Vector BioMed and Muni Seva Ashram Team Up to Enhance Cancer Care Access in Rural India
Vector BioMed Partners with Muni Seva Ashram for CAR-T Cell Therapy in Rural India
In a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at revolutionizing cancer treatment access, Vector BioMed has joined forces with Muni Seva Ashram's Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Center (KCHRC) based in Gujarat, India. This partnership seeks to provide CAR-T cell therapy to underserved populations, establishing KCHRC as a frontrunner in advanced cancer care outside urban centers.
Bridging the Treatment Gap
The synergy between Vector BioMed, a company dedicated to making cell and gene therapies accessible, and KCHRC, a nonprofit institution, is pivotal. The partnership underwent meticulous evaluation, including over a year of due diligence, site inspections, and technical assessments led by KCHRC's team, featuring Dr. Vikram Patel. By Q1 2026, KCHRC is poised to become one of the first facilities to deliver personalized CAR-T cell therapy in rural India, treating its first patients with a highly innovative approach.
Vector BioMed aims to streamline the therapy development process through its cutting-edge technology, providing rapid CAR-T formats and validated processes that make the treatment both efficient and reliable. This collaboration aligns with the hospital’s mission to extend affordable healthcare to communities that have historically faced barriers to advanced medical interventions.
Transforming Lives in Rural Areas
Located in rural Gujarat, KCHRC caters to more than 70,000 outpatients each year, facilitating cost-effective healthcare delivery to over 60% of its patients via donor funding or free services. With a capacity of 400 beds and various advanced treatment technologies, including linear accelerators for radiation therapy, KCHRC is emerging as a key player in rural oncology.
Dr. Boro Dropulić, CEO of Vector BioMed, emphasized, “This partnership not only fulfills our objective of expanding global access to crucial therapies but also acknowledges that every individual should have the right to quality cancer care, irrespective of their financial condition.” This sentiment resonates with Muni Seva Ashram’s commitment, as articulated by Dr. Vikram Patel, asserting that their joint efforts aim to make cutting-edge therapies available for every patient stepping through their doors, irrespective of economic status.
A Step Toward Global Health Equity
Vector BioMed’s involvement extends further with its advanced LENTIVERSE™ system, designed for affordability and efficiency, particularly suited for low- and middle-income regions. This innovative technology mitigates the costs associated with proprietary systems and enables the treatment of one patient daily, reinforcing the goal of universal healthcare access.
Highlighting the importance of accessible cancer care, Dr. Dropulić remarked, “Our mission revolves around dismantling the economic and geographical barriers to healthcare. By collaborating with Muni Seva Ashram, we are not merely providing therapies but are redefining healthcare accessibility globally.”
Upcoming Webinar on Cancer Treatment Accessibility
The significance of this partnership will be discussed in an upcoming global webinar hosted by the Cell & Gene community, titled “Fulfilling the Promise of Advanced Therapies and a Noble Cause,” happening on July 24, 2025. The session aims to address how advanced therapies can become more accessible in low-resource settings through collaborative and mission-driven models.
By combining efforts, Vector BioMed and Muni Seva Ashram set an inspiring precedent for healthcare innovation and accessibility, emphasizing that modern, life-saving cancer treatments are a right, not a privilege. This partnership not only transforms the landscape of cancer care in India but also motivates similar initiatives worldwide, aiming for a healthier and more equitable future for underserved populations everywhere.