Juno Therapeutics Reports Exclusive Collaboration Deal with Editas Medicine for Creation of Next-Gen CAR T, TCR Cell Therapies

Juno Therapeutics, Inc., a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on re-engaging the body's immune system to revolutionize the treatment of cancer, and Editas Medicine, a leader in genome editing, today announced an exclusive collaboration focused on creating chimeric antigen receptor (CAR T) and high-affinity T cell receptor (TCR) therapies to treat cancer. The companies will pursue three research programs together utilizing Editas' genome editing technologies, including CRISPR/Cas9, with Juno's CAR and TCR technologies. "Encouraged by the clinical results we have seen to date with our product candidates, we are committed to accessing and investing in leading science to create next generation therapeutics that maximize benefits and increase the breadth of cancers we address," said Hans Bishop, CEO, Juno Therapeutics. "Editas' disruptive genome editing technology may unlock the ability of CAR T and TCR technologies to address a much wider range of cancers, giving hope to countless patients and families waiting for treatments." "We are impressed and inspired by the scope and sophistication of Juno's scientific vision and the exceptional product development experience of the Juno team," said Katrine Bosley, CEO, Editas Medicine. "They are intensely focused on advancing T cell based therapies for cancer patients, and we share their ambition to significantly expand the types of cancers that can be treated with this approach." Under the terms of the agreement, Juno will pay Editas an upfront payment of $25 million and up to $22 million in research support over the next five years across the three programs in the alliance. Editas is also eligible to receive future research, regulatory, and commercial sales milestones in excess of $230 million for each program. Following the approval of any products resulting from the alliance, Editas is also eligible to receive tiered royalties.