Bayer subsidiary BlueRock Therapeutics, and bit.bio have announced a collaboration to discover and manufacture regulatory T cell (Treg) based therapies.
Under the terms of the agreement, bit.bio will use its machine learning discovery platform to identify transcription factor (TF) combinations for reprogramming iPSCs into Tregs.
The agreement also includes options for BlueRock to license bit.bio’s opti-ox precision cell programming technology to control the expression of TF combinations within Treg cell therapies.
“Tregs play a crucial role in maintaining balance in the body’s immune system and controlling excessive immune reactions,” said Stefan Irion, Chief Scientific Officer of BlueRock Therapeutics. “iPSC-derived Treg based therapies have the potential to treat a broad range of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, and we look forward to collaborating with the bit.bio team to explore how their opti-ox cell programming technology can accelerate our efforts to discover and manufacture Tregs from iPSCs.”
BlueRock will be responsible for the global development and commercialisation of therapeutic candidates emerging from the collaboration. bit.bio will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties on worldwide sales.
“We are delighted to partner with the team at BlueRock, who are world-leaders in iPSC-derived cell therapies, and together address the significant unmet needs of these patients,” said Mark Kotter, CEO of bit.bio. “Today’s announcement marks an important milestone for bit.bio.”
Edited by: Diana Spencer, Senior Digital Content Editor, Drug Discovery World
