Cartesian Therapeutics announced that Dr. Carsten Brunn, the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will serve as Chairman of the Board effective October 29, 2025. Brunn succeeds Carrie S. Cox, who steps down to focus on other responsibilities, including her role as Executive Chair of a publicly traded company.
The company also named Patrick Zenner as Lead Independent Director, a governance measure intended to maintain robust oversight while consolidating executive and board leadership. Brunn’s dual role is expected to strengthen leadership continuity and align the board’s oversight with Cartesian’s strategic priorities as the company advances its mRNA CAR‑T platform.
Cartesian’s lead product, Descartes‑08, is in Phase 3 clinical development for generalized myasthenia gravis and Phase 2 for systemic lupus erythematosus. The company’s proprietary RNA Armory platform enables transient mRNA‑engineered CAR‑T cells, offering potential safety advantages over traditional DNA‑based approaches.
The appointment comes as Cartesian prepares for its first planned regulatory submission for Descartes‑08, positioning the company to streamline decision‑making during a critical development phase. The governance change reflects the company’s focus on accelerating clinical milestones and preparing for eventual commercialization.
The dual CEO/Chairman structure, combined with the Lead Independent Director role, is designed to balance executive leadership with independent oversight, a structure that has been adopted by other biopharmaceutical firms pursuing rapid clinical progress.
The content on BeyondSPX is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.