In a major breakthrough for India’s biotech sector and cancer treatment, Delhi-based biotech startup Cellogen Therapeutics has secured regulatory approval for the patent of the world’s first, indigenously developed Bi-Specific 3rd Generation Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR T) cells. This milestone positions India as a key player in advanced cell and gene therapies and offers new hope to patients battling blood cancers.
India ranks third globally in cancer incidence, after the United States and China, and second in cancer-related mortality. According to the GLOBOCAN report, a global cancer database maintained by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), blood cancers account for 8% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases in India, with over 120,000 new cases and 70,000 deaths annually. Leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma affect thousands of patients each year, including around 30,000 children.
Cellogen Therapeutics’ pioneering CAR T cell technology represents a transformative advancement in cancer immunotherapy. Unlike conventional CAR T cell therapies, which target a single antigen, Cellogen’s bi-specific platform engages two tumor-specific antigens simultaneously, enhancing treatment precision and reducing the risk of side effects such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity.
“This approval is a testament to India’s growing expertise in cutting-edge biotechnology and precision medicine,” said Dr. Gaurav Kharya, a clinician and founder of Cellogen Therapeutics. “Developing this CAR T product required three years of relentless research and hard work. Our vision has always been to develop world-class therapies that are both accessible and affordable. With this innovation, we aim to provide Indian and global patients with a safer and more effective alternative to existing CAR T cell therapies.”
The development aligns with the Indian government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative, reinforcing the country’s capacity for medical innovation. While CAR T cell therapy has traditionally been dominated by Western nations with treatment costs exceeding $400,000, Cellogen’s technology could reduce these costs by over 90%, making life-saving therapies more affordable and accessible, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Cellogen Therapeutics has secured $2 million in funding from NATCO Pharma Limited, which has acquired a 5.38% stake in the company. The startup is preparing for clinical trials in collaboration with Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. The trials will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the therapy, with Cellogen engaging regulatory authorities, healthcare institutions, and global partners to accelerate the treatment’s availability.
Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, lead researcher and an expert in CAR T cell therapy, highlighted the innovation’s significance: “Our Bi-Specific 3rd Generation CAR T platform is the result of years of rigorous research and development. We have leveraged state-of-the-art cell engineering techniques to create a highly targeted and durable therapy, significantly improving treatment outcomes.”
The startup’s research is supported by leading institutions, including the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, and NATCO Pharma.
About Cellogen Therapeutics
Founded by a team of renowned Indian scientists and clinicians, Cellogen Therapeutics is at the forefront of next-generation cellular therapies. In addition to CAR T cell treatments for leukemia and lymphoma, the company is also developing genetic therapies for beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease, two of the most prevalent blood disorders in India.
Cellogen’s CAR T cell therapy involves extracting T cells from a patient, genetically modifying them to target and destroy cancer cells, and reinfusing them into the patient’s body. This highly personalized approach harnesses the body’s immune system to combat malignant tumors more effectively.
With this groundbreaking innovation and strong research collaborations, Cellogen Therapeutics is poised to redefine cancer treatment, making advanced cellular therapies more accessible and affordable while positioning India as a leader in biotechnology and precision medicine.
