BriaCell and BriaPro Finalize Key Transaction for Cancer Immunotherapy
BriaCell Therapeutics Corp., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, and its majority-owned subsidiary BriaPro Therapeutics Corp. announced on March 31, 2026, the completion of an asset purchase transaction for BriaCell’s exclusive license to develop and commercialize Soluble CD80 as a biologic agent for cancer treatment, pursuant to a definitive purchase agreement dated February 4, 2026. According to GlobeNewswire PE, the transaction included BriaPro acquiring the license and associated assets from BriaCell, with BriaCell providing up to $3 million through a credit facility to fund BriaPro’s research and development efforts.
Background of the Soluble CD80 License
BriaCell originally secured the exclusive license for Soluble CD80 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County on August 2, 2022, with the technology developed by Suzanne Ostrand-Rosenberg, Ph.D., an emeritus faculty member at UMBC and a member of BriaCell’s scientific advisory board. The technology is covered under U.S. patents USPN 8,956,619 B2, USPN 9,650,429 B2, and USPN 10,377,810 B2, and in animal models, Soluble CD80 was well-tolerated and stopped tumor growth by potentially restoring natural anti-tumor immunity, as reported in studies by Lucas A. Horn et al. and Samuel T. Haile et al. in collaboration with Dr. Ostrand-Rosenberg. Strong anti-tumor activity of Soluble CD80 has been noted in multiple tumor types, with its actions involving awakening and boosting the immune system to recognize and destroy tumor cells, based on the same studies.
Terms and Financial Aspects of the Transaction
Under the purchase agreement, BriaPro gained worldwide rights to develop and commercialize Soluble CD80 for cancer treatment, while the University of Maryland, Baltimore County retains all rights, title, and interest in the inventions and patents, except for certain rights held by the United States Government. BriaPro will pay 2% royalties to UMBC upon commercialization of the product, and each drawdown from the $3 million credit facility provided by BriaCell is subject to BriaCell’s approval regarding the use of funds. As consideration, BriaPro issued 23,972,589 common shares to BriaCell at an aggregate value of approximately C$1.18 million, increasing BriaCell’s interest in BriaPro to approximately 78% post-transaction. According to GlobeNewswire PE, this transaction also included the appointment of Jamieson Bondarenko as BriaPro’s board chair upon closing.
Additional Context on the Companies Involved
BriaCell, listed on Nasdaq as BCTX, BCTXW, BCTXZ, and BCTXL, and on the TSX as BCT, focuses on developing novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care, while BriaPro, as its majority-owned subsidiary, is now positioned to advance the Soluble CD80 technology. As widely known in biotechnology, such internal capital arrangements like credit facilities and share issuances can support emerging ventures in research-intensive fields. According to GlobeNewswire PE, the transaction underscores BriaPro’s expanded role in cancer treatment development.
