PHILADELPHIA, PA — Carisma Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: CARM), a pioneering biotechnology firm, has unveiled promising preclinical data for an innovative treatment approach to liver fibrosis, a condition currently posing significant treatment challenges. Presented at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 2024 Annual Meeting in Baltimore, the data highlights the potential of engineered macrophages in combating fibrotic diseases, marking a significant stride beyond oncology for the company.
Liver fibrosis, often a precursor to more severe liver diseases, emerges from chronic damage and can lead to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). “This preclinical proof of concept underscores our engineered macrophages’ ability to home in on fibrotic tissues, deliver therapeutic agents, and notably reduce liver fibrosis,” stated Michael Klichinsky, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Carisma. The therapy showed a substantial reduction in fibrosis in both a chemical-induced model and a diet-induced MASH model, using macrophages modified to express anti-fibrotic factor relaxin and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10.
Furthermore, Carisma has extended this groundbreaking strategy to address pulmonary fibrosis, a critical unmet medical need characterized by progressive lung scarring. Preliminary data demonstrated that macrophages equipped with a dominant negative TGFβ receptor effectively curbed fibrosis in a mouse model of the disease, offering hope for a novel therapeutic avenue.
These findings not only illuminate Carisma’s commitment to expanding its portfolio beyond oncology but also represent a noteworthy advancement in gene and cell therapy. By leveraging the innate ability of macrophages to target diseased tissues directly, this approach could revolutionize the treatment landscape for fibrotic diseases, offering a beacon of hope for patients with limited options.
Carisma anticipates advancing a candidate from its liver fibrosis program into further development in the first quarter of 2025, signaling a rapid progression towards clinical application. This move could significantly impact treating fibrosis, potentially leading to more effective and targeted therapies for conditions that have long challenged the medical community.
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