Kyverna Therapeutics Inc. has presented details on the development and preclinical characterization of KYV-102, an autologous fully human anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy developed for diseases driven by B cells, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), among others.
To address limitations with CAR T therapies targeting CD19, Allogene Therapeutics Inc. has developed ALLO-329, a CD19/CD70-targeting CAR therapy that is able to deplete activated alloreactive lymphocytes, while endowing dual targeting of CD19+ B cells and CD70+ T cells.
Poseida Therapeutics Inc. has updated progress made in its early-stage pipeline of differentiated T stem cell memory cell-rich allogeneic CAR T therapies in oncology and autoimmune diseases.
This summer’s IPO by Artiva Biotherapeutics Inc. highlighted early stage efforts with natural killer cells in autoimmune disease, where a handful of companies are advancing programs. The firm raised $167 million through an upsized financing, with funds aimed at the development of its lead AlloNK program for systemic lupus erythematosus and other indications in the same category.
Clinical research has shown that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD), including cardiac and vascular dysfunction. In the current study, researchers from Medical University of South Carolina developed and characterized a novel preclinical model of SLE-like CVD.
Despite a phase IIa failure in 2018 for lupus, Biogen Inc. and UCB Inc. maintained their collaboration and now have new positive data for their anti-CD40L candidate. Top-line phase III data show dapirolizumab pegol, along with the standard of care (SOC), met the primary endpoint in demonstrating an improvement in moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus compared to placebo and SOC at 48 weeks.
Cullinan Therapeutics Inc. has submitted an IND application to the FDA to evaluate its CD19 x CD3 bispecific T-cell engager, CLN-978, for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Headlines in March about Cartesian Therapeutics Inc. reminded investors of the firm’s already-intriguing push with Descartes-08, an autologous anti-BCMA mRNA CAR T therapy, in the works for myasthenia gravis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Excitement generally is mounting around prospects for CAR T therapies in autoimmune disease, where developers aplenty are pursuing early stage opportunities.
Immunesensor Therapeutics Inc. has received Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval and clinical trial notification (CTN) clearance by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to initiate a phase I study of IMSB-301, a novel, orally available small-molecule cGAS inhibitor that is being developed for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. has received clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to conduct clinical trials in China with its BCMA-targeting CAR T cell SYS-6020 for systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) in China.
