Novartis pauses immunology, neuro CAR-T studies after three patient deaths Elizabeth S. Eaton Published : September 01, 2026

https://firstwordpharma.com/story/7935226 Novartis has temporarily paused screening, randomisation and dosing in eight early- and mid-stage studies of its CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy rapcabtagene autoleucel (rap-cel) after three fatal cases of immune effector cell-associated haemophagocytic syndrome (IEC-HS), a company spokesperson confirmed to FirstWord on Monday. The pause only affects immunology and neuroscience trials of the experimental cell therapy, leaving the oncology programme ongoing.