AbbVie Acquires Capstan Therapeutics in $2.1B Deal to Advance In Vivo CAR-T Therapies

AbbVie has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Capstan Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, for up to $2.1 billion in cash. This acquisition includes Capstan's lead asset, CPTX2309, a potential first-in-class in vivo CAR-T therapy currently in Phase 1 development for B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. Unlike traditional ex vivo CAR-T therapies, CPTX2309 utilizes Capstan's proprietary targeted lipid nanoparticle (tLNP) platform to deliver mRNA encoding an anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor directly to CD8-expressing cytotoxic T cells within the body, eliminating the need for complex cell harvesting and manufacturing processes.

The in vivo approach aims to reprogram T cells to target and deplete pathogenic B cells, potentially resetting the immune system and inducing clinical remission in autoimmune conditions. This strategy aligns with AbbVie's ongoing efforts to expand its immunology pipeline, especially following the loss of patent protection for its blockbuster drug, Humira. The acquisition also provides AbbVie with Capstan's innovative tLNP platform technology, which could have broader applications beyond autoimmune diseases.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.