JW Therapeutics (HKEX: 2126), an independent and innovative biotechnology company focusing on developing, manufacturing and commercializing cell immunotherapy products, and 2seventy bio (NASDAQ: TSVT), a leading immuno-oncology cell therapy company, today announced a strategic alliance to establish a translational and clinical cell therapy development platform designed to more rapidly explore T cell-based immunotherapy products in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong (China), and Macao (China).
The initial focus of the collaboration is 2seventy’s MAGE-A4 TCR program in solid tumors which is being developed as part of collaboration with Regeneron. MAGE-A4 is a member of the MAGE family of cancer-testis antigens expressed in a number of solid tumor types. The program is designed to develop T cell receptor (TCR) therapies for the treatment of MAGE-A4 positive solid tumors.
“We are delighted to work with 2seventy bio to jointly develop the MAGE-A4 TCR program and potentially other assets in China,” said Dr. Mark J. Gilbert, Chief Medical Officer of JW Therapeutics. “2seventy is a top-tier cell therapy company with advanced technologies and a highly experienced team. This alliance will further leverage our world-class integrated capabilities including translational research and clinical development, and we look forward to accelerating the development of more cell immunotherapy products with breakthrough therapeutic value to serve more patients with cancer in China and potentially worldwide.”
“The true patient benefit of this collaboration lies in the ability to establish additional capabilities to rapidly test, learn and progress our innovative cell therapy programs,” said Steve Bernstein, chief medical officer, 2seventy bio. “JW Therapeutics possesses extensive understanding of the unmet medical needs of the population and the regulatory affairs process in China as well as the clinical development pathways. The opportunity to bring together our distinctive areas of experience to create a differentiated platform supports our goal of bringing new therapies to patients as quickly as possible.”
Under the terms of the agreement, 2seventy will grant JW Therapeutics a license for the MAGE-A4 cell therapy in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong (China), and Macao (China). JW Therapeutics will be responsible for development, manufacturing, and commercialization within China. 2seventy is eligible to receive milestones and royalties on product revenues in China. Additionally, 2seventy may leverage the early clinical data generated under the collaboration to support development in other geographies. The closing of the transaction will be subject to the approval of the JW Therapeutics shareholders and other customary closing conditions.
About the MAGE-A4 Program
MAGE-A4 is a member of the MAGE family of cancer-testis antigens expressed in a number of solid tumor types. Our program employs a highly potent TCR discovered in our MediGene collaboration that recognizes HLA-presented MAGE-A4 peptides and further enhances the potency of these re-directed T cells using our CTBR12 TGF-beta “flip” receptor technology — which converts the immunosuppressive effects of TGF-beta into an activation signal for the T cells. Regeneron and 2seventy bio are co-developing the program under their collaboration entered into in 2018.
About JW Therapeutics
JW Therapeutics (HKEX: 2126) is an independent and innovative biotechnology company focusing on developing, manufacturing and commercializing cell immunotherapy products, and is committed to becoming an innovation leader in cell immunotherapy. Founded in 2016, JW Therapeutics has built a world-class platform for product development in cell immunotherapy, as well as a product pipeline covering both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. JW Therapeutics is committed to bringing breakthrough and quality cell immunotherapy products and the hope of a cure to patients in China and worldwide, and leading the healthy and standardized development of China’s cell immunotherapy industry. For more information, please visit www.jwtherapeutics.com.
About 2seventy bio
Our name, 2seventy bio, reflects why we do what we do – TIME. Cancer rips time away, and our goal is to work at the maximum speed of translating human thought into action – 270 miles per hour – to give the people we serve more time. We are building the leading immuno-oncology cell therapy company, focused on discovering and developing new therapies that truly disrupt the cancer treatment landscape.
With a deep understanding of the human body’s immune response to tumor cells and how to translate cell therapies into practice, we’re applying this knowledge to deliver next generation cellular therapies that focus on a broad range of hematologic malignancies, including the first FDA-approved CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma, as well as solid tumors. Our research and development is focused on delivering therapies that are designed with the goal to “think” smarter and faster than the disease. Importantly, we remain focused on accomplishing these goals by staying genuine and authentic to our “why” and keeping our people and culture top of mind every day.
For more information, visit www.2seventybio.com.
