PM Gifts Nation India’s First Indigenous CAR-T Cell Therapy ‘NexCAR19’

During the ongoing Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025), Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation CAR-T Cell Therapy – India’s first indigenous cancer cell therapy, developed by Indian innovators.

• The therapy, named NexCAR19, represents the world’s first humanised CAR-T therapy, developed in India by ImmunoACT, an IIT Bombay spin-off.

“Made in India, for the World”:

• NexCAR19 is a groundbreaking innovation supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
• It underscores India’s growing capability to produce cutting-edge biomedical technologies that are both affordable and globally competitive.

About CAR-T Cell Therapy:

• Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a personalised immunotherapy that harnesses a patient’s own immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells.
• In this treatment, T cells (a type of white blood cell) are genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically target cancer cells.
• Once infused back into the patient, these CAR T-cells can attack and eliminate cancer cells and may persist in the body for months, providing long-term protection.

Clinical Promise:

• Globally, CAR-T therapy has shown remarkable success in end-stage cancer patients, particularly those with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).
• NexCAR19 brings this advanced treatment within reach for Indian patients, ensuring affordability without compromising safety or scientific integrity.

National Significance:

• The launch of NexCAR19 marks a transformative milestone in India’s medical innovation landscape.
• It demonstrates India’s capacity to lead in next-generation therapies and strengthens the nation’s position as a global hub for biomedical research and innovation.

Sources: PIB & Others