Regeneron’s Abrupt Withdrawal from the 2seventy Lymphoma CAR‑T Program
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) announced on October 23, 2025, that it has discontinued its investigation of the 2seventy lymphoma CAR‑T therapy and will cease further development of the program. The decision follows the company’s decision to discontinue the 180‑day study that had been underway to evaluate the therapeutic potential of this novel CAR‑T platform for patients with relapsed or refractory B‑cell lymphomas.
Strategic Rationale
Regeneron’s leadership has indicated that the termination stems from a reassessment of the program’s clinical and commercial prospects in light of emerging data. The company’s focus remains on its core portfolio of high‑profile biologics—particularly its anti‑IL‑6 receptor antibody, tocilizumab, and its antiviral antibody, tixagevimab/cilgavimab—whose pipelines have proven both clinically robust and commercially lucrative. By reallocating resources toward these assets, Regeneron aims to strengthen its competitive position in the increasingly crowded immunotherapy market.
Market Impact
The announcement has reverberated across the biotechnology sector. Despite a broadly positive market backdrop—evidenced by the Nasdaq 100’s 0.97 % gain to 25,121.49 points and the Nasdaq Composite’s modest 0.11 % advance to 22,765.13 points—the stock fell 1.8 % in after‑hours trading, closing at $575.69 on October 22, 2025. The decline reflects investor concern over the potential dilution of R&D investment and the loss of a potentially transformative therapy from Regeneron’s pipeline.
Broader Industry Context
Regeneron’s decision coincides with heightened activity in the CAR‑T arena. In the same week, other biotech firms such as BioNTech and CureVac pursued strategic moves—BioNTech announced a public exchange offer for CureVac shares, while CureVac shareholders were slated to receive approximately $5.46 in BioNTech American Depositary Shares per CureVac share. These developments underscore the intense competition for leadership in cancer immunotherapy and the premium placed on proprietary platforms.
Forward‑Looking Perspective
Looking ahead, Regeneron will likely double down on its flagship biologics and continue to explore emerging indications for its existing products. The company’s market capitalization of $60.6 billion and a price‑earnings ratio of 14.67 suggest that investors maintain confidence in its core strategy. However, the abrupt halt of the 2seventy lymphoma CAR‑T program serves as a reminder that even well‑resourced firms must continually reassess their therapeutic arsenals against evolving scientific data and market dynamics.
In the coming months, stakeholders will monitor Regeneron’s R&D allocations closely, particularly any shift toward novel antibody modalities or combination therapies that could reinvigorate its growth trajectory. The company’s ability to navigate these changes will be pivotal in sustaining its leadership role within the biotechnology landscape.
