By Fineline Cube 
Lyell Immunopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: LYEL) announced the execution of a definitive licensing agreement with Innovative Cellular Therapeutics, Inc. (ICT), a Sino‑U.S. biotech venture. Under the deal, Lyell obtains exclusive worldwide rights (outside Greater China) to develop, manufacture, and commercialize LYL273 (formerly GCC19CART), an autologous CAR‑T cell candidate that targets Guanylate Cyclase C (GCC) for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and other GCC‑expressing solid tumors.
Deal Terms
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seller | Innovative Cellular Therapeutics (ICT) |
| Buyer | Lyell Immunopharma (NASDAQ: LYEL) |
| Product | LYL273 – autologous GCC‑targeted CAR‑T |
| Territory | Global, excluding Greater China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan) |
| Up‑front Cash | USD 40 million |
| Equity Transfer | 1.9 million Lyell common shares (≈ USD 22 million at closing price) |
| Potential Additional Cash | • Clinical milestones: up to USD 30 million • Late‑stage regulatory milestones: up to USD 115 million • Commercial sales milestones: up to USD 675 million |
| Royalties | Tiered royalty on net sales of LYL273 (terms confidential) |
| Future Considerations | Additional cash & equity contingent on regulatory approvals and sales performance |
LYL273 – Technology Snapshot
- Target Antigen: Guanylate Cyclase C (GCC), highly expressed on colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and several other solid‑tumor subtypes.
- CAR Design: Enhanced CD19 CAR backbone fused with a GCC‑specific scFv; engineered to boost CD19 CAR expression and modulate cytokine release, improving persistence in the immunosuppressive solid‑tumor microenvironment.
- Mechanistic Advantages:
- Improved Expansion: Optimized signaling domains promote robust in‑vivo proliferation.
- Enhanced Infiltration: Modified chemokine receptors facilitate tumor‑site homing.
- Controlled Cytokine Release: Reduces risk of cytokine‑release syndrome while maintaining cytotoxic potency.
- Indication Focus: Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and other GCC‑positive malignancies (e.g., gastric, pancreatic).
Clinical & Commercial Outlook
| Milestone | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| Phase 1/2 Initiation | Q2 2026 (first‑in‑human dose escalation) |
| Pivotal Trial Commencement | H2 2027 (global, multi‑center) |
| Regulatory Submission (US FDA) | Early 2029 (assuming positive Phase 2 data) |
| Potential US Launch | 2029‑2030, contingent on approval |
- Market Opportunity: mCRC accounts for ~ 1.9 million new cases worldwide annually; GCC expression is present in ~ 70 % of colorectal tumors, representing a $12 billion addressable market in the United States alone.
- Strategic Fit: The acquisition expands Lyell’s pipeline beyond its existing CD19‑directed programs, positioning the company as a first‑to‑market GCC‑targeted CAR‑T developer.
Forward‑Looking Statements
This brief contains forward‑looking statements regarding the licensing transaction, clinical development timelines, regulatory expectations, and commercial potential of LYL273. Actual results may differ due to risks including clinical trial outcomes, regulatory approvals, manufacturing scale‑up, and competitive dynamics.-Fineline Info & Tech