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The story behind KarMac
We are a pioneering immuno-oncology company built on deep myeloid biology and translational expertise from Harvard and Mount Sinai.
Our mission is simple but revolutionary: we engineer immune cells to hunt down the specific macrophages that protect tumors, unlocking the immune system's full power to fight back.
The problem: the biological shield
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant immune cell in the tumor microenvironment and a major reason why most cancer immunotherapies fail to achieve durable responses across solid tumors.
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and bispecific T cell engagers have shown minimal activity in solid tumors, in part due to the inability of T cells to penetrate and activate within the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME).
The solution: CAR-monocyte engineering
Harnessing the natural homing ability of monocytes into the TME, CAR-engineered monocytes can penetrate deep into solid tumors, acting as a trojan horse to kill target cells and deliver immunologic payloads.
Our first-generation CAR-engineered monocytes specifically remove TREM2+ TAMs across solid tumors. By eliminating these targets we facilitate T cell recruitment, activation, and durable responses in solid tumors.
Unlocking durable immunity
By effectively clearing out these tumor-supporting macrophages, we trigger a profound immune reprogramming. The biological shield falls.
Targeted removal of specific TAMs opens the floodgates, enabling the body's natural T-cells (and other immunotherapies) to recruit, activate, and mount a durable, effective response against the cancer.
A platform built for the future
KarMac isn't just a single therapy; it is a highly modular discovery platform. Because our technology is built on foundational myeloid biology, our engineered cells can be adapted to target multiple different macrophage markers across various indications, creating a broad pathway for future oncological breakthroughs.
