Mumbai, Apr 4: President Droupadi Murmu hailed the launch of India’s first indigenous CAR T-cell therapy for cancer treatment as a “major breakthrough” and a beacon of “new hope for humankind” in the fight against cancer. The therapy, developed jointly by IIT Bombay and the Tata Memorial Centre, marks a significant milestone in the country’s medical advancements and underscores the success of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
President Murmu, speaking at the launch event held at IIT Bombay in Powai, emphasized the transformative potential of CAR T-cell therapy in the field of medical sciences. She highlighted the therapy’s accessibility and affordability, underscoring its crucial role in expanding treatment options for cancer patients.
Sudeep Gupta, Director of the Tata Memorial Centre, lauded the therapy’s affordability, stating that NexCAR19 is priced at approximately one-tenth of its cost abroad. Meanwhile, IIT Bombay Director Prof Subhasis Chaudhuri emphasized the significance of the therapy’s affordability in making it accessible to a wider population.
Gupta hailed the creation and rollout of NexCAR19 as a historic milestone in cancer care and genetic engineering, predicting that it will save many lives and alleviate suffering for countless individuals. The introduction of this low-cost CAR T-cell therapy positions India as a key player on the global stage of cell and gene therapy, marking a monumental achievement for the country and its cancer patients.
