MaxCyte and Lion TCR form Partnership to Support Global Expansion of Lion TCR's TCR-T Cell Pipeline
- Strategic partnership with Lion TCR to develop and scale TCR-T cell therapies for solid tumors and viral-related diseases.
- MaxCyte's Flow Electroporation® technology and ExPERT™ platform to be used by Lion TCR for worldwide non-exclusive clinical and commercial rights.
- Anticipated expansion into the US and European markets.
- MaxCyte's ExPERT™ instrument portfolio is the next generation of leading, clinically-validated electroporation technology for complex and scalable cell engineering.
- 24th strategic partnership overall, generating pre-commercial milestone revenue and sales-based payments.
- None.
Insights
The strategic partnership between MaxCyte and Lion TCR represents a significant collaboration in the biotechnology and cell therapy space. MaxCyte's Flow Electroporation® technology and ExPERT™ platform are pivotal in the development of novel TCR-T cell therapies. The ability of these technologies to enhance the transfection efficiency of therapeutic cells is crucial for the advancement of treatments for solid tumors and viral-related diseases, such as hepatocellular carcinoma caused by HBV.
From a business perspective, this partnership is expected to generate annual license fees and program-related revenue for MaxCyte, which could have a positive impact on their financial performance. Additionally, the collaboration could potentially accelerate the time-to-market for Lion TCR's therapies, providing a competitive advantage in the rapidly growing field of adoptive T cell therapy. The market for such therapies is expanding and successful development and commercialization could lead to significant market share and revenue generation for both companies.
For investors, the long-term potential of this partnership is underscored by the ongoing shift towards personalized medicine and the increasing demand for effective treatments for cancers and life-threatening viral infections. The strategic expansion into Asian markets and the planned entry into US and European markets could result in a diversified revenue stream for MaxCyte and increased global presence. However, the inherent risks of clinical development in biotechnology, such as trial failures or regulatory hurdles, should be considered when evaluating the potential returns of this partnership.
The collaboration between MaxCyte and Lion TCR underscores the growing trend in the biotech industry towards strategic partnerships to leverage technological advancements. MaxCyte's 24th strategic partnership indicates a strong business model that relies on collaboration to drive growth and innovation. This model not only provides MaxCyte with a diversified income stream through licensing fees but also positions it as a key player in the cell engineering field, which is a core component of next-generation biopharmaceuticals.
Market dynamics suggest a high demand for effective treatments for solid tumors, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma, which is the most common type of liver cancer. With the prevalence of HBV as a leading cause of this cancer, Lion TCR's focus on developing HBV-specific TCR-T cell therapies could meet a significant unmet medical need. This partnership could place both MaxCyte and Lion TCR in a favorable position in the market, potentially capturing a sizable patient population.
Furthermore, the expansion of MaxCyte's technology into Asia, with plans for US and European market entry, aligns with the global nature of the pharmaceutical industry and the need for innovative treatments worldwide. The success of these clinical trials and subsequent commercialization efforts will be closely watched by competitors and investors alike, as they will provide insights into the scalability and market acceptability of TCR-T cell therapies.
The financial implications of the partnership between MaxCyte and Lion TCR are multifaceted. MaxCyte stands to benefit from pre-commercial milestone revenue and sales-based payments, which can provide a substantial boost to its revenue streams. The structure of this deal aligns with MaxCyte's revenue diversification strategy and reduces its dependence on any single product or market.
Investors should note that the success of this partnership is contingent upon the clinical and commercial success of the TCR-T cell therapies being developed. While the potential for significant returns exists, especially if the therapies prove to be efficacious and gain market approval, the biotech sector is known for its high level of volatility and risk. The clinical trial outcomes and the ability to navigate regulatory landscapes will be critical factors in realizing financial gains.
It is also important to consider the scalability of the production process. MaxCyte's ExPERT™ platform is designed for complex and scalable cell engineering, which is essential for meeting the demands of commercial-level production. The ability to efficiently scale up production can significantly impact the cost of goods sold (COGS) and, consequently, the profitability of the therapies once they reach the market.
Lion TCR to use MaxCyte’s Flow Electroporation® technology and ExPERT™ platform to develop and scale TCR-T cell therapies for solid tumors and viral-related diseases.
ROCKVILLE, Md. and SINGAPORE, Jan. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MaxCyte, Inc., (Nasdaq: MXCT; LSE: MXCT), a leading, cell-engineering focused company providing enabling platform technologies to advance the discovery, development and commercialization of next-generation cell therapeutics and innovative bioprocessing applications, and Lion TCR, an Asia-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of T cell receptor (TCR)-T cell therapies for solid tumors and life-threatening viral infections today announced the signing of a strategic platform license (SPL). This partnership will enhance MaxCyte's presence in Asia, with anticipated expansion into the US and European markets.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lion TCR obtains worldwide non-exclusive clinical and commercial rights to use MaxCyte’s Flow Electroporation® technology and ExPERT™ platform. In return, MaxCyte is entitled to receive annual license fees and program-related revenue.
