Immuneel Therapeutics, co-founded by cancer physician and author Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, along with Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and 5AM Ventures’ Kush M Parmar, has announced the launch of Qartemi, its first CAR-T therapy for adult B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL). This breakthrough treatment offers hope to patients battling aggressive blood cancers with a focus on affordability.
Benchmarked to global standards, Qartemi is a personalized therapy for adults with relapsed B-NHL. The therapy involves modifying a patient’s own T-cells to target and eliminate cancer cells. Developed in partnership with Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, the product, Varnimcabtagene autoleucel, has demonstrated safety and efficacy comparable to USFDA-approved CAR-T therapies in clinical trials conducted in India and Spain.
Dr. Mukherjee emphasized the innovative cost-reduction strategy behind Qartemi: “We dissected every step of the process to make it more affordable without compromising on quality. By integrating world-class CAR-T therapy with indigenous manufacturing, we are offering new hope to cancer patients.”
Immuneel’s mission since its inception in 2019 has been to make advanced cancer therapies accessible in India. “Qartemi, our flagship CAR-T therapy, is a step towards transforming cancer care in India by offering personalized treatments at a fraction of global costs,” said Mazumdar-Shaw.
Priced at one-tenth of similar treatments in the US, Qartemi costs significantly less than the $600,000–$700,000 charged abroad. Manufactured at Immuneel’s Bengaluru facility, the therapy is also undergoing further cost optimizations. “Our goal was to cut costs by 90%, which we have achieved, and we aim to reduce them even further,” said Amit Mookim, CEO of Immuneel Therapeutics.
Despite the affordability, challenges remain, as CAR-T therapies are not yet covered by insurance in India. Unlike the US, where it is a day-care procedure, Indian patients require hospital admission for treatment.
Qartemi’s clinical trial, IMAGINE, was conducted at Narayana Hospital (Bengaluru), Apollo Cancer Hospital (Chennai), and PGIMER (Chandigarh). The company has partnered with leading hospitals nationwide, including Manipal Hospitals, Apollo Hospitals, CMC Vellore, RGCIRC Delhi, and SGPGI Lucknow, to expand access.
As reported by thehindubusinessline, this milestone reinforces Immuneel’s commitment to bringing cutting-edge, lifesaving cancer therapies to India, combining global innovation with local manufacturing and affordability.