Calibr-Skaggs announces expansion of option and license agreement with AbbVie to develop novel cell therapies for solid tumors and autoimmune diseases
- AbbVie to maintain exclusive access to Calibr-Skaggs' sCAR-T platform for up to five years
- Calibr-Skaggs' sCAR-T platform shows promise in solid tumor indications and autoimmune diseases
- Calibr-Skaggs' sCAR-T approach is designed to overcome the challenges of traditional CAR-T therapies
- Potential to make a significant impact across solid tumors
- None.
Insights
The announcement of AbbVie's collaboration with Calibr-Skaggs Institute to develop novel cell therapy candidates using the sCAR-T platform is a pivotal development in the field of oncology. The switchable CAR-T technology represents an innovative approach to cancer treatment, particularly in addressing solid tumors where conventional CAR-T therapies have had limited success. The ability to 'switch on' the modified T cells at will could potentially mitigate the severe side effects like CRS and ICANS associated with current CAR-T therapies. This controlled activation mechanism could also allow for more personalized treatment protocols, adjusting therapy intensity in response to a patient's reaction and tumor response.
From a research perspective, the success of this platform in early clinical trials could signify a breakthrough in treating solid tumors, which would be a significant advancement given the current treatment limitations. The financial terms of the agreement, including upfront fees, milestone payments and royalties, suggest a strong commitment from AbbVie and a belief in the potential of this technology. The success of this collaboration could lead to a new standard of care in oncology, with long-term implications for patient outcomes and AbbVie's market positioning in cancer treatment.
AbbVie's strategic decision to maintain exclusive access to Calibr-Skaggs' sCAR-T platform underscores the company's focus on expanding its portfolio in the high-growth area of cell therapies. The potential applicability of sCAR-T in autoimmune diseases opens new avenues for AbbVie, diversifying its immunology pipeline beyond its current blockbuster drugs. The market's response to this news will likely be positive, reflecting the high demand for innovative cancer treatments and the growing interest in personalized medicine.
Investors should consider the impact of this development on AbbVie's long-term revenue potential, especially given the company's option to license existing Calibr-Skaggs cell therapy programs. The exclusivity of the agreement positions AbbVie favorably against competitors in the cell therapy space. However, the true financial impact will depend on the clinical success of these therapies and their subsequent commercialization. As the field evolves, the ability to control CAR-T cell activation could become a critical differentiator in an increasingly crowded market.
AbbVie's investment in Calibr-Skaggs' sCAR-T platform is a strategic move that could have significant financial implications. The structure of the deal, involving an upfront license fee, milestone payments and royalties, aligns with industry norms for collaborations of this nature. It is indicative of AbbVie's confidence in the technology and its potential market value. The focus on solid tumors and autoimmune diseases could help AbbVie tap into new markets, which is crucial considering the impending patent expiration of some of its leading drugs.
For investors, the long-term value of this deal will be contingent upon the successful development and regulatory approval of the sCAR-T therapies. The milestone payments could serve as interim indicators of the progress and success of the collaboration. AbbVie's stock market performance may reflect the perceived potential of this platform to generate future revenue streams and strengthen AbbVie's position in the competitive landscape of cancer immunotherapy and autoimmune treatments.
- AbbVie to maintain exclusive access to Calibr-Skaggs' switchable CAR-T (sCAR-T) platform to develop novel cell therapy candidates against solid tumor targets identified by AbbVie
- AbbVie also has the option to explore the applicability of Calibr-Skaggs' sCAR-T platform in autoimmune diseases
- Calibr-Skaggs to partner with AbbVie to support discovery of next-generation sCAR-Ts using genetic medicine-based approaches
"The activity of our switchable CAR-T cell platform has exceeded even our expectations in these early clinical results," says Travis Young, PhD, Calibr-Skaggs' vice president of Biologics and lead on the sCAR-T program at Calibr-Skaggs. "We greatly value AbbVie's ongoing partnership to explore this platform in solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. We believe this platform has potential to make a significant impact across solid tumors, an area where traditionally CAR-T has not demonstrated much activity."
CAR-T cell therapies rely on gathering a patient's own T cells, modifying them to specifically target cancer cells, and delivering them back to the patient where they eradicate cancer cells in the body. Broader use of conventional CAR-T treatments has been limited by various factors, including safety concerns and infrequent responses against solid tumor cancers. The hallmark toxicities associated with traditional CAR-T approaches, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), often occur due to overactivation of the modified CAR-T cells in the body. Calibr-Skaggs' sCAR-T approach is designed to overcome these challenges by controlling the activation of these cells using a novel antibody-based "switch" which binds to a tumor-antigen and to the sCAR-T cell component, when dosed at an interval. The unique mechanism of sCAR-T may also enhance effectiveness in solid tumors.
Patients, cancers and treatment responses are often highly heterogenous. Therefore, the use of a switchable molecule could allow physicians to tune treatment for a patient's specific needs, whether it be in response to symptoms or to continue treatment.
"We are dedicated to pursuing innovation that offers a potential solution to existing treatment challenges in oncology and immunology," says Jonathon Sedgwick, Ph.D., vice president and global head of discovery research at AbbVie. "Unlike traditional CAR-T cell therapies, Calibr-Skaggs' innovative approach may offer enhanced control and precision for activating CAR-Ts, thus potentially reducing adverse effects of existing CAR-T cell therapies. We look forward to working with Calibr-Skaggs to further explore this promising avenue in the pursuit of next-generation treatments."
Under the terms of the license agreement, AbbVie will pay Calibr-Skaggs an upfront license fee and maintain exclusive access to Calibr-Skaggs' switchable CAR-T platform for a term of up to five years. AbbVie also has the option to license existing Calibr-Skaggs cell therapy programs under development for hematological and solid tumors, including Calibr-Skaggs' lead program and will have the option to explore the applicability of sCAR-Ts in autoimmune diseases. Calibr-Skaggs is eligible to receive success-based milestone payments and royalties.
About the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines
The Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines was founded on the principle that the creation of new medicines can be accelerated by pairing world-class biomedical research with state-of-the-art drug discovery and development capabilities. Leveraging the unique scientific framework of Scripps Research, Calibr-Skaggs has created a portfolio of drug candidates based on Scripps Research technologies and is shaping a new paradigm for advancing nonprofit biomedical research to impact patients. Learn more at https://calibr.scripps.edu/.
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