Bristol Myers Squibb Expands Partnership with Cellares in $380 Million Deal
April 22, 2024
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has reinforced its collaboration with Cellares by signing a $380 million agreement, securing exclusive access to automated CAR-T cell therapy manufacturing units across the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Building on an initial $255 million investment in Cellares’ Series C funding, this deal aims to enhance BMS’s production capabilities for its CAR-T therapies, Breyanzi and Abecma, both approved in 2021 but hampered by production delays. The partnership will leverage Cellares’ Cell Shuttle platform and the newly introduced Cell Q system, which promises a highly efficient, automated production process capable of handling 6,000 batches annually. These technologies reduce labor and space costs by 90% and batch costs by 50% compared to traditional methods. With facilities planned in South San Francisco, Bridgewater, and future sites in Europe and Japan, this alliance marks a significant step towards meeting the global escalating demand for cell therapies.
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[Source: Fierce Pharma, April 22nd, 2024]
