Carisma Therapeutics and Moderna expand collaboration to develop CAR-M therapies

Carisma Therapeutics (CARM) is expanding its in vivo chimeric antigen receptor macrophage and monocyte – together, CAR-M – collaboration with Moderna (MRNA) to include the nomination of two targets for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Carisma retains all rights in autoimmune disease beyond the two nominated targets, which will be exclusively partnered with Moderna. Under this expanded collaboration, Carisma and Moderna will leverage Carisma’s proprietary CAR-M technology and Moderna’s mRNA/LNP platform to develop novel in vivo macrophage engineering approaches in the nominated autoimmune disease targets. Carisma will receive research funding and is eligible to receive development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, plus royalties on net sales of any products that are commercialized under the collaboration agreement. Carisma will be responsible for the discovery and optimization of development candidates, while Moderna will lead the clinical development and commercialization of therapeutics resulting from the agreement.