Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. · NASDAQ:RNAC
Cartesian Therapeutics — Investor Presentation (January 2026)
35 slides from Cartesian Therapeutics's investor presentation, Jan 9, 2026
Slide 1: Pioneering mRNA Cell Therapy for Autoimmunity
Pioneering mRNA Cell Therapy for Autoimmunity January 2026 Exhibit 99.1
Slide 2: Disclosures
Disclosures For the purposes of this notice, the “presentation” that follows shall mean and include the slides that follow, the oral presentation of the slides by members of management of Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) or any person on their behalf, any question-and-answer session that
Slide 3: Executive summary
Executive summary 3 Cartesian’s lead asset, Descartes-08, delivers deep and durable responses in MG through 12 months following a single course of therapy—administered outpatient without lymphodepletion—positioning it to transform the current treatment landscape. The AURORA Phase 3 trial positions D
Slide 4: Late-stage clinical company pioneering mRNA cell therapy for autoimmunity
4 Late-stage clinical company pioneering mRNA cell therapy specifically designed to expand the reach of cell therapy to autoimmunity • mRNA cell therapy designed to be dosed reliably and safely in an outpatient setting without lymphodepletion • Descartes-08: Investigational mRNA CAR T-cell (CAR-T) w
Slide 5: Cartesian's mRNA approach expands the reach of potent cell therapy to autoimmunity
PIONEERING mRNA CELL THERAPY FOR AUTOIMMUNITY5 Cartesian’s mRNA approach is designed to expand the reach of potent cell therapy products to address autoimmunity No Lymphodepletion No associated cytopenia, secondary malignancies, or other chemotherapy toxicities Administered Outpatient Convenient dos
Slide 6: Wholly-owned pipeline targets autoimmune disease
Phase 3Phase 2Phase 1Discovery/PreclinicalIndicationsAsset Myasthenia Gravis (MG) Descartes-08 Autologous mRNA CAR-T Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Myositis* Wholly-owned pipeline targets autoimmune disease 6 *Includes juvenile dermatomyositis in addition to adult myositis indications PIONEERING
Slide 7: Descartes-08 is an mRNA CAR T-cell therapy in clinical development for autoimmune disease
Engineered by transfection of autologous CD8+ T cells with mRNA encoding anti-BCMA CAR Granted U.S. FDA orphan and RMAT designations for generalized myasthenia gravis, and RPDD for juvenile dermatomyositis Typical lot processed for infusion within as little as ~3 weeks RMAT, Regenerative Medicine Ad
Slide 8: Descartes-08 in Myasthenia Gravis
8 Descartes-08 in Myasthenia Gravis PIONEERING mRNA CELL THERAPY FOR AUTOIMMUNITY
Slide 9: Myasthenia gravis is a rare, progressive autoimmune disease with significant unmet need
9 Myasthenia gravis is a rare, progressive autoimmune disease with significant unmet need Characterized by debilitating fatigue and muscle weakness Limbs Respiratory Ocular Facial 106,000+ Patients in the U.S.1 Current treatments require chronic or frequent administration and have limited durability
Slide 10: AURORA: Randomized Phase 3 trial of Descartes-08 in AChR Ab+ gMG
10 AURORA: Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial of Descartes-08 in AChR Ab+ gMG initiated in May 2025 WK1 Masked Dosing Six weekly doses of Descartes-08 or placebo PRIMARY ENDPOINT • Proportion of participants with MG-ADL improvement of ≥3 points at Month 4, relative to placebo
Slide 11: Deepening responses observed in participants treated with Descartes-08
Deepening responses observed in participants treated with Descartes-08 11 • Average MG-ADL reduction of 5.5 (±1.1) points at Month 4, maintained through Month 12 (4.8±1.4) • Average QMG reduction of 4.8 (±1.7) points at Month 4, deepened through Month 12 (6.0±2.1) • 83% of participants reaching Mont
Slide 12: Deep responses in participants with no prior complement or FcRn inhibitor exposure
