Novartis, a pharmaceutical company, has developed technology that accelerates the manufacturing process of personalized cancer cell therapies. To further enhance their capabilities, Novartis is partnering with Legend Biotech to leverage their cell therapies. This partnership involves an upfront payment of $100 million from Novartis to obtain global rights for manufacturing and commercializing Legend’s cell therapies. Legend has previously collaborated with Johnson & Johnson to gain FDA approval for Carvykti, a CAR T-therapy used to treat multiple myeloma. The central asset in the Novartis deal is LB2102, a Legend cell therapy that targets a protein called delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3), which is abundant in multiple cancer cells but rarely found in healthy cells. LB2102 is currently undergoing a Phase 1 test for treating lung cancers, specifically extensive stage small cell lung cancer and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung.
Novartis and Legend’s collaboration aims to address the time-consuming manufacturing process of personalized cancer cell therapies and expand their potential to target solid tumors. Novartis’s T-Charge platform enables the expansion of T cells within the patient’s body, preserving their stemness and improving their ability to proliferate. The partnership also offers Legend the opportunity to monetize its DLL3 program earlier in development, while Novartis gains access to groundbreaking cell therapies. With milestone payments potentially reaching $1.01 billion and the possibility of earning royalties from future sales, Legend’s valuation is tied to the success of the J&J-partnered Carvykti. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in the development of innovative treatment options for cancer patients, particularly those with small cell lung cancer.
