Carisma Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing next-generation cell therapies for cancer and other serious diseases. Building on advances in genetic engineering and immunology, Carisma focuses on harnessing the innate immune system by engineering macrophages to target and destroy tumor cells. The company’s lead program, CT-0508, is a CAR-macrophage therapy directed against HER2-positive solid tumors. Carisma’s approach seeks to overcome key limitations of existing cell therapies by leveraging the unique tumor-penetrating and antigen-presenting capabilities of macrophages, potentially offering a novel treatment paradigm for patients with refractory cancers.
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Carisma has assembled a pipeline of preclinical and early clinical candidates designed to expand the reach of adoptive cell therapy beyond hematologic malignancies. In addition to CT-0508, the company is advancing programs targeting a variety of tumor-associated antigens, with preclinical data suggesting the potential for durable anti-tumor responses. Carisma’s manufacturing strategy emphasizes scalable, nonviral gene delivery methods, aiming to streamline production and reduce costs while maintaining high cell viability and functionality.
Carisma’s research and development efforts are supported by partnerships with leading academic institutions and translational research centers in North America and Europe. These collaborations enable access to cutting-edge technologies in protein engineering, synthetic biology, and immunometabolism. The company has also forged alliances with contract development and manufacturing organizations to ensure clinical supply and to prepare for potential commercial-scale manufacturing, reflecting its commitment to advancing therapies from bench to bedside.
Led by a seasoned executive team with deep expertise in cell therapy, immuno-oncology and pharmaceutical development, Carisma Therapeutics combines scientific rigor with a patient-centric focus. Its leadership includes executives with prior experience at both large pharmaceutical firms and agile biotech startups, supporting a strategic vision to rapidly translate laboratory discoveries into transformative therapies. With a robust intellectual property portfolio and a growing body of clinical and preclinical data, Carisma is positioned as an innovator in the emerging field of engineered macrophage therapies.
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