Govt signs agreement to develop new CAR-T therapy for Multiple Myeloma
New Delhi: The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has signed an agreement with Hyderabad-based Helix Cell Therapeutics Private Limited for an advanced CAR-T cell therapy project focused on Multiple Myeloma.
The project, titled “Generation of Novel Dual Targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells to Treat Multiple Myeloma and Conducting Phase I Clinical Trial,” is being implemented under an Indo-Singapore collaborative framework in partnership with Biocell Innovations, Singapore.
According to the agreement, the initiative aims to develop a next-generation dual-targeting CAR-T therapy that simultaneously targets BCMA and CD19 markers on cancer cells, with the objective of improving treatment response and prolonging remission in patients suffering from relapsed and refractory Multiple Myeloma.
CAR-T cell therapy involves genetically engineering a patient’s T cells to recognise and destroy cancer cells and is regarded as a breakthrough in precision oncology. The proposed therapy will be developed, manufactured and evaluated through a Phase I clinical trial involving patients with limited treatment options.
TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said advanced cell and gene therapies represent the future of precision healthcare and can transform outcomes in complex and previously incurable diseases. He added that the Indo-Singapore collaboration would help strengthen India’s position in cutting-edge biotechnology and affordable healthcare solutions.
A representative of Helix Cell Therapeutics said the support would accelerate clinical translation and commercialization of its CAR-T platform, while expanding access to advanced cancer treatment options in India.
(DD News)
