Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is making significant strides in the development of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies for autoimmune diseases. The company is set to present preliminary data from one of its ongoing CAR-T trials in rheumatology at the 2024 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence in Washington, D.C.
CD19-XT: A Promising Candidate
Daniela van Eickels, MD, PhD, MPH, vice president and head of medical affairs for BMS’s Cell Therapy Organization, highlighted the company's robust development strategy in autoimmunity. BMS is exploring CAR-T designs for patients with severe respiratory lupus, systemic sclerosis, inflammatory idiopathic myositis, and neuroinflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis. A lead candidate, CD19-XT, leverages BMS's experience from its best-in-class product, lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel, marketed as Breyanzi), and incorporates a new manufacturing process. This process aims to balance speed and reliability, shorten turnaround time, increase manufacturing capacity, and optimize the cell composition of the final product to improve patient outcomes.
Clinical Trials and Preliminary Results
BMS currently has two multicohort studies underway with CD19-XT, investigating its safety, tolerability, and effectiveness in patients with rheumatologic indications (lupus, sclerosis, and myositis) and neurologic conditions (different forms of multiple sclerosis). Preliminary results from the rheumatology program will be presented by Georg Schett, MD, vice president of research and professor of internal medicine at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, on November 17. The presentation will be part of the cellular therapy section at the ACR Convergence.
The Promise of Deep Immune Reset
Van Eickels emphasized the excitement surrounding the concept of deep immune reset, which BMS is pursuing with urgency. The goal is to provide real value to patients who are not adequately treated with current therapies. BMS believes that collaboration with scientific experts, clinicians, and patients is crucial for accelerating the development and execution of these therapies. The company aims to leverage its expertise in cellular therapies from other areas to bring effective solutions to patients with autoimmune diseases.
