Preclinical data on a novel T-cell therapy based on engineered autologous regulatory T cells (GNTI-122, EngTregs) for the potential treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D) were presented by Gentibio Inc.

Gentibio Inc. has announced preclinical data relating to the company's platform technology, demonstrating technical progress to engineer regulatory T cells (Tregs) for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Bristol Myers Squibb Co. has agreed to pay up to $1.9 billion plus royalties, plus an up-front payment of undisclosed value, for Gentibio Inc.’s expertise in engineered regulatory T cells (Tregs) to treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The agreement follows soon after BMS’ $4.1 billion acquisition of cancer biotech Turning Point Therapeutics Inc., as well as an expansion of its oncology partnership with Bridgebio Pharma Inc. to the tune of $905 million.

Gentibio Inc. has raised $157 million to develop its engineered regulatory T cells (Tregs), setting itself a target to cure type 1 diabetes and treat other diseases caused by the immune system. Boston-based Gentibio launched in August last year with $20 million seed funding from Orbimed, Novartis Venture Fund and RA Capital. Those investors stayed on into the next round, which was led by Matrix Capital Management with participation by Avidity Partners and JDRF T1D Fund.