Mustang Bio announces expansion of CAR T pipeline into CD20-directed immunotherapies

Mustang has entered into an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (“Fred Hutch”) for the use of a CAR T therapy related to autologous T cells engineered to express a CD20-specific chimeric antigen receptor (“CD20 Technology”).

The CAR T was developed in the laboratory of Oliver Press, M.D., Ph.D., and Brian Till, M.D., in Fred Hutch’s Clinical Research Division.

As part of the transaction, Mustang entered into an investigator-initiated clinical trial agreement to provide partial funding for a Phase 1/2 clinical trial at Fred Hutch evaluating the safety and efficacy of the CD20 Technology in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

The trial is expected to initiate in the fourth quarter of 2017, and will be led by principal investigator Mazyar Shadman, M.D., Assistant Member of Fred Hutch’s Clinical Research Division.

Manuel Litchman, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Mustang, said, “We are thrilled to announce this partnership opportunity that will enable us to expand our CAR T pipeline into CD20-directed immunotherapies targeting B-cell malignancies.

“We look forward to working with the team at Fred Hutch to rapidly advance the promising CD20 Technology to patients in need. With the execution of this agreement, Mustang is now evaluating six novel CAR Ts in clinical and preclinical trials, and we remain focused on expanding our pipeline of compelling CAR T therapies.”

Mustang Bio, Inc., a subsidiary of Fortress Biotech, Inc., is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel cancer immunotherapy products designed to leverage the patient’s own immune system to eliminate cancer cells.

Mustang aims to acquire rights to these technologies by licensing or otherwise acquiring an ownership interest, funding research and development, and outlicensing or bringing the technologies to market. Mustang has partnered with the City of Hope National Medical Center (“COH”) and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in the development of proprietary chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered T cell (CAR T) therapies across many cancers.

Mustang’s lead programs are in Phase 1 clinical trials at COH: MB-101 for the treatment of brain cancer and MB-102 as a therapeutic agent in acute myeloid leukemia. Mustang is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and files periodic reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.