Cullinan Therapeutics Outlines 2026 Milestones for Key T-Cell Engager Programs

Company highlights upcoming data readouts for autoimmune and leukemia drug candidates

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:11am

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Cullinan Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CGEM) outlined a milestone-heavy roadmap during a presentation at Leerink Partners' Annual Healthcare Conference, with management emphasizing 2026 as a potentially 'defining year' driven by multiple clinical readouts across its pipeline. The company highlighted two 'high-priority' T-cell engager (TCE) programs—CLN-978 in autoimmune diseases and CLN-049 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)—alongside updates on other assets and its strong cash position.

Why it matters

Cullinan's focus on T-cell engager therapies represents a novel approach to treating autoimmune diseases and blood cancers. The upcoming data readouts for CLN-978 and CLN-049 could provide important insights into the potential of these therapies and their ability to address significant unmet medical needs in these disease areas.

The details

For the CLN-978 program targeting autoimmune diseases, Cullinan expects to present initial clinical data from studies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Q2 2026, followed by initial multi-dose data from RA in Q3 2026 and initial data from a Sjögren's disease study in Q4 2026. The company believes CLN-978 could be 'best in class' among CD19 T-cell engagers, citing its high-affinity binding, small molecular size, and subcutaneous administration. In the oncology space, Cullinan highlighted CLN-049, a FLT3xCD3 bispecific T-cell engager for AML. The company presented dose-escalation results in 45 patients at ASH, showing 'favorable safety' and 'compelling efficacy,' with a 31% composite complete response rate at the target dose of 12 micrograms per kilogram. Cullinan plans to select a recommended Phase II dose this year and then move into a pivotal study in relapsed/refractory AML, while also initiating a frontline combination study with venetoclax by the end of 2023.

  • In Q2 2026, Cullinan plans to present initial clinical data from studies of CLN-978 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  • In Q3 2026, Cullinan expects to present initial multi-dose data from the RA study of CLN-978.
  • In Q4 2026, Cullinan anticipates presenting initial data from the Sjögren's disease study of CLN-978.

The players

Cullinan Therapeutics

A biopharmaceutical company focused on developing oncology therapies for cancer patients in the United States.

Nadim

The Chief Executive Officer of Cullinan Therapeutics.

Jeff

The Chief Medical Officer of Cullinan Therapeutics.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

Cullinan's focus on innovative T-cell engager therapies for autoimmune diseases and blood cancers could lead to important advancements in these areas, with the upcoming 2026 data readouts serving as a potential inflection point for the company's pipeline and future growth.