Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Aug 10: In a breakthrough for Indian cancer care, Immuneel Therapeutics has announced that its Made-in-India CAR T-cell therapy has achieved the country’s first known long-term remission in patients with aggressive blood cancers.
The therapy — Varnimcabtagene autoleucel (IMN-003A) — was administered as part of the IMAGINE Phase 2 clinical trial, and results show that seven patients treated in 2022 for relapsed or refractory CD19-positive B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma have remained progression-free for over two years.
This form of cancer is typically fast-growing and resistant to conventional treatments.
Impressive Results Without Severe Side Effects
• Response rate: 83% at 90 days
• Complete response rate: 83%
• One-year response rate: 50%
• Safety profile: No cases of severe neurotoxicity or ICU admissions
The trial was conducted at three top centres:
• Narayana Health-Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre, Bengaluru
• Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai
• PGIMER, Chandigarh
“Globally Benchmarked Outcomes from India”
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Co-Founder and Board Director of Immuneel, said the results highlight the life-changing potential of Indian innovation in healthcare.
“We now have long-term survivors treated with a Made-in-India CAR T therapy — a testament to how innovation tailored to local needs can achieve global standards,” she said.
This development positions India on the global map of cutting-edge personalised cancer treatments, and offers hope to patients with few remaining options.