BENGALURU, India, ZUG, Switzerland, and BOSTON, May 7, 2025: NKure Therapeutics Private Limited, a Bengaluru-based cell and gene therapy startup committed to advancing innovative cell therapies, and CRISPR Therapeutics, a pioneer in gene-based medicines, today announced a strategic partnership to co-develop and co-commercialise CTX112™, a next-generation, off-the-shelf CAR T therapy, for oncology indications in India.
This collaboration marks an important step toward expanding access to advanced cell therapies in India, where B-cell malignancies, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and other forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma pose significant health challenges. Over 41,000 new cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are diagnosed annually in India, yet treatment options remain limited, particularly for patients with relapsed or treatment-resistant disease. Although the country has recently approved its first autologous CAR T therapies, they remain costly and require complex, personalised manufacturing, resulting in long wait times. In contrast, CTX112‘s allogeneic and off-the-shelf approach may offer a more timely and potentially more accessible alternative for patients in need.
“We are thrilled to partner with CRISPR Therapeutics to bring CTX112 to India,” said Lalit Pai, CEO, NKure Therapeutics. “India faces a pressing need for advanced yet affordable cancer treatments. This partnership represents a unique opportunity to introduce a next-generation CAR T therapy that is both cost-effective and readily available, ensuring more patients can access life-saving treatments without long delays.”
“We are excited to collaborate with NKure to expand the reach of CTX112 to India, where there is a clear need for new treatment options for patients with B-cell malignancies,” said Naimish Patel, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, CRISPR Therapeutics. “This partnership underscores our commitment to advancing gene-based therapies and providing patients with access to potentially life-changing treatments worldwide.”
CTX112: An Investigational CRISPR-Engineered CAR T Therapy for India
CTX112 is an allogeneic CAR T product candidate targeting CD19 for the treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies. Unlike traditional autologous CAR T therapies that require modifying a patient’s own cells over several weeks, CTX112 is derived from healthy donor cells and gene-edited using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This allows for a ready-to-use, off-the-shelf product that can be manufactured at scale and delivered more quickly.
The CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology behind CTX112 represents a breakthrough in making CAR T therapy more effective and affordable. The edits are designed to improve treatment durability by enhancing immune evasion, improving cell persistence, and reducing exhaustion—key challenges with current CAR T treatments. Using healthy donor cells also helps ensure consistent quality and potency.
CTX112 is currently being studied in ongoing clinical trials to evaluate its safety and efficacy in adult patients who have received at least two prior lines of therapy.
In India, access to CAR T therapy remains limited due to high costs and long manufacturing timelines. CTX112 aims to change this by offering potentially faster, more affordable, and scalable treatment. The collaboration with NKure Therapeutics, an Indian biotech committed to cost-effective immunotherapies, is intended to align with India’s healthcare system, and facilitate a streamlined path to regulatory approval and patient access.