Novartis partners with Vyriad for in vivo CAR-T therapy

Novartis has entered into a collaboration with Vyriad to pioneer direct cellular engineering, aiming to revolutionize CAR-T cell therapies. This innovative approach could significantly simplify the complex process of modifying T-cells, which is currently done outside the patient's body. Traditional methods require the extraction, genetic modification, and reinfusion of a patient's own cells, a procedure fraught with logistical challenges and high costs.

Jennifer Brogdon, the leader of cell and gene therapies at Novartis Biomedical Research, emphasized the company's dedication to addressing unmet medical needs and expanding the accessibility of CAR-T cell therapies. She highlighted Novartis's role as a trailblazer in the industry, committed to leveraging the transformative potential of these therapies for a broader patient base.

Although the financial specifics of the collaboration remain undisclosed, Vyriad will receive an initial payment and is eligible for additional milestones and tiered royalties based on the progress of the programs. This partnership underscores the shared vision of both companies to advance the field of cellular therapies.

Vyriad has developed a novel lentiviral delivery platform by engineering viral vectors with optimized G proteins. This platform specifically targets T cells and activates them directly within the patient's body. According to Vyriad, this strategy facilitates the delivery of CAR payloads to T cells in their natural state, offering the potential to reprogram dormant T cells into therapeutic agents without the need for their removal from the body.

Vyriad CEO Stephen Russell expressed optimism about the potential of this in vivo approach to transform CAR-T cell therapies. He stated that their targeted delivery platform is well-positioned to realize this transformative vision for the industry, suggesting a promising future for the collaboration between Vyriad and Novartis in advancing cellular therapy.

By focusing on in vivo reprogramming of T cells, the partnership aims to overcome the significant obstacles associated with current CAR-T cell therapy methods. This could lead to more efficient and cost-effective treatments, potentially making these therapies accessible to a larger number of patients. The collaboration signifies a significant step forward in the development of advanced cellular therapies, with the potential to bring about substantial improvements in patient outcomes and expand the reach of life-saving treatments.