#India #Bengaluru #G-Rex Grant #Immuneel Therapeutics #CAR-T cell

Immuneel Therapeutics Awarded G-Rex® Grant to Boost CAR-T Cell Manufacturing

In a landmark collaboration spearheaded by ScaleReady, along with partners Wilson Wolf Manufacturing, Bio-Techne Corporation, and CellReady, Immuneel Therapeutics has secured a substantial $150,000 G-Rex Grant. This funding will facilitate the process development required to improve the scalability and cost-effectiveness of CAR-T cell manufacturing in India, a nation facing a significant burden of blood-related cancers.

The Need for Innovative Manufacturing

Every year, India witnesses approximately 120,000 new cases of lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. Tragically, around 70,000 individuals succumb to these diseases annually, profoundly affecting families and communities. To tackle this growing healthcare challenge, Immuneel Therapeutics recognizes the importance of a strategic approach to their manufacturing processes to ensure that advanced treatments reach all patients in need.

Dr. Lakshmikanth Gandikota, Head of R&D at Immuneel Therapeutics, stated, “To meet the increasing demands for CAR-T cell therapies—projected at nearly 200 drug products daily—it is crucial for us to industrialize our production capabilities effectively.” By transitioning to the innovative G-Rex platform, the company aims to align its manufacturing capability with rising patient needs in the coming years.

Advancing Cancer Care in India

The G-Rex Grant will enable Immuneel to focus on the development, qualification, and validation of CAR-T cell therapy processes based on G-Rex technology. This approach is expected to significantly enhance the throughput capacity of their manufacturing facility located in Bengaluru, which was the first state-of-the-art GMP facility dedicated to cell therapy in India, inaugurated in 2021.

Moreover, through this grant, Immuneel will conduct essential comparability studies, which are vital for transitioning from a complex, low-throughput manufacturing setup to a streamlined, high-throughput G-Rex-centric method. This transition is imperative to effectively scale operations and deliver CAR-T cell therapies at a time when they are becoming a frontline treatment option for various cancers.

The Broad Impact of the G-Rex Grant Program

The G-Rex Grant Program has garnered immense interest, prompting ScaleReady to expand its total funding from $20 million to $30 million. This initiative aims to accelerate the path to optimized manufacturing processes for cell and gene-modified therapies. To date, 200 grants have already been awarded, with many more applications in the pipeline, as grantees can receive up to $300,000 along with exclusive access to ScaleReady's network of partners.

John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Wolf, shared his optimism about Immuneel’s progress: “We are incredibly impressed with the resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit of the Immuneel team. Seeing India make strides towards making CAR-T therapies available gives us a great sense of fulfillment.”

Conclusion

The collaborative efforts among ScaleReady, Immuneel Therapeutics, and their partners signify a promising step forward in the battle against blood cancers in India. As they harness innovative G-Rex technology, they not only aim to meet the immediate needs of patients but also pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment. Immuneel's dedicated mission to democratize access to advanced therapies exemplifies hope for millions affected by these life-threatening diseases.

For further details on the G-Rex Grant Program, interested parties can reach out via email. This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in transforming the landscape of healthcare in India and making modern therapies accessible to all.