BRIEF—AstraZeneca completes equity investment agreement with Cellectis

AstraZeneca on Monday announced the successful completion of an equity investment with France-based Cellectis, a clinical-stage biotechnology company.

In November 2023, Cellectis received an initial payment of $105 million from AstraZeneca, which comprised a $25 million upfront cash payment under the terms of a research collaboration agreement and an $80 million equity investment.

An additional $140 million equity investment, at $5/share, has closed following the satisfaction of customary closing conditions including Cellectis shareholders’ approval and regulatory clearances.

Post-closing of this second investment, AstraZeneca holds a total equity stake of around 44% in Cellectis.

AstraZeneca expects to continue to treat its investment in Cellectis as an associate.

Under the terms of the research collaboration, Cellectis is also eligible to receive an investigational new drug (IND) option fee and development, regulatory and sales-related milestone payments, ranging from $70 million up to $220 million, per each of the 10 candidate products, plus tiered royalties.