Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Pharmaceuticals
December 16, 2021

Otsuka and Rebirthel Sign Licensing Agreement for iPSC-derived CAR-T / TCR-T Production Technology

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) announces that it entered into an exclusive commercial licensing agreement with Rebirthel Co., Ltd. (Rebirthel) for their technologies on CAR-T/TCR-T genetically engineered cell production using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The agreement covers multiple therapeutic areas worldwide.

Rebirthel is a venture company that aims to develop cancer immunotherapies using technology that enables T cells to be regenerated from pluripotent stem cells such as iPS cells. The technology was developed by Professor Hiroshi Kawamoto at the Laboratory of Immunology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University.

Otsuka has been conducting joint research with Professor Kawamoto's laboratory at Kyoto University on iPS cell-derived CAR-T production technology. Last year, Otsuka also signed a research licensing agreement with Rebirthel for research use of iPS cell-derived CAR-T/TCR-T production technology.

Under the terms of the commercial licensing agreement, Otsuka will be granted an exclusive license from Rebirthel to use the technology for the generation of iPS cell-derived CAR-T/TCR-T for commercial use in multiple therapy areas. Otsuka will pay Rebirthel an upfront payment, development milestone payments and royalties based on sales.

Otsuka is engaged in the research and clinical development of autologous CAR-T/TCR-T therapies. In parallel with these efforts, Otsuka will continue to research and develop allogeneic CAR-T and TCR-T therapies that may enable rapid administration using the technology licensed under this agreement