Nucelion Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, has partnered with cancer therapy firm VeGen Bio. The deal, announced on Wednesday, covers technology transfer, clinical manufacturing and commercial production of cell therapies in India.
The therapy
Nucelion will be the exclusive maker of VeGen's lead candidate, VL-2511. It is a CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, and is in Phase II trials. Made from the patient's own cells, it targets two markers, BCMA and CD19.
Nucelion's facility is designed to meet the standards of India's CDSCO, the US FDA and Europe's EMA. The partners aim to cut production costs so more patients in India can get these treatments.
Nucelion CBO Dr Raghu Malapaka said the work builds the capacity India needs to bring such therapies to more patients. VeGen Bio director Prashant Bhavar said the deal sets up an end-to-end system for these treatments within India.
