Press Releases

• Preclinical research demonstrates that CRISPR/Cas9-based precision B cell gene engineering coupled with artificial intelligence-guided protein design produces active tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (“ALP”)
• Data presented at American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy 27th Annual Meeting

May 10, 2024, 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Be Biopharma, Inc. (“Be Bio”), a company pioneering the discovery and development of Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs), today presented results from new preclinical research demonstrating production of active ALP by a BCM, which highlights BCMs as a potential treatment for Hypophosphatasia (HPP). Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 precision gene engineering and artificial intelligence-guided protein design to modify primary human B cells to produce ALP, an enzyme deficient in people living with HPP. The findings were presented during a poster presentation at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 27^th Annual Meeting on Friday, May 10, at 12:00pm ET.

HPP is a rare genetic disease caused by loss of function mutations in the ALPL gene which leads to deficient ALP activity. People living with HPP can experience wide ranging systemic complications, with impaired bone mineralization, such as rickets/osteomalacia, being a major clinical hallmark of severe disease. The only approved therapy for HPP is an enzyme replacement therapy, asfotase alfa, which requires multiple injections every week and is approved only for use in patients with pediatric-onset forms of HPP.

“This study demonstrates how BCMs coupled with artificial intelligence-guided protein design broaden the potential of our medicines to express highly effective conjugated therapeutic proteins such as ALP-Fc fusion proteins,” said Rick Morgan, Chief Scientific Officer. “BCMs are designed to provide constant and durable protein levels without preconditioning, are redosable, and can be applied to a wide range of diseases, including a potential first-in-class medicine for people living with HPP.”

In this study, primary human B cells were expanded and precision engineered by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing with AAV-mediated homology directed repair (HDR) to insert an ALP gene expression cassette into various loci, including CCR5 (a safe harbor locus). Guided by an artificial intelligence-based ALP protein structure design engine, protein constructs were optimized for activity and stability of ALP-Fc fusion proteins. Engineered BCMs secreted active ALP proteins up to 200 ng/1e6 cells/24hr. Robust in vitro phenotypic correction using ALP secreting BCMs (ALP-BCMs) was demonstrated in the MC3T3 osteoblast precursor mineralization model.

About Engineered B Cell Medicines – A New Class of Cellular Medicines
The B cell is a powerful cell that produces thousands of proteins per cell per second at constant levels, and over decades. Precision genome editing can now be used to engineer B Cells that produce therapeutic proteins of interest, driving a new class of cellular medicines – Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) – with the potential to be durable, allogeneic, redosable, and administered without pre-conditioning. The promise of BCMs could transform therapeutic biologics with broad application — across protein classes, patient populations and therapeutic areas.

About Be Biopharma
Be Biopharma (“Be Bio”) is pioneering Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) to dramatically improve the lives of patients who are living with Hemophilia B and other genetic diseases, cancer, and other serious conditions. With eyes locked on the patient, our team of purpose-driven scientists, technologists, manufacturing experts and business builders collaborate to create a bold new class of cell therapies. Be Bio was founded in October 2020 by B cell engineering pioneers David Rawlings, M.D., and Richard James, Ph.D., from Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Be Bio is backed by ARCH Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, RA Capital Management, Alta Partners, Longwood Fund, Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda Ventures, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and others. Since our founding, Be Bio’s investors have committed over $180 million to enable the Company to re-imagine medicine based on the power of B cell therapy. For more information, please visit us at Be.Bio and our LinkedIn page.

Contacts

Investors:
ir@be.bio

Media:
media@be.bio

Cambridge, MA – Be Biopharma, Inc. (“Be Bio”), a company pioneering the development of engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs), today announced that it will present at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 27th Annual Meeting being held May 7-11, 2024, in Baltimore, MD.

