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Syncona Ltd on Friday said portfolio company Autolus Therapeutics PLC achieved the primary endpoint in the clinical trial of its treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Syncona is a London-based investor in healthcare companies. Autolus Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation programmed T cell therapies.
Syncona said Autolus Therapeutics hit its target of a 70% overall remission rate in the phase 2 Felix clinical trial of the cell therapy obecabtagene autoleucel, or obe-cel, in adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which analysed 50 patients with a morphological disease.
Meeting the primary endpoint goal has triggered a $35.0 million payment from investment firm Blackstone Life Sciences, with Autolus also due an additional UD35.0 million payment from Blackstone as a result of the completion of planned activities supporting the obe-cel manufacturing process.
Enrolment is now complete for the initial target cohort, meeting the goal of 90 patients enrolled. This cohort is set to form the basis of a Biological Licence Application submission to the US Food & Drug Administration by the end of 2023.
‘The data is consistent with what was previously presented in the Allcar19 academic study, underlining the potential of obe-cel as a drug which can provide meaningful impact for patients suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, whilst also showing a very positive safety profile in a last line setting,’ said Martin Murphy, chief executive officer & chair of Syncona Investment Management Ltd.
Syncona also noted Autolus has priced its public offering in the US of 75.0 million American depositary shares at $2.00 each, raising $150.0 million. Syncona will invest $28.0 million in the offering, retaining an 18.5% stake in Autolus, which is worth £54.8 million.
Syncona shares were up 0.4% to 181.88 pence on Friday morning in London.
By Jaskeet Briah, Alliance News reporter
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