Cipla partners ImmunoACT to launch talicabtagene autoleucel, an anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy for blood cancers in Africa

New Delhi: Cipla Limited through its subsidiary Medpro Pharmaceutica, has entered into an exclusive license and supply agreement with Immunoadoptive Cell Therapy Private Limited (ImmunoACT).

Under this partnership, Cipla will commercialize talicabtagene autoleucel, India’s first indigenously developed CAR-T cell therapy, in the Republic of South Africa, Algeria, and Morocco.

Talicabtagene autoleucel (the product) is an autologous (of a patient’s own blood sample) anti-CD19 CAR-T indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (B-NHL) and B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) who have failed standard lines of therapy. Administered to over 500 patients in India, the therapy has demonstrated high efficacy, durable responses, and a well‑tolerated safety profile, leading to reduced ancillary healthcare costs.

As part of this collaboration, ImmunoACT will manufacture the product and Cipla will commercialize in the licensed African territories, thereby expanding access of this revolutionary new treatment to markets currently with unmet needs.

Commenting on the partnership, Achin Gupta, Managing Director and Global CEO Designate, Cipla Limited, said, “Our collaboration with ImmunoACT reinforces Cipla’s vision of leveraging cutting-edge science to deliver transformative and affordable treatments, especially for patients with critical healthcare needs. By introducing CAR-T therapy in Africa, we aim to bring world-class innovation closer to patients and strengthen our commitment to accessible healthcare in the region.”

Adding on, Paul Miller, Chief Executive Officer of Cipla Africa, said, “We are proud to be at the forefront of efforts to bring CAR-T cell therapy to Africa. This collaboration not only advances our oncology portfolio but also reinforces Cipla’s mission of making next-generation therapies accessible to patients worldwide.”

Dr. Rahul Purwar, ImmunoACT’s Founder & Chairman and a professor of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, said, “Our mission has always been to innovate and make cell & gene therapies accessible and affordable, addressing the significant unmet medical needs across the globe. This strategic partnership with Cipla seeks to accelerate our endeavours; ensuring that patients with B-cell cancers have a fighting chance at a durable remission, with our CAR-T platform.”