CRISPR Therapeutics has announced encouraging early results for zugocaptagene geleucel (zugo-cel), its investigational allogeneic CAR T therapy targeting CD19, in both autoimmune diseases and hematologic malignancies.
Autoimmune Disease Progress
In a Phase 1 basket trial, four patients with severe autoimmune conditions—including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy—received zugo-cel at a 100 million cell dose. All demonstrated rapid and sustained B-cell depletion within days of infusion, maintained for at least 28 days. Clinical improvements were observed across the cohort, with one SLE patient achieving drug-free remission through six months. Importantly, treatment was well tolerated, with no high-grade cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity reported. Additional trials have begun in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA).
Hematologic Malignancy Data
In relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), zugo-cel showed strong single-agent activity at the recommended Phase 2 dose of 600 million cells. Among 10 patients, the overall response rate reached 90%, with 70% achieving complete response. Two-thirds of patients who completed one year of follow-up remained in remission. Safety findings included manageable rates of Grade 3 cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity.
Strategic Collaboration
CRISPR Therapeutics also announced a partnership with Lilly to explore zugo-cel in combination with pirtobrutinib for aggressive B-cell lymphomas, expanding its oncology pipeline.
Further updates across autoimmune and oncology programs are expected in the second half of 2026.
