Archive · 5 Nov 2025
India's NexCAR19 Cancer Therapy Launched, Aims for Affordability and Accessibility
NexCAR19 is a new medicine made in India that helps fight certain types of blood cancer.
It's like training your body's own special soldiers, called T-cells, to find and attack cancer cells.
This new medicine is called a 'living drug' because it uses your own cells.
It's special because it's the first of its kind made in India, making it cheaper and easier for people to get this treatment.
Doctors and scientists are working to make sure it's safe and effective.
They are also developing ways to make more of it so it can help many more people, and even work on finding new ways to fight other kinds of cancer too.
NexCAR19, India's first indigenous CAR-T therapy, has been launched, making gene therapies affordable and accessible.
Developed by ImmunoACT (IIT Bombay) with support from DBT and BIRAC, it treats relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphomas and leukaemias.
The therapy utilizes a lentiviral vector and is described as India's first 'living drug'.
DBT funding has established GMP platforms to scale up production, potentially aiding at least 1000 patients annually.
The government is promoting research into indigenous CAR-T therapeutics for a broader range of cancers.
- Who
- Ministry of Science and Technology (Government of India), ImmunoACT, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
- What
- NexCAR19, India's first indigenous CAR-T therapy, has been launched, making gene therapies affordable and accessible.
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- India (developed and gifted to the nation)
- Why
- To combat rising cancer cases by providing affordable, accessible, and high-quality indigenous gene therapies without compromising patient safety, and to promote further research into CAR-T therapeutics for a broader spectrum of cancers.
Government Perspective
Research and Development Perspective
Affordability and Accessibility
Government Perspective
NexCAR19 has successfully made gene therapies affordable and accessible, maintaining high scientific quality and patient safety.
Research and Development Perspective
While affordability is a goal, the ongoing development and scaling of production through GMP platforms are crucial steps towards ensuring long-term accessibility for a wider patient base.
Indigenous Innovation and Scope
Government Perspective
NexCAR19 represents a significant indigenous innovation in cancer treatment, gifted to the nation.
Research and Development Perspective
The development of NexCAR19 signifies a step towards broader research into indigenous CAR-T therapeutics for a wider range of cancers, including both liquid and solid tumors, and addressing associated toxicities.
- Drug Name
- NexCAR19
- Type
- Humanised CAR-T therapy (Living drug)
- Developer
- ImmunoACT (incubated at IIT Bombay)
- Support
- Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
- Indications
- Relapsed or refractory B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas, B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
- Production Capacity
- GMP-grade gene delivery vector can help at least 1000 patients per year
- Vector Type
- Lentiviral vector