AbbVie has agreed to acquire Capstan Therapeutics in a deal valued up to $2.1 billion, advancing the pharma giant’s in vivo CAR-T therapy ambitions. Capstan’s technology enables direct engineering of immune cells within the body, potentially overcoming challenges faced by ex vivo CAR-T treatments. The acquisition includes rights to Capstan’s early-phase CD19-targeting program and lipid nanoparticle delivery platform. This strategic move follows AbbVie's December 2024 Aliada Therapeutics deal and underscores its commitment to novel immuno-oncology modalities. Meanwhile, Capstan’s CEO Laura Shawver has garnered acclaim for driving this innovative platform from inception to acquisition in under three years.