China-based WestGene Biopharma and NASDAQ-listed Cartesian Therapeutics have announced a strategic collaboration to co-develop in vivo CAR-T and T-cell engager (TCE) therapies for autoimmune diseases. The partnership combines Cartesian's clinically validated CAR and TCE assets with WestGene's clinically validated mRNA and targeted lipid nanoparticle (tLNP) delivery platform. WestGene will lead early research and development, while Cartesian will oversee global clinical development and commercialisation, bearing the associated costs.

Under the terms, WestGene will receive upfront payments, development and commercial milestones, sublicensing revenue, and royalties for each collaboration programme. The first project will focus on a BCMA-targeted in vivo CAR-T therapy for generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG). Cartesian's lead asset, Descartes-08, is already in Phase III for gMG, while WestGene's tLNP platform has been validated in hundreds of subjects.

PharmCube's NextBiopharm® database lists 73 in vivo CAR-T projects globally, including 22 in human trials. Click here to request a free trial for NextBiopharm®.