Immuneel Therapeutics Launches Affordable CAR T-Cell Therapy for Blood Cancer in India

Qartemi Offers New Hope for B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients at a Fraction of Global Costs

Immuneel Therapeutics, a Bengaluru-based cell and gene therapy company co-founded by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, has announced the launch of Qartemi, India’s second Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. This innovative treatment is designed for patients with B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL), an aggressive form of blood cancer, and is offered at less than one-tenth the price of similar therapies available in Western countries.

Pioneering Affordable Cancer Treatment

Qartemi represents a significant advancement in making cutting-edge cancer therapies accessible and affordable in India. By harnessing a patient’s own immune cells to target and eliminate cancer cells, CAR T-cell therapy offers a new paradigm for treating aggressive blood cancers, especially in cases where traditional treatments like chemotherapy have been ineffective.

Clinical Trials and Efficacy

Immuneel Therapeutics initiated a clinical trial in 2022, conducted across Narayana Hospital in Bengaluru, Apollo Cancer Hospital in Chennai, and PGIMER in Chandigarh. The results demonstrated that the efficacy and safety of Qartemi are comparable to CAR T-cell therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

Leadership Perspectives

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Board Director and Co-Founder of Immuneel Therapeutics, stated, “Since Immuneel’s inception in 2019, our mission has been to offer affordable and innovative lifesaving therapies for cancer that are otherwise inaccessible. With Qartemi, our flagship CAR T-cell therapy, we aim to transform cancer treatment in India by providing globally advanced, personalized therapies at an affordable cost.”

Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, Board Director and Co-Founder, added, “The launch of Qartemi marks a pivotal moment in India’s fight against cancer. By combining world-class research in CAR T-cell therapy with indigenous manufacturing, we are offering new hope to patients facing aggressive blood cancers.”

Strategic Partnerships and Accessibility

To ensure widespread accessibility, Immuneel Therapeutics has partnered with leading hospitals across India, including Narayana Health, Apollo Hospitals, and PGIMER Chandigarh, among others. These collaborations aim to streamline the delivery of advanced treatments and enhance the care experience for patients nationwide.