BMS and Autolus Therapeutics Ink Collaboration Deal

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and Autolus Therapeutics have inked a collaboration deal over Autolus’ RQR8 safety switch for use in T cell therapies for cancer.

The safety switch is designed to allow the use of pharmacological agents to selectively eliminate a cell therapy in the event a patient experiences severe adverse side effects from the treatment. The focus of the RQR8 safety switch is its use with rituximab, which is used to treat certain types of cancer.

BMS will use the safety switch in an initial set of selected cell therapy programs for treatment of cancer. The deal also allows BMS to include the RQR8 safety switch in additional cell therapy programs.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.