Cell Genesys Announces Sale Of Lentiviral Gene Delivery Technology For $12 Million
South San Francisco, CA & Greenwich, CT - Cell Genesys, Inc. and GBP IP, LLC, an affiliate of GBP Capital, the majority shareholder in privately held Lentigen Corporation, today announced that the two companies have entered into an asset sale agreement relating to Cell Genesys' lentiviral gene delivery technology, commonly referred to as lentiviral vectors. Pursuant to the agreement, Cell Genesys has received a payment of $12 million from GBP IP, LLC in exchange for all intellectual property and previously established licensing agreements relating to its lentiviral gene delivery technology. Cell Genesys will retain rights to use the technology for research and development purposes, including potential future use with cancer immunotherapy products.
"We are pleased to have entered into this agreement with GBP IP, LLC and Lentigen, a leader in the field of lentiviral gene delivery technology, and wish them every success in the further development of this important technology," stated Robert Tidwell, senior vice president of corporate development at Cell Genesys. "This agreement reflects Cell Genesys' ongoing commitment and ability to leverage its non-core business assets and in so doing build shareholder value."
Over the years, Cell Genesys has successfully leveraged its non-core business assets through strategic spin outs and outlicensing agreements. In 1996, Cell Genesys spun out its antibody technology creating Abgenix, a company that was acquired in 2005 by Amgen for approximately $2.6 billion. In 2001, Cell Genesys launched Ceregene, a privately held company that is focused on developing gene therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. Cell Genesys currently holds approximately 16 percent ownership in Ceregene. In addition, Cell Genesys has outlicensed various non-core technologies including other gene delivery technology and gene activation technology resulting in over $60 million in non-dilutive financing.
"We are pleased to initiate the intellectual property portfolio of GBP IP with this premiere set of lentiviral vector intellectual property assets from Cell Genesys," commented GBP Capital's managing partner, Dr. Douglas Lind. "Cell Genesys has been at the forefront of lentiviral vector technology development. This technology shows great promise to impact the fields of vaccine manufacturing, protein production, cell and gene therapy, and RNA interference."
Management of the portfolio, including patent prosecution and license management, has been assigned to Lentigen Corporation. Dr. Lind further added, "Lentigen's technical prominence in the field and its collaborative business strategy make it well suited to rapidly leverage the value of the Cell Genesys portfolio." Parties with interest in further information may contact Dr. Greg Feulner at Lentigen.
"We are delighted that Lentigen will be able to develop and commercialize Cell Genesys' lentiviral vector IP estate," commented Lentigen's Founder and CEO Dr. Boro Dropulic. "Lentiviral vector technology has enormous potential as research and drug discovery tools, a manufacturing platform for biologics, and for the development of novel genetic therapies. We intend to develop this technology in each of these areas in collaboration with our existing and future partners." Dr. Dropulic further added, "With this acquisition GBP Capital continues to demonstrate remarkable vision and commitment to the future of cell and gene therapy."
SOURCE: Cell Genesys, Inc. & GBP IP, LLC