Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated and TreeFrog Therapeutics today announced that Vertexhas received an exclusive license to TreeFrog's proprietary cell manufacturing technology, C-Stem TM , to... To optimize production of Vertex' cell therapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D). TreeFrog and Vertex will work together to further expand TreeFrog's process for producing and growing cells for Vertex's T1D therapies.

TreeFrog's proprietary technology platform C-Stem™ is designed to mimic the natural microenvironment and enable cells to grow exponentially in 3D. The technology will improve Vertex's ability to generate large quantities of fully differentiated cells for its portfolio of T1D cell therapies.

"Our goal is to transform the treatment of T1D, and our stem cell-derived, fully differentiated islet cell VX-880 Ph 1/2 program has demonstrated this potential," said Dr. Morrey Atkinson , Executive Vice President, Chief Technical Operations Officer , Head of Biopharmaceutical Sciences and Manufacturing Operations, at Vertex. "We look forward to further expanding TreeFrog's C-Stem TM  to increase stem cell production and care for the large number of people with T1D."

“We are pleased to partner with Vertex Pharmaceuticals, the clear leader in cell therapy for T1D. "This is a fantastic opportunity to apply and further develop our C-Stem™ technology for a first-in-class cell therapy treatment that could address a tremendous unmet need," said Frédéric Desdouits, Ph.D., CEO of TreeFrog Therapeutics. "This collaboration with Vertex advances our business strategy to bring world-class cell therapies to millions of people - both through our own therapeutic programs and with world-class partners such as Vertex. We look forward to leveraging TreeFrog's extensive experience in cell therapy production and biology "to combine Vertex's renowned expertise in T1D and cell therapy to make these transformative therapies available to patients."

About the transaction

Under the terms of the agreement, TreeFrog will receive an upfront payment of $25 million, an equity investment from Vertex, and up to $215 million in milestone payments related to the development of a scaled-up process for fully differentiated islet cells. TreeFrog is also eligible to receive an additional $540 million in clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones for up to two future products, as well as tiered single-digit royalties. Vertex will fund all research and development costs related to the collaboration. Vertex will be responsible for all development and commercialization of its cell therapies.

Information about Vertex

Visit www.vrtx.com  or follow us on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , YouTube  and Twitter/X .

About TreeFrog Therapeutics

TreeFrog Therapeutics is a France-based biotech company that aims to provide millions of patients with access to cell therapies. www.treefrog.fr

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, statements made by Morrey Atkinson , Ph.D., and Frédéric Desdouits, Ph.D., in this press release , Statements regarding the terms and expectations of Vertex's collaboration with TreeFrog, potential benefits and outcomes that may be achieved through collaboration to scale TreeFrog's processes to produce and replicate cells for Vertex's T1D therapies, including expectations that the technology will enhance Vertex's ability to generate large quantities of fully differentiated cells, statements regarding the parties' future activities under the collaboration and statements regarding upfront and milestone payments, Vertex's expected equity investment in TreeFrog and potential royalties for future products . Although Vertex believes that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are accurate, these forward-looking statements represent only the Company's beliefs as of the date of this press release and there are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events to differ or results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, that the expected benefits and potential of Vertex's collaboration with TreeFrog may not be achieved when expected or at all, that the data may not support further development of the therapies subject to the collaboration safety, effectiveness or otherwise, and other risks set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in Vertex's annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available on Vertex's website at www. vrtx.com  and the SEC's website at www.sec.gov You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Vertex disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new information becomes available .

(VRTX-GEN)

TreeFrog Therapeutics

Rachel Mooney
Chief Communications Officer
Rachel.mooney@treefrog.fr 

 

Source: prnewswire.com

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