TxCell SA, a biotechnology company developing, and Inserm Transfert, on behalf of Inserm, the Nantes University (Nantes, France) and the Nantes CHU, announce the signature of an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement.

As per the terms of this agreement, TxCell has been granted an exclusive worldwide license to two patent families filed by the Center for Research in Transplantation and Immunology (CRTI), a center of excellence in the field of transplantation and immunology. The CRTI is a research unit (UMR 1064) affiliated to both Inserm, a French public organization dedicated to human health, and to the Nantes University (Nantes, France).

These patents cover a new type of regulatory T cells (Tregs) that express the CD8 marker. This is opposed to traditionally known Tregs that express CD4 such as the Type 1 Tregs and FoxP3+ Tregs. Specifically, these CD8+ Tregs are non-cytotoxic and display a unique and highly immunosuppressive mechanism of action. This mechanism is mediated through the release of cytokines with anti-inflammatory and tolerogenic (inducing immune tolerance) properties. As a result, CD8+ Tregs could offer a different and complementary approach to treat inflammatory disorders, including autoimmunity and transplant rejection. In addition, these patents also cover CAR-Treg cells made from these CD8+ Tregs.

The CRTI team, which is led by Ignacio Anegon and Carole Guillonneau, has already demonstrated the efficacy of these CD8+ Treg cell population in several preclinical models of inflammation including heart allograft, human skin transplant rejection and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in mice with humanized immune systems. In these models, the administration of CD8+ Treg cells has been shown to prevent the occurrence of skin graft rejection and GvHD, respectively. As per the terms of the agreement announced, TxCell now has exclusive worldwide rights to both these patent families for all autoimmune diseases and transplantation-related disorders.

"Regulatory T cells are composed of several subpopulations that act through complementary modes of action to prevent or treat inflammatory disorders. TxCell’s unparalleled patent estate is focused on therapeutic Treg cells and already covers type 1 Treg cells and CAR-Treg cells. TxCell, by obtaining an exclusive license on patents covering a new CD8+ Treg cell subpopulation, adds a new pillar to its patent portfolio and further strengthens TxCell’s position as the international Treg leading expert," said Arnaud Foussat, senior vice president, corporate development and head of external collaborations & alliance management of TxCell. "This is the fifth academic agreement signed in 2016. Specifically, this license enables TxCell to develop new types of cell therapy products, composed of CD8+ Treg cells, including CAR-CD8+ Tregs, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases as well as transplant-related disorders with high unmet medical need."


"It is a great satisfaction for Inserm Transfert to be involved in such a major technology transfer and to complete it successfully. This license agreement is the first step towards future collaborations with TxCell," said Pascale Augé, president of board of Inserm Transfert.

Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Founded in 2000, Inserm Transfert SA is the private subsidiary of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). Inserm Transfert is dedicated to technology and knowledge transfer of Inserm’s laboratories innovations, from scouting of invention disclosure to industrial partnership.

Founded in 1964, the French National Institute of Health and Medical research (Inserm) is a public science and technology institute that supports more than 300 laboratories across France and include nearly 15,000 researchers, engineers, technicians, post-doctoral fellow, students.

The Center for Research in Transplantation and Immunology (CRTI) is a research unit (UMR 1064) affiliated to INSERM and Nantes University.

TxCell is a biotechnology company that develops platforms for innovative, personalized T cell immunotherapies for the treatment of severe chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with high unmet medical need.