Caribou cuts 32% of staff, further purges pipeline to focus on 2 oncology CAR-T prospects

Title

Caribou Biosciences Lays Off 32% of Staff and Narrows Pipeline to Focus on Two Lead CAR-T Oncology Programs

Keywords

Caribou Biosciences
layoffs
CAR-T therapy
oncology
cell therapy
pipeline prioritization
CB-010
CB-011
restructuring
CRISPR
acute myeloid leukemia
autoimmune disease
cash runway extension

Key Facts

Caribou Biosciences is reducing its workforce by 32%, impacting about a third of its approximately 125 employees, as part of a major restructuring effort to streamline operations and refocus resources1 2 3 5.
The company will discontinue several programs, including the CB-012 allogeneic anti-CLL-1 CAR-T cell therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the lupus (autoimmune disease) cell therapy program, and all preclinical research, effectively narrowing its development scope to only two lead oncology candidates1 2 4 5.
The two remaining pipeline programs—CB-010 and CB-011—are both allogeneic CAR-T cell therapies that utilize gene editing, specifically CRISPR, to enhance cancer treatment; both are designed for oncology indications1 2 5.
The strategic move will extend Caribou’s financial runway by one year, allowing operations to continue into the second half of 2027 thanks to substantial cost savings; as of March 31, 2025, Caribou reported $212.5 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities1 2 5.
Data readouts for both CB-010 and CB-011 have been delayed to the second half of 2025. These data are considered pivotal for the company’s future prospects, with ongoing FDA discussions about potential pivotal trial designs2 5.
Caribou’s CEO cited a need to “strategically prioritize resources” due to challenging market conditions, aiming to maximize the potential of its two most advanced and promising cancer cell therapy assets1.
CB-012, which was dropped, previously received FDA fast track designation but is being discontinued because advancing it would require more time and resources than Caribou is able to dedicate amid its current strategic focus1 4.
Caribou’s approach leverages its proprietary CRISPR gene editing technology, designed to create “off-the-shelf” cell therapies from healthy donor T cells, aiming for scalable and broadly accessible cancer treatments2.

These developments reflect broader challenges in the cell and gene therapy industry as companies seek to balance ambitious innovation with financial sustainability and shifting market conditions2 4.