AbbVie has agreed to acquire Capstan Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on in vivo engineering of cells with RNA delivery technology, in an all-cash deal worth up to $2.1bn.
This acquisition involves Capstan’s candidate therapy, CPTX2309, currently undergoing Phase 1 trials for B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
AbbVie will also acquire Capstan’s proprietary targeted lipid nanoparticle (tLNP) platform, which facilitates targeted RNA payload delivery in vivo.
Capstan aims to develop treatments that combine the potency of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy with off-the-shelf convenience for autoimmune diseases. The company’s proprietary technologies employ novel lipid nanoparticles conjugated with recombinant proteins to engineer cell types in vivo.
AbbVie research and development executive vice president and chief scientific officer Roopal Thakkar said: “Scientific innovation is required to address not just the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, but also to resolve and potentially cure the underlying disease.
“By advancing CPTX2309 and utilising Capstan’s novel platform technology, AbbVie and Capstan aim to transform the care of those living with autoimmune diseases by developing treatments that have the potential to reset the immune system.”
The acquisition aligns with AbbVie’s strategy to enhance its immunology portfolio through advanced therapeutic solutions. The in vivo tLNP anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy candidate, CPTX2309, targets CD19 receptors on B cells without requiring lymphodepletion or ex vivo processing. This innovation aims to reset the immune system by depleting autoreactive B cells and promoting the repopulation of naïve B cells.
Capstan president and CEO Laura Shawver said: “In vivo CAR-T represents a potential new treatment modality in medicine – embodying the transformative power of cell therapy with the accessibility and scalability of an off-the-shelf biologic. This technology has the potential to become a first-in-class platform to treat a wide range of autoimmune diseases.
“Through AbbVie’s world-leading expertise in immunology research, clinical development, and its commercialisation capabilities, we believe that this transaction moves us closer to delivering on our shared mission to bring these innovative therapies to patients in need.”
Closing of the acquisition is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
Centerview Partners served as Capstan’s financial adviser, with Cooley providing legal counsel.
