CT
Carisma Therapeutics Inc. (CARM)·Q2 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 2024 delivered a materially narrower net loss and higher collaboration revenue, reflecting increased revenue recognition and lower R&D/G&A vs the prior year; cash of $40.4M with a $2.0M Moderna milestone received in July supports runway into Q3 2025 .
- Clinical execution advanced: first patient dosed in the CT-0525 Phase 1 (HER2), FDA Fast Track granted, CT-0508+pembrolizumab RL2 data updated, and Moderna in vivo CAR-M GPC3 candidate nominated (triggering $2.0M milestone) .
- Management reiterated timing: initial CT-0525 data by year-end 2024 and liver fibrosis development candidate nomination in Q1 2025, reinforcing near-term and 2025 catalyst visibility .
- Street estimates were unavailable via S&P Global at the time of this analysis; no beat/miss assessment versus consensus can be made (S&P Global data unavailable due to request limit).
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- CT-0525 execution and regulatory momentum: first patient dosed in Phase 1 and FDA Fast Track designation; initial data targeted by year-end 2024 .
- Strategic pipeline progress with Moderna: in vivo CAR-M GPC3 development candidate nominated, unlocking a $2.0M milestone; plan to present preclinical data at an upcoming meeting .
- Cost discipline and operating leverage: YoY reductions in R&D and G&A drove a sharply narrower operating loss and net loss versus Q2 2023 .
- Quote: “We’ve achieved considerable clinical and research advancements this year… dedicating our efforts to our lead asset, CT-0525… multiple potential value drivers in both the near and long term.” — Steven Kelly, CEO .
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What Went Wrong
- Limited efficacy signal in CT-0508+pembrolizumab sub-study: best overall response was stable disease (1/6), with corticosteroid use and/or HLA loss limiting efficacy in some PD patients, despite immunologic activation suggesting synergy .
- Cash declined QoQ to $40.4M from $56.5M, highlighting ongoing burn; runway maintained into Q3 2025 but dependent on execution and assumptions .
- Development reprioritization and prior workforce reduction (announced earlier in 2024) underscore resource constraints and the need for focused execution on CT-0525 and partnered programs .
Financial Results
Income statement and cash metrics (USD Millions, except per-share and shares). Periods ordered oldest → newest.
Observations and drivers
- Collaboration revenue rose sharply QoQ and YoY; management did not provide a detailed driver breakdown in the Q2 release, though deferred revenue balances stepped down QoQ (see KPIs) .
- YoY R&D decreased primarily due to lower facilities/other expenses (sponsored research) and lower CT-0508 costs, partly offset by increased CT-0525 preclinical costs and severance-related personnel costs; G&A decreased YoY due to lower professional fees and insurance following prior-year merger costs, partly offset by higher facilities and personnel .
KPIs and balance sheet indicators
Segment breakdown
- The company reports collaboration revenue and does not present a commercial segment breakdown; no segment detail is provided in the earnings materials reviewed .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Note: No Q2 2024 earnings call transcript was available in our document set; themes reflect press releases and the 8-K.
Management Commentary
- “We’ve achieved considerable clinical and research advancements this year… dedicating our efforts to our lead asset, CT‑0525… [and] robust development pipeline offers multiple potential value drivers in both the near and long term.” — Steven Kelly, CEO .
- “Receiving Fast Track designation for CT‑0525… marks a significant milestone… we are enrolling patients in the Phase 1 clinical trial and remain on track to report initial clinical data by the end of 2024.” — Eugene P. Kennedy, M.D., CMO .
- “The nomination of the first Development Candidate underscores our productive collaboration with Moderna to develop mRNA‑based in vivo CAR‑M cell therapies… targets GPC3… significant step forward…” — Michael Klichinsky, PharmD, PhD, Co‑Founder & CSO .
Q&A Highlights
- No Q2 2024 earnings call transcript was available in our document set; therefore, Q&A highlights and guidance clarifications from a call are not provided.
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus estimates for Q2 2024 revenue and EPS were unavailable at the time of query due to a data access limit; as a result, we cannot assess beats/misses versus consensus or quantify estimate deltas today (S&P Global data unavailable).
- Company-issued guidance was limited to operational milestones and cash runway (maintained into Q3 2025), rather than revenue/EPS guidance, consistent with clinical-stage biopharma norms .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- CT‑0525 is the central near‑term value driver: first patient dosed, FDA Fast Track, and initial data due by YE’24 — a potential stock-moving catalyst .
- Translation from CT‑0508 to CT‑0525 continues to be the clinical narrative: while efficacy in the CT‑0508+pembro sub‑study was limited (OR = SD in 1/6), immune activation signals justify combinations and a move to monocytes (CT‑0525) for higher exposure .
- Partner validation persists: Moderna’s nomination of an in vivo CAR‑M GPC3 candidate and the $2.0M milestone add external confidence and non-dilutive funding .
- Cash runway into Q3 2025 provides execution window, but cash declined QoQ; watch burn and potential BD/financing to sustain momentum into 2025 milestones .
- 2H24/1H25 catalyst map: CT‑0525 initial data (YE’24), AASLD fibrosis poster (Nov 2024), and fibrosis development candidate nomination (1Q25) .
- With Street estimates unavailable today, focus on absolute progress/milestones and any incremental collaboration revenue recognition as near-term drivers (deferred revenue stepped down QoQ) .
Appendix: Additional Detail on Expenses (Why they moved)
- R&D YoY decreased $3.2M primarily from lower facilities/other (sponsored research) and lower CT‑0508 costs, partially offset by higher CT‑0525 preclinical and personnel (severance) costs .
- G&A YoY decreased $0.4M due to lower professional fees (non‑recurring 2023 merger costs) and insurance, partially offset by higher facilities and personnel costs (salary, headcount, SBC, severance) .