In a groundbreaking development for cancer treatment in India, Bengaluru-based Immuneel Therapeutics has introduced Qartemi, the country’s second CAR-T cell therapy, to treat aggressive B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL). This revolutionary therapy, designed to tackle a deadly form of blood cancer, comes at a fraction of the cost of similar treatments available in Western countries, making it a game-changer for Indian patients.
CAR-T cell therapy uses a patient’s own immune cells (T-cells) to target and destroy cancer. It is a promising option for patients who haven’t responded to conventional treatments like chemotherapy, including those with relapsed or resistant leukemia and lymphoma. By reprogramming the immune system, Qartemi offers hope to those battling aggressive blood cancers.
Immuneel Therapeutics, founded in 2018 by biotech pioneer Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, renowned oncologist Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, and venture capitalist Kush Parmar, acquired exclusive rights to develop and commercialize this innovative therapy in India from the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona. The company has adapted ARI-0001, a CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy, to suit Indian patients’ needs.
In 2022, Immuneel conducted clinical trials at Narayana Health in Bengaluru, Apollo Cancer Hospital in Chennai, and PGIMER in Chandigarh. The results confirmed that Qartemi’s safety and effectiveness matched global standards, offering a powerful alternative to expensive therapies approved by the USFDA.
With this launch, Immuneel Therapeutics not only brings cutting-edge cancer care to India but also makes it more accessible, paving the way for affordable, life-saving treatments in the fight against cancer.