Deep responses observed in participants with no prior exposure to complement or FcRn inhibitors 12 • Average MG-ADL reduction of 6.6 (±1.5) points at Month 4, maintained through Month 12 (7.1±1.9) • Average QMG reduction of 5.9 (±2.4) points at Month 4, deepened through Month 12 (9.4±2.6) • 100% of
Slide 13: Safety profile supports outpatient administration
13 Safety profile supports outpatient administration with no AEs reported after Month 3 through final follow-up Placebo (n=16)Descartes-08 (n=20) Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1 3 (19%)2 (13%)4 (20%)7 (35%)Headache 4 (20%)8 (40%)Chills 2 (13%)1 (6%)6 (30%)3 (15%)Nausea 1 (5%)4 (20%)7 (35%
Slide 14: Phase 2a update: retreatment elicits deep and durable responses
Phase 2a trial update: Descartes-08 retreatment continues to elicit deep and durable responses Nature Medicine publication can be found here • Three participants retreated to date, two of whom maintain minimum symptom expression 2 years after initial treatment • Third participant’s response deepened
Slide 15: gMG market creates potential $1B+ opportunity for Descartes-08 in the US
15 Current gMG market lacks disease modifying treatments creating the potential to access a $1B+ market opportunity for Descartes-08 in the US Estimated US Patient Population: 106,0001 AChR+: ~85%2 RNAC US Potential Addressable Market: ~$1B+3 Significant reduction in MG-ADL of 7.1 at Month 124 with
Slide 16: Descartes-08 is optimally designed for autoimmune diseases
Descartes-08 is optimally designed for autoimmune diseases Key Characteristics for a Differentiated Therapy Designed for Patient Adoption in MG Durability of Response Descartes-08 delivers deep and durable responses through 12 months after a single course of therapy Single Course of Therapy Unlike c
Slide 17: Descartes-08 in SLE
17 Descartes-08 in SLE PIONEERING mRNA CELL THERAPY FOR AUTOIMMUNITY
Slide 18: Exploring clinical activity of Descartes-08 in SLE through open-label Phase 2 trial
18 Exploring clinical activity of Descartes-08 in SLE through open-label Phase 2 trial Screening (Days -60 to -15) Leukapheresis & Cell Processing (Days -59 to -14) ~3 Weeks Vein-to-Vein Time Descartes-08 (Day 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36) Safety / Response Assessment (Day 50) Follow up visits (Months 3, 6,
Slide 19: 100% LLDAS response rate in Phase 2 open-label SLE trial
19 100% LLDAS response rate in patients reaching Month 3 follow-up in Phase 2 open-label SLE trial • LLDAS response observed in 100% of patients who received Descartes-08 and reached Month 3 follow-up (n=3)* • Disease remission reported as DORIS response seen in 2 out of 3 participants at Month 3* •
Slide 20: Safety profile in SLE consistent with myasthenia gravis
20 Safety profile in SLE consistent with myasthenia gravis Grade 2Grade 1 1 (25%)3 (75%)Fever 1 (25%)1 (25%)Headache 1 (25%)1 (25%)Chills 1 (25%)1 (25%)Fatigue 1 (25%)1 (25%)Myalgia 2 (50%)Nausea 1 (25%)Nasal congestion 1 (25%)Lightheadedness 1 (25%)Arthralgia • Infusion-related fever and flu-like s
Slide 21: Correlative biomarkers support application in multiple autoimmune diseases
Pla ce bo DC-0 8 M G DC-0 8 SLE -400 -200 0 200 400 pDCs Δ C D 8 6 M F I (M 3 - S C R ) 21 Correlative biomarkers support application in multiple autoimmune diseases, including myositis • Observed statistically significant (p<0.01) decrease in proinflammatory cytokines associated with SLE pathogenes
Slide 22: Descartes-08 Expansion into Myositis
22 Descartes-08 Expansion into Myositis PIONEERING mRNA CELL THERAPY FOR AUTOIMMUNITY
Slide 23: Expansion into myositis addresses significant unmet need
23 Expansion into myositis provides new opportunity in an area with significant unmet need and compelling market Characterized by debilitating muscle weakness and skin rashes2 Limbs Respiratory Rashes Swallowing 80,000+ Patients in the U.S.1 60% of Patients Eligible for a 3L+ Treatment3 Residual Unm
