AstraZeneca, Quell sign $2bln cell therapies agreement

AstraZeneca has signed an agreement with Quell Therapeutics worth two billion dollars on Friday, to develop cell therapies that could cure autoimmune diseases.

The agreement aims to develop, produce, and commercialise engineered T-regulator (Treg) cell therapies, which have the potential to treat type one diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.

“We are proud and incredibly excited to partner our leading science with the deep experience of AstraZeneca to accelerate the application of our Treg cell therapy platform in major autoimmune disease,” said Iain McGill, chief executive of UK-based Quell.

Quell will be receiving $85 million upfront from AstraZeneca, and is eligible to receive two billion dollars for further development and commercialisation milestones.