India faces a significant challenge with blood cancer, reporting approximately 120,000 new cases annually and over 70,000 mortalities from leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
Immuneel Therapeutics, a leading cell and gene therapy start-up, was co-founded in 2019 by Dr. Siddharth Mukherjee, MD, DPhil, a Pulitzer-winning oncologist from Columbia, and entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Board Director & Co-founder, Executive Chairperson of Biocon Limited, to revolutionize cancer treatment in India.
Immuneel recently launched Qartemi, India’s second CAR-T cell therapy, to treat adult B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (B-NHL). It is the first company in India to run CAR-T cell therapy clinical trials, which began in 2022. The trial, named the IMAGINE TRIAL, was conducted at multiple hospitals, including Narayana Hospital, Bengaluru, Apollo Cancer Hospital, Chennai, and PGIMER, Chandigarh. The IMAGINE Phase II trial achieved an overall response rate of approximately 83.3%, with efficacy and safety comparable to US FDA-approved CAR-T cell therapies. [1]
The scientific advisory board of Immuneel Therapeutics includes renowned experts in cell and gene therapy, such as:
Carl June (Immunotherapy Pioneer)
Nikhil Raje (Director, Center for Multiple Myeloma)
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. Designed to improve patient outcomes, Qartemi exemplifies our commitment to positioning India as a leader in next-generation, transformative therapies.Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Board Director and Co-Founder, Immuneel Therapeutics
Qartemi will be available at multiple hospitals in India, including Narayana Hospital, Bengaluru, Apollo Hospital, Chennai, CMC Vellore, Manipal Hospital, RGCIRC Delhi, and other major cancer centers. [1]
This groundbreaking research aims to provide treatment for patients with relapsed cancers or those unresponsive to conventional therapies while ensuring affordability and accessibility at international standards. Qartemi is set to become a benchmark in cancer treatment in India.
References:
1. Immuneel Therapeutics. “Investors & Media.” Immuneel Therapeutics. Accessed January 28, 2025. https://immuneel.com/investors-media.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Ansila S/MSM)