2seventy bio, Inc. and JW Therapeutics, a biotech firm focusing on cell immunotherapy products, have announced their intent to broaden their strategic partnership.
In a significant stride towards advancing immunotherapy, 2seventy bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: TSVT), a prominent immuno-oncology cell therapy company, and JW Therapeutics (HKEX: 2126), an independent biotech firm focusing on cell immunotherapy products, have announced their intent to broaden their strategic partnership. This expansion builds upon last year’s established collaboration and aims to accelerate the development of T cell-based immunotherapies and autoimmune therapies in Greater China.
The companies plan to incorporate up to two additional candidates from 2seventy bio’s portfolio into the collaboration. The first candidate focuses on solid tumor indications and employs T-cell receptor (TCR) based technology. The second candidate targets autoimmune disease and utilizes a CAR T cell approach.
Steve Bernstein, Chief Medical Officer at 2seventy bio, commented, “Since our partnership was established, our companies have built a deeply collaborative and successful approach to progressing cell therapy candidates. At the time, our primary goal was to build a collaboration with a focus on our potency-enhanced MAGE-A4 solid tumor program. Today’s announcement is a natural evolution, doubling down on the success to date by extending our collaboration into additional programs in solid tumors and autoimmune disease.”
Initially, the collaboration, announced in October 2022, centered on 2seventy bio’s potency-enhanced MAGE-A4 TCR program in solid tumors. Over the past 10 months, JW Therapeutics has made substantial progress, set to initiate an investigator-initiated study in China ahead of schedule, by the end of 2023. The accelerated development pace, combined with the favorable cost structure of preclinical and early clinic development, forms the basis for further collaboration.
As part of the expanded collaboration, two new programs will be integrated. The first focuses on an additional solid tumor program, while the second marks 2seventy’s inaugural autoimmune disease (AID) targeted CAR T cell program. This expansion aligns with 2seventy’s expertise in CAR T cell research and its clinical experience in oncology, with a focus on antibody-secreting cell types implicated in autoimmune disorders.
Dr. Mark J. Gilbert, Chief Medical Officer at JW Therapeutics, stated, “Our work together has proven that combining our companies’ strength and capabilities carries significant advantages including world-class translational research, process development and clinical development. We look forward to building upon our success, incorporating 2seventy’s advanced technology and collaborating with their highly-experienced team to accelerate the development of potential new medicines with breakthrough therapeutic value to serve more patients in China and possibly worldwide.”
This strategic alliance reflects a shared commitment to advancing cutting-edge immunotherapies and addresses a critical need for innovative treatments in the field of oncology and autoimmune diseases, underscoring the potential to significantly impact patients’ lives in China and beyond.