Bristol makes its own deal with Celgene ally Dragonfly, while Gilead ends virology partnerships with Durect and Precision BioSciences.

There is significant commercial potential on offer for the leading CAR-NK developers. While companies committed to continued CAR-T development will need to adapt and innovate in order to remain relevant, especially considering this disruptive new drug class.

The Gilead subsidiary presented updated data at ASH for its first CD19-targeting CAR-T Yescarta and pivotal results for KTE-X19, which it plans to submit for US FDA approval in mantle cell lymphoma this year. 

CAR-T therapies from Janssen, Celgene and others will get a lot of attention at the annual hematology meeting, including candidates with novel constructs and targets.