What's Happening?
Regeneron has decided to discontinue the development of its CAR T candidate, bbT369, which was intended for the treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This decision marks a strategic
shift for the company, as the candidate was in early-stage development and was set to enter Phase II trials. The move is part of a broader trend in the cell therapy space, where several companies have recently exited or scaled back their investments. Despite this discontinuation, Regeneron maintains its commitment to cell therapy, having previously acquired 2seventy bio’s pipeline, including bbT369, for $5 million upfront. The acquisition also included other assets like SC-DARIC33, a CAR T therapy for acute myeloid leukemia, and a T cell receptor therapy for solid tumors.
Why It's Important?
The discontinuation of bbT369 reflects the challenges and strategic recalibrations occurring within the cell therapy industry. Regeneron's decision underscores the financial and developmental hurdles faced by companies in this sector. The move could impact stakeholders, including patients awaiting new treatments, investors in biotech firms, and the broader pharmaceutical industry, which is witnessing a shift in focus towards more promising or financially viable therapies. The decision also highlights the competitive and rapidly evolving nature of the biotech landscape, where companies must continuously assess the viability of their pipelines.
What's Next?
Regeneron will likely continue to focus on its remaining cell therapy assets, such as SC-DARIC33, which is currently in Phase I trials. The company may also explore new partnerships or acquisitions to bolster its cell therapy portfolio. Industry observers will be watching to see how Regeneron navigates the challenges in the cell therapy space and whether it can successfully bring other therapies to market. Additionally, the broader industry may see further consolidation or strategic shifts as companies reassess their positions in the cell therapy market.
Beyond the Headlines
The decision by Regeneron and similar moves by other companies like Takeda and Novo Nordisk may signal a broader reevaluation of the cell therapy market's potential. Ethical considerations, such as patient access to innovative treatments and the allocation of research funding, may also come into play as companies prioritize certain therapies over others. The long-term impact on innovation and patient outcomes will depend on how the industry adapts to these strategic shifts.
