Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled three landmark innovations — QSIP, India’s own quantum security chip; the 25-qubit QPU, India’s first quantum computing chip; and CAR-T Cell Therapy, the country’s first indigenous cancer cell therapy — during the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025).

Among these, NexCAR19, the world’s first humanised CAR-T therapy developed in India by ImmunoACT, stands out as a transformative, life-saving innovation “Made in India, for the world.” The project was supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

The Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy represents a revolutionary advance in cancer treatment. Global clinical trials have shown remarkable success in late-stage patients, particularly those with Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia.

NexCAR19, India’s first living drug, has made gene therapy significantly more affordable and accessible, while maintaining high standards of scientific integrity and patient safety.

ImmunoACT, a spin-off from IIT Bombay, received crucial support under BIRAC’s BioNest initiative, which provided funding, mentorship, and infrastructure during its incubation at the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) — IIT Bombay’s technology business incubator.

In 2021, the TMC-IIT Bombay team conducted India’s first CAR-T cell therapy clinical trials at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), part of the Tata Memorial Centre. The trials, partially funded by DBT and BIRAC under the National Biopharma Mission, focused on paediatric patients with acute leukaemia and are continuing successfully with ImmunoACT as the manufacturing partner.

Recently, DBT, through its Biomanufacturing Initiative under the BioE3 Policy, granted funding to ImmunoACT to establish a 200-litre GMP lentiviral vector and plasmid production platform. This advanced facility aims to scale up gene therapy manufacturing, reduce costs, and improve accessibility.

The platform will integrate state-of-the-art bioreactor technologies, enabling high-density cell growth and continuous production, thereby improving yields and performance of lentiviral vectors. Once operational, the GMP-grade gene delivery system is expected to benefit at least 1,000 patients annually requiring cell and gene therapies.

In addition, DBT continues to support early and late-stage translational research for developing novel, indigenous CAR-T-based treatments targeting various forms of cancer. This includes liquid and solid tumours, such as Multiple Myeloma, Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia, relapsed or refractory B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, and glioblastoma. The initiative also focuses on overcoming treatment-related toxicities and broadening the reach of immunotherapy in India.

The launch of these pioneering innovations marks a defining moment in India’s scientific and medical landscape — establishing the nation’s credentials as a global hub for quantum technology and affordable cancer treatment.