AstraZeneca announced a collaboration and investment agreement with Cellectis to accelerate the development of next generation therapeutics in areas of high unmet need, including oncology, immunology and rare diseases. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, AstraZeneca will leverage the Cellectis proprietary gene editing technologies and manufacturing capabilities, to design novel cell and gene therapy products, strengthening AstraZeneca's growing offering in this space. As part of the agreement, 25 genetic targets have been exclusively reserved for AstraZeneca, from which up to 10 candidate products could be explored for development.

Building on AstraZeneca's own expertise in cell and genomic therapy, the Company has enhanced its capabilities through several collaborations and investments in the past year as part of its ambition to bring cell therapies to more patients living with cancer and to advance genomic medicines for rare diseases. Financial considerations In Fourth Quarter 2023, Cellectis will receive an initial payment of $105m from AstraZeneca, which comprises a $25 million upfront cash payment under the terms of a research collaboration agreement and an $80m equity investment. The initial equity investment of $80m, at $5/share, represents an equity stake of c. 22% in Cellectis.

A further $140 million equity investment, at $5/share, is expected to close in early 2024 subject to the signing of a final binding agreement following completion of a consultation with the Cellectis employee representative bodies and customary closing conditions including Cellectis shareholders' approval and regulatory clearances. Post-closing of this second investment, AstraZeneca will hold a total equity stake of c. 44% in Cellectis. AstraZeneca expects 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. AstraZeneca retains an option for a worldwide exclusive license for the candidate products developed under the research collaboration agreement, to be exercised before IND filing.