Tempest Therapeutics Secures Exclusive CAR-T Option Agreement

Tempest Therapeutics shares surged 66.53% to $1.26 in after-hours trading on Tuesday, reversing an intraday loss of 3.68% that had closed the stock at $0.76. The California-based clinical-stage biotechnology company disclosed an exclusive option agreement with Hebei Senlang Biotechnology, a Chinese firm specializing in CD7-targeted cell therapies. This move allows Tempest to evaluate licensing rights to Senlang’s CD7-targeted lentiviral vector platform and in vivo CAR-T pipeline.

Exclusive Licensing Option Details

The agreement grants Tempest an exclusive option to license Senlang’s specific assets, including a BCMA/GPRC5D dual-targeting candidate currently in Phase 1 trials for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. CEO Matt Angel stated the deal is a step toward building a multi-platform in vivo CAR-T company focused on immune reset for oncology and autoimmune indications. Both companies will continue evaluating Phase 1 results and the broader product portfolio during the option period.

Clinical Safety Data Progress

Tempest reported that as of August 25, no Grade 3 or higher cytokine release syndrome or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome was observed in the ongoing dose-escalation study. The company noted that this safety profile supports continued dose escalation, with patient enrollment and follow-up still active. These data points underpin the strategic value of the Senlang pipeline assets under the new option agreement.

Market Context and Volume

According to data from GN stocks/shares-surge, the stock traded 26.44 million shares on Tuesday, approximately 96.9 times its average daily volume of 272,910 shares. Tempest Therapeutics has a market capitalization of $12.14 million and is trading near its 52-week low of $0.74, down 92.39% over the past 12 months. The Relative Strength Index stands at 29.81, indicating oversold conditions prior to the after-hours surge.