AbbVie to Acquire Capstan Therapeutics to Advance In Vivo CAR-T for Autoimmune Diseases
AbbVie and Capstan Therapeutics have announced a definitive agreement for AbbVie to acquire Capstan in a move that underscores AbbVie’s strategic commitment to pioneering next-generation immunology therapies. The acquisition brings Capstan’s clinical-stage lead asset, CPTX2309, and its proprietary targeted lipid nanoparticle (tLNP) RNA delivery platform under AbbVie’s wing, significantly expanding the company’s capabilities in cell and gene therapy innovation for autoimmune disorders.
CPTX2309: A First-in-Class In Vivo CAR-T Therapeutic
Capstan’s most advanced program, CPTX2309, is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial and represents a potential first-in-class in vivo CAR-T therapeutic targeting CD19—a key marker on B cells that are central to many autoimmune diseases. CPTX2309 uses Capstan’s proprietary tLNP technology to deliver an mRNA payload encoding an anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) directly to CD8-expressing cytotoxic T cells within the body. Once engineered in vivo, these modified T cells transiently express the CD19 CAR and eliminate CD19-positive B cells, a process that may result in long-term immune system recalibration.
Unlike traditional ex vivo CAR-T therapies, which require lymphodepletion and complex cell manipulation outside the body, CPTX2309 circumvents these challenges. The therapy is designed to be administered off-the-shelf, enabling scalable and more accessible treatment that doesn’t rely on patient-specific manufacturing processes.
Strategic Platform to Reset the Immune System
CD19 is a clinically validated target for B cell depletion and has demonstrated effectiveness in autoimmune diseases using conventional CAR-T cell therapies. However, current methods involve removing a patient’s T cells, engineering them outside the body, and reinfusing them—a labor-intensive and resource-heavy process. Capstan’s in vivo approach instead delivers mRNA directly to cytotoxic T cells via its tLNP platform. These in vivo-engineered cells express the CD19 CAR for a limited period, clearing disease-causing memory B cells while allowing naïve B cells to repopulate, effectively resetting the immune system. This could halt or even reverse the progression of certain autoimmune diseases.
Capstan’s Technology and AbbVie’s Ambition
Capstan’s tLNP platform is also adaptable for delivering various RNA payloads, broadening its utility for targeting specific immune or non-immune cells in vivo. This modularity could pave the way for future applications in a wide spectrum of diseases, extending far beyond autoimmune conditions.
“Scientific innovation is required to address not just the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, but also to resolve and potentially cure the underlying disease,” said Roopal Thakkar, M.D., Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer at AbbVie. “By advancing CPTX2309 and utilizing Capstan’s novel platform technology, AbbVie and Capstan aim to transform the care of those living with autoimmune diseases by developing treatments that have the potential to reset the immune system.”
Capstan’s CEO, Laura Shawver, Ph.D., added: “In vivo CAR-T represents a potential new treatment modality in medicine – embodying the transformative power of cell therapy with the accessibility and scalability of an off-the-shelf biologic. This technology has the potential to become a first-in-class platform to treat a wide range of autoimmune diseases. Through AbbVie’s world-leading expertise in immunology research, clinical development, and commercialization, we believe this transaction moves us closer to delivering on our mission.”
Financial Terms and Deal Structure
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, AbbVie will pay up to $2.1 billion in cash at closing, subject to customary adjustments. The deal is expected to close following the satisfaction of standard conditions, including the expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act waiting period.
Advisory Support
Capstan was advised exclusively by Centerview Partners LLC as financial advisor, while Cooley LLP served as legal counsel.