Details regarding the Be Biopharma presentation at the conference are as follows:

Title: CRISPR/Cas9-based precision B cell gene engineering coupled with artificial intelligence-guided protein design produces active and sustained levels of tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase for the treatment of Hypophosphatasia

Presenter: Monika Musial-Siwek, Ph.D., Director, Protein Sciences, Be Biopharma

Date: May 10, 2024

Time: 12:00 PM ET

Session Title: Friday Posters: Musculo-Skeletal Diseases
Session Room: Exhibit Hall
Final Abstract Number: 1649

The abstract highlights Be Bio’s novel approach using engineered B-cell Medicines (BCMs) as a potential new treatment for Hypophosphatasia (HPP), a genetic disorder characterized by loss-of-function mutations in the ALPL gene which impairs the mineralization of bones. Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 precision gene engineering and artificial intelligence-guided protein design to modify primary human B cells to produce tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme deficient in people living with HPP.  The nonclinical data demonstrates the engineered BCM successfully produces active ALP , highlighting the therapeutic potential of the BCM platform as a novel treatment modality for HPP.  BCMs have key attributes of plasma cells, including natural longevity, high levels of protein secretion, the ability to engraft without host preconditioning, and the ability to be re-dosed, making them an attractive platform for sustained supply of biologics.

For more information, please visit the conference website https://annualmeeting.asgct.org/.

About Engineered B Cell Medicines – A New Class of Cellular Medicines

The B cell is a powerful cell that produces thousands of proteins per cell per second at constant levels, over decades. Precision genome editing can now be used to engineer B Cells that produce therapeutic proteins of interest, driving a new class of cellular medicines – Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) – with the potential to be durable, allogeneic, redosable and administered without pre-conditioning. The promise of BCMs could transform therapeutic biologics with broad application — across protein classes, patient populations and therapeutic areas.

About Be Biopharma

Be Biopharma (“Be Bio”) is pioneering Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) to dramatically improve the lives of patients who are living with Hemophilia B and other genetic diseases, cancer, and other serious conditions. With eyes locked on the patient, our team of purpose-driven scientists, technologists, manufacturing experts and business builders collaborate to create a bold new class of cell therapies. Be Bio was founded in October 2020 by B cell engineering pioneers David Rawlings, M.D., and Richard James, Ph.D., from Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Be Bio is backed by ARCH Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, RA Capital Management, Alta Partners, Longwood Fund, Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda Ventures, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and others. Since our founding, Be Bio’s investors have committed over $180 million to enable the Company to re-imagine medicine based on the power of B cell therapy. For more information, please visit us at Be.Bio and our LinkedIn page.

Investor Contact:

ir@be.bio

Media Contact:

media@be.bio

San Diego, CA – Be Biopharma, Inc. (“Be Bio”), a company pioneering the development of engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs), today announced that it will present at the 20^th Annual WORLDSymposium™ being held February 4-9, 2024, in San Diego, California.

Details regarding the Be Biopharma presentation at the conference are as follows:

Title: Development of an ex vivo precision gene engineered B cell medicine that produces highly active and sustained levels of acid sphingomyelinase for the treatment of Neimann-Pick disease

Presenter: Monika Musial-Siwek, Ph.D., Director, Protein Sciences, Be Biopharma

Date: Thursday, February 8, 2024

Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM PT

For more information, please visit the conference website worldsymposia.org.

About Engineered B Cell Medicines – A New Class of Cellular Medicines

The B cell is a powerful cell that produces thousands of proteins per cell per second at constant levels, over decades. Precision genome editing can now be used to engineer B Cells that produce therapeutic proteins of interest, driving a new class of cellular medicines – Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) – with the potential to be durable, allogeneic, redosable and administered without pre-conditioning. The promise of BCMs could transform therapeutic biologics with broad application — across protein classes, patient populations and therapeutic areas.

About Be Biopharma

Be Biopharma (“Be Bio”) is pioneering Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) to dramatically improve the lives of patients who are living with Hemophilia B and other genetic diseases, cancer, and other serious conditions. With eyes locked on the patient, our team of purpose-driven scientists, technologists, manufacturing experts and business builders collaborate to create a bold new class of cell therapies. Be Bio was founded in October 2020 by B cell engineering pioneers David Rawlings, M.D., and Richard James, Ph.D., from Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Be Bio is backed by ARCH Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, RA Capital Management, Alta Partners, Longwood Fund, Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda Ventures, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and others. Since our founding, Be Bio’s investors have committed over $180 million to enable the Company to re-imagine medicine based on the power of B cell therapy. For more information, please visit us at Be.Bio and our LinkedIn page.

