This Week’s CGT News: Antifreeze Sugars Protect CAR T Cells

A new preservation method could remove a major barrier to treatment, the FDA approves the first gene therapy for GSDIa, and ultrasound directs CAR T cells toward solid tumors

August 24, 2026
6 min

The Medicine Maker

1

The FDA has granted accelerated approval to GENGLYCOS, the first gene therapy for glycogen storage disease type Ia.
2

Ultragenyx's AAV8-based gene therapy delivers a functional copy of G6PC, crucial for glucose release during fasting.
3

MIT's sugar-based freezing method for CAR T cells improves cell survival and could broaden access to therapies.
4

USC researchers used focused ultrasound to enhance CAR T cell targeting of solid tumors, achieving significant tumor shrinkage.
5

A lipid nanoparticle developed by Nagoya University enhances mRNA delivery, showing potential for various therapeutic applications.