AbbVie to acquire Capstan Therapeutics, enhancing commitment to …

AbbVie has announced plans to acquire Capstan Therapeutics, a move that showcases the company’s dedication to transforming patient care in the field of immunology. This acquisition will bolster AbbVie’s innovative strength and commitment to revolutionizing the treatment landscape for patients with autoimmune diseases.

Capstan’s flagship product, CPTX2309, leverages a targeted lipid nanoparticle (tLNP) to deliver mRNA encoding an anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to cytotoxic T cells expressing CD8 in vivo. This pioneering treatment represents a cutting-edge approach to tackling B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases and has the potential to be a first-in-class solution in this therapeutic area. By incorporating Capstan’s revolutionary tLNP platform technology, AbbVie aims to advance the future of patient care by developing novel therapies that address the root causes of autoimmune conditions.

The acquisition of Capstan signifies a significant step forward in AbbVie’s mission to redefine autoimmune disease treatment paradigms. Roopal Thakkar, M.D., AbbVie’s executive vice president, research and development, and chief scientific officer, emphasized the critical role of scientific innovation in not only managing autoimmune disease symptoms but also potentially offering a cure. The collaboration between AbbVie and Capstan holds promise in reshaping autoimmune disease care by introducing groundbreaking treatments that could reset the immune system.

Laura Shawver, Ph.D., Capstan’s president, and chief executive officer, highlighted the transformative potential of in vivo CAR-T therapy as a game-changer in the medical field. This technology combines the transformative power of cell therapy with the accessibility and scalability of biologics, paving the way for a novel treatment platform with broad applications in autoimmune disease management. Through their joint efforts, AbbVie and Capstan are poised to revolutionize patient care by delivering innovative therapies to individuals in need.

B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases are complex conditions with significant unmet medical needs. CD19, a cell surface receptor found on B cells, serves as a validated target for B cell depletion therapy in autoimmune diseases utilizing CAR-T cell technology. CPTX2309’s unique design, including hepatic de-targeting, enables the targeted delivery of mRNA encoding an anti-CD19 CAR to CD8-expressing T cells, resulting in the reprogramming of these cells in vivo. By circumventing the need for lymphodepletion preconditioning and complex ex vivo manufacturing, this approach offers a promising strategy for depleting autoreactive B cells and inducing clinical remission in patients.

The partnership between AbbVie and Capstan underlines a shared commitment to driving innovation in immunology research. The acquisition agreement includes a significant financial commitment from AbbVie, marking a substantial investment in advancing autoimmune disease treatment approaches. This strategic collaboration is poised to unlock new treatment modalities and therapeutic possibilities for patients grappling with autoimmune conditions, signaling a paradigm shift in the field of immunology.