Govt Approves Qartemi, A Living Drug For Destroying Cancer Cells


Rohit Kulkarni

Rohit Kulkarni

Feb 04, 2025


A breakthrough CAR-T cell therapy, Qartemi, has been approved for blood cancer patients in India, offering new hope to those with advanced or relapsed B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL). Developed by Immuneel Therapeutics, a Bengaluru-based biotech startup, Qartemi becomes the second CAR-T cell therapy approved in India, after NexCAR19 from ImmunoAct, a company incubated at IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Hospital.

Govt Approves Qartemi, A Living Drug For Destroying Cancer Cells

Qartemi: A Promising CAR-T Cell Therapy for Blood Cancer Patients in India

CAR-T cell therapies, unlike traditional chemical drugs, are known as “living drugs.” These personalized treatments involve extracting T cells from the patient’s body, genetically modifying them, and reinfusing them to target and destroy cancer cells. Qartemi, a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, is specifically designed for adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-NHL.

With around 120,000 new cases and over 70,000 deaths annually from leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, India is witnessing a significant rise in blood cancers. In this context, Qartemi offers a promising treatment option for patients whose cancer has not responded to traditional therapies like chemotherapy.

Qartemi: Affordable, Effective CAR-T Therapy Backed by Renowned Experts

Qartemi is the result of a collaboration between Immuneel Therapeutics and prominent figures such as Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and oncologist Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee. One of its key advantages is its affordability—priced between Rs 35 lakh and Rs 50 lakh, it is significantly more accessible than comparable global treatments, which often come at much higher costs.

The IMAGINE study, which included trials at top hospitals like Narayana Hospital, Apollo Cancer Hospital, and PGIMER Chandigarh, demonstrated Qartemi’s safety and effectiveness. The trials confirmed that Qartemi is comparable to FDA-approved CAR-T therapies, with the Phase 2 trial achieving an impressive 83.3% overall response rate.

Qartemi: A Milestone in India’s Biotechnology and Cancer Treatment

Supported by the Department of Biotechnology’s BIRAC through its Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP), Qartemi has been licensed from Hospital Clnic de Barcelona (HCB), a leading institution in cell therapy. To make the therapy accessible to patients, Immuneel has partnered with several hospitals across India, including Apollo Hospitals, CMC Vellore, and Manipal Hospitals.

In addition to being a significant advancement in cancer treatment, Qartemi represents a milestone in India’s growing biotechnology sector, demonstrating the country’s capability to develop world-class therapies at competitive prices.

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Summary: Qartemi, a CAR-T cell therapy developed by Immuneel Therapeutics, offers a breakthrough treatment for relapsed or refractory B-NHL blood cancer patients in India. Affordable and effective, it has shown promising results with an 83.3% response rate in trials. Backed by leading experts, it represents a milestone in India’s biotechnology sector.


Rohit Kulkarni
Rohit Kulkarni
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