Cullinan Therapeutics (CGEM) 2024 Cantor Fitzgerald Global Healthcare Conference summary

Pipeline and strategic focus

• Portfolio includes assets targeting both autoimmune diseases and cancer, aiming for first or best-in-class status.

• CLN-978, a CD19/CD3 T cell engager, is positioned as an off-the-shelf, disease-modifying therapy for autoimmune indications like SLE and RA.

• IND submission for SLE and ethics approval in Australia enable a global study; RA program involves leading academic partners in Germany and Italy.

• Oncology pipeline continues with progress on CLN-619 (MICA/MICB pathway) and Zipilertinib (EGFR exon 20 inhibitor).

• $665 million in cash as of June, providing runway into 2028 to support ongoing and new programs.

Expansion into immunology and organizational development

• Expansion into immunology is a strategic fit, leveraging existing immuno-oncology expertise.

• Core scientific team has broad immunology experience; additional external experts are being recruited for clinical, research, and regulatory roles.

• Building a dedicated immunology unit to maximize the value of CLN-978.

Differentiation of T cell engagers versus other modalities

• T cell engagers like CLN-978 offer subcutaneous administration, reduced risk of secondary cancers, and lower rates of ICANS and CRS compared to CAR T therapies.

• Greater dosing flexibility allows for extended remissions and community-based treatment, unlike CAR T therapies.

• CD19 is considered the optimal target for broad B-cell depletion without compromising long-lived plasma cells, reducing infection risk compared to BCMA.