Aera Therapeutics has selected AERA-109 as lead development candidate utilising targeted lipid nanoparticle platform for in vivo CAR-T generation targeting B-cell depletion in autoimmune diseases. Pre-clinical data showed dose-dependent CAR-T cell formation and complete B-cell clearance from blood, spleen and bone marrow in humanised mouse models at 0.03 mg/kg dosing with transient CD8+ T-cell expansion and memory phenotype differentiation in non-human primates. The approach eliminates ex vivo cell manipulation requirements enabling precise tissue targeting with favourable tolerability profile and no haematological abnormalities observed.

Founded in 2021 by CRISPR co-inventor Zhang Feng, Aera has raised USD 193 million developing next-generation delivery platforms including antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOC) and protein nanoparticles (PNPs) alongside targeted lipid nanoparticles (tLNPs). CEO Akin Akinc highlighted potential to overcome limitations of conventional cell therapies through direct in vivo reprogramming of immune cells. The company targets mid-2026 clinical entry for AERA-109 representing one of the most advanced in vivo CAR-T programs in this rapidly emerging field.

PharmCube's NextBiopharm® database lists 76 in vivo CAR-T programs under active development globally, mostly in pre-clinical stage. Click here to request a free trial for NextBiopharm®.