CRISPR Therapeutics Updates on Zugo-cel in Refractory Rheumatologic Autoimmune Diseases Phase 1 Trial
CRISPR Therapeutics has provided an update on zugocabtagene geleucel (zugo-cel), an investigational CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy, in its ongoing Phase 1 basket trial for refractory rheumatologic autoimmune diseases. The trial includes patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). As of October 15, 2026, 21 patients have been dosed across these cohorts. Preliminary clinical data have shown encouraging responses and a favorable tolerability profile. Specifically, in the SSc cohort, 83% (5/6) of patients receiving standard lymphodepletion achieved a clinical response (rCRISS-25) at Month 3, with all responders maintaining their response. For IIM patients, all nine achieved a moderate or major Total Improvement Score (TIS) response. The therapy has been well tolerated, with no cytokine release syndrome (CRS) above Grade 2, no immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and no other serious adv...