“We are thrilled to partner with Lion TCR to support the development of their TCR-T cell therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma and life-threatening viral infections,” said Maher Masoud, President and CEO of MaxCyte. “Through this important partnership, we will be able to help provide the opportunity for patients in Asia (and ultimately patients worldwide) to benefit from these innovative mRNA-based TCR-T cell treatments and continue supporting the development of new therapies for patients with solid tumors.”
Lion’s proprietary TCR-T cell therapy platform is supported by robust research, in collaboration with renowned laboratories, in the areas of autologous T cells and ’off-the-shelf’ technologies. The company’s TCR-T cell therapy harnesses the patient’s own immune system to fight against viral infections and cancers. The company is conducting ongoing clinical trials against hepatocellular carcinoma to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its TCR-T cells. Lion has engineered Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T cells to recognize HBV-expressing tumor cells and achieve targeted killing, which is key as HBV is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma.
“At Lion TCR, we aspire to be the world’s leader in the field of mRNA-based TCR-T therapeutics through the technological advancement and development of adoptive T cell therapy products for cancers and cancer-causing infectious diseases,” said CEO, Xiaoming Peng PhD, MBA. “We are honored to have MaxCyte as a partner and leverage their large-scale flow electroporation technology to support our development of novel therapeutics to benefit patients suffering from these devastating diseases.”
MaxCyte’s ExPERT™ instrument portfolio is the next generation of leading, clinically-validated electroporation technology for complex and scalable cell engineering. By delivering high transfection efficiency, seamless scalability and enhanced functionality, the ExPERT™ platform delivers the high-end performance essential to enabling the next wave of biological and cellular therapeutics. Lion TCR is MaxCyte’s 24th strategic partnership overall, each of which generates pre-commercial milestone revenue and the vast majority of which include sales-based payments.
About MaxCyte
At MaxCyte, we pursue cell engineering excellence to maximize the potential of cells to improve patients’ lives. We have spent more than 20 years honing our expertise by building best-in-class platforms, perfecting the art of the transfection workflow, and venturing beyond today’s processes to innovate tomorrow’s solutions. Our ExPERT™ platform, which is based on our Flow Electroporation® technology, has been designed to support the rapidly expanding cell therapy market and can be utilized across the continuum of the high-growth cell therapy sector, from discovery and development through commercialization of next-generation, cell-based medicines. The ExPERT family of products includes: four instruments, the ATx™, STx™, GTx™ and VLx ™; a portfolio of proprietary related processing assemblies or disposables; and software protocols, all supported by a robust worldwide intellectual property portfolio. By providing our partners with the right technology, as well as scientific, technical and regulatory support, we aim to guide them on their journey to transform human health. Learn more at maxcyte.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Lion TCR Pte Ltd
Lion TCR, a clinical stage biotech spun off from Singapore’s A*STAR, specializes in engineered T Cell Receptor (TCR) T cell therapies for infectious diseases and associated cancers, particularly HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lion TCR have secured FDA IND approval for a Phase 1b/2 trial — the world’s first FDA-approved international multi-center trial for its HBV TCR-T therapy (LioCyx-M004) against HCC. Additionally, LioCyx-M004 has received dual Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designations from the FDA. Lion TCR's groundbreaking approach involves utilizing mRNA to encode HBV-specific TCR in patients' T cells, enabling the targeting of HBV epitopes expressed in liver cancer cells. Positive clinical trial outcomes attest to its efficacy. Building on their mRNA technology and AI-enabled TCR discovery platforms, Lion TCR extends its focus to solid tumors, offering personalized cell therapy and 'off-the-shelf' solutions. This positions Lion TCR to develop a robust pipeline for diverse solid cancers and chronic viral diseases. Learn more at liontcr.com.
MaxCyte Contacts:
US IR Adviser
Gilmartin Group
David Deuchler, CFA
+1 415-937-5400
ir@maxcyte.com
US Media Relations
Spectrum Seismic Collaborative
Valerie Enes
+1 408-497-8568
venes@spectrumscience.com
Nominated Adviser and Joint Corporate Broker
Panmure Gordon
Emma Earl / Freddy Crossley
Corporate Broking
Rupert Dearden
+44 (0)20 7886 2500
UK IR Adviser
ICR Consilium
Mary-Jane Elliott
Chris Welsh
+44 (0)203 709 5700
maxcyte@consilium-comms.com
Lion TCR Contacts:
2 Tukang Innovation Grove
#09-04
Singapore 618305
+65 68130738
FAQ
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