Gilead (NASDAQ: GILD), a leading biopharmaceutical company, has announced an expansion of its 2022 partnership with Arcellx (NASDAQ: ACLX), a US-based biotechnology firm. The collaboration includes the in-licensing of ACLX-001, a multiple myeloma (MM) engineered cell therapy, and the extension of their CART-ddBCMA program to include lymphomas .
Financial Terms and Strategic Impact
Under the revised agreement, expected to conclude by year-end, Gilead will invest USD 200 million in Arcellx, acquiring a 13% stake in the company. Arcellx, in turn, will receive an upfront payment of USD 85 million in cash, along with potential milestone payments. This financial commitment underscores the significance of the partnership and the potential of the therapies in development .
Arcellx’s CAR-T Platform Innovation
Arcellx’s proprietary CAR-T platform replaces the scFv antigen recognition motif on T-cells with its fully synthetic D-Domain. This innovative approach offers improved specificity, enhanced affinity, and the potential for higher transduction efficiency, high cell surface expression, and reduced tonic signaling, which are critical for the effectiveness of cell therapies .
Upcoming Phase I Results for CART-ddBCMA
In a forthcoming press release, Arcellx is set to disclose Phase I results for CART-ddBCMA next month. This development is a crucial milestone in the evaluation of the therapy’s safety and efficacy, particularly in the context of the partnership’s expanded scope to include lymphomas .- Flcube.com
