Kite, part of Gilead Sciences, and Appia Bio, a Los Angeles, California-based bio/pharmaceutical company developing engineered allogeneic cell therapies from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), have entered into a collaboration and license agreement to research and develop HSC-derived cell therapies directed toward hematological malignancies, in deal worth up to $875 million.

Under the partnership, Kite and Appia Bio will develop chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered invariant natural killer T (CAR-iNKT) cells using Appia Bio’s proprietary ACUA technology platform for allogeneic cell therapies. The ACUA technology platform applies the biology of lymphocyte development to generate CAR-iNKT cells from HSCs.

Under the agreement, Appia Bio will be responsible for preclinical and early clinical research of two HSC-derived CAR-iNKT product candidates engineered with CARs provided by Kite. Appia Bio will receive an upfront payment, an equity investment, and additional milestone payments for a total value of up to $875 million as well as tiered royalties. Kite will be responsible for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the product candidates identified through the collaboration.

Source: Gilead Sciences and Appia Bio