Cartesian Therapeutics is a late clinical-stage biotech developing mRNA-based CAR-T cell therapies for autoimmune diseases. Cartesian's lead product candidate, Descartes-08, is an autologous CAR-T therapy targeting BCMA, a protein expressed on the immune cells that drive autoimmune disease. The therapy aims to destroy self-reactive B cells — the underlying cause of disease — rather than managing symptoms chronically. Cartesian's primary target indication is myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare autoimmune disease causing muscle weakness, with additional programs in myositis and juvenile dermatomyositis. Descartes-08's key distinction from conventional CAR-T is its use of mRNA rather than DNA to engineer T-cells: because mRNA degrades naturally without integrating into the cell's genome, the engineered cells do not proliferate uncontrollably, eliminating the need for preconditioning chemotherapy and enabling outpatient administration. The therapy involves collecting a patient's own cells, manufacturing the CAR-T product in-house at Cartesian's Maryland facility, and administering six weekly outpatient infusions. Cartesian's Phase 3 AURORA trial in MG began in May 2025 under an FDA Special Protocol Assessment. Cartesian has no approved products and generates no commercial revenue, funding operations through equity raises. If approved, Cartesian would commercialize Descartes-08 as a personalized, per-patient cell therapy — a finite course of treatment rather than indefinite chronic dosing.