Sail Biomedicines has announced a strategic collaboration with Johnson & Johnson to advance innovative In Vivo Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies that have the potential to improve patient outcomes for immune-mediated diseases.
The collaboration will combine Sail’s AI-driven product design using its proprietary eRNA and targeted nanoparticle platform with Johnson & Johnson’s capabilities in drug development, manufacturing, and commercialisation. The companies will advance Sail’s In Vivo CAR-T programme in autoimmune diseases while pursuing additional programmes that leverage Sail’s product engine to build a portfolio of In Vivo CAR-T medicines designed to drive durable disease remission by resetting the immune system.
Sail has built an integrated product engine with the potential to turn the promise of In Vivo CAR-T into a scalable class of medicines based on pioneering research done in Flagship Labs. By designing eRNA constructs, targeted nanoparticles, and manufacturing as one coordinated system, Sail said it can direct what therapeutic instructions are delivered, which cells receive them, and how long they are expressed.
“We believe In Vivo CAR-T therapies have the potential to create a disruptive paradigm shift — from chronic treatments to potentially curative medicines for patients with immune-mediated diseases,” said John D. Mendlein, executive chairman of Sail Biomedicines and executive partner at Flagship Pioneering.
“Our new class of medicines offers an innovative therapeutic horizon for patients and providers — powerful, accessible, and scalable products. We are thrilled to work with Johnson & Johnson’s scientists and leadership on our shared vision of bringing curative impact to millions of people with immune-mediated diseases.”
Under the terms of the agreements, Johnson & Johnson would make total initial payments of $785m, including a $465m equity investment, and additional payments of $140m dependent on the achievement of certain development milestones. Subject to Johnson & Johnson’s decision to exercise the option, Johnson & Johnson would make an additional payment of $2.58bn.