ImmunoACT, a company incubated at IIT Bombay and supported by pharmaceutical firm Laurus Labs has created the first of its kind gene and cell therapy in India for the treatment of relapsed cancer cells. Read on further to know more about the company, its vision, and about Car-T cell therapy.
About Immuno Act
Founded as a spin-off company from IIT Bombay and nurtured within the incubation ecosystem of SINE, ImmunoACT emerges as a pioneering force in driving India’s first CAR-T cell therapy. Functioning as a full-stack entity, ImmunoACT seamlessly navigates the journey from research to commercialization. Acknowledging the sobering reality of India ranking second in global cancer mortality, particularly in cases of Leukaemia and Lymphoma where a significant number of patients face relapse or refractory responses to conventional therapies, the company stands poised to address these challenges.
Leveraging the remarkable efficacy of CAR-T cells, ImmunoACT is committed to making substantial advancements in cancer treatment, surpassing the effectiveness of traditional chemotherapy, biologics, and bone marrow transplant procedures. In the pursuit of innovation, ImmunoACT endeavors to bring about transformative changes for the benefit of patients and the broader healthcare landscape.
Some Briefing about Cancer to help you understand this treatment:
What is Cancer:
Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and the potential spread of these abnormal cells to other parts of the body. The human body, consisting of trillions of cells, normally undergoes regulated cell division, replacement, and elimination of damaged cells.
Differences Between Cancer and Normal Cells:
Cancer cells exhibit distinctive behaviors, such as growing without signals, resisting programmed cell death, invading nearby tissues, influencing blood vessel growth, evading the immune system, and accumulating chromosomal changes. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells rely on abnormal mechanisms for energy and nutrients.
How Do Cancer Cells Develop:
Cancer arises from genetic changes to genes controlling cell function. These changes can result from errors during cell division, exposure to environmental factors like tobacco smoke, or inherited genetic mutations. The body’s ability to eliminate cells with damaged DNA diminishes with age, contributing to a higher cancer risk later in life.
Types of Cancers:
Cancer encompasses over 100 types, named based on affected organs or originating cell types. Major categories include Carcinoma (e.g., breast, colon), Sarcoma (e.g., soft tissue), Leukemia (blood-forming tissue), Lymphoma (lymphocytes), Multiple Myeloma (plasma cells), Melanoma (skin pigment cells), and Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors. Each type exhibits unique characteristics and requires tailored treatment approaches.
The Revolutionary Car-T Cell Therapy
Dr. Renier J. Brentjens, a pioneering figure at New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, aptly describes CAR T cells as akin to “administering patients a living drug.” Positioned at the forefront of CAR T-cell advancements, T cells, integral to immune orchestration and direct pathogen-infected cell elimination, serve as the fundamental core of CAR T-cell therapy. The existing personalized CAR T-cell therapies are tailored for each patient, involving the collection and laboratory re-engineering of T cells to craft chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). These CARs, uniquely designed, target and attach to specific proteins, or antigens, on the cancer cell surface, showcasing a groundbreaking approach in cancer treatment.
Carl June, M.D., a luminary at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, illuminates that these receptors are “synthetic molecules, not found in nature.” Following the laboratory expansion into millions, the revitalized T cells are reintroduced into the patient. Ideally, the CAR T cells, guided by their engineered receptors, proliferate and identify cancer cells carrying the specific antigen on their surfaces, initiating targeted elimination. Currently FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapies focus on B cells, honing in on either CD19 or BCMA antigens, showcasing a tailored approach in cancer treatment.
ImmunoACT Founders
Prof. Rahul Purwar, an Associate Professor at IIT Bombay, is a pioneer in cancer immunotherapy and skin immunology, with a Ph.D. from Hannover Medical School and post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical School. Atharva Karulkar, a Ph.D. student at IIT Bombay, brings six years of dedication to CAR technology development, supported by fellowships from the Government of India. Shirish Arya, Founder of Mint Hotels and Chief Business Officer at ImmunoACT, utilizes 15 years of global management experience to spearhead the company’s commercial initiatives.
The Scientific Advisory Board comprises esteemed members, including Dr. Carl June, Director of the Parker Institute of Cancer Immunotherapy, Dr. Avery D. Posey, Assistant Professor at the Parker Institute of Cancer Immunotherapy, Dr. Gaurav Narula, MD, Professor at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Dr. Sattva Nilapu, MD at MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA, and Dr. Nirali Shah, MD, Head of the Hematologic Malignancies Section at the Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, USA.
Technology Used
ImmunoACT boasts a patented technology, presenting a distinctive platform for the development of novel humanized CAR-T cells. They specialize in manufacturing patient-scale CAR-T cells in cGMP-compliant settings, ensuring accessibility to high-quality cells for all patients. Recognizing the challenges of conventional cancer treatments with high mortality rates, ImmunoACT addresses the unavailability of CAR-T cell therapy in low-resource countries due to exorbitant costs. Their innovative approach, showcased in their first product HCAR19, offers an affordable solution with a favorable efficacy-to-toxicity balance. ImmunoACT’s published and patented technology marks a significant stride in advancing accessible cancer treatment.
Final Thoughts
ImmunoACT stands as a beacon of innovation and hope in the realm of cancer treatment. Their groundbreaking work in developing a unique platform for crafting humanized CAR-T cells, coupled with a commitment to manufacturing these cells in cGMP-compliant settings, showcases a dedication to accessibility and quality.
The company’s recognition of the challenges in conventional cancer treatments and its aim to address the prohibitive costs of CAR-T cell therapy in low-resource countries underscores a socially responsible approach. With a published and patented technology, ImmunoACT exemplifies a transformative force in the field, offering a promising avenue for more accessible and effective cancer therapies.
