Kelonia shares updated in vivo CAR-T data, post-Lilly buyout

Kelonia Therapeutics shared positive updated results from its ongoing first-in-human phase 1 study of its in vivo CAR-T, KLN-1010, in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).

Fourteen additional patients have been dosed in the inMMyCAR study since first clinical data were reported at the ASH 2025 Annual Meeting, bringing the total number of patients dosed to 18. The interim data, presented at ASCO, demonstrate a 100% overall response rate and minimal residual disease-negative bone marrow at one month post treatment in all evaluable patients. Importantly, the data demonstrated robust generation and sustained persistence of CAR-T cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow exceeding what is typically seen with ex vivo CAR-T therapies.

KLN-1010 is a novel in vivo gene therapy designed to generate anti-BCMA CAR-T cells directly within patients following a single infusion, without the requirement of preparative chemotherapy or bespoke CAR-T cell manufacturing.

Eli Lilly announced that it was buying the Boston-based biotech back in April in a deal worth up to $7 billion in cash, inclusive of an upfront payment of $3.25 billion, and subsequent milestone payments.