WORCESTER—Just days before filing plans to expand its Worcester campus, AbbVie announced another major move—this one on the national stage.
On June 30, the company said it will acquire Capstan Therapeutics, a San Diego-based clinical-stage biotech firm, in a $2.1 billion deal aimed at advancing in vivo CAR-T therapies for autoimmune diseases. The deal includes Capstan’s lead candidate, CPTX2309, which is currently in Phase 1 trials.
“Scientific innovation is required to address not just the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, but also to resolve and potentially cure the underlying disease,” said Dr. Roopal Thakkar, AbbVie’s EVP of R&D and chief scientific officer, in a press statement.
Capstan’s platform uses targeted lipid nanoparticles (tLNPs) to deliver mRNA payloads to reprogram cells inside the body—potentially offering the benefits of CAR-T therapies without the need for complex cell harvesting and lab manufacturing.
The acquisition adds to AbbVie’s already strong position in immunology and continues to focus on next-generation therapies. Capstan’s technology could allow for scalable, off-the-shelf treatments for B cell-driven diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis.
The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals.
AbbVie also filed plans this month to expand its Worcester-based Bioresearch Center with a 55,000-square-foot building. The local development includes new warehouse, office, and cafeteria space, and city officials say it’s a sign of confidence in Worcester’s life sciences growth.
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