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CC-97540

Phase 2

Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic | Small molecule | Immunology |Bristol-Myers Squibb Company|Last Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

UNCONTROLLEDDMCBiomarker
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment89

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

CC-97540 · 4 trials · 9 indications

Phase 2 1Phase 1 3
NCT07015983A Study of CC-97540 (BMS-986353 or Zola-cel), CD19-Targeted NEX-T CAR T Cells, in Participants With Active SLE Despite Immunosuppressants (Breakfree-SLE)Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
RECRUITING89 Analytics
PHASE2RECRUITING
A Study of CC-97540 (BMS-986353 or Zola-cel), CD19-Targeted NEX-T CAR T Cells, in Participants With Active SLE Despite Immunosuppressants (Breakfree-SLE)
Lupus Erythematosus, SystemicUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Proportion of participants achieving drug-free Definition of Remission in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (DORIS) remission
At month 6
Safety of CC-97540 in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
Study drug infusion (day 0) to 28 days post study drug infusion, assessed up to 12 months post study drug infusion.

The occurrence of DLT is the primary endpoint and will be assessed for all patients treated at the expansion dose.

Efficacy of CC-97540
Study drug infusion (day 0) to 28 days post study drug infusion, assessed up to 12 months post study drug infusion.

This will be determined by the percentage of participants in treatment-free remission defined as a BVASv3 of 0 off immunosuppressive therapy.

Number of participants with adverse events (AEs)
Up to week 104
Number of participants with serious adverse events (SAEs)
Up to week 104
Number of participants with adverse events of special interest (AESIs)
Up to week 104
Number of participants with laboratory test result abnormalities
Up to week 104
Number of participants with imaging abnormalities
Up to week 104

For Cohorts 1 and 2

Number of participants with dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs)
Up to week 104
Recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) based on the incidence of DLTs that occur during the DLT evaluation period
Up to week 104
Number of participants with treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) in each indication.
Up to 2 years after CC-97540 infusion
Number of participants with serious AEs (SAEs) in each indication.
Up to 2 years after CC-97540 infusion
Number of participants with AEs of special interest (AESI) in each indication.
Up to 2 years after CC-97540 infusion
Number of participants with laboratory abnormalities in each indication.
Up to 2 years after CC-97540 infusion
Number of participants with Dose Limiting Toxicities (DLT) in each indication.
Up to 2 years after CC-97540 infusion
Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) of CC-97540 in each indication.
Up to 2 years after CC-97540 infusion

Secondary Endpoints

Complete renal response (CRR) for participants with baseline lupus nephritis (LN)
Up to Month 60
Participants with drug-free DORIS remission
Up to month 60
CRR for participants with baseline LN
Up to month 60
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationNA
MaskingNONE
ModelSINGLE_GROUP
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
Administration of CC-97540EXPERIMENTAL -
CC-97540EXPERIMENTALPrior to receiving CC-97540, participants will undergo lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Lymphodepleting chemotherapy is the combination of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine and will be administered intravenously. CC-97540 will be infused intravenously on day 0 only.
Administration of CC-97540 (RMS arm)EXPERIMENTAL -
Administration of CC-97540 (PMS arm)EXPERIMENTAL -
Administration of CC-97540 (MG arm)EXPERIMENTAL -

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
CC-97540DRUGSpecified dose on specified days
FludarabineDRUGSpecified dose on specified days
CyclophosphamideDRUGSpecified dose on specified days
Lymphodepletion ChemotherapyDRUGIntravenous infusion of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine
TocilizumabDRUGSpecified dose on specified days
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range16 Years to N/A
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites93

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must meet EULAR/ACR 2019 criteria for SLE. * Participants must have an inadequate response to appropriate doses of glucocorticoids and ≥ 2 immunosuppressant therapies, used for at least 3 months. * Participants must have active disease when signing ICF. Exclusion...

Countries:United StatesArgentinaAustriaBelgiumBrazilCanadaDenmarkFranceGermanyIsraelItalyJapanPolandPortugalSpainUnited Kingdom
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Recent Changes (Last 90 Days)

MEDIUMAug 3, 2026NCT05869955Status: RECRUITING → ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
MEDIUMAug 3, 2026NCT06220201Status: RECRUITING → ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
MEDIUMAug 3, 2026NCT05869955Status: RECRUITING → ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
MEDIUMAug 3, 2026NCT06220201Status: RECRUITING → ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
LOWJul 24, 2026NCT06220201lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWJul 24, 2026NCT06220201lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWJul 2, 2026NCT06220201lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWJul 2, 2026NCT06220201lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWJul 2, 2026NCT06220201lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWJul 2, 2026NCT06220201lastUpdatePostDate: changed

Frequently asked questions about CC-97540

What is CC-97540 used for?

CC-97540 is an investigational CD19-targeted CAR T cell therapy being studied for severe, refractory autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, and other conditions like myasthenia gravis and rheumatoid arthritis.

How does CC-97540 work?

CC-97540 is a CD19-targeted NEX-T CAR T cell therapy. It is designed to recognize and eliminate CD19-expressing B cells, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, potentially resetting the immune system.

Who is developing CC-97540?

CC-97540 is being developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY). The company is conducting multiple clinical trials to evaluate the therapy in autoimmune indications.

What phase is CC-97540 in?

CC-97540 is in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials. It is investigational and not yet approved. Studies are active in systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

What clinical trials is CC-97540 in?

CC-97540 is being studied in several trials: NCT05869955 (Breakfree-1) in severe autoimmune diseases, NCT06220201 (Breakfree-2) in multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis, NCT07015983 (Breakfree-SLE) in systemic lupus erythematosus, and NCT07388277 in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Is CC-97540 the same as BMS-986353 or zola-cel?

Yes, CC-97540 is also known as BMS-986353 or zola-cel. In the Breakfree-SLE trial, it is referred to as CC-97540 (BMS-986353 or zola-cel), indicating these names refer to the same investigational therapy.