All articles tagged with #autoimmune diseases
Boulevard Bio, co-founded by renowned autoimmune researcher Georg Schett, signals a shift toward antibody therapies and away from CAR-T, marking Schett’s first co-foundership as he continues to advise several biotech startups.
Boulevard Bio surfaced from stealth with $65 million in funding from Deerfield Management to advance three autoimmune drug candidates. Led by Mahesh Karande and co-founded with Georg Schett, the company’s lead asset BLVD101 is a bispecific BAFF/APRIL antibody for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) with a 12-week dosing schedule and favorable interim Phase 1 safety data. The portfolio also includes BLVD201, a trispecific CD19/BCMA/CD3 T-cell engager licensed from METiS Techbio, and BLVD301 in IND-enabling stages, underpinned by 3DC’s B-cell–focused platform and Metis’ NanoForge technology. Boulevard emphasizes multi-target, patient-centric approaches to address B-cell–driven autoimmune diseases.
Bryan Johnson, a prominent longevity advocate who tracks nearly every aspect of his biology, revealed he has autoimmune gastritis, a chronic condition that damages the stomach lining and can progress silently over years. Experts note autoimmune diseases are common, often with unknown causes, and while they can be managed, they aren’t curable. Johnson’s case illustrates both the promise and the limits of intensive data-driven health monitoring and single-subject experiments, showing that even exhaustive biomarker data may miss slow-developing illnesses.
Moderna disclosed its first in vivo CAR-T program, mRNA-6007, which uses a lipid nanoparticle to deliver CAR-T mRNA to CD4/CD8 T and NK cells to target and deplete pathogenic B cells in autoimmune diseases. Marketed as an off-the-shelf approach, it aims to simplify manufacturing and expand access versus traditional ex vivo CAR-T. The therapy is in early IND-enabling stages and is slated to enter the clinic next year, with lupus and other B-cell–mediated conditions among the initial targets; if successful, it could enable larger-scale development, including future oncology applications.
A 47-year-old German woman with refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenia, and antiphospholipid syndrome was treated with CAR-T cell therapy to eradicate rogue B cells and reboot her immune system. After exhausting standard therapies, this radical approach led to dramatic improvement and is described by doctors as a landmark in immunotherapy.
A 47-year-old woman with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) achieved rapid, lasting remission after CD19-targeted CAR-T cell therapy, effectively resetting her immune system and enabling a near-normal life; she has remained in treatment-free remission for about 14 months, while researchers note the need for trials to determine durability and wider applicability.
Endometriosis is described as a systemic immune disorder driven by chronic inflammation, with elevated cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-1beta in the blood and immune cells that fail to clear lesions, producing ripple effects like fatigue, brain fog, and widespread pain beyond pelvic symptoms. A 2025 study linked endometriosis to roughly twice the odds of an autoimmune diagnosis within two years of onset, suggesting shared inflammatory mechanisms rather than a purely reproductive disease; reframing it as a whole-body immune condition could guide development of immune-modulating treatments and empower patients in healthcare settings.
Gilead Sciences will acquire Ouro Medicines for $1.675 billion upfront plus up to $500 million in milestones to add OM336, a BCMAxCD3 T cell engager, to its inflammation portfolio. OM336 has shown single‑cycle efficacy in autoimmune diseases such as AIHA and ITP and holds Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations with registrational studies expected in 2027. Gilead is also pursuing a strategic collaboration with Galapagos on Ouro assets, with Galapagos covering half of upfront and milestone payments, sharing development costs, and receiving 20%–23% royalties on net sales while Gilead retains worldwide commercialization rights (except Greater China). The deal aims to advance immune-reset therapies by depleting pathogenic B cells/plasma cells to reduce inflammation, potentially enabling durable drug‑free remission; regulatory and integration risks remain.
Gilead Sciences agreed to buy Ouro Medicines for $1.675 billion upfront plus up to $500 million in milestones to add OM336, a BCMAxCD3 T cell engager, to its inflammation portfolio. OM336 has shown rapid B cell depletion with a favorable safety profile in Phase 1/2 data and has FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations, with registrational studies expected in 2027. Gilead is also in advanced talks for a collaboration with Galapagos, under which Galapagos would fund half of upfront and milestone payments, absorb Ouro’s operating assets, and receive 20-23% royalties on net sales while Gilead retains worldwide commercialization rights. The combined effort aims to accelerate immune-reset therapies for autoimmune diseases and potentially deliver durable, drug-free remission through BCMA-targeted T cell engagers.
A CART4-34 CAR-T therapy targets the IGHV4-34 gene in B-cell cancer, destroying lymphoma cells in mice as effectively as CD19 CAR-T while sparing healthy B cells and avoiding immune suppression; the approach could also be used to treat autoimmune conditions such as lupus, but human trials are needed.
Scientists have discovered that a small subset of maternal immune cells persist in offspring throughout life, actively maintaining immune tolerance to maternal cells and potentially influencing various health conditions, including autoimmune diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders.
The article discusses the complexities of autoimmune diseases like lupus, highlighting recent scientific advances such as CAR-T therapy and targeted drugs, which offer hope for better diagnosis, understanding, and treatment of these conditions that affect millions worldwide.
Autoimmune diseases, which can affect nearly every part of the body and are more common in women, occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. There are over 100 such diseases, with symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening, and diagnosis can be complex. Recent research offers hope for more targeted treatments and early interventions, with ongoing clinical trials showing promising results. The global market for autoimmune treatments is substantial, reflecting the widespread impact of these chronic conditions.
Autoimmune diseases, which can affect various parts of the body and are more common in women, occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. They are difficult to diagnose due to vague symptoms and overlapping conditions, but new research and clinical trials are exploring treatments that aim to reprogram the immune system and delay disease onset. Despite advances, treatment remains complex and often lifelong, with ongoing efforts to improve diagnosis and develop targeted therapies.
Ruth Wilson's six-year struggle to diagnose her lupus highlights the challenges of autoimmune diseases, which affect millions and are difficult to treat. Advances in research, including new therapies like CAR-T and targeted drugs, offer hope for better diagnosis, understanding, and potentially cures, as scientists explore the complex biology and diverse subtypes of these conditions.