Cellectis Shares Surge 24% After FDA Grants RMAT Designation for CAR-T Therapy
CLLS•After-hours trading saw Cellectis shares surge 24% following FDA’s RMAT designation for lasmecabtagene timgedleucel, its allogeneic CAR-T therapy for relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Barclays initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and $9 price target, implying a 201% upside from the prior close.
1. RMAT Designation and Trial Progress
The FDA granted RMAT designation to lasmecabtagene timgedleucel, Cellectis’s off-the-shelf allogeneic CAR-T therapy targeting relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This status enables early and frequent FDA interactions, potential priority review and accelerated approval pathways, while the company begins enrolling patients in its mid-stage trial.
2. Barclays Coverage with Overweight Rating
Barclays initiated coverage of Cellectis with an Overweight rating and a $9 price target, reflecting a potential upside of about 201% from the previous close. The firm cited the allogeneic platform’s ability to deliver immediate treatment compared with autologous therapies as a key growth driver.
3. Share Performance and Market Reaction
Cellectis stock jumped over 24% in after-hours trading on the RMAT news, reversing part of its 38% year-to-date decline. Retail sentiment remained neutral and trading volume held at typical levels, indicating cautious investor optimism.
