Autolus Announces First Data Presentation for an APRIL CAR for Multiple Myeloma at the 2016 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting

– A CAR targeting both BCMA and TACI –

London, 4th December 2016 – Autolus Limited, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of next-generation engineered T-cell therapies for hematological and solid tumors, announced that data was presented today by Dr Lydia Lee, Cancer Institute, University College London (UK), for its novel, dual-targeted, proliferating-inducing ligand (APRIL) Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) at the American Society of Hematology 58th Annual Meeting in San Diego*.

Multiple myeloma samples from 50 patients were analysed for expression of B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI). The expression of both targets ranged from a few hundred receptors to more than 10,000 receptors per cell. APRIL is a natural ligand for both human and murine forms of BCMA and TACI and as APRIL CAR leads to highly efficient killing of cells expressing BCMA or TACI in vitro, while soluble APRIL did not inhibit APRIL CAR activity in vitro. APRIL CAR completely eliminated multiple myeloma in mouse models without any signs of toxicity as analysed by histopathology.

Commenting on the presentation, Professor Paul Richardson, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston said,

“By targeting two antigens, APRIL CAR offers the potential to treat a wider range of multiple myeloma patients as well as reducing the risk of relapse due to antigen escape. In my view this is an exciting approach to an innovative immuno-therapeutic platform.”

The programme is currently in pre-clinical development with a Phase I clinical study expected to start in H1 2017.

– Ends –

*Abstract: #379 https://ash.confex.com/ash/2016/webprogram/Paper92...

Further information:

JW Communications
Julia Wilson
+44 (0)7818 430877
juliawilsonuk@gmail.com

Notes for Editors:

About Autolus

Autolus is a private biopharmaceutical company, focused on the development and commercialisation of engineered T-cell immunotherapy products based on its proprietary T-cell programming technology. Autolus’ shareholders include Syncona LLP, UCL Business PLC, Woodford Investment Management LLP and Arix Bioscience plc. For further information please visit the Company’s website at: www.autolus.com

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects the plasma cells and is the second most commonly diagnosed blood cancer, after non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In multiple myeloma, malignant plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, crowding out the normal plasma cells that help fight infections. These malignant plasma cells then produce abnormal proteins (m protein) which may cause tumors, damage the kidneys, and impair immune system function. In some cases, the malignant cells may cause a single tumor, called a solitary plasmacytoma, but if multiple tumors are formed, then the disease is called multiple myeloma. There are a number of approved therapies to treat the disease but there is currently no cure.