Market Chatter: Novartis Suspends Eight Rap-cel Trials After Three Deaths

01:46 AM EDT, 09/01/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Novartis (NOVN.SW) halted eight clinical trials of rap-cel, its experimental treatment for autoimmune and neurological disorders, following the death of three patients, The Wall Street Journal wrote Tuesday, citing a spokesperson. The trials were halted in late August after the three fatal cases involved a severe immune response, which the company described as a known safety risk associated with CAR-T therapies, the report said. Novartis launched a comprehensive safety review and is working with independent safety boards overseeing each of the paused studies. Trials of rap-cel in cancer patients will continue, according to the report. Novartis did not immediately respond to a request for comment from MT Newswires. (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.)