Investor Contact:

ir@be.bio

Media Contact:

media@be.bio

Data selected as Oral Presentation Supporting the Broad Therapeutic Utility of B Cell Medicines

Santa Fe, NM – Be Biopharma, Inc. (“Be Bio”), a company pioneering the development of engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs), today announced an oral presentation and poster presentation at the Keystone Symposia on Emerging Cellular Therapies meeting, held from January 22 to 25, 2024 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The data being presented support the utility of engineered B cell medicines (BCMs) across a broad range of applications. Together, the data demonstrate in vitro production and activity of several therapeutic proteins, as well as in vivo engraftment without preconditioning and activity in multiple model systems.

“Gene and cell therapies have transformative potential to treat previously intractable diseases, but have barriers to adoption such as lack of durability, inability to re-dose, and requirement of preconditioning for engraftment. Our BCM platform has the potential to address these barriers,” said Richard A. Morgan, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Be Bio. “The in vivo preclinical data presented today validates key attributes of our BCM platform – efficient protein production, editing and insertional efficiency, and durable protein production without preconditioning – while demonstrating its potential therapeutic benefits in genetic disease and cancer.”

Presentation Summary: Development of an Ex Vivo Precision Gene Engineered B Cell Medicine Platform that Produces Active and Sustained Levels of Therapeutic Proteins with Broad Utility

BCMs were produced via a precision genome engineering platform that achieves gene knockouts with greater than 90% efficiency and targeted HDR-mediated gene insertions at up to 60%. Modularity of the BCM platform was demonstrated across multiple models and proteins, including production of firefly luciferase, lysosomal storage disease enzyme acid sphingomyelinase, an anti-CD19/CD3 bispecific T cell engager, clotting factor IX, and fusion protein of tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (ALP). These examples demonstrate that these BCMs can produce proteins with enzyme specific activity higher than recombinant proteins (ASM), show efficacy in tumor treatment (anti-CD19/CD3 scFv), and are stably expressed for at least 20 weeks in vivo (FIX).  Engraftment in all models was achieved without preconditioning which broadens BCM clinical utility for patients for whom preconditioning toxicities are unacceptable or outweigh therapeutic benefit, and could facilitate additional rounds of treatment as needed. BCMs capable of expressing therapeutically relevant transgenes have the potential for broad and meaningful therapeutic utility in genetic diseases, cancer, and beyond.

Details for the oral presentation of this study are as follows:

Title:   “Development of an Ex Vivo Precision Gene Engineered
B Cell Medicine Platform that Produces Active and Sustained Levels of Therapeutic Proteins with Broad Utility”

Lead Author:  Hanlan Liu, Ph.D., MBA, Senior VP, Pipeline and Non-clinical Development, Be Biopharma

Presenter:  Hanlan Liu, Ph.D., MBA, Senior VP, Pipeline and Non-clinical Development, Be Biopharma

Date/Time:   Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 5:00-7:00pm (MST)

Session:  Strategies for Engineered Cell Therapies

Poster Summary: Development of an Ex Vivo Precision Gene Engineered B Cell Medicine Platform that Produces Active and Sustained Levels of Therapeutic Proteins with Broad Utility in Rare Diseases and Cancer

This study demonstrates production of BCMs via editing, expansion and differentiation of primary human B cells. Cells engineered to express firefly luciferase were engrafted into NOG-hIL6 mice and demonstrated in vivo persistence for 125 days. Data are also presented on BCMs engineered to produce FIX, which demonstrates activity via the chromogenic and aPTT assay. These BCMs were engrafted into NOG-hIL6 mice and demonstrate durable FIX secretion to 168 days. In addition to FIX, BCMs were engineered to produce an anti-CD19/CD3 bispecific T cell engager, which demonstrated potent activity in an in vivo PdX model of ALL, ALP, which corrected HPP-related bone mineralization deficits in vitro, and ASM, which demonstrated in vitro phenotypic correction in SMPD1 knockout cells. In addition, ex vivo-rhesus macaque plasma cells were generated and labeled with a radioactive tracer. These cells were administered without preconditioning and demonstrated homing to and engraftment in plasma cell niches in an autologous rhesus macaque.

