Cartesian Therapeutics (RNA) Secures $150 Million Financing to Advance Autoimmune Cell Therapy

Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. (RNA) has secured $150 million in private investment in public equity (PIPE) financing to accelerate its pipeline of RNA-engineered cell therapies for autoimmune diseases, the company announced on May 27, 2026. The financing was led by new and existing healthcare investors, with proceeds intended to fund the manufacturing scale-up and clinical development of Cartesian's lead candidate, Descartes-08, through mid-stage trials in generalized myasthenia gravis and other autoimmune indications. Cartesian opted for a PIPE structure in a bid to minimize dilution while raising growth capital. The biotech’s platform uses mRNA to engineer chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T) without viral vectors, potentially eliminating the need for lymphodepletion chemotherapy—a feature that could expand outpatient use in autoimmune disorders. Shares of RNA have been volatile amid broader biotech sell‐offs, and the financing provides runway into 2028.