Caribou Biosciences says it plans to discontinue further development activities for its two allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy programs, vispa-cel for the treatment of relapsed/refractory B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and CB-011 for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
"Vispa-cel is pivotal trial-ready, with FDA alignment already reached on the phase 3 clinical trial design. We believe both programs have demonstrated the potential for allogeneic CAR-T cell therapies to deliver deep and durable responses, while meaningfully expanding access for patients who urgently need treatment options," said Rachel Haurwitz, Ph.D., president and CEO of Caribou. "Unfortunately, despite the progress we've made, the current financing environment for allogeneic CAR-T cell therapies has made it increasingly challenging to secure the capital necessary to responsibly advance these programs.”
In line with the decision, Caribou plans to implement a “substantial” reduction in workforce, expected to be “mostly” complete in the fourth quarter of 2026.
This isn’t the first time Caribou has gone through a restructuring. In April 2025, the company narrowed its pipeline to two lead oncology programs, vispa-cel and CB-011, while discontinuing its lupus trial of CB-010 and the CB-012 program in acute myeloid leukemia. The move included a 32% workforce reduction. This followed a 2024 restructuring that eliminated 21 positions and ended preclinical work on the company’s allogeneic CAR-NK platform.
Now, Caribou’s board has approved the evaluation of strategic alternatives, including a merger, acquisition, business combination, or other transactions involving Caribou and/or its assets.
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