IASO Bio acquires MediSix Therapeutics
What's the deal? IASO Biotechnology has completed its acquisition of MediSix Therapeutics, a Singapore-based immune cell engineering and cell therapy company. The deal integrates MediSix's T-cell engineering platform and pipeline into IASO Bio's manufacturing and commercialization operations. Terms were not disclosed.
What each company does: IASO Bio, based in China, develops cell therapies and has taken a CAR-T therapy from laboratory to commercial approval. MediSix, founded in 2016, was built on the research of Professor Dario Campana, a pioneer of 4-1BB (CD137) co-stimulatory domain CAR technology at the National University of Singapore.
The technology: MediSix's proprietary Protein Expression Blocker (PEBL) platform blocks target proteins on cell surfaces, reducing fratricide among CAR-T cells. That allows targeting of antigens shared between T cells and target cells, aimed at hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and other diseases.
Why now? MediSix's lead programme, IASO107 (formerly PCART7), is in clinical evaluation with international research hospitals, and early experience has shown promising efficacy and safety signals, according to the company. IASO Bio says it will use its cost advantages in manufacturing and clinical development to accelerate that work.
What's the endgame? MediSix has an outstanding scientific team and a differentiated PEBL technology platform, according to IASO Bio CEO Zhang Jinhua. IASO Bio says the acquisition supports its globalization strategy by adding MediSix's international team and research network.
MediSix had been backed by international investors including ClavystBioDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Lightstone VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Osage University PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and EDBIDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. MediSix chairman Mike Carusi said IASO Bio's platform complements MediSix's PEBL platform and T-cell engineering strengths.
The signal: The acquisition points to consolidation in cell therapy, as commercially proven manufacturers absorb specialised research startups to widen their pipelines and expand across borders.
Read more: PR Newswire
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
