January 6, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American and TASE: LCTX) has received a novel, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line containing hypoimmunity edits from Factor Bioscience Inc. (“Factor”).
The generation of the line marks a milestone in the strategic collaboration between the two companies, under which Factor developed a genetically engineered iPSC line that Lineage can utilize for differentiation into certain cell transplant product candidates.
The novel cell line contains edits which are expected to support non-immune privileged and/or non-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched indications and includes an additional disease-specific edit with the potential to further differentiate this cell line from other cell therapies.
Acceptance of the line triggered a success payment from Lineage to Factor as reimbursement for Factor’s development efforts. Factor remains eligible for an additional payment from Lineage subject to Lineage’s entry into an exclusive license to utilize the line. Lineage’s decision to proceed with the program will be based on further performance criteria and the outcome of additional testing, including the evaluation of the line for its ability to adapt to Lineage’s proprietary cell expansion manufacturing platform, the AlloSCOPE™ (Allogeneic, Scalable, Consistent, Off-the-shelf, Pluripotent Cell Engineering) platform.
Brian M. Culley, Chief Executive Officer of Lineage, stated that the partnership with Factor supports Lineage’s plan to create novel and superior product candidates by combining manufacturing and process development capabilities with cell engineering and editing technologies.
Culley added that the achievement supports Lineage’s plan to broaden its cell therapy platform through the addition of new technologies and indications, as it awaits further updates from its lead cell therapy program, OpRegen®, for dry age-related macular degeneration with geographic atrophy.
Lineage plans to leverage the knowledge and expertise it has developed in retinal cell transplantation to additional cell therapy product candidates which may have the potential to transform the treatment of a wide range of diseases, and plans to continue to advance this emerging space.
Matt Angel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Factor, said that the cells delivered to Lineage embody the potential of Factor’s gene-editing technology and represent a major milestone in the partnership between the companies.
Angel believes that Factor’s cell-engineering technologies have the potential to enable treatment of diseases in ways not previously possible. Factor and Lineage together are driving progress at the leading edge of engineered cell therapy development.
The novel hypoimmune iPSC line received by Lineage contains a set of edits selected in a development strategy vetted with subject matter experts in the U.S. and abroad, as well as under a broader competitive landscape analysis. The edits include: the targeted deletion of the B2M gene, designed to reduce the immunogenicity of product candidates derived from the lines by inhibiting rejection by CD8+ T cells; the targeted insertion of the HLA-E gene, designed to overexpress HLA-E and prevent adverse NK cell responses; and a third undisclosed edit intended to confer clinical differentiation and a competitive advantage in the applicable indications.
The Agreement provides Lineage an option to obtain an exclusive license to utilize and sublicense the novel gene-edited cell line developed by Factor in a specific field for preclinical, clinical, and commercial purposes.
Lineage’s exclusive option and license agreement (the “Agreement”) with Factor was announced in 2023.
Lineage Cell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing allogeneic, or “off the shelf,” cell therapies for serious medical conditions. Lineage’s programs are based on its cell-based technology platform and associated development and manufacturing capabilities.
Factor Bioscience is a biotechnology company focused on using its patented gene-editing platform to develop life-saving cell and gene therapies. Factor is privately held and headquartered in Cambridge, MA.
Brian M. Culley, Chief Executive Officer of Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
Matt Angel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Factor Bioscience Inc.
Source: Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
