ACR 2026 – Biotech and Mid-Size Companies Bet on Novel Mechanisms Save

ACR Convergence 2026 is crowded with first-in-class mechanisms: an oral IL-23 receptor peptide, FcRn blockade, a JAK head-to-head and a wave of cell depletion therapies. Top abstracts include (all times ET):

Argenx

• Efgartigimod PH20 SC in Adults With Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy: Results From the Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled ALKIVIA Trial – Aggarwal R, et al. In 175 patients, week-52 Total Improvement Score was 47.95 vs 32.56 on placebo (difference 15.4; p=0.0011). LB24; Wed Nov 11, 9:15 AM (oral). Abstract · Press

Highlightll Pharmaceutical

• TARA: A Phase 3 Head-to-Head Trial of Girocitinib vs Tofacitinib in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Refractory to bDMARDs – Zeng X, et al. Week-24 ACR50 was 73.0% vs 49.5% with tofacitinib (n=459; p<0.0001). Serious adverse events were 3.9% vs 6.6%. LB21; Wed Nov 11, 8:30 AM (oral). Abstract

Zenas BioPharma

• Durable Disease Control with Obexelimab in IgG4-Related Disease: Phase 3 INDIGO Open-Label Extension – Stone J, et al. The 12-month flare-free probability was 0.93 (n=113). Median rescue glucocorticoid was 0 mg. LB18; Tue Nov 10, 10:30 AM (poster). Abstract

Cabaletta Bio

• Durable One-Year Immunomodulatory-Free Clinical Responses Following a Single Infusion of Rese-cel (Resecabtagene Autoleucel) in Refractory Dermatomyositis – Wilfong E, et al. All 6 patients improved and stayed off immunomodulators; 5 were off steroids. CRS was grade 1 in 2, with no ICANS. #0902; Sun Nov 8, 1:00 PM (oral). Abstract

First Tracks Biotherapeutics

• Rosnilimab Selectively Depletes Pathogenic T Cells and Downregulates Clinically Relevant Immune Pathways in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Translational Analysis of Blood and Synovial Tissue from the Phase 2B Trial – Aversa C, et al. The PD-1 agonist cut pathogenic Tph/Tfh cells by >90%. Synovial Krenn scores fell 41% at 400–600 mg. #0868; Sun Nov 8, 10:30 AM (Plenary I). Abstract

CRISPR Therapeutics

• Safety and Efficacy of Anti-CD19 Allogenic Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy Zugocabtagene Geleucel (zugo-cel) in Patients with Refractory Systemic Sclerosis – Chung L, et al. In 6 patients, median mRSS fell from 36 to 25.5 at a median 2 months, and 4 of 6 met revised CRISS-25 by day 28. CRS was grade ≤2 in 2 patients with no ICANS; one pulmonary embolism was possibly related. #0225; Sun Nov 8, 10:30 AM (poster). Abstract