Cartesian Reports $120.4M Cash, Advances Three Descartes-08 Trials
Cartesian Therapeutics held $120.4M cash as of March 31, 2026, funding operations into mid-2027 while enrolling ~100 patients in its Phase 3 AURORA myasthenia gravis trial and initiating Phase 2 TRITON in dermatomyositis and antisynthetase syndrome with pediatric HELIOS enrollments. R&D expenses rose to $19.5M, net loss widened to $39.2M.
1. Pipeline Update
Cartesian’s lead candidate Descartes-08 is being evaluated in three clinical programs: a randomized Phase 3 AURORA trial in acetylcholine receptor autoantibody-positive myasthenia gravis, a Phase 2 TRITON trial in refractory dermatomyositis and antisynthetase syndrome, and a Phase 1/2 HELIOS pediatric trial in juvenile dermatomyositis.
2. AURORA Trial Details
The Phase 3 AURORA trial is measuring six weekly outpatient infusions of Descartes-08 versus placebo in approximately 100 patients, targeting a three-point improvement in MG-ADL score at Month 4 without preconditioning chemotherapy.
3. Financial Position
As of March 31, 2026, Cartesian held $120.4 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, having raised $14.6 million through its ATM program, expected to fund operations into mid-2027 including trial completions.
4. Expenses and Net Loss
First-quarter R&D expenses rose to $19.5 million from $14.7 million due to increased AURORA trial costs, general and administrative expenses declined to $7.1 million, and net loss widened to $39.2 million from $17.7 million year-over-year.