Capricor trims 10% of workforce as FDA decision on Duchenne cell therapy approaches

Capricor Therapeutics announced it is cutting about 10% of its staff ahead of an upcoming FDA decision on its Duchenne muscular dystrophy cell therapy, deramiocel.

The biotech said it had 231 full‑time employees at the end of 2025, meaning roughly 23 people were let go. The reduction is described as aligning the organization with near‑term priorities.

The move comes as Capricor nears the end of a 16‑month regulatory saga. Deramiocel was previously rejected by the FDA in July 2025 after a planned advisory committee meeting was cancelled.

In December, the company reported that its Phase 3 HOPE‑3 trial met its primary endpoint, showing statistically significant improvement in upper‑limb function, and also met a secondary endpoint of slower cardiac decline.

Capricor’s next step is the FDA’s decision scheduled for November 22, which will determine the future of deramiocel and the company’s broader pipeline.