The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has unveiled plans to acquire Bellicum Pharmaceuticals’ approximately 60,000-square-foot Houston facility, including manufacturing, office and laboratory space, for $15 million.
 
As part of the deal, Bellicum will also enter into a master services agreement with MD Anderson. MD Anderson will operate the Houston facility for its own internal programs as well as to manufacture Bellicum’s GoCAR and other cellular therapy programs for clinical trials and potentially early commercial supply.
 
“After conducting a thorough evaluation of our manufacturing strategy, we pursued and structured this agreement with MD Anderson to serve the best interests of our patients, employees, partners, and shareholders,” said Rick Fair, president and chief executive officer, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals. “The preferred supply agreement assures Bellicum’s access to cell therapy product supply while reducing our operating expenses. Bellicum’s corporate headquarters in Houston will remain the center of excellence for our research, process and analytical development, third-party manufacturing, and quality assurance functions.”
 
The sale of the manufacturing facility is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020.