Carisma Therapeutics (CARM) Oppenheimer 35th Annual Healthcare Life Sciences Conference (Virtual) 2025 summary

Strategic focus and scientific approach

• Advancing CAR-macrophage therapies targeting efferocytosis, phagocytosis, and immune activation for oncology, fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases.

• Transitioning from ex vivo autologous to in vivo macrophage reprogramming using LNP and mRNA for broader, off-the-shelf applications.

• Partnership with Moderna leverages mRNA/LNP technology for in vivo engineering of myeloid cells, with up to 12 oncology targets.

• Exploring macrophage-based immunosuppression for autoimmune diseases, aiming for tissue-specific inflammation reduction.

• Emphasizing capital efficiency and global collaborations to accelerate development.

Pipeline highlights and development milestones

• CT2401 (liver fibrosis): In vivo strategy restoring TIM4, with development candidate announcement this quarter and regulatory submission planned for H1 2026.

• CT1119 (oncology): Mesothelin-targeted CAR-monocyte, autologous approach, with phase 1 study initiation in China in Q2 and data expected by year-end.

• GPC3 (Moderna partnership): In vivo CAR-M for hepatocellular carcinoma, IND filing targeted for this year.

• Four oncology targets nominated in Moderna collaboration, with ongoing lead and development candidate selection.

• Early-stage proof of concept underway for autoimmune applications, aiming for demonstration this year.

Scientific findings and preclinical data

• Loss of TIM4 efferocytosis receptor identified as a key driver in liver fibrosis; restoring TIM4 in models led to significant reduction in fibrosis and inflammation.

• Proprietary LNP enables efficient transfection of Kupffer cells in both healthy and fibrotic livers, supporting clinical translation.

• TIM4 restoration triggers a positive feedback loop, upregulating anti-inflammatory genes and metabolic pathways.

• Preclinical data in oncology show robust tumor clearance with next-generation CARs and anti-SIRPα knockdown.

• HER2 program insights inform manufacturing and dosing strategies for CT1119.