CARGO THERAPEUTICS INC

CARGO Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing cell therapies for cancer. Its lead product candidate, CRG-022, is an autologous CD22-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy currently in clinical trials. The development of such biologics and cell therapies, including the necessary preclinical safety and efficacy testing, typically involves animal research as a standard regulatory requirement. This reliance on animal models for biomedical research places the company within the scope of the animal exploitation exclusion.

The specific evidence cited in support of this exclusion points to broader systemic issues within the animal research supply chain that the company's operations depend upon. A 2022 PETA investigation, referenced in the gathered materials, highlighted illegal transport practices involving monkeys destined for laboratories, underscoring ethical and welfare concerns in the procurement of research animals. Furthermore, a 2026 legislative analysis discusses the "Cease Animal Research Grants Overseas Act," indicating ongoing political and regulatory scrutiny of federally funded animal research. While CARGO Therapeutics' direct involvement in the cited incidents is not detailed in the provided evidence, its business model is fundamentally reliant on the animal testing paradigm that these reports critique. The company's S-1 filing confirms its engagement in preclinical research, which inherently utilizes animal models.