Roche plans to acquire the biopharmaceutical company Poseida Therapeutics to expand its offering in fields of oncology, immunology and neurology. The Basel-based pharmaceutical company is investing around $1 billion, or approximately €950 million, in the acquisition. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025.
Poseida Therapeutics specializes in CAR-T cell therapies. The R&D portfolio of the San Diego-based pharmaceutical company includes preclinical and clinical CAR-T therapies for various indications. These include the treatment of hematological malignancies, solid tumors and autoimmune diseases, as well as manufacturing capabilities and technology platforms.
Roche and Poseida Therapeutics are already collaborating since 2022
The acquisition builds on the existing partnership between Roche and Poseida, which is based on the 2022 collaboration and license agreement. It focuses on the development of serial production CAR-T cell therapies to address the medical needs of patients with hematological cancers.
CAR-T cell therapies with improved efficacy and favorable tolerability
The shared vision of Poseida, Roche and Roche subsidiary Genentech is to deliver the next generation of CAR-T cell therapies. It includes improved efficacy and favorable safety at a scale that potentially reaches more patients and enables broad commercial use. “This exciting acquisition will allow us to drive further progress in allogeneic cell therapy while leveraging the successful existing partnership with Poseida,” says Levi Garraway, Head of Product Development and Chief Medical Officer at Roche. “We are very encouraged by the early clinical data, and this acquisition builds on our joint progress to catalyse the development of potentially first and best-in-class cell therapies in oncology, immunology and neurology.”
Upon closing, Roche will have access to the GMP manufacturing capabilities and other assets of Poseida's R&D portfolio, as well as their know-how and expertise. It includes, but is not limited to, an allogeneic CAR-T program currently in phase 1 for the treatment of solid tumors. Additionally, it also includes preclinical candidates for genomics and related technologies. The current employees of Poseida will be integrated into the Roche Group as part of the Roche Pharma division.
Roche is focused on discovering and developing breakthrough medicines
“Our interest in cell therapy is directly tied to our commitment to discovering and developing pioneering medicines with substantial patient benefit,” adds Aviv Regev, Head of Genentech Research & Early Development. “We are excited to bring together cutting-edge scientific approaches and expertise to tap into the full transformative potential of cell therapy.”
