Exhibit 99.4
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Blackstone Life Sciences to invest up to $250 million in Autolus Therapeutics to develop obe-cel in adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and advance broader platform
– One of the largest private financings of a UK biotech company, and the largest from a single source – continues Blackstone conviction in the country
– Durability and favorable toxicity profile of obe-cel supports its potential as the first stand-alone therapy in adult ALL with curative potential in a last line setting
– Blackstone strategic financing to enable Autolus to complete clinical development of obe-cel in its first indication of relapsed / refractory adult ALL and to support initial pre-approval commercial activities
LONDON & CAMBRIDGE, MA – November 8, 2021 — Autolus Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: AUTL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation programmed T cell therapies, and Blackstone Life Sciences today announced that the two companies have entered into a strategic collaboration and financing agreement under which funds managed by Blackstone (NYSE: BX) will provide up to $250 million in equity and product financing to support Autolus’ advancement of its CD19 CAR T cell investigational therapy product candidate, obecabtagene autoleucel (obe-cel), as well as next generation product therapies of obe-cel in B-cell malignancies.
As part of this $250 million transaction, Blackstone is committing to invest $150 million in product financing to support obe-cel development and commercialization, with $50 million payable upon closing of the transaction and the remainder payable based on certain development and regulatory achievements. Blackstone has also agreed to purchase $100 million of Autolus’ American Depositary Shares (ADS) in a private placement, which is subject to customary closing conditions. In connection with the collaboration, Blackstone received the right to nominate a member to Autolus’ board of directors.
The transaction continues Blackstone’s commitment to the UK economy which has seen the firm invest more than $18 billion across 44 investments headquartered in UK. These investments support more than 27,000 direct jobs and help make Blackstone the UK’s biggest foreign investor over the past 10 years.
“Autolus is a world-class company with an innovative platform and the potential to deliver best-in-class, lifesaving treatments to patients suffering from cancer,” said Dr. Nicholas Galakatos, Global Head of Blackstone Life Sciences. “Our investment in these next generation cell therapies exemplify our conviction in the quality and promise of the life sciences sector in the UK. We look forward to building on this investment in the years to come.”
“We welcome Blackstone Life Sciences to join our drive to change the outlook for leukemia and lymphoma patients, notably those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blackstone’s investment and expertise will support the development and preparation for commercialization of obe-cel and put the program and the Company on a strong financial footing as we are approaching the read-out from the potentially pivotal FELIX clinical trial during the course of 2022,” said Dr. Christian Itin, Chief Executive Officer of Autolus.