Novartis signs partnership agreement with Zurich based startup Cellerys

Novartis has signed a collaboration agreement and option to acquire Cellerys, a Zurich-based start-up that is researching a therapy to combat multiple sclerosis (MS). This therapy has the potential to delay the progression of the disease.

Vischer has acted as legal counsel to Novartis with a team led by Matthias Staehelin (pictured) with Christian Wyss and Pauline Pfirter.

Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will support the development of the CLS12311 therapy, which is currently in phase 2 clinical research. Novartis has the option to acquire Cellerys in the coming years upon completion of the Phase 2 studies.

Cellerys

Cellerys was founded in 2015 as a spin-out from the University of Zurich. The company is developing one cell therapy aimed at inducing antigen-specific immune tolerance in MS patients. The Phase 1 clinical trial, funded and supported by Wyss Zurich from October 2015 to June 2021, was conducted at the University Hospital Zurich. CLS12311 was found to be safe and well-tolerated. It is currently under further investigation in the phase 2 clinical trial.