Updated: September 2026
CAR-T cell therapy is now available in India for certain relapsed or refractory blood cancers. The country has approved locally produced treatments for selected CD19-positive B-cell lymphomas and leukemias, making CAR-T accessible to more Indian patients than it was only a few years ago. However, CAR-T is not one treatment that works for every blood cancer. The available product must match the patient's diagnosis and the antigen expressed by the cancer cells. India currently has established approved options for certain CD19-positive B-cell malignancies, while access to CAR-T for multiple myeloma remains much more limited.
When comparing treatment in India and abroad, patients should consider not only cost and availability, but also the treatment center's experience. CAR-T is a complex medical pathway that involves patient selection, T-cell collection, manufacturing, treatment before infusion when necessary, management of complications and long-term follow-up. Experience across a large number of patients can be particularly important in complicated or rapidly progressing cases.
Is CAR-T cell therapy available in India?
Yes. India approved its first locally developed CAR-T therapy in October 2023.
NexCAR19, also known as talicabtagene autoleucel and previously called actalycabtagene autoleucel, is an autologous CD19-directed CAR-T therapy. Autologous means that the treatment is manufactured using the individual patient's own T cells. It is used for selected patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma or B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
India subsequently approved a second CD19-directed CAR-T therapy, Qartemi, or varnimcabtagene autoleucel. It is available for eligible adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
India therefore has more than one CAR-T option for lymphoma. Nevertheless, availability does not mean that every patient with lymphoma will be eligible. The exact lymphoma subtype, CD19 expression, previous treatment lines, disease status, organ function, infection risk and general physical condition must all be reviewed.
Which diseases can currently be treated with CAR-T in India?
India's approved CAR-T products primarily address CD19-positive B-cell malignancies, including selected cases of:
- Relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Other CD19-positive B-cell malignancies when covered by the product indication or an appropriate institutional protocol
The two Indian products do not necessarily have identical indications or eligibility requirements. Patients should ask which product is being proposed, whether it is approved for their exact diagnosis and how much experience the treating center has with that product and disease subtype.
CAR-T therapy for blood cancers in Israel >>
Is CAR-T for multiple myeloma available in India?
CAR-T access for multiple myeloma in India is much more limited than access for lymphoma.
The approved Indian therapies described above target CD19. Most CAR-T therapies developed specifically for multiple myeloma target BCMA, a different protein found on plasma cells.
Indian research groups are developing and studying BCMA-directed and dual-target CAR-T therapies for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. In 2026, Indian investigators reported early clinical development of a BCMA/CD19 CAR-T therapy. However, an early-phase clinical study or institutional research program is not the same as a routinely available, nationally approved treatment.
At present, an Indian patient considering CAR-T for multiple myeloma should establish:
- Whether the proposed therapy specifically targets multiple myeloma
- Whether it is an approved treatment, a clinical trial or an institutional program
- Whether the program is actively recruiting and has a treatment slot available
- How many myeloma patients the center has treated with that particular CAR-T therapy
- What treatment can control the disease while the CAR-T cells are being prepared
- Which alternatives are available if CAR-T is not an option
CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma in Israel
What does CAR-T cell therapy cost in India?
Published estimates for locally produced CAR-T therapy in India vary. NexCAR19 has commonly been reported at approximately USD 50,000, while estimates for Qartemi have been around USD 60,000 per dose. Indian and medical-tourism sources sometimes quote broader total ranges of approximately ₹38.5 lakh to ₹75 lakh, depending on the product, hospital and services included.
These figures should be treated as estimates rather than guaