BRIEF—New company Optera Therapeutics launched in USA

The launch of Optera Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing cell therapies with scalable manufacturing solutions for cancer, was announced today by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Berkeley Lights.

Optera Therapeutics will develop cancer cell therapies discovered at MD Anderson and apply Berkeley Lights' advanced cell therapy manufacturing systems with the goal of making these novel therapies accessible to all.

Optera Therapeutics is developing cell therapies under investigation at MD Anderson by leaders in the field of cellular immunology.

"Cell therapy is transforming the standard of care for cancer patients," said Cassian Yee, professor of Melanoma Medical Oncology, adding: "Optera will capitalize on truly disruptive technology and allow us to extend our ability to treat more patients, for more cancers, in a shorter period of time."

Eric Hobbs, chief executive officer of Berkeley Lights, added: "The Berkeley Lights team is privileged and excited to join forces with our colleagues at MD Anderson who have devoted their lives to defeating cancer. We are absolutely driven to make their life-saving cell therapies accessible to all."