Cell & gene therapy statrtup Immuneel unveils CAR-T cancer therapy in India

Immuneel Therapeutics, backed by entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, offers therapy for CAR T-cell therapy for adult B-cell non-hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL)

In a significant step forward for India’s cancer treatment, Immuneel Therapeutics, a leading cell and gene therapy statrtup backed by entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, has unveiled Qartemi, the country’s first global CAR T-cell therapy, that uses genetically modified T cells to fight the terminal disease.

 

The startup was the first company in India to conduct the therapy trials in 2022 for adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), addressing a critical gap in India’s cancer immunotherapy landscape.

 

This groundbreaking therapy— benchmarked to global standards— is now available locally, offering renewed hope to patients for whom conventional therapies, including chemotherapy prove ineffective.

 

 

India faces a rising burden of blood cancers, with around 120,000 new cases and over 70,000 deaths annually from leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

 

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, board director and co-founder, Immuneel Therapeutics said, “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, personalised therapies at an affordable cost. Designed to improve patient outcomes, Qartemi exemplifies our commitment to positioning India as a leader in next-generation, transformative therapies.”

 

Commenting on the company’s mission, Siddhartha Mukherjee, board director and co-founder, Immuneel Therapeutics, said, “The launch of Qartemi marks a pivotal moment in India’s fight against cancer. By combining world-class research CAR-T cell therapy with indigenous manufacturing, we are offering new hope to patients facing aggressive blood cancers. By bringing globally benchmarked CAR-T cell therapy to India, we are not only providing a breakthrough treatment, but also redefining what is possible in precision medicine. This is a critical step in ensuring that advanced, life-saving therapies are within reach for patients who need them most.”

 

Amit Mookim, chief executive officer, Immuneel Therapeutics, added, “Qartemi is a testament to our unwavering commitment to bringing world-class care closer to home. By offering Qartemi at a significantly accessible price compared to global alternatives, we are proud to develop this therapy indigenously at our facility in Bangalore to ensure global standards of safety and efficacy. For the first time, Indian patients now have access to lasting remission of relapsed and refractory non-hodgkin lymphoma, offering hope to patients when conventional therapies fall short. Collaborating with global partners to provide access to advanced treatments and cutting-edge therapies is the way forward.”

 

Immuneel initiated India’s first CAR T cell therapy trial in 2022 for a novel autologous CD19 directed CAR-T cell therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory B cell malignancies

 

The IMAGINE trial was conducted across Narayana Hospital in Bengaluru, Apollo Cancer Hospital in Chennai and PGIMER in Chandigarh.

 

The results from the IMAGINE trial showed that the efficacy and safety of Qartemi is similar to CAR T-cell therapies approved by the USFDA.

 

Qartemi, India’s first international CAR T-cell therapy, is approved for the treatment of adult non-hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Licensed from Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (HCB), a globally renowned institution at the forefront of cell therapy innovation, Qartemi represents a milestone in personalised medicine. This therapy harnesses a patient’s immune cells to target and eliminate cancer, offering new hope to those battling aggressive blood cancers.

 

Immuneel has partnered with leading hospitals, including Narayana Health, Apollo Hospitals, CMC Vellore and Ludhiana, Manipal Hospitals, RGCIRC Delhi, SGPGI Lucknow, Amrita Hospital Faridabad, HOC Vedanta Ahmedabad, Cytecare Bangalore, Sparsh Bangalore, Marengo Asia Hospitals among others, to provide Qartemi to their patients.

 

CellSpectrum, Immuneel’s comprehensive resource platform, provides educational materials, clinical insights, and personalised tools to support patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in navigating cell and gene therapies (CGTs).