Proactive Investors - AstraZeneca PLC (LON:AZN) is placing an US$85mln bet on the autoimmune cell therapy sector with Quell Therapeutics - its latest licensing partner.
As well as a promising single treatment 'cure' for Type-1 diabetes, Quell is also working on drugs for inflammatory bowel disease.
Its scientists are working on a technology that employs engineered regulatory T (Treg) cell therapies to curtail immune attacks, an approach shared by GentiBio, Kyverna Therapeutics and Sonoma Biotherapeutics.
AstraZeneca's investment paves the way for further exploration of this technology's versatility.
On top of the initial US$85mln, Quell may receive over US$2bn if specific milestones are reached.
The company has already raised approximately US$220mln.