SAN DIEGO, California, May 19, 2026
Artiva Biotherapeutics announced multiple data presentations at the upcoming EULAR 2026 Congress highlighting the clinical potential of its investigational AlloNK® (AB-101) cell therapy in autoimmune and rheumatologic diseases. The presentations include a late-breaking oral session demonstrating that AlloNK combined with rituximab produced clinical efficacy comparable to autologous CAR T-cell therapies in patients with refractory rheumatologic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren disease.
AlloNK Demonstrates Strong Rheumatoid Arthritis Responses
The headline late-breaking presentation will showcase data from 31 patients with rheumatologic diseases treated with AB-101 plus rituximab. According to Artiva, patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis achieved a 71% ACR50 response rate after at least six months of follow-up. Importantly, no treated patients experienced relapse or required additional immunomodulatory therapies during the observation period.
The company stated that the outpatient-administered allogeneic NK cell therapy demonstrated responses comparable to much more complex and expensive autologous CAR T-cell approaches, potentially offering a more scalable and accessible treatment strategy for autoimmune diseases.
An additional oral presentation at EULAR 2026 will highlight the first severe Sjögren disease patient treated with AlloNK plus rituximab, further expanding interest in the therapy’s ability to target B-cell-driven autoimmune disorders.
Deep B-Cell Depletion and Favorable Safety Profile
Advertisement
Artiva will also present poster data showing that AB-101 consistently achieved deep B-cell depletion comparable to CD19 CAR T-cell therapies across multiple immune-mediated diseases. Researchers reported that the therapy demonstrated a favorable safety profile, supporting its development as an off-the-shelf alternative to individualized CAR T-cell treatments.
The company’s AlloNK platform is designed as a non-genetically modified, cryopreserved NK cell therapy that enhances antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity when combined with monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab. Unlike autologous CAR T-cell therapy, AlloNK can be manufactured in advance and administered without complex patient-specific cell engineering.
According to Artiva, these advantages could significantly improve treatment accessibility and reduce manufacturing timelines in autoimmune diseases where rapid intervention is critical.
EULAR 2026 Presentations Strengthen Autoimmune Pipeline
The presentations at EULAR 2026 support Artiva’s broader strategy to expand AlloNK across several autoimmune indications. The company is currently evaluating AB-101 in multiple ongoing clinical trials targeting rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren disease, and other B-cell-driven autoimmune disorders.
Artiva also confirmed plans to initiate a Phase 3 registrational trial evaluating AlloNK in refractory rheumatoid arthritis later in 2026. The company believes the combination of durable clinical responses, strong B-cell depletion, and manageable safety profile positions AlloNK as a potentially transformative therapy in autoimmune medicine.
A live webcast reviewing the EULAR data will be hosted by Artiva on June 8, 2026, featuring rheumatology expert Paul Emery discussing the future role of NK cell therapies in autoimmune disease management.
Founded in 2019, Artiva Biotherapeutics focuses on developing safe, effective, and accessible cell therapies for debilitating autoimmune diseases using its proprietary NK-cell platform technology.
Source: Artiva Biotherapeutics press release
