A New Industry-Academic Model: Novartis And Penn Make A Splash In Cancer Immunotherapy

Novartis’ deal with the University of Pennsylvania around cancer immunotherapies based on chimeric antigen receptor technologies developed in the lab of Penn’s Carl June comes at an opportune time. The Big Pharma is fighting to preserve its number two ranking in oncology and Penn’s high-profile, albeit much smaller, alliance with AstraZeneca in neurodegenerative disease is winding down.

Novartis AG’s alliance with the University of Pennsylvania around cancer immunotherapies based on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technologies comes at an opportune time for both parties. The Big Pharma needs to reinvigorate its oncology franchise and Penn’s high-profile, albeit much smaller, alliance with AstraZeneca PLC is winding down.

A two-day October conference at Penn’s Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (ITMAT) featured Carl June, MD, whose work on...

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