Regeneron Halts Development of CAR-T Therapy, Reflecting Industry-Wide Challenges

Regeneron Abandons 2seventy bio's CAR-T Candidate

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has made the strategic decision to discontinue the development of bbT369, a dual-targeting CAR-T therapy acquired from 2seventy bio last year. The company halted the phase 1/2 clinical trial for relapsed and/or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma before it could transition into its phase 2 stage.

The CAR-T candidate, which targets both CD79a and CD20, was initially heralded as a promising asset. It was the first novel cell therapy utilizing 2seventy's megaTAL gene editing platform to enter clinical trials. Preclinical models had shown encouraging anti-lymphoma activity, raising hopes for its potential efficacy.

Despite this setback, Regeneron has stated that the decision does not impact its broader cell therapy strategy. The company's portfolio still includes other assets acquired from 2seventy, such as SC-DARIC33 for acute myeloid leukemia, a MUC16-targeted CAR-T for ovarian cancer, and a MAGE-A4 TCR program for solid tumors.

Broader Implications for the Cell Therapy Landscape

Regeneron's decision comes amid a challenging period for cell therapies in the pharmaceutical industry. Recent weeks have seen several major players reassessing their involvement in this modality:

• Novo Nordisk announced its withdrawal from further cell therapy development efforts.
• Takeda similarly decided to abandon its pursuits in the field.
• Galapagos has also followed suit, stepping back from cell therapy research.

These moves by industry giants signal a potential shift in the perceived viability and commercial potential of certain cell therapy approaches. The decisions reflect the complex landscape of drug development, where promising preclinical results don't always translate to clinical success or market readiness.

As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, companies are reassessing their research and development priorities. The recent trend of abandoning cell therapy programs may lead to a recalibration of resources and focus on other emerging technologies or more traditional drug development pathways.