Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PR Newswire - 10 Oct 1995
The initial focus of the collaboration is research and development of gene therapy technologies and products for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Hoechst Marion Roussel will develop and market products from this collaboration on a worldwide basis, with Cell Genesys retaining an option to co-promote them in North America. The parties can agree to extend the agreement to additional applications in the future.
"This collaboration will place Hoechst Marion Roussel at the forefront of the emerging technologies of gene therapy, an innovative approach that could contribute significantly to the treatment of AIDS and other life-threatening diseases in the future," said Jean-Pierre Godard, global head of Hoechst Marion Roussel.
Cell Genesys (Nasdaq-NNM: CEGE) is a publicly traded biotech company with 140 employees. Hoechst Marion Roussel will purchase about 13 percent of Cell Genesys' outstanding common stock for $20 million and will provide up to $30 million in milestone payments and research funding. In addition, Hoechst Marion Roussel will pay approximately $100 million for the successful development of a gene therapy product. Of these amounts, more than $50 million is committed over the next two years.
The scientific basis for the collaboration involves genetic engineering of killer T cells, which play an important role in the human immune system by eliminating virally infected or otherwise defective cells. In AIDS patients, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) kills these T cells, preventing them from helping to protect the body. Cell Genesys is genetically modifying killer T cells with new surface receptor genes, thus enabling the T cells to selectively destroy virally infected cells and potentially making the cells resistant to HIV. A human clinical trial involving pairs of identical twins, one healthy and one infected with HIV, is under way at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In each pair, T cells are taken from the healthy twin and genetically engineered to receive T cell receptor genes, then injected into the twin infected with HIV. Next year, an autologous T cell clinical trial is planned, in which T cells from HIV- infected patients will be extracted, genetically modified and then reinjected into the same patient.
Currently, the treatment and expansion of T cells ex vivo (outside the body) takes several weeks and could potentially be performed in cell processing centers operated by Cell Genesys, Hoechst Marion Roussel and/or other partners. The long-term objective of the collaboration is to render such centers no longer necessary by creating Universal Donor Cells with the desired anti-HIV characteristics that will not be rejected by the recipient and therefore can be prepared in advance, stored, given to any patient and marketed in ways similar to a traditional pharmaceutical product.
Hoechst Marion Roussel also brings to the collaboration know-how and results of research in modified T cells obtained at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), affiliated with Harvard medical school, as part of the long term program in molecular biology funded by Hoechst.
Hoechst Marion Roussel, a world leader in pharmaceutical-based health care, is dedicated to extending and enhancing human life through the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical products. Hoechst Marion Roussel is a member of the Hoechst Group.
NOTE TO EDITORS: To receive a copy of this release or any recent release via fax, call Hoechst Marion Roussel's automated news fax line at 1-800-556-7422, or 816-966-3434
CONTACT: David M. Thompson or Charles F. Rouse III, of Hoechst Marion Roussel, 816-966-4000
(CEGE)
COMPANY NAME: HOECHST MARION ROUSSEL, INC.; CELL GENESYS, INC. TICKER SYMBOL: CEGE (NDQ) PRODUCT: MEDICAL SCIENCE, PHARMACEUTICALS (MTC) STATE: MISSOURI (MO) SECTION HEADING: BUSINESS
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