What began as a conversation over dinner has materialized into a significant advancement in cancer treatment with the launch of Qartemi, a groundbreaking CAR-T therapy approved for adult B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL). Siddhartha Mukherjee, a respected cancer physician, author, and co-founder of Immuneel Therapeutics, shared insights regarding the therapy’s rollout.
Designed for adults who have experienced a recurrence of B-NHL, this personalized treatment adheres to international benchmarks, according to the company’s leadership. They emphasize their aim to make this innovative therapy accessible and affordable for patients in need.
Mukherjee noted that there isn’t a single “magic formula” for reducing costs. Instead, the team worked closely with scientists to meticulously evaluate each step of the production process to identify areas where expenses could be lowered without sacrificing quality. “The process is dynamic, with regular internal evaluations to minimize costs while maintaining high standards,” he stated. By merging cutting-edge research on CAR-T cell therapy with local manufacturing capabilities, Immuneel hopes to provide renewed optimism to those battling aggressive blood cancers.
Co-founded by Biocon Group Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Mukherjee, and Kush M Parmar, Managing Partner at 5AM Ventures, Immuneel launched in 2019 with the mission to provide affordable and groundbreaking cancer treatments that have been previously out of reach for many.
Shaw expressed her commitment to revolutionizing cancer care in India through Qartemi, the company’s flagship CAR-T cell therapy. The treatment involves modifying a patient’s own T-cells to specifically target and eliminate cancer cells. The Varnimcabtagene autoleucel product, developed at Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, has successfully treated patients with B-cell malignancies for over five years. Clinical trial data from India and Spain demonstrate that Qartemi’s safety and effectiveness align with CAR-T therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Regarding pricing, Immuneel’s CEO, Amit Mookim, reported that their facility in Bengaluru produces this therapy at a cost that is roughly one-tenth that of similar treatments in the United States, where prices range from $400,000 to $500,000, excluding additional hospital and operational expenses that can push total costs to between $600,000 and $700,000. “Our objective was to reduce costs by at least 90 percent, which we have successfully accomplished, and we are pursuing further reductions,” he added.
In India, patients typically pay out-of-pocket for these treatments, as health insurance often does not cover CAR-T therapies. Additionally, while the procedure in the U.S. is usually outpatient, in India it typically requires hospital admission.
The clinical trial, known as IMAGINE, was conducted at several prominent hospitals, including Narayana Hospital in Bengaluru, Apollo Cancer Hospital in Chennai, and PGIMER in Chandigarh. Immuneel has also formed partnerships with a variety of healthcare institutions, such as Narayana Health, Apollo Hospitals, CMC Vellore, and many more across the country, to enhance access to this innovative therapy.
