Delhi-based Biotech Startup Develops World's First Indigenous Bi-Specific 3rd Gen CAR T Cells for Cancer Treatment

The development aligns with the Indian government's Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative, reinforcing the country's capacity for medical innovation.

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.

The Indian Patent Office (IPO), functioning under the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), granted the patent.

This milestone positions India as a significant player in advanced cell and gene therapies and offers new hope to patients battling blood cancers.

India ranks third globally in cancer incidence, following the United States and China, and is second in cancer-related mortality.

According to the GLOBOCAN report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), blood cancers account for 8% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases in the country, with over 120,000 new cases and 70,000 deaths annually.

Cellogen Therapeutics' CAR T cell technology marks a critical advancement in cancer immunotherapy. Unlike conventional CAR T therapies that target a single antigen, the startup's bi-specific platform targets two tumor-specific antigens simultaneously.

This dual-targeting approach aims to improve treatment precision while reducing the risk of severe side effects like 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, 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 predominantly been led by Western countries with treatment costs exceeding $400,000, Cellogen's technology aims to reduce these costs by over 90%, potentially increasing accessibility, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.

Cellogen Therapeutics has secured $2 million in funding from NATCO Pharma, which has acquired a 5.38% stake in the company.

Reportedly, the startup plans to conduct clinical trials in collaboration with Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the therapy.

Further, Cellogen is working closely with regulatory authorities, healthcare institutions, and global partners to expedite the treatment's availability.

"Our Bi-Specific 3rd Generation CAR T platform is the result of years of rigorous research and development," said Dr Tanveer Ahmad, lead researcher and an expert in CAR T cell therapy. "We have leveraged state-of-the-art cell engineering techniques to create a highly targeted and durable therapy, significantly improving treatment outcomes."

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