Details for the poster presentation of this study are as follows:

Title:   “Development of an Ex Vivo Precision Gene Engineered B Cell Medicine Platform that Produces Active and Sustained Levels of Therapeutic Proteins with Broad Utility in Rare Diseases and Cancer”

Lead Author:   Hanlan Liu, Ph.D., MBA, Senior VP, Pipeline and Non-clinical Development, Be Biopharma

Presenter:  Hanlan Liu, Ph.D., MBA, Senior VP, Pipeline and Non-clinical Development, Be Biopharma

Poster #:  2

Poster Session:  Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 7:30pm (MST)

About Engineered B Cell Medicines – A New Class of Cellular Medicines

The B cell is a powerful cell that produces thousands of proteins per cell per second at constant levels, over decades. Precision genome editing can now be used to engineer B Cells that produce therapeutic proteins of interest, driving a new class of cellular medicines – Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) – with the potential to be durable, allogeneic, redosable and administered without pre-conditioning. The promise of BCMs could transform therapeutic biologics with broad application — across protein classes, patient populations and therapeutic areas.

About Be Biopharma

Be Biopharma (“Be Bio”) is pioneering Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) to dramatically improve the lives of patients who are living with Hemophilia B and other genetic diseases, cancer, and other serious conditions. With eyes locked on the patient, our team of purpose-driven scientists, technologists, manufacturing experts and business builders collaborate to create a bold new class of cell therapies. Be Bio was founded in October 2020 by B cell engineering pioneers David Rawlings, M.D., and Richard James, Ph.D., from Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Be Bio is backed by ARCH Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, RA Capital Management, Alta Partners, Longwood Fund, Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda Ventures, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and others. Since our founding, Be Bio’s investors have committed over $180 million to enable the Company to re-imagine medicine based on the power of B cell therapy. For more information, please visit us at Be.Bio and our LinkedIn page.

Investor Contact:

ir@be.bio

Media Contact:

media@be.bio

Angus Smith joins as Chief Financial Officer

Wing-Yen Wong, M.D., joins as interim Chief Medical Officer

Cambridge, Mass. – Be Biopharma, Inc. (“Be Bio”), a company pioneering the development of engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs), today announced the appointment of Angus Smith as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Wing-Yen Wong, M.D., as interim Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

Mr. Smith brings more than 15 years of experience in the biotechnology and life sciences industry, having held C-level positions in several public companies, including his most recent role as the CFO of Affimed N.V. and co-President of the company’s U.S. subsidiary, where he was responsible for implementing a new business plan and for raising over $400M in capital to support clinical development efforts. Mr. Smith also brings nearly a decade of investment banking experience, providing strategic and financial advice across the healthcare sector.  Dr. Wong brings over 35 years of experience as a practicing clinician and professor at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and leading development efforts in several companies including BioMarin, Biogen, and Baxter. Most recently Dr. Wong was Group Vice-President, Head of Global Medical Affairs and Scientific Strategy at BioMarin where she was involved in the development of the most recently approved hemophilia gene therapy.

“We are thrilled to welcome Angus and Wing to Be Bio,” said Joanne Smith-Farrell, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer. “We are rapidly transitioning from a research-based company to one focused on delivering innovative medicines to patients, with our first program in hemophilia B entering the clinic this year. These accomplished and experienced leaders will further strengthen our leadership team. Angus’s long track record of financial operating experience and fundraising will be important as we advance multiple programs to the clinic, while Wing’s expertise in drug development and as a clinical scientist is particularly important as we pioneer a new class of cellular medicines, Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs), to dramatically improve the lives of patients.”

Angus Smith

Mr. Smith brings more than 15 years of experience in the biotechnology and life sciences industry, including his most recent role as the CFO of Affimed N.V. and, prior to that, at Rockwell Medical.  At Affimed, Mr. Smith led all finance, accounting, and investor relations functions, implemented a new business plan and financing strategy, and raised more than $400 million. Mr. Smith began his career in healthcare investment banking, serving most recently as a Director in the Healthcare Investment Banking Group at Cantor Fitzgerald. During his nearly decade-long investment banking tenure, Mr. Smith provided strategic and financial advice to life sciences and healthcare companies. He has worked on a substantial number of transactions across the healthcare sector with an aggregate transaction value of more than $15 billion.

Mr. Smith holds a B.A. in Mathematical Economics from Colgate University.

Wing-Yen Wong, M.D.

