TDB-DST Supports Helix Cell Therapeutics under Indo-Singapore Collaboration for Advanced CAR-T Cell Therapy against Multiple Myeloma
Published: 01 Jun 2026
Author: Towards Healthcare
Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, has entered into an agreement with M/s Helix Cell Therapeutics Private Limited, Hyderabad, Telangana, for the project titled “Generation of Novel Dual Targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells to Treat Multiple Myeloma and Conducting Phase I Clinical Trial.” This has been a marked and significant step in strengthening India's biotechnology and cell therapy ecosystem.
The main purpose of this project involves developing an advanced dual-targeting CAR-T cell therapy for Multiple Myeloma, a debilitating and currently incurable blood cancer. Existing CAR-T therapies targeting BCMA have shown encouraging outcomes in relapsed and refractory patients. This proposed innovation seeks to further improve treatment efficacy and durability of remission, targeting both BCMA and CD19 markers expressed on Multiple Myeloma cells.
According to Towards Healthcare, the Asia Pacific cell therapy market is projected to experience significant growth, with estimates suggesting the market size will increase from USD 1.22 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 7.63 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.63% from 2026 to 2035. Growth is driven by rising chronic diseases, precision medicine, and supportive government regulations, with a transformative surge in CGT manufacturing, fueled by strategic investments and technology transfers that localize production and accelerate access to innovative treatments.
About CAR-T cell therapy
CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy is a breakthrough, personalized immunotherapy that genetically reprograms a patient's own white blood cells to hunt and destroy cancer cells. It involves genetically engineering a patient’s own T lymphocytes to specifically identify and destroy cancer cells. It serves as a revolutionary treatment option for aggressive or relapsed blood cancers.
The proposed dual-targeting strategy represents a significant advancement over conventional single-marker CAR-T therapies and is expected to improve long-term remission outcomes in difficult-to-treat Multiple Myeloma patients.
Secretary, TDB, stated that Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak, TBD, is supporting indigenous innovation in advanced immunotherapy platforms that can strengthen India’s global position in next-generation biotechnology and affordable healthcare solutions. It holds transformative potential for treating complex and previously incurable diseases.
A recent report by Towards Healthcare highlights that the Asia Pacific cell therapy market is witnessing growth due to the rising burden of chronic and genetic diseases, which leads to an expanding pool of patients suffering from cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune disorders, pushing demand for highly effective, targeted therapies. This shift from generic drugs to customized, patient-specific autologous treatments is opening new doors for specialized pharmaceutical development.