**Executive Summary**
On May 14, 2026, the Technology Development Board (TDB) signed an agreement with Helix Cell Therapeutics to develop a novel dual-targeting CAR-T cell therapy for Multiple Myeloma. This project, part of an Indo-Singapore collaboration with Biocell Innovations, aims to conduct Phase I clinical trials to improve treatment efficacy for relapsed patients. The initiative aligns with India’s "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" vision to strengthen indigenous capabilities in advanced biotechnology and precision medicine.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Project Overview and Partnership**
* The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), is supporting Helix Cell Therapeutics Private Limited, Hyderabad.
* The project is titled “Generation of Novel Dual Targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells to Treat Multiple Myeloma and Conducting Phase I Clinical Trial.”
* The initiative is being implemented under an Indo-Singapore collaborative framework in partnership with Biocell Innovations, Singapore.
**Technological Innovation**
* The therapy utilizes a dual-targeting strategy, simultaneously targeting BCMA and CD19 markers on cancer cells.
* This approach represents a significant advancement over conventional single-marker CAR-T therapies.
* The project involves genetically engineering a patient’s own T lymphocytes to identify and destroy cancer cells, aiming for improved long-term remission in difficult-to-treat cases.
**Clinical Objectives**
* Helix Cell Therapeutics is responsible for the development, manufacturing, and clinical evaluation of the therapy.
* A Phase I clinical trial will be conducted targeting patients who have exhausted multiple lines of treatment and have limited therapeutic options.
**Strategic Goals**
* The project seeks to strengthen India's global position in next-generation biotechnology and affordable healthcare.
* It reinforces international technology collaboration between India and Singapore in the biomedical innovation sector.
**Impact Analysis**
**Helix Cell Therapeutics Private Limited**
**Impact:** Receives TDB-DST support to accelerate the clinical translation and commercialization of its CAR-T therapy platform.
**Action Required:** Develop, manufacture, and clinically evaluate the next-generation dual-targeting CAR-T cells through a Phase I clinical trial.
**Patients with Multiple Myeloma**
**Impact:** Potential access to advanced, indigenous treatment options for a currently incurable blood cancer, particularly for those who are relapsed or refractory.
**Action Required:** Target group for enrollment in upcoming Phase I clinical trials.
**Technology Development Board (TDB) / DST**
**Impact:** Advances its mandate to support indigenous innovation in advanced immunotherapy and precision healthcare.
**Action Required:** Provide support and oversight for the project under the Indo-Singapore collaborative framework.
**Biocell Innovations, Singapore**
**Impact:** Serves as the international partner in the collaborative framework, fostering cross-border biomedical innovation.
**Action Required:** Collaborate with Indian counterparts to implement the project framework.
Key Entities Referenced
Technology Development Board (TDB): A statutory body under the Department of Science & Technology that entered into an agreement to provide financial support for indigenous CAR-T cell therapy development.
Helix Cell Therapeutics Private Limited: The Hyderabad-based private entity responsible for developing, manufacturing, and conducting Phase I clinical trials for novel dual-targeting CAR-T cells.
Indo-Singapore Collaborative Framework: The bilateral partnership framework under which the project is being implemented in collaboration with Biocell Innovations, Singapore.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The national policy vision for strengthening indigenous capabilities in advanced biologics and next-generation healthcare technologies.
Department of Science & Technology (DST): The primary government department facilitating the agreement to strengthen India’s advanced biotechnology and cell therapy ecosystem.
Ministry of Science & Technology
" TDB-DST Supports Helix Cell Therapeutics
under Indo-Singapore Collaboration for
Advanced CAR-T Cell Therapy against Multiple
Myeloma "
Posted On: 14 MAY 2026 12:34PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards strengthening India’s advanced biotechnology and cell therapy ecosystem, the
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.” The project is being implemented
under the Indo-Singapore collaborative framework in partnership with Biocell Innovations, Singapore.
The project focuses on developing an advanced dual-targeting CAR-T cell therapy for Multiple Myeloma,
a debilitating and currently incurable blood cancer. While existing CAR-T therapies targeting BCMA have
shown encouraging outcomes in relapsed and refractory patients, the proposed innovation seeks to further
improve treatment efficacy and durability of remission by simultaneously targeting both BCMA and CD19
markers expressed on Multiple Myeloma cells.
Under the project, Helix Cell Therapeutics will develop, manufacture, and clinically evaluate next-
generation dual-targeting CAR-T cells through a Phase I clinical trial. The therapy is intended for patients
who have exhausted multiple lines of treatment and currently have limited therapeutic options available.
CAR-T cell therapy involves genetically engineering a patient’s own T lymphocytes to specifically
identify and destroy cancer cells. 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.
The project aligns with the Government of India’s vision of strengthening indigenous capabilities in
advanced biologics, precision medicine, and next-generation healthcare technologies under the broader
framework of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. It also reinforces international technology collaboration betweenIndia and Singapore in emerging biomedical innovation sectors.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, stated, “Advanced cell and gene
therapies represent the future of precision healthcare and hold transformative potential for treating
complex and previously incurable diseases. Through this Indo-Singapore collaborative project, TDB is
supporting indigenous innovation in advanced immunotherapy platforms that can strengthen India’s global
position in next-generation biotechnology and affordable healthcare solutions.”
A representative from Helix Cell Therapeutics Private Limited expressed gratitude for TDB’s support and
stated that the assistance would accelerate clinical translation and commercialization of the company’s
innovative CAR-T therapy platform while expanding access to advanced cancer treatment solutions in
India.
--- For any media inquiries, please reach us at: media-coordinator@tdb.gov.in
********
NKR/FT
(Release ID: 2260922) Visitor Counter : 409
Read this release in: ही , Urdu , Tamil , Telugu