Patient dies in Bristol Myers Squibb autoimmune CAR-T trial

Bristol Myers Squibb announced on Friday that a patient involved in an early-stage clinical trial of its investigational CAR-T therapy for autoimmune diseases has died. This incident has raised additional safety concerns in a field that is rapidly evolving.

The Phase 1 trial focused on evaluating the therapy's effects on multiple sclerosis, a condition characterized by muscle weakness and severe fatigue. According to the company's press release, the patient exhibited motor symptoms that did not improve with conventional autoimmune treatments. Following this, the individual was administered a strong immunosuppressive medication. Unfortunately, the patient subsequently developed septic pneumonia and passed away.

In a follow-up statement provided to STAT, Bristol Myers Squibb clarified that prior to receiving the CAR-T therapy, the patient had been treated for a range of other medical complications. This prior health history complicates the company's efforts to identify the exact cause of the patient's death, as noted in their communication.