CPTx and NanoCell Win European Funding for QUIET-CAR Project
The grant money will be used by the biotechs to develop innovative targeted lipid nanoparticles that contain novel immune-silent DNA constructs for in vivo CAR T therapy.
Biotechnology companies, CPTx and NanoCell Therapeutics, are recipients of European Union funding for their collaborative project, QUIET-CAR, targeting cancer and autoimmune disease. The Eurostars Grant funding has been issued through the Horizon Europe program and Eureka Network.
The QUIET-CAR project is a collaborative effort between CPTx and NanoCell that will leverage CPTx’s in-house silent single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) manufacturing unit, gxstrands. The project’s focus will be the development of targeted lipid nanoparticles carrying novel immune-silent DNA constructs for in vivo chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy.
“This funding validates our innovative approach to non-viral gene therapy and will accelerate our QUIET-CAR project toward delivering safer, more accessible CAR-T treatments for patients with cancer and autoimmune disease,” said Dr. Maurits Geerlings, CEO and President of NanoCell Therapeutics, in a company press release (1). “Being selected and top ranked among over 120 submissions in Europe’s most competitive SME funding program demonstrates the transformative potential of our technology platform.”
“CPTx is committed to bringing in vivo CAR T therapies to patients through our proprietary pipeline development programs and now also through the QUIET-CAR project with NanoCell,” commented Hendrik Dietz, CEO of CPTx, in another company press release (2). “The QUIET-CAR project represents another innovative approach to CAR T, and we look forward to advancing it together. Being selected from so many high-quality submissions underscores the promise of the project and the strength of our technology.”
Originally, CPTx’s ssDNA manufacturing unit was built for in-house use; however, it has evolved into a CDMO platform for use as an enabler of gene and cell therapy programs. According to the company, the platform provides high-quality knock-in templates for gene editing applications.
Back in September 2024, CPTx raised USD 29 million in funding to build upon its 15 years of research in programmable DNA nanofabrication (3). The funding round was led by Blueyard Capital and SPRIND, with contributions from other investors, including Marius Nacht Group, Andrej Henkler — Leblon Capital, Bayern Kapital, and former Merck CEO, Stefan Oschmann.
“We are excited to have the support of such distinguished investors as we push the boundaries of antiviral therapy and expand the horizons of therapeutic innovation,” stated Dietz, in a press release about the fund raise (3). “This funding will help us accelerate the development of our platform and advance our pipeline products, enabling us to address a broad spectrum of health challenges.”
“CPTx is leading a transformative shift in therapeutic development,” remarked Oschmann, Chairman of ethe Board at CPTx, in the press release (3). “Our innovative approach not only targets viral infections but also has the potential to revolutionize how we approach a wide range of health threats. I am proud to support this pioneering team.”
References
NanoCell Therapeutics. NanoCell Therapeutics Wins EU Funding for Breakthrough CAR-T Cancer Therapy Development. Press Release, Aug. 14, 2025.
CPTx. CPTx & NanoCell Therapeutics Project Awarded EU Funding for Innovative In Vivo CAR T Therapy with Immune-Silent Single-Stranded DNA. Press Release, Aug. 14, 2025.
CPTx. CPTx Secures $30 Million to Advance Breakthrough Programmable DNA Nanofabrication Platform. Press Release, Sep. 18, 2024.