PFF Group NV acquires stake in Autolus Therapeutics

PFF’s new investment, Autolus Therapeutics plc engineers T cells to carry chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) or T cell receptors (TCRs) that home in on  hematological cancers and solid tumours together with on-off switches that allow for better control of the immune reaction triggered by these cell-based cancer therapies. The company currently has four candidates in Phase I/II development: AUTO1 targeting CD19 and AUTO3 targeting CD19/CD22 in B cell malignancies such as acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL); AUTO4 targeting TRBC1in T cell lymphoma, and AUTO6 targeting GD2 in neuroblastoma. Autolus expects AUTO1 to enter a pivotal Phase II study in adults with ALL later this year with an anticipated filing for marketing authorisation in 2021.