Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc today announced it has entered into a strategic licensing and collaboration agreement with Novartis to manufacture and supply the CAR-T cell therapy Kymriah® (tisagenlecleucel) in China. Novartis will be the exclusive holder of the marketing license.

Upon the closing of the licensing and collaboration agreement, CBMG – a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm engaged in the development of immunotherapies for cancer and stem cell therapies for degenerative diseases – will receive $40 million in an equity purchase from Novartis at $27.43/share for approximately 9% equity. Novartis will receive certain royalty-free intellectual property worldwide rights to certain CBMG CAR-T related technology. CBMG will receive a single-digit escalating percentage collaboration payment based on net product sales. CBMG will receive a mark-up from Novartis on the manufacturing cost. CBMG will take the lead in the manufacturing process, and Novartis will lead distribution, regulatory and commercialization efforts in China.

"This collaboration with Novartis reflects our shared commitment to bringing the first marketed CAR-T cell therapy Kymriah, a transformative treatment option currently approved in the United States, European Union and Canada for two difficult-to-treat cancers, to China where the number of patients in need remains the highest in the world," said Tony Liu, Chief Executive Officer, CBMG. "Together with Novartis, we hope to bring the first CAR-T cell therapy to patients in China. In addition, we continue to focus on developing CBMG's pipeline of immuno-oncology assets."

"Novartis is committed to bringing new hope to children and adults who are suffering from aggressive forms of blood cancer and currently have limited therapeutic options.  We are proud to collaborate with CBMG in China to expand our Kymriah manufacturing capabilities and the potential to facilitate safe and seamless delivery of this innovative, one-time treatment to patients in need," said Pascal Touchon, Senior VP and Global Head, Cell & Gene, Novartis Oncology.

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