President Droupadi Murmu launched India's first indigenously-developed CAR-T cell therapy on April 4, 2024, at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, marking what she called a "major breakthrough" in the nation's battle against cancer. The therapy, named NexCAR19, represents the world's most affordable CAR-T cell therapy and positions India among the few countries capable of producing indigenous cellular therapy.
Revolutionary Cost Reduction
The NexCAR19 therapy has been rolled out at approximately one-tenth of the price available outside India, according to Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director of the Tata Memorial Centre. IIT Bombay Director Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri revealed that the treatment costs approximately ₹4 crore abroad, making the Indian version significantly more accessible to patients worldwide.
"The CAR T-cell therapy has been an enormously expensive treatment which is out of the reach of an overwhelming majority of people," Dr. Gupta explained during the launch event. "NexCAR19 has been rolled out at approximately one-tenth of the price at which it is available outside India."
Academia-Industry Collaboration Success
The therapy emerged from a successful collaboration between IIT Bombay, Tata Memorial Centre, and industry partner ImmunoACT. Prof. Rahul Purwar from the Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering at IIT Bombay led the development team, working closely with Dr. Hasmukh Jain and Dr. Gaurav Narula from the Tata Memorial Centre.
President Murmu praised this partnership as "a praiseworthy example of academia-industry partnership, which should inspire many more similar efforts." She emphasized that the development exemplifies the 'Make in India' initiative and demonstrates the capabilities of Indian scientists and physicians.
Global Impact and Accessibility
The President described CAR-T cell therapy as "one of the most phenomenal advances in medical science," noting that while it has been available in developed nations, it remained "extremely costly and beyond the reach of most patients around the world." The launch of NexCAR19 addresses this global accessibility challenge.
"As this line of treatment, named CAR-T cell therapy, is accessible and affordable, it provides a new hope for the whole of humankind," President Murmu stated. "I am confident that it will be successful in giving new lives to countless patients."
Scientific Achievement and Future Prospects
Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri highlighted the significance of India's entry into cellular therapy manufacturing: "We can take pride in the fact that India is now one of the very few countries in the world that can make its own cellular therapy. This is a testament to the efforts of several scientists, doctors, nurses and others who worked together relentlessly despite hitting roadblocks over the last decade."
Dr. Gupta described the creation and rollout of NexCAR19 as "a historic milestone in the field of cancer care and genetic engineering," emphasizing both its scientific achievement and practical application. "This treatment is not only a scientific achievement of the highest order, but also has immense practical application. NexCAR19 will save many, many lives and wipe many, many tears," he said.
The collaboration partners expressed optimism about future developments, with Dr. Gupta noting: "We hope that in years to come, our collaboration will lead to the development of other Cell and Gene Therapy products that will help our patients with various cancers."
ImmunoACT, spun out from IIT-Bombay in 2018, serves as India's pioneer in developing the country's first indigenous Cell & Gene Therapy, with a mission to provide affordable access to novel autologous CAR-T cell therapies beginning with blood cancers.
