| Attribute |
Value |
| Founded |
2005 |
| Headquarters |
San Diego, CA |
| Ticker |
NASDAQ: CAPR |
| CEO |
Steven kellerman |
| Employees |
~50 |
| Market Cap |
~$100M |
Capricor Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing cell-derived extracellular vesicle therapeutics. The company's lead platform leverages mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived EVs (commercially termed CAP-2003) for applications in inflammatory and neurological diseases, including potential use in Parkinson's disease.
Capricor's platform is based on extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells:
- Source: Human mesenchymal stem cells (bone marrow-derived)
- Isolation: Proprietary isolation technology produces clinical-grade EVs
- Cargo: Anti-inflammatory cytokines, neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF), immunomodulatory molecules
- Mechanism: Paracrine signaling rather than cell replacement
CAP-2003 represents Capricor's CK+ (cytokeratin-positive) extracellular vesicle product:
- Composition: Enriched EV population with specific surface markers
- Properties: ~30-200nm vesicles with anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties
- Administration: Intravenous, intrathecal, or local delivery
- Advantages: Off-the-shelf, scalable manufacturing; low immunogenicity
| Product |
Indication |
Stage |
Status |
| CAP-1002 |
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy |
Phase 2 |
Active |
| CAP-2003 |
Inflammatory conditions |
Preclinical |
Active |
| CAP-2003 |
Neurological (PD) |
Research |
Exploring |
| CAP-2003 |
Cardiac |
Phase 2 |
Active |
MSC-derived EVs offer several mechanisms relevant to PD:
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduce microglial activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release
- Neurotrophic support: Deliver BDNF and GDNF to support dopaminergic neuron survival
- Antioxidant effects: Combat oxidative stress in the substantia nigra
- α-synuclein modulation: Potential to reduce aggregation or enhance clearance
- MSC-EVs reduce neuroinflammation in PD animal models
- EVs can deliver neurotrophic factors across the blood-brain barrier
- Anti-inflammatory cargo reduces microglial activation
- Natural ability to cross the blood-brain barrier
- Low immunogenicity compared to synthetic nanoparticles
- Established manufacturing from MSC culture systems
- Scalable production for clinical development
- Stock: NASDAQ: CAPR
- Revenue: Primarily from CAP-1002 cardiac program
- Partnerships: Active discussions for CNS applications
- Cash runway: Through 2026+ based on recent financing
| Year |
Milestone |
| 2023 |
CAP-2003 platform validation |
| 2024 |
CNS indication exploration |
| 2025 |
Potential PDIND-enabling studies |
| 2026 |
Partnering for neurological applications |