TL;DR:
- MD Anderson acquires cell therapy safety technology from Bellicum Pharmaceuticals.
- The acquisition includes CaspaCIDe switch platform, GoCAR platform, and clinical-grade stocks of rimiducid.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has acquired certain assets from Bellicum Pharmaceuticals related to cell therapy safety technology. The acquisition includes the CaspaCIDe switch platform, the GoCAR platform, and clinical-grade stocks of rimiducid. MD Anderson plans to use the CaspaCIDe technology as a safety feature in cell therapies by incorporating an inducible enzyme that triggers programmed cell death when necessary. The institution also intends to make the technology available to other academic institutions and biopharmaceutical companies through non-exclusive licenses. The acquisition eliminates certain financial obligations under previous licensing agreements with MD Anderson. The technology has potential applications in limiting treatment-related toxicities and improving patient safety in cell therapies targeting various conditions.