On June 14, 2026 Legend Biotech Corporation (NASDAQ: LEGN) (Legend Biotech), a global leader in cell therapy, reported first clinical proof-of-concept data for LB2501, its investigational in vivo CD19/CD20 dual-targeting CAR-T cell therapy, in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R B-NHL). The results are being presented today in a late-breaking session at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2026 Congress (Abstract #LB5006).

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In the ongoing Phase 1 study, a single infusion of LB2501 generated dose-dependent in vivo CAR-T expansion without lymphodepletion. At the higher dose level (DL2), LB2501 achieved a 100% objective response rate (ORR) (6/6) and an 83.3% complete response rate (CR) (5/6), with all responses ongoing at the time of data cutoff. LB2501 also showed a favorable safety profile, with no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), serious adverse events (SAEs), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), or deaths reported.

"In vivo CAR-T represents a compelling frontier in cell therapy, enabling the generation of CAR-T cells directly within the patient, with the potential to simplify treatment and expand access over time," said Ying Huang, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Legend Biotech. "LB2501 is our step toward realizing that vision and reflects further progress toward our goal of leading the future of cell therapy. Backed by the commercial and scientific foundation we have built with CARVYKTI, we are well-positioned to advance this next generation of CAR-T delivery. These early data, with deep responses from a single infusion across patients, give us confidence in the path ahead."

LB2501 Demonstrates In Vivo CAR-T Generation and Early Clinical Activity

In an ongoing Phase 1 study, 12 patients with R/R B-NHL received LB2501 across two dose levels, DL1 (n=6) and DL2 (n=6). Patients had received a median of three prior lines of therapy, and 58.3% were refractory to their most recent treatment. The open-label, multi-center, dose-escalation study is evaluating safety, recommended Phase 2 dose, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy in adults with R/R B-NHL. The study was conducted without lymphodepletion.

At DL2, LB2501 achieved a 100% ORR (6/6) and an 83.3% CR rate (5/6), with responses observed across patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and follicular lymphoma (FL). Across both dose levels, the ORR was 50.0% (6/12), and the CR rate was 41.7% (5/12). At the time of data cutoff, all responses at DL2 were ongoing.

LB2501 showed a favorable safety profile. No DLTs, SAEs, ICANS, or deaths were reported. Infusion-related reactions (IRR) and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) were the most common adverse events of special interest and were all Grade 1–2. Infusion-related reactions occurred in 75.0% (9/12) of patients overall, with a median onset of 1.4 hours after infusion and a median recovery time of 18.6 hours. CRS occurred in 66.7% (8/12) of patients overall, with a median onset at Day 11 and a median duration of 4.5 days. IRR and CRS were all Grade 1–2, no patients required glucocorticoids for CRS management. Four patients received tocilizumab.

Pharmacokinetic analyses showed dose-dependent in vivo CAR-T expansion in 100% (6/6) of patients at DL2 and 83% (5/6) of patients at DL1. CAR-T cells remained detectable in peripheral blood for up to 116 days. Viral copy number in peripheral blood peaked immediately after infusion and decreased to undetectable concentrations within 24 hours.

Additional translational analyses further characterized the in vivo profile of LB2501. No evidence of non-specific transduction was detected in NK cells or other non-T/B/NK lymphocyte populations. Vector integrations were highly polyclonal and diverse. These findings support proof-of-concept for in vivo T-cell engineering, with polyclonal vector integration and rapid vector clearance.

"These early clinical findings are encouraging in a heavily pretreated relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma population," said Lei Fan, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, and Administrative Director, Hematology Department, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China. "The responses observed at the higher dose level achieved a 100% objective response rate, together with a favorable safety profile and the absence of lymphodepletion, support further investigation of LB2501 as a novel in vivo CAR-T approach. The additional pharmacokinetic and translational findings presented at EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) further support the feasibility of generating CAR-T cells directly within the patient." ‡

ABOUT LB2501
LB2501 is an investigational, potential first-in-class CD19/CD20 dual-targeting in vivo CAR-T therapy designed to generate CAR-T cells directly within the patient following a single intravenous infusion. It is being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1, open-label study (NCT07002112) in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell malignanciesi to assess safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy.[i]

ABOUT B-CELL NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a group of cancers that originate in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the body’s immune system.ii B-cell lymphomas account for approximately 85% of NHL cases and arise from abnormal growth of B lymphocytes (B cells), which are responsible for producing antibodies. These malignancies include a range of subtypes that vary in aggressiveness, from slow-growing to highly aggressive disease.iii

While treatment advances have improved outcomes for some patients, those with relapsed or refractory B-cell NHL, particularly after multiple lines of therapy, often face limited options.

(Press release, Legend Biotech, JUN 14, 2026, View Source [SID1234668730])