Home-grown CAR-T cell therapies gaining ground

INDIAN biotech and pharmaceutical companies are actively working on innovative solutions to make CART cell therapy both accessible and cost-effective.

- Our Bureaus, Mumbai & Bengaluru

Indian companies, in collaboration with top-tier research institutions, are making strides in developing homegrown CART cell therapies. ImmunoACT, in partnership with Tata Memorial Hospital, has already launched India's first indigenous CART cell therapy at a significantly reduced cost compared to imported alternatives.

Recognizing the revolutionary potential of CART cell therapy, the Indian government has launched funding programs to support clinical trials and R&D efforts. Institutions such as the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) are providing grants to encourage the development of cost-effective solutions.

The Drug Controller General of India has approved CART cell therapies for commercial use in India. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) also supports research projects on CART cell therapy for cancers such as B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma, glioblastoma and hepatocellular carcinomas.

To reduce reliance on expensive imports, Indian pharma companies are setting up local manufacturing units. This move aims to significantly cut down costs while ensuring timely delivery of lifesaving treatments.

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is at the forefront of a transformative effort to make CART cell therapy more affordable and accessible, offering renewed hope to cancer patients nationwide. This cutting-edge treatment, particularly effective against blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma, has remained prohibitively expensive due to its complex manufacturing process and high international pricing. However, Indian biotech firms and policymakers are driving initiatives to bridge this gap and ensure wider availability.