Slide 24: Potential multi-billion-dollar opportunity in myositis
24 Strong mechanistic alignment with existing clinical data in MG and SLE underscores a potential multi-billion-dollar opportunity in myositis for Descartes-08 Estimated US Patient Population: 80,0001 3L+ Treatment ~60%2 RNAC US Potential Addressable Market: Multi-billion- dollar3 Descartes-08 oppor
Slide 25: Myositis seamless clinical trial design
25 Myositis seamless clinical trial design provides potential opportunity for single pivotal trial to commence in 1H26 Screening Days -60 to -18 Leukapheresis & Cell Processing Days -59 to -17 ~3 Weeks Vein-to-Vein Time Descartes-08 Day 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36 Follow-Up Visits Weeks 8, 12, 16 Primary E
Slide 26: Phase 1/2 trial of Descartes-08 in children and young adults
PIONEERING mRNA CELL THERAPY FOR AUTOIMMUNITY26 Phase 1/2 trial of Descartes-08 in children and young adults with autoimmune diseases initiated • Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for DC-08 in juvenile dermatomyositis granted in September 2024 • Trial initiation announced on January 9, 2026 DL, Dos
Slide 27: Manufacturing
27 Manufacturing PIONEERING mRNA CELL THERAPY FOR AUTOIMMUNITY
Slide 28: Wholly-owned, in-house, US-based manufacturing
28 Wholly-owned, in-house, US-based manufacturing FUTURE GROWTH Clinical and commercial manufacturing scale capabilities support maturing pipeline and future growth QUICK TO ADAPT Continuous process optimization creates opportunity for progressive margin expansion WHOLLY-OWNED Ownership of quality c
Slide 29: Financial position: cash expected to support pipeline through key milestones
29 FINANCIAL POSITION: Current Cash and Cash Equivalents Expected to Support Pipeline Through Key Milestones All metrics as of 9/30/25 *Includes Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock that remain subject to beneficial ownership limitations
Slide 30: Our team | Management
PIONEERING mRNA CELL THERAPY FOR AUTOIMMUNITY30 Our team | Management Carsten Brunn, PhD PRESIDENT AND CEO Blaine Davis CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Miloš Miljković, MD CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER Emily English, PhD CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Matthew Bartholomae GENERAL COUNSEL, SECRETARY
Slide 31: Key takeaways
Key takeaways 31 Cartesian’s lead asset, Descartes-08, delivers deep and durable responses in MG through 12 months following a single course of therapy—administered outpatient without lymphodepletion—positioning it to transform the current treatment landscape. The AURORA Phase 3 trial positions Desc
Slide 32: Appendix
32 Appendix PIONEERING mRNA CELL THERAPY FOR AUTOIMMUNITY
Slide 33: Descartes-08 is designed for dual action targeting two BCMA+ cell populations
Descartes-08 is designed for dual action, precisely targeting two key BCMA+ cell populations involved in a spectrum of autoimmune diseases 33 Several autoimmune disease segments involve pathogenic contributions from both PCs/plasmablasts and pDCs, including rheumatology, nephrology, neurology, and o
Slide 34: Descartes-08 focuses the T-cell repertoire and alters the autoreactome
PIONEERING mRNA CELL THERAPY FOR AUTOIMMUNITY34 Descartes-08 focuses the T-cell repertoire and selectively alters the autoreactome, showing clear biological activity Descartes-08 focuses the T-cell repertoire in a manner that correlates with clinical effect p=0.048 (Wilcoxon signed rank test) TCR Di
Slide 35: Baseline characteristics: patients in open-label Phase 2 SLE trial
35 Baseline characteristics: Patients in open-label Phase 2 SLE trial Ongoing RxPrior Rx Baseline SLEDAI- 2K SLE Duration (years) AgeSexParticipant MMF, HCQMMF81944FPatient A Prednisone 2.5mg, HCQ, MMF -122342FPatient B Prednisone 2.5mg, MTX, Sulfasalazine Prednisone 20mg, HCQ, Leflunomide, Benlysta
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