Nucelion Therapeutics, VeGen Bio Partner on CAR-T Therapy
The Story:
Nucelion Therapeutics and VeGen Bio have partnered to transfer technology and manufacture VL-2511, a Phase II dual-target CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma, in India.
The Take:
The partnership could strengthen India’s domestic cell therapy manufacturing capabilities and improve access to advanced CAR-T treatments through localized production.
Sanofi Receives Indian Approval for Qfitlia in Haemophilia
The Story:
Sanofi has received CDSCO marketing authorisation for Qfitlia (fitusiran) in India for routine bleeding prevention in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with haemophilia A or B, with or without factor inhibitors. The antithrombin-lowering therapy can be administered in as few as six injections annually, with dosing guided by antithrombin monitoring.
The Take:
The approval strengthens Sanofi’s haemophilia portfolio with a less frequent dosing option that could improve prophylaxis convenience, while affordability and safety monitoring will influence adoption in India.
Dr. Reddy’s Gets Indian Approval for Zytorvi in Advanced Esophageal Cancer
The Story:
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has received CDSCO approval for Zytorvi (toripalimab), combined with cisplatin and paclitaxel, as first-line treatment for adults with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In the Phase III JUPITER-06 trial, the combination reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 42% and extended median overall survival to 17.7 months versus 12.9 months with chemotherapy alone.
The Take:
The approval strengthens Dr. Reddy’s oncology portfolio by introducing a first-line immunotherapy option without PD-L1-based patient selection, with affordability and competition likely to shape uptake in India.
Mankind Pharma to Acquire 70% Stake in ACTx for €48 Million
The Story:
Mankind Pharma, through its Netherlands subsidiary, has agreed to invest €48 million for a 70% stake in Belgium-based Armed Cell Therapeutics (ACTx), whose next-generation CAR-T pipeline targets non-Hodgkin lymphoma and small cell lung cancer.
The Take:
The acquisition marks Mankind’s expansion into innovative oncology, adding engineered and in vivo CAR-T approaches designed to address relapse, cell exhaustion and tumour resistance, with clinical progress and manufacturing scalability key to future success.
