Johnson & Johnson has announced the discontinuation of two investigational CAR-T cell programs in large B-cell lymphoma, citing portfolio priorities and its assessment of the evolving treatment landscape rather than any reported clinical failure. The programs affected are a CD20-targeted mono CAR-T cell therapy and a CD19-CD20 bispecific CAR-T construct. Based on prior company disclosures, it is known that J&J was developing an autologous dual-targeting CD19/CD20 CAR-T therapy molecule named JNJ-90014496 (also known as JNJ-4496 and formerly C-CAR039), .
According to the April 30, 2026 statement, patients currently enrolled in ongoing clinical trials will continue to receive support per study protocols, the company said. No efficacy or safety data were reported in connection with the discontinuation decision.
The two programs were in active clinical investigation at the time of the announcement. J&J did not disclose specific trial identifiers, enrollment figures, or the phase of development for either program in its statement. Based on prior company disclosures, JNJ-90014496 had been evaluated in studies including trials registered under ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers NCT05421663 and NCT05149391 in relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma. The CD19/CD20 bispecific construct was described by the company in 2025 as incorporating a 4-1BB costimulatory domain, which the sponsor characterized as intended to enhance binding and T-cell persistence. No clinical data from these studies were released alongside the discontinuation notice, and the company did not attribute the decision to any specific interim analysis or data review.