Cellectis exits CAR-T space, shifting to in vivo gene editing

Cellectis is pivoting to become an in vivo gene editing company, with a focus on developing long-lasting treatments for chronic diseases.

“After a thorough assessment of the evolving therapeutic landscape and strategic review,” Cellectis says it will focus its resources on the advancement of its most promising in vivo gene editing assets. This means the company will cease development of its two allogeneic CAR-T cell therapies, lasme-cel and eti-cel, while seeking partnering opportunities to maximize their value. Cellectis says changing market dynamics have narrowed the addressable patient populations for the two blood disease therapies, slowing enrollment and potentially extending development timelines and costs.

Instead, the company will focus on two preclinical programs — .HEAL-101, an in vivo base editing product candidate targeting APOC3 for severe hypertriglyceridemia and .HEAL-201, an in vivo epigenetic editing product candidate targeting PCSK9 for severe hypercholesterolemia.