Novartis and Regenerex to collaborate on cell therapy research

Novartis has signed an exclusive global licensing and research collaboration agreement with Regenerex, a leading provider of cell therapy technology.

The agreement will allow Novartis to take advantage of Regenerex's novel Facilitating Cell Therapy (FCRx) platform, a haematopoietic stem cell-based technology offering that has been successfully trialled in kidney transplantation to induce stable immunological tolerance.

It also has curative potential for multiple underserved diseases and will be investigated in the treatment of serious genetic deficiencies, including inherited metabolic storage disorders and haemoglobinopathies.

This will broaden the current Novartis cell therapy portfolio, which currently includes two novel platforms initially being investigated in haematological malignancies.

Dr Timothy Wright, global head of development at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said: "As the field of biomedicine sits on the cusp of a new transformation, we are excited to announce this agreement which supports the Novartis leadership position in cell therapy."

Last week, the company announced that it has received European regulatory approval for Ilaris, its new therapy for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.