MaxCyte Signs Strategic Platform License with TG Therapeutics to Advance its Autoimmune Cell Therapeutics Programs

Rhea-AI Summary

MaxCyte (MXCT) has entered into a strategic platform license agreement with TG Therapeutics for the use of MaxCyte's Flow Electroporation® technology and ExPERT™ platform. The partnership aims to support the development and commercialization of azer-cel, TG's allogeneic CD19 CAR T cell therapy program for autoimmune diseases.

Under the agreement, TG Therapeutics receives non-exclusive research, clinical and commercial rights, while MaxCyte will receive annual licensing fees and program-related revenue. TG Therapeutics recently acquired worldwide license to azer-cel from Precision BioSciences and has received FDA clearance for an IND application in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), with Phase 1 trials targeted for 2025.

Positive

• New strategic platform license agreement securing annual licensing fees and program-related revenue
• Partnership with established commercial stage biopharmaceutical company
• FDA clearance already obtained for partner's IND application

Negative

• Non-exclusive licensing agreement limits revenue potential
• Revenue terms not disclosed

Insights

Biotechnology Licensing Analyst

This strategic platform license agreement marks a significant expansion of MaxCyte's business model, adding TG Therapeutics to its portfolio of commercial partners. The deal structure, featuring annual licensing fees and program-related revenue, reinforces MaxCyte's recurring revenue model - a important aspect for investors evaluating the company's financial stability.

The partnership's strategic value extends beyond immediate financial benefits. The autoimmune disease market, particularly multiple sclerosis, represents a substantial commercial opportunity. The global MS therapeutics market alone is projected to reach tens of billions by 2028, and successful development of azer-cel could position both companies to capture a significant share of this market.

A particularly noteworthy aspect is the seamless technology transfer from Precision BioSciences to TG Therapeutics, demonstrating the robustness and adaptability of MaxCyte's platform. This successful transfer validates MaxCyte's position as a critical enabler in the cell therapy manufacturing ecosystem, potentially attracting more licensing partners.

The expansion into autoimmune diseases represents a strategic diversification beyond oncology applications, potentially opening new revenue streams. MaxCyte's ExPERT™ platform's ability to maintain high transfection efficiency and cell viability while offering scalability positions it as an essential technology for the next generation of cell therapies. This technological advantage could lead to additional licensing opportunities as more companies enter the cell therapy space.

TG Therapeutics to use MaxCyte’s Flow Electroporation® technology and ExPERT™ platform to support the development and commercialization of azer-cel, its allogeneic CD19 CAR T cell therapy program, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 12, 2025 (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-based therapeutics, today announced they are entering into a strategic platform license (SPL) with TG Therapeutics, a fully integrated, commercial stage, biopharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of novel treatments for B-cell diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, TG Therapeutics obtains non-exclusive research, clinical and commercial rights to use MaxCyte’s Flow Electroporation^® technology and ExPERT™ platform. In return, MaxCyte is entitled to receive annual licensing fees and program-related revenue.

TG Therapeutics entered into an agreement with Precision BioSciences, Inc. and acquired a worldwide license to Precision’s Azercabtagene Zapreleucel (azer-cel), an investigational allogeneic or “off the shelf” CD19 CAR T cell therapy program for autoimmune diseases and all other non-oncology indications. TG received clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for azer-cel in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and is targeting commencement of a Phase 1 trial in 2025.

“By leveraging our commercially validated cell-engineering platform and optimized T cell manufacturing workflow, TG Therapeutics is advancing toward their Phase 1 clinical trial for the application of azer-cel in progressive forms of MS,” said Maher Masoud, President and CEO of MaxCyte. “Our technology has been integral to the manufacturing of allogeneic T cell immunotherapies and was efficiently transferred from Precision BioSciences when TG Therapeutics obtained global rights for azer-cel for autoimmune diseases in January 2024. With our new partnership, we will continue to support the development of azer-cel to expand the application to autoimmune diseases.”

MaxCyte’s ExPERT™ instrument portfolio is the next generation of leading, clinically and commercially validated electroporation technology for complex and scalable cell engineering. By delivering high transfection efficiency and cell viability, seamless scalability and enhanced functionality, the ExPERT™ platform delivers the high-end performance essential to enabling the next wave of biological and cellular therapeutics.

About MaxCyte
At MaxCyte, we pursue cell engineering excellence to maximize the potential of cells to improve patients’ lives. We have spent more than 25 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 platform, 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 X and LinkedIn.

About TG Therapeutics
TG Therapeutics is a fully integrated, commercial stage, biopharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition, development, and commercialization of novel treatments for B-cell diseases. In addition to a research pipeline including several investigational medicines, TG Therapeutics has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for BRIUMVI^® (ublituximab-xiiy) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, as well as approval by the European Commission (EC) and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for BRIUMVI to treat adult patients with RMS who have active disease defined by clinical or imaging features in Europe and the United Kingdom, respectively. For more information, visit tgtherapeutics.com, and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and on LinkedIn.

MaxCyte Contacts:

US IR Adviser
Gilmartin Group
David Deuchler, CFA
+1 415-937-5400
ir@maxcyte.com

US Media Relations
Spectrum Science
Jordan Vines
jvines@spectrumscience.com
+1 540-629-3137

Nominated Adviser and Joint Corporate Broker
Panmure Liberum
Emma Earl / Freddy Crossley
Corporate Broking
Rupert Dearden
+44 (0)20 7886 2500

UK IR Adviser
ICR Healthcare
Mary-Jane Elliott
Chris Welsh
+44 (0)203 709 5700
maxcyte@icrhealthcare.com

TG Therapeutics Contact:

Investor Relations
Email: ir@tgtxinc.com
Telephone: 1.877.575.TGTX (8489), Option 4

Media Relations
Email: media@tgtxinc.com
Telephone: +1 877-575-TGTX (8489), Option 6

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements.

Risks and uncertainties related to our business are described in greater detail in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 12, 2024, as well as in discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in the other filings that we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2024. These documents are available through the Investor Menu, Financials section, under “SEC Filings” on the Investors page of our website at http://investors.maxcyte.com. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on our current beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject based on information available to us as of the date of such press release, and you should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

FAQ

What is the purpose of MaxCyte's (MXCT) strategic platform license with TG Therapeutics?

The license allows TG Therapeutics to use MaxCyte's Flow Electroporation® technology and ExPERT™ platform for developing and commercializing azer-cel, their allogeneic CD19 CAR T cell therapy for autoimmune diseases.

When will TG Therapeutics begin Phase 1 trials for azer-cel using MXCT's technology?

TG Therapeutics is targeting to commence Phase 1 trials in 2025 for progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

What financial benefits will MXCT receive from the TG Therapeutics partnership?

MaxCyte will receive annual licensing fees and program-related revenue, though specific financial terms were not disclosed.

What regulatory approval has TG Therapeutics received for azer-cel using MXCT's technology?

TG Therapeutics has received FDA clearance for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for azer-cel in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.