MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER, Intrexon Corporation and Ziopharm Oncology announced a sublicensing agreement for intellectual property developed at the University of Minnesota for the development of non-viral adoptive cellular cancer immunotherapies.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have explored the design and clinical investigation of novel chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies using non-viral gene integration platforms. MD Anderson has built on this technology to deliver patient-derived T cells, as well as innovative approaches to generating products for universal off-the-shelf applications. The agreement will also use Intrexon’s technology suite and Ziopharm’s RheoSwitch Therapeutic System interleukin-12 modules.
The work continues in conjunction with MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program. Clinical trials using non-viral adoptive cellular therapies are either under way or planned for the specific cancers in the program.
Under the terms of the agreement, MD Anderson will receive consideration of $100 million; $50 million from each Intrexon and Ziopharm, payable in shares of their respective common stock, as well as a commitment of $15 to $20 million annually over three years for researching and developing the technologies.
The parties will enter into additional collaboration and technology transfer agreements to accelerate technology and clinical development.
