Helixmith retrieves CAR-T technology from Bluebird Bio

Helixmith said that it has retrieved all CAR-T technology and related rights related to VM801, a chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) therapy targeting TAG-72 antigen, from Bluebird Bio, a U.S biopharmaceutical company.

Helixmith said it has retrieved the rights for its CAR-T therapy VM801 from Bluebird Bio.

The company transferred the technology for VM801 to Bluebird Bio in 2015 and granted exclusive right to use CAR-T technology related to TAG-72, frequently expressed in solid cancers such as colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer.

At the time of technology transfer, Helixmith received a down payment of $1 million from Bluebird Bio.

Since 2019, however, Helixmith had expressed dissatisfaction with the development speed of Bluebird Bio and the intention to develop it directly.

Believing that it could develop the drug faster and better by securing internal capabilities, Helixmith established Cartexell and launched a full-fledged CAR-T cell-based gene therapy business for solid cancer. Since many types of solid tumors express the TAG-72 antigen, the company expects that it will be able to use the candidate as a cancer receptor platform.

“There is no provision calling for the return of the down payment penalty and compensation for damages concerning canceling the technology transfer contract,” the company said. “Bluebird Bio will also return its share for the jointly applied patents.”

Helixmith CEO Yu Seung-shin said, “This retrieval of development rights from Bluebird Bio for VM801 is meaningful as CAR-T cell therapy is a fourth-generation anticancer agent receiving global attention.”