Allogene Therapeutics and MD Anderson Announce Strategic Collaboration to Accelerate Advancement of Allogeneic CAR T Therapy

Allogene Therapeutics, Inc. a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of allogeneic CAR T (AlloCAR T™) therapies for cancer, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today announced a strategic five-year collaboration agreement for the preclinical and clinical investigation of AlloCAR T candidates across Allogene’s broad portfolio of hematologic and solid tumors.

“MD Anderson’s expertise in innovative clinical trials and well established translational research infrastructure will provide unique insights that will help expedite the development of AlloCAR T therapies,” said Rafael Amado, M.D., Executive Vice President of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer of Allogene. “Coupled with Allogene’s cell therapy expertise, we believe this institution-industry alliance could play an important role in bringing this next revolution in oncology treatment to patients.”

Under the agreement, MD Anderson and Allogene will collaborate on the design and conduct of preclinical and clinical studies with oversight from a joint steering committee. Allogene will provide funding, developmental candidates, and other support. Responsibility for regulatory filings will be agreed upon by the joint steering committee.

“We share Allogene’s commitment to advancing novel therapies that will translate into effective treatments for cancer patients,” said Christopher Flowers, M.D., ad interim division head of Cancer Medicine and chair of Lymphoma and Myeloma at MD Anderson. “This collaboration will enable us to work together closely to advance allogeneic cell therapies to better address significant unmet medical needs for patients across the spectrum of oncologic diseases.”