Market Chatter: Novartis Halts Autoimmune Cell Therapy Trials After Patient Deaths

03:39 AM EDT, 09/01/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Novartis (NVS) has halted eight clinical trials of its experimental autoimmune cell therapy rap-cel after three patients died from a severe immune reaction, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing a company spokesperson. The Swiss drugmaker paused the studies in late August and is conducting a full safety review with independent monitoring boards and regulators, WSJ said. The fatal reaction occurred in trials targeting lupus, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune disorders, according to the report. Novartis did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment. (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)