T-CURX acquires Pantherna Therapeutics to fast-track non-viral in vivo CAR-T therapies into the clinic
German biotechnology company T-CURX has announced the acquisition of Pantherna Therapeutics, a move that brings together two complementary technology platforms and positions the combined entity as the first European biotech to integrate proprietary CAR-T and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technologies under a single roof.
The agreement, announced on 1 June 2026, will see Pantherna continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of T-CURX, retaining its name and its base in Hennigsdorf and Berlin, Germany.
Combining transposon and LNP delivery expertise
T-CURX, headquartered in Würzburg with an additional site in Munich, has established a track record in the clinical translation of non-viral, transposon-based CAR-T therapies. Pantherna contributes its proprietary PTXmRNA® and PTXΔLNP® platforms, which enable transient and controllable gene expression alongside targeted in vivo delivery of nucleic acids. The integration of these capabilities is expected to accelerate T-CURX’s in vivo CAR-T assets into clinical trials approximately one year ahead of the original timeline.
“With this acquisition, we are bringing together two highly complementary technology platforms and teams,” said Ulf Grawunder, CEO and co-founder of T-CURX. “Our strength in clinical translation of non-viral transposon-based CAR-T therapies combined with Pantherna’s proprietary mRNA and LNP-based delivery capabilities allows us to build an efficient engine to expedite clinical development of differentiated in vivo CAR-T assets in cancer, as well as in other indications.”
Expanding beyond oncology
A notable aspect of the acquisition is its potential to extend in vivo CAR-T strategies into indications beyond cancer. The combination of stable and transient cell engineering approaches, underpinned by both companies’ validated platforms, broadens the therapeutic scope considerably.
Ansgar Santel, CEO of Pantherna Therapeutics, commented: “Joining T-CURX is a natural evolution of our collaboration. This integration allows us to address both stable and transient cell engineering strategies based on powerful and proven proprietary platforms.”
Scale, IP and investor backing
Post-acquisition, T-CURX will employ 35 staff and manage a portfolio of 16 patent families covering the combined technologies and assets. The company is backed by an international syndicate of investors led by Swiss BiomedVC, with Bayernkapital, Highlight Capital and i&iBio Fund as co-investors. T-CURX closed a US$20.5 million Series A financing round at the end of 2025. Pantherna’s existing backer, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), will become a shareholder in T-CURX. Financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.
