Carisma Therapeutics is pioneering a novel approach to cancer treatment through the development of CAR-Macrophages, which are engineered immune cells designed to target and attack tumors. By harnessing the natural abilities of macrophages, these therapies aim to overcome significant challenges faced by traditional cancer treatments, such as tumor infiltration and immunosuppressive microenvironments. CAR-Macrophages are engineered to maintain an anti-tumor phenotype, enhancing their ability to recruit T cells and activate the immune response against a variety of tumor-specific antigens. This multi-faceted strategy not only addresses the trafficking challenges of immune cells but also aims to counteract the heterogeneity of tumor antigens, providing a promising avenue for long-term anti-tumor immunity.

In addition to their focus on oncology, Carisma is expanding their research to explore the potential of engineered macrophages in treating other serious conditions, including liver fibrosis and autoimmune disorders. Their current pipeline includes several CAR-Monocyte and CAR-Macrophage therapies, with ongoing clinical trials aimed at solid tumors that overexpress specific antigens, such as HER2. By leveraging advances in macrophage biology and adoptive cellular therapy, Carisma is committed to developing innovative treatments that could significantly improve patient outcomes and offer hope to those affected by challenging diseases.

United States

Carisma Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on utilizing our proprietary macrophage and monocyte cell engineering platform to develop transformative immunotherapies to treat cancer and other serious diseases. We have created a comprehensive, differentiated proprietary cell therapy platform focused on engineered macrophages and monocytes, cells that play a crucial role in both the innate and adaptive immune response. Carisma is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA.

Cancer

Liver Diseases

Carisma Therapeutics

Bladder cancer

Vicineum, a locally administered fusion protein, is Sesen Bio’s lead product candidate being developed for the treatment of high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Vicineum is comprised of a recombinant fusion protein that targets epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antigens on the surface of tumor cells to deliver a potent protein payload, Pseudomonas Exotoxin A. Vicineum is constructed with a stable, genetically engineered peptide tether to ensure the payload remains attached until it is internalized by the cancer cell, which is believed to decrease the risk of toxicity to healthy tissues, thereby improving its safety. In prior clinical trials conducted by Sesen Bio, EpCAM has been shown to be overexpressed in NMIBC cells with minimal to no EpCAM expression observed on normal bladder cells. Sesen Bio is currently conducting the Phase 3 VISTA trial, designed to support the registration of Vicineum for the treatment of high-risk NMIBC in patients who have previously received a minimum of two courses of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and whose disease is now BCG-unresponsive. Additionally, Sesen Bio believes that cancer cell-killing properties of Vicineum promote an anti-tumor immune response that may potentially combine well with immuno-oncology drugs, such as checkpoint inhibitors. The activity of Vicineum in BCG-unresponsive NMIBC is also being explored at the US National Cancer Institute in combination with AstraZeneca’s immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab.

Vicineum™

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Solid tumor/s

CT-0508 is a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) targeted chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-Macrophage)

CT-0508 (HER2)

CT-0508 (HER2) + pembrolizumab

CT-0525 is an ex vivo gene-modified autologous chimeric antigen receptor-monocyte (CAR-Monocyte) cellular therapy intended to treat solid tumors that overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).

Carisma Therapeutics

Company Details