Capstan Therapeutics

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Capstan Therapeutics led by Laura Shawver is bringing in vivo cell therapies to fibrosis, autoimmunity, and more. Based on research from Penn at the Epstein Lab with the June/Weissman Labs, the company relies on mRNA to enable new immunotherapies for diseases like heart failure.

Capstan’s platform is built on 3 core technologies:

1. LNPs for repeat dosing
2. Immune-cell targeting antibodies/fragments like CD5
3. mRNA encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeted against a pathogenic cell(s)

The key breakthrough is using mRNA to reprogram T-cells for transient activity that is important for chronic diseases like fibrosis & maybe autoimmunity.

PoC data was published earlier this year in mouse models for heart failure:
https://lnkd.in/dnHWYi6W

The company is working to expand the purview of cell therapies beyond oncology. In vivo cell therapies sidestep many of the current manufacturing challenges in the field but more work needs to be done to ensure high enough reprogramming coverage & T-cell activity

Capstan is hiring here
https://lnkd.in/gkCaymUE