Lineage Cell Therapeutics receives iPSC line from Factor Bioscience

Lineage Cell Therapeutics (LCTX) announced the receipt of an induced pluripotent stem cell line containing hypoimmunity edits, from Factor Bioscience. Generation of the line marks a milestone in the strategic collaboration between the two companies, under which Factor developed a proprietary, genetically engineered iPSC line that Lineage can utilize for differentiation into certain cell transplant product candidates. The novel cell line contains edits which are expected to support non-immune privileged and/or non-human leukocyte antigen matched indications and includes an additional disease-specific edit with the potential to further differentiate this cell line from other cell therapies. Acceptance of the line triggered a success payment from Lineage to Factor as reimbursement for Factor’s development efforts to date. Factor remains eligible for an additional payment from Lineage subject to Lineage’s entry into an exclusive license to utilize the line. Lineage’s decision to proceed with the program will be based on further performance criteria and the outcome of additional testing, including the evaluation of the line for its ability to adapt to Lineage’s proprietary cell expansion manufacturing platform, the AlloSCOPE platform.