Dr. Wong brings over 35 years of experience as a practicing clinician and working in the biotechnology industry with a focus in the treatment and management of patients with hemophilia, sickle cell disease (SCD) and pediatric hematology/oncology. Most recently Dr. Wong was Group Vice-President, Head of Global Medical Affairs and Scientific Strategy at BioMarin and Vice President, Global Medical, Hematology and Immunology at Biogen. Prior to Biogen, Dr. Wong was the Head of Clinical Research and Global Senior Medical Director of Hemophilia/Hematology at Baxter Healthcare Corporation where she directed medical and clinical functions, including global medical support of licensed products, clinical development and new product approvals. During her tenure at Baxter, Dr. Wong successfully directed the BLA submission and launch of multiple hemophilia products including RIXUBIS®, FEIBA®, OBIZUR and ADVATE®. Prior to her work in industry, Dr. Wong spent over 15 years as a practicing clinician and professor at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County (LAC) and University of Southern California (USC) Medical Center. As a clinician, Dr. Wong presented and published numerous studies and papers on her research in hemophilia and hematology and has served as a reviewer for medical journals including the American Journal of Hematology, Hemophilia and the Lancet. In 2003, Dr. Wong was appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as a member of the Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability.  

Dr. Wong earned her M.D. at the USC, Keck School of Medicine and a BA at Occidental College. She served a Fellowship at the LAC and USC Medical Center in pediatric hematology-oncology and was appointed Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Southern California.

About Engineered B Cell Medicines – A New Class of Cellular Medicines

The B cell is a powerful cell that produces thousands of proteins per cell per second at constant levels, over decades. Precision genome editing can now be used to engineer B Cells that produce therapeutic proteins of interest, driving a new class of cellular medicines – Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) – with the potential to be durable, allogeneic, redosable and administered without pre-conditioning. The promise of BCMs could transform therapeutic biologics with broad application — across protein classes, patient populations and therapeutic areas.

About Be Biopharma

Be Biopharma (“Be Bio”) is pioneering Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) to dramatically improve the lives of patients who are living with Hemophilia B and other genetic diseases, cancer, and other serious conditions. With eyes locked on the patient, our team of purpose-driven scientists, technologists, manufacturing experts and business builders collaborate to create a bold new class of cell therapies. Be Bio was founded in October 2020 by B cell engineering pioneers David Rawlings, M.D., and Richard James, Ph.D., from Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Be Bio is backed by ARCH Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, RA Capital Management, Alta Partners, Longwood Fund, Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda Ventures, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and others. Since our founding, Be Bio’s investors have committed over $180 million to enable the Company to re-imagine medicine based on the power of B cell therapy. For more information, please visit us at Be.Bio and our LinkedIn page.

Investor Contact:

ir@be.bio

Media Contact:

media@be.bio

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Be Biopharma, Inc. (“Be Bio”), a company pioneering the discovery and development of Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs), today announced that Chief Executive Officer Joanne Smith-Farrell, Ph.D., will present at the 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference being held at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, CA on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
Presentation Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Presentation Time: 8:30 am PT

About Engineered B Cell Medicines – A New Class of Cellular Medicines

The B cell is a powerful cell that produces thousands of proteins per cell per second at constant levels, over decades. Precision genome editing can now be used to engineer B Cells that produce therapeutic proteins of interest, driving a new class of cellular medicines – Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) – with the potential to be durable, allogeneic, redosable and administered without pre-conditioning. The promise of BCMs could transform therapeutic biologics with broad application — across protein classes, patient populations and therapeutic areas.

About Be Biopharma

Be Biopharma (“Be Bio”) is pioneering Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) to dramatically improve the lives of patients who are living with cancer, rare diseases and other serious conditions. With eyes locked on the patient, our team of purpose-driven scientists, technologists, manufacturing experts and business builders collaborate to create a bold new class of cell therapies. Be Bio was founded in October 2020 by B cell engineering pioneers David Rawlings, M.D., and Richard James, Ph.D., from Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Be Bio is backed by ARCH Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, RA Capital Management, Alta Partners, Longwood Fund, Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda Ventures, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and others. Since our founding, Be Bio’s investors have committed over $180 million to enable the Company to re-imagine medicine based on the power of B cell therapy. For more information, please visit us at Be.Bio and our LinkedIn page.

Contacts

Investor Contact:
ir@be.bio

Media Contact:
media@be.bio