Carisma Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing macrophage-based cellular therapies, has announced a strategic shift to focus on its in vivo macrophage engineering platform.
 
To streamline operations and prioritize high-potential programs, the company will discontinue development of its anti-HER2 program, CT-0525, and reduce its workforce by approximately 34%.
 
“Following a comprehensive review of our portfolio, we have made the strategic decision to prioritize advancing our in vivo macrophage engineering platform,” said Steven Kelly, President and CEO of Carisma. “The compelling data generated by both the Moderna-partnered in vivo CAR-M oncology programs as well as our internal liver fibrosis program underscore the potential to revolutionize treatment paradigms with an innovative and patient-centric approach.”
 
“These strategic initiatives, re-directing our investments to the in vivo macrophage engineering platform, discontinuing development of our anti-HER2 program and reducing our workforce, aim to streamline our operations and reduce operating expenses over time,” Kelly continued. “While these decisions are very challenging, they are made in the best interest of our shareholders. We remain deeply grateful for the significant contributions of the employees departing Carisma.”
 
The company will continue to advance its fibrosis program, with plans to nominate a development candidate in the first quarter of 2025. In collaboration with Moderna, Carisma is also progressing multiple in vivo CAR-M programs for oncology and autoimmune diseases.
 
Carisma expects to incur approximately $2.7 million in costs associated with the workforce reduction.

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