant cash payment and an equity investment. Quell is also eligible to
receive over $2 billion for further development and commercialisation
milestones, if successful, plus tiered royalties.

 

In addition, Quell retains an option, which can be exercised either after
approval of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application or at the end of the
Phase I/II clinical study, to co-develop Treg cell therapies from the T1D
programme with AstraZeneca in the United States in exchange for additional
milestone payments and increased royalties on US net sales.

 

Notes

 

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit
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Contacts

For details on how to contact the Investor Relations Team, please click here
(https://www.astrazeneca.com/investor-relations.html) . For Media contacts,
click here (https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/contacts.html) .

 

Adrian Kemp

Company Secretary

AstraZeneca PLC

 

 

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