CIRM awarded $7.9 million to Barbara Hickingbottom, MD, of Fate Therapeutics to advance FT819, an iPSC‑derived CD19 CAR T‑cell therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus. SLE is a debilitating autoimmune disease affecting more than 200,000 Americans, especially women of color.

FT819 targets B cells to reset the immune system and achieve drug‑free remission. Fate manufactures FT819 from a clonal master iPSC line, creating a uniform, off‑the‑shelf therapy.

This approach aims to bring cell therapy’s curative potential to large numbers of patients with SLE and other autoimmune diseases.

A CAR T-cell first

Dr. Abla Creasey, PhD, CIRM’s vice president of therapeutic development, said the therapy shows strong promise for transforming care for SLE. Dr. Hickingbottom said she looks forward to partnering with CIRM to advance FT819, the first CAR T‑cell therapy made from a clonal master iPSC line to reach clinical testing.

“This innovative approach shows great promise in transforming clinical practice for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, providing a new potential treatment option for individuals and families affected by this challenging disease,” added Dr. Creasey.

“CD19 CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated tremendous potential for patients with autoimmune diseases,” said Dr. Hickingbottom. “We look forward to partnering with CIRM to broadly realize this potential with FT819, the industry’s first CAR T-cell therapy manufactured from a clonal master iPSC line to reach clinical investigation.”