Obsidian Therapeutics in Deal with Celgene to Develop Novel Cell Therapies

Cambridge-based biotech Obsidian Therapeutics has announced a strategic collaboration with Celgene for the discovery and development of novel, regulated cell therapies that utilize Obsidian’s Destabilizing Domain (DD) technology. Specifically, the collaboration is based on Obsidian’s DD technology for the controlled expression of IL12 and CD40L, two immunomodulatory factors that have the potential to augment the power of adoptive cell therapies but require precise control to optimize their therapeutic benefit.

This multi-year collaboration provides Celgene with the exclusive option to in-license worldwide rights for cell therapy candidates that incorporate DD-regulated IL12 or CD40L for the treatment of cancer.  The collaboration includes an upfront payment and equity investment by Celgene, and potential future milestone and royalty payments.

This strategic agreement is Obsidian’s first collaboration with a major pharmaceutical company to deploy its DD technology. Obsidian’s technology enables integration and precise pharmacologic control of potent new activities in cell therapies and offers additional capabilities to Celgene’s portfolio of cellular immunotherapies for cancer.

“Obsidian’s technology has the potential to unlock the activity of cell therapy in a number of new settings, particularly against solid tumor malignancies, and this is a prime example of the new technologies that we see enabling broader applications for CAR-T and cell therapies for the treatment of cancer,” said Robert Hershberg, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President, Business Development & Global Alliances for Celgene. (Source: Obsidian Therapeutics Website, 18 January, 2019)