Cartesian rises on China tie-up to develop new autoimmune cell therapy

Cartesian Therapeutics

09/06/2026 12:15

** Shares of biotech firm Cartesian Therapeutics RNAC.O rise 8.4% to $6.35 premarket
** Co says it signed licensing deal with China-based  WestGene Biopharma to develop in vivo CAR-T for autoimmune diseases, where the immune system attacks healthy tissue
** Says therapy combines its mRNA technology with WestGene’s lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system to target immune cells inside the body
** Says trial in rare nerve-muscle disorder myasthenia gravis to start 2H 2026; data expected 1H 2027
** Adds approach could allow repeat dosing and avoid complex cell manufacturing outside the body
** Co says partnership also expands pipeline targeting BCMA protein linked to autoimmune diseases
** As of last close, stock down ~19% YTD 
 

 (Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru)
 ((Sahil.Pandey@thomsonreuters.com))