Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised Cell Medica Limited on a research collaboration agreement and associated option and licence agreement with University College London (UCL) and UCL Business Plc (UCLB) to develop cutting-edge cellular immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer.

"This innovative and exclusive collaboration is at the forefront of cell technology," said Alexandra Pygall, partner, Stephenson Harwood. "Our role advising on this complex transaction demonstrates our ability to support clients from the life sciences sector by combining our practice expertise with a deep understanding of the industry."

Cell Medica specialises in developing, manufacturing and commercialising personalised cellular immunotherapies for infectious disease and cancer. The research and early stage development work will be led by Professor Hans Stauss and Professor Emma Morris at UCL. Cell Medica will support the product development work with its substantial experience in manufacturing clinical-grade cell therapies and establishing robust production processes suitable for industrial scale-up. The research collaboration will focus on the genetic modification of T-cells, cells essential for human immunity, through engineering the T-cell receptor and enhancing T-cell functionality.  Cell Medica has an exclusive option from UCLB to acquire an exclusive licence of the technology and products arising from the collaboration for later-stage clinical development and commercialisation.

Cell Medica has paid an up-front fee and will make additional payments to exercise its exclusive option to license future products. UCL is eligible to receive further payments related to clinical, regulatory and sales milestones, as well as single digit royalties.

The Stephenson Harwood team was led by London-based partner Alexandra Pygall and included senior associate Naomi Leach.