Roche's Acquisition of Poseida: A Strategic Move into Off-the-Shelf CAR-T Therapies

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) has announced its intention to acquire Poseida Therapeutics (NASDAQ: PSTX) for a total equity value of approximately US $1.0 billion, with a potential deal value of up to US $1.5 billion. The acquisition, expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, will establish off-the-shelf cell therapies as a new core capability for Roche, allowing it to democratize access to CAR-T therapies and expand its presence in the allogeneic cell therapy market.

Poseida's proprietary non-viral technology platform enables the creation of allogeneic, T stem cell memory (TSCM)-rich CAR-T therapies. These therapies have the potential to improve clinical outcomes and expand access to this important class of medicines. The platform includes a full set of non-viral capabilities to design, develop, and manufacture allogeneic, TSCM-rich CAR-T therapies, which have demonstrated the ability to create CAR-T therapies with the potential to improve clinical outcomes and expand access to this important class of medicines.

The acquisition builds on the existing partnership between Roche and Poseida, which was established in 2022. This partnership has already led to the nomination of a new allogeneic CAR-T development candidate for hematologic malignancies, triggering a $15 million payment from Roche to Poseida. The acquisition will allow Roche to expand its presence in the off-the-shelf CAR-T space and strengthen its competitive position.

Poseida's pipeline includes several clinical and pre-clinical stage allogeneic CAR-T therapies, such as P-BCMA-ALLO1 and P-CD19CD20-ALLO1, which will complement Roche's existing portfolio and contribute to its expansion in the allogeneic cell therapy market. These therapies target various therapeutic areas, including haematological malignancies, solid tumours, and autoimmune diseases, providing Roche with a diverse pipeline of potentially first and best-in-class therapies.

Poseida's GMP manufacturing capabilities and technology platforms, such as its non-viral transposon-based DNA delivery system and Cas-CLOVER™ Site-Specific Gene Editing System, will enable Roche to scale up its allogeneic cell therapy production and develop more efficient manufacturing processes. This will allow Roche to reach more patients and facilitate broad commercial use of off-the-shelf CAR-T therapies.

The acquisition of Poseida will provide Roche with access to a pipeline of off-the-shelf CAR-T therapies, unique technology platforms, manufacturing capabilities, and a strategic partnership that positions it as a leader in the competitive landscape of cell therapies. By leveraging Poseida's expertise and know-how, Roche can expand its presence in the allogeneic cell therapy market and develop first and best-in-class therapies across multiple therapeutic areas.



In conclusion, Roche's acquisition of Poseida Therapeutics is a strategic move that positions the company as a leader in the off-the-shelf CAR-T therapy space. By gaining access to Poseida's proprietary technology platform, manufacturing capabilities, and pipeline of allogeneic CAR-T therapies, Roche can expand its presence in the allogeneic cell therapy market and develop first and best-in-class therapies across multiple therapeutic areas. This acquisition aligns with Roche's strategic goals of expanding its presence in the cell therapy market and developing first and best-in-class therapies in oncology, immunology, and neurology.