comprehensive

Seeking to differentiate itself from other makers of CAR-T cancer therapies, Galapagos NV on Wednesday announced it had struck a deal with Blood Centers of America to open up dozens of manufacturing sites for its cell-based medicines around the U.S.

Galapagos said it will rely on the partnership, the financial terms of which were not disclosed, as it moves its CAR-Ts for different cancers into pivotal studies and could also help launch those medicines should they win approval. The Belgian company framed the collaboration as one that could help overcome the limitations that have held back access to existing CAR-T therapies from other companies.

advertisement

CAR-Ts have proven to be potent treatments for certain cancers, but they are complicated medicines to make. Immune cells have to be removed from a patient, shipped to specialty sites, where they’re engineered with cancer-killing abilities, and then returned to the hospital for infusion back into patients. The process, which can take weeks if not months, has put a crunch on the number of patients companies and hospitals are able to treat.

STAT+ Exclusive Story

Already have an account? Log in

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+.

Already have an account? Log in

Already have an account? Log in

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$30

for 3 months, then $39/month

Then $39/month

Annual

$399

Save 15%

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300 Annually per user

Get unlimited access to award-winning journalism and exclusive events.