Takara Bio has entered into a license and supply agreement with BioNTech Cell & Gene Therapies, Germany, under which Takara grants the company a commercial license to use applicable patents relating to RetroNectin. Under this agreement, it will provide BioNTech with reliable supplies.
The patented technologies licensed to BioNTech are based on the proprietary RetroNectin method, which includes a technology enabling efficient gene transduction to cells by retrovirus/lentivirus vector and expansion of T-cells. The RetroNectin method is one of the mostly used standard protocols utilised for “engineered T-cell therapy”, Takara claims, which includes promising TCR and CAR gene therapies.
Under the agreement BioNTech is allowed to use RetroNectin for production of its cell & gene therapy products, therapies in which a patient’s T cells are genetically engineered to express a CAR for the treatment of multiple solid tumours.
Takara Bio is promoting supply of RetroNectin for the clinical development of engineered T-cell therapy pursued worldwide in recent years.