The Life Sciences team advised bluebird bio on its strategic collaboration with Regeneron to apply their respective technology platforms to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel immune cell therapies for cancer. The collaborators intend to leverage Regeneron's VelociSuite® platform technologies for the discovery and characterization of fully human antibodies as well as T cell receptors (TCRs) directed against tumor-specific proteins and peptides, and bluebird bio will contribute its field-leading expertise in gene transfer and cell therapy.
The collaborators have jointly selected six initial targets and will equally share the costs of research and development up to the point of submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application. Additional targets may be selected over the five-year research collaboration term. Regeneron will also make a $100 million investment in bluebird bio common stock at a price of $238.10 per share, which represents a premium of 59 percent over the $150 closing price at the time of signing.
Bluebird bio has built a pipeline with broad potential application in severe genetic diseases and cancer with its lentiviral-based gene therapies, T cell immunotherapy expertise and gene editing capabilities.
The Goodwin team was led by partners Christopher Denn and Gregg Katz; included associate Emily Beman.
For additional details on the collaboration, please read the press release.