AbbVie(US:ABBV) 生物世界·2025-07-01 08:19Core Viewpoint - AbbVie is making a significant move into the in vivo CAR-T market by acquiring Capstan Therapeutics for $2.1 billion in cash, aiming to integrate a candidate therapy for autoimmune diseases, CPTX2309, which is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials [2][9]. Group 1: Capstan Therapeutics Overview - Capstan Therapeutics, founded in early 2022, focuses on in vivo reprogramming of T cells to address manufacturing and scalability challenges in CAR-T therapies, allowing patients to avoid lymphocyte-depleting chemotherapy prior to treatment [3][9]. - The company has raised $340 million from various pharmaceutical giants and venture capital firms, with a founding team that includes pioneers in CAR-T cell therapy and mRNA technology [9]. Group 2: In Vivo CAR-T Technology - The in vivo CAR-T technology was developed based on a research paper published by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in January 2022, which introduced a method to generate CAR-T cells in situ using lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA [6][12]. - This innovative approach, similar to mRNA vaccines, aims to simplify the CAR-T cell production process, addressing issues such as complexity, time, and high costs associated with traditional methods [7][14]. Group 3: Clinical Development and Applications - Capstan's lead product, CPTX2309, is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials for treating B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, with promising preclinical results demonstrated in animal models [11][19]. - The therapy utilizes targeted lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA encoding CD19 CAR to CD8+ T cells, effectively generating CAR-T cells that can eliminate autoreactive B cells while allowing for the regeneration of healthy B cells [19][20]. Group 4: Market Context and Potential - Since 2017, the FDA has approved six CAR-T therapies for various B cell malignancies, with hundreds more in clinical trials globally, highlighting the growing interest and potential in the CAR-T market despite existing challenges [14][15]. - Recent advancements in CAR-T therapies for autoimmune diseases have shown significant clinical benefits, indicating a promising avenue for future treatments [15].