July 7 Quick Takes: Luminary-Case Western partner on BLyS-targeting CAR T; plus Dragonfly-BMS, HiberCell-Biothera and Biogen-Mass Eye and Ear

Luminary, Case Western partner on CAR T against BLyS
Minneapolis-based Luminary Therapeutics Inc. gained an option from Case Western Reserve University to exclusively license a novel BLyS target for use in CAR T constructs; financial terms are undisclosed. Luminary is developing non-viral cell therapies for cancer and autoimmune disorders. Its lead program, LMY-920, is a BLyS-targeting CAR T in preclinical development for mantle cell lymphoma and Sjögren’s syndrome.

Dragonfly, BMS expand trispecific NK cell therapy collaboration
Under an expanded research collaboration, Bristol Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMS) gained options to license exclusive, worldwide rights to trispecific NK cell engagers, or TriNKETs, from Dragonfly Therapeutics Inc. for multiple sclerosis and neuro-inflammation targets. Dragonfly, which is also developing TriNKETs for cancer, will receive $55 million up front and is eligible for undisclosed milestones, plus royalties (see “Dragonfly’s TriNKETs”)...