Laurus Labs has signed definitive agreements to acquire an additional stake of 7.24 per cent in Immunoadoptive Cell Therapy (lmmunoACT), an advanced cell and gene therapy company for a cash consideration of Rs 80 crore. Post the completion of the deal, Laurus Labs' stake in ImmunoACT will increase to 33.86 per cent (on a fully diluted basis). This fresh infusion of capital will enable ImmunoACT to fast-track the additional supply of the lead candidate HCAR-19 along with the further expansion of the multi-location GMP facilities for manufacturing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells (CAR-T cells) treatment to support the growing need for scalable manufacturing. Additionally, some promoters and senior management of Laurus Labs would also acquire ImmunoACT for a 0.54 per cent stake (before this investment) for approximately Rs 4 crore at the same price and terms through secondary purchases.

Laurus Labs' earlier investment in ImmunoACT in November 2021 has supported ImmunoACT in successfully creating a GMP manufacturing facility along with a state-of-the-art R& D facility at Navi Mumbai and currently conducting Phase II study at various hospitals including Tata Memorial Hospital. Phase I data were presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) during Nov-2022 that showed a favourable balance of efficacy and toxicity with low-grade cytokine release syndrome.