SunAct Partners with Abgentil to Expand Access to Advanced Cellular Cancer Therapies in India

According to the institute, the first SunAct facility offering these therapies is expected to launch by the end of 2025 in Khar/Bandra, Mumbai.

SunAct Cancer Institute has collaborated with Malaysia-based Abgentil Biomedical SDN BHD to introduce advanced adoptive cellular therapies, including CAR-T, TCR, and TIL, for the treatment of solid tumors in India.

Dr Vijay Patil, founder of SunAct, highlighted the dire need for alternative cancer treatments, stating, “Research indicates that most cancers diagnosed in the country are solid tumors, including head, neck, breast, and lung cancers. Tragically, many patients present with these cancers at advanced stages, where even surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy often fail to yield results.”

Dr Patil added that adoptive cellular therapies offer promising outcomes. “Alternative and innovative treatment options, such as adoptive cellular therapies like CAR-T, TCR, and TIL, represent a beacon of hope. TIL therapy has received FDA approval for melanoma and has shown impressive efficacy, while TCR therapies have recently been authorized for sarcoma treatment. Despite this, access to these adoptive therapies remains a significant challenge in India.”

The agreement marks a significant development in the Indian healthcare ecosystem, focusing on increasing accessibility to these cutting-edge treatments.

Planned Rollout Across Major Cities

According to the institute, the first SunAct facility offering these therapies is expected to launch by the end of 2025 in Khar/Bandra, Mumbai. Over the next five years, SunAct plans to establish additional centers in cities such as Pune, Delhi/NCR, Bangalore, and other metropolitan areas.

Adoptive cellular therapies, including CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell), TCR (t-cell receptor), and TIL (Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocyte), represent personalized approaches to targeting cancer cells. While CAR-T and TCR therapies are largely being researched for blood cancers, their potential in treating solid tumors is gaining traction. TIL therapy has already demonstrated significant efficacy in melanoma treatment and continues to expand its applications.

SunAct and Abgentil aim to address the growing demand for innovative oncology treatments while tackling the accessibility gap that persists in India. The agreement underscores the institute’s commitment to advancing cancer care and aligning with global treatment standards.

Despite the promise of these therapies, Dr Patil stressed that affordability and infrastructure remain barriers. “Access to these adoptive therapies remains a significant challenge in India,” he stated.

The collaboration is expected to work on improving affordability and logistics to facilitate widespread adoption.