Xcyte sells T cell expansion technology 'Xcellerate Process' to Invitrogen for $5 million

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Dec. 15 - Xcyte Therapies, Inc. and Invitrogen Corp. announced Thursday that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Invitrogen to acquire Xcyte's T cell expansion technology, known as the "Xcellerate Process."

The acquired assets will include intellectual property, the clinical data generated by Xcyte in the course of six clinical trials of its lead product, Xcellerated T Cells, as well as raw materials and equipment, according to a company news release.

Invitrogen pay $5 million in cash to Xcyte, officials said.

In addition, Xcyte said it is entitled to receive a percentage of any sublicensing revenue Invitrogen derives from the further licensing of Xcyte's intellectual property for therapeutic purposes, subject to certain minimum revenue requirements.

The agreement was made in conjunction with Xcyte's plan to pursue new strategies through a merger with Dundee, Scotland-based Cyclacel Group plc to form a biotechnology company focused on small-molecule cancer therapies. The merger also was announced Thursday.

"Xcyte has had a long and productive collaboration with Dynal Biotech for the production of Xcyte Dynabeads, the proprietary magnetic bead Xcyte has used to expand and activate T cells for potential therapeutic indications in oncology and infectious disease," Robert L. Kirkman, acting president and chief executive officer of Xcyte, said in the release.

"With Xcyte's decision earlier this year to pursue a new strategic direction and Invitrogen's acquisition of Dynal, Invitrogen was our first choice to acquire the Xcellerate Technology."

Invitrogen, based in Carlsbad, Calif., provides products and services that support academic and government research institutions and pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide.

Xcyte is a Seattle pharmaceutical company focused on research and development of therapies that harness the power of the immune system to treat cancer and other serious illnesses.

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