Autolus Business Outlook
Autolus Business Outlook
Syncona Ltd, a leading healthcare company focused on founding, building and funding a portfolio of global leaders in life science, today notes that its portfolio company, Autolus Therapeutics (Autolus) will provide a business outlook for 2021 and 2022.
Focus on AUTO1 programme
Autolus has taken the decision to prioritise the development of the AUTO1 programme for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) based on the positive data that the programme has generated in its Phase 1/2 studies to date and the high unmet medical need in adult ALL. The Phase 1b/2 pivotal study for the AUTO1 programme is under way and the company plans to provide a full data read out from the study in CY2022.
Over the next six months, we anticipate that Martin Murphy will work closely alongside the senior leadership team of Autolus as they progress the AUTO1 programme through to its pivotal trial.
Plan to partner AUTO3 programme
Autolus plans to seek partnership opportunities to fund additional clinical development plans for AUTO3, in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), currently in a Phase 1/2 trial, before progressing the programme into the next phase of development.
Reducing costs
In light of Autolus’ decision to focus and prioritise the development of the AUTO1 programme, the company is taking decisive action in Q1 2021 to reduce its overall headcount by approximately 20 per cent. The company expects to realise cost savings, on an annualised basis, of approximately $15 million once the operational changes are fully implemented.
Senior leadership
Autolus also announced a reorganisation of its management team. David Brochu was promoted to Chief Technology Officer (CTO) with expanded responsibilities from Senior Vice President, Product Delivery. Senior Vice Presidents Dr. Adam Hacker and Dr. Nushmia Khokhar will be leaving the company in Q1 2021. A search for a new Chief Medical Officer is ongoing.
Pipeline programmes
The company will continue to build and leverage its platform and capability to progress its pipeline of next generation programmes in paediatric ALL (AUTO1/22) and peripheral T Cell Lymphoma (AUTO4) (which are currently in clinical trials), and multiple myeloma (AUTO8), neuroblastoma (AUTO6NG), peripheral T Cell Lymphoma (AUTO5) and prostate cancer (AUTO7) (which are currently in pre-clinical development).
Martin Murphy, CEO of Syncona Investment Management Limited and Director of Autolus, said: “We believe the AUTO1 programme for the treatment of adult ALL has the potential to be a stand-alone treatment for patients in an area of high unmet medical need and are fully supportive of Autolus’ decision to prioritise this programme. The decisions to implement cost savings and ensure operational focus by looking to partner the AUTO3 programme, are important to ensure delivery of the AUTO1 programme and advance the company closer to commercialisation. Our strategy is to work closely with our portfolio companies and support them as they navigate clinical, financial and operational risks and fund them
over the long-term as they seek to take products to approval. We look forward to continuing to support Autolus as they seek to deliver this ambition.”
A copy of the full Autolus announcement will be available at: https://www.autolus.com/investor-relations/news-and-events/press-releases.
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