Enlivex cuts 60% of staff, halts preclinical R&D and slashes exec salaries to fund osteoarthritis trial

Enlivex, an Israeli biotech developing a cell‑based immunotherapy called allocetra for knee osteoarthritis, announced today that it is reducing its workforce by 60 percent.

The cut reduces the staff from 34 full‑time employees and includes a pause to all preclinical research activities, as the company redirects cash toward its ongoing phase 2b trial expected to read out in mid‑2027.

In addition, senior management salaries will be lowered by 20 percent, with CEO Oren Hershkovitz’s pay cut by 40 percent, measures the firm says are needed to preserve cash flow.

Enlivex highlighted positive phase 1/2a data and an FDA Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation as the scientific rationale for focusing resources on the trial.