Vertex Invests $42 Million in AbbVie Partnership for ‘Next-Generation T Cells’

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is partnering with AbCellera to develop next-generation T-cell engagers, accelerating efforts to diversify its business structure centered on cystic fibrosis.

According to BioPharma Dive on the 29th local time, Vertex said it had entered into a partnership with AbCellera under which it will pay $28 million in upfront fees. AbCellera may receive future milestone payments and sales royalties.

Under the agreement, AbCellera will lead the early discovery and development of drug candidates targeting autoimmune diseases and other conditions. Vertex will fund all research and development costs and retain commercialization rights.

The partnership comes amid active business development involving multispecific antibody drugs that act on both immune cells and disease targets, particularly T-cell engagers. T-cell engagers have been approved for the treatment of some blood cancers, but their applications have been limited.

Recently, the pharmaceutical industry has been actively developing treatments for autoimmune diseases designed to eliminate defective B cells. These therapies are attracting attention as alternatives to personalized cell therapies, and major pharmaceutical companies including UCB, Merck, Sanofi and Gilead are also expanding their investments in the field.

For Vertex, the agreement offers an opportunity to reduce its reliance on its cystic fibrosis business, which generates more than $10 billion in annual revenue. Vertex has achieved significant success in the area but has struggled to replicate that performance in other disease areas.

Two years ago, Vertex acquired Alpine Immune Sciences to secure an autoimmune disease pipeline. More recently, it expanded into endocrine diseases by acquiring Crinetics Pharmaceuticals for $10 billion.