The companies will develop, manufacture, and commercialize new immune cell therapies for patients with CLDN18.2-positive cancers using Gracell's immune cell therapy experience and FutureGen's fully human CLDN18.2 antibodies.

"The fine-tuned affinity of [the] antibody for CAR-T application may eliminate CLDN18.2 positive tumor cells more specifically with better safety profile," stated FutureGen CEO Dr. Zhaoyu Jin in a release.

Under the agreement, FutureGen will receive an upfront payment and will be eligible to receive additional payments based on the achievement of nonclinical validation, clinical development, and commercialization milestones, in addition to low-single-digit royalties.

Gracell advances study, signs cell therapy deal
Gracell Biotechnologies has moved ahead with a cancer treatment research study and has signed a deal to manufacture its cell therapy products.

Gracell secures funding to advance CAR T therapies
Gracell Biotechnologies has secured $100 million in series C funding to expand its chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies.