UK pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (AZ; NASDAQ: AZN) has announced a strategic partnership with Cellectis (EPA: ALCLS; NASDAQ: CLLS) to develop next-generation therapeutics, focusing on areas of high unmet need such as oncology, immunology, and rare diseases. This collaboration aims to leverage Cellectis’s gene editing technologies and manufacturing capabilities to advance up to 10 candidates in these critical fields.
Financial Terms and Collaboration Details
Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca will pay an upfront fee of USD 25 million and make equity investments of up to USD 220 million. Additionally, Cellectis stands to receive milestone payments ranging from USD 70 million to USD 220 million per product for each of the 10 candidates, as well as tiered royalties on future sales. This financial commitment underscores the significant potential of the partnership and the value placed on Cellectis’s proprietary technologies.
Global Licensing Options and Clinical-Stage Assets
While AstraZeneca will have the option to license the successful candidates globally prior to filing, Cellectis will maintain ownership and control over its three clinical-stage assets. This arrangement ensures that Cellectis retains a significant stake in the development and commercialization of its core technologies, while also benefiting from AstraZeneca’s global reach and expertise in drug development.
Conclusion
The partnership between AstraZeneca and Cellectis represents a significant step forward in the development of next-generation cell and gene therapies. By combining AstraZeneca’s pharmaceutical prowess with Cellectis’s cutting-edge gene editing capabilities, the two companies aim to address some of the most pressing unmet needs in medicine, offering hope to patients suffering from oncology, immunology, and rare diseases.-Fineline Info & Tech
