UCL Business plc (London, U.K.) granted Autolus Ltd. (London, U.K.) worldwide rights to develop and commercialize CD19 CAR T cell therapy AUTO1 to treat B cell malignancies.
Autolus said AUTO1 has a binder with an equivalent on-rate and faster off-rate compared with other CD19 CAR therapies, which reduces cytokine release syndrome. CRS is a collection of toxicities that arises when infused T cells expand and cytokines are rapidly released (see BioCentury, April 21, 2014).
AUTO1 is in the Phase I CARPALL study to treat pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the Phase I ALLCAR19 trial to treat adult ALL.
UCL Business is the technology transfer company of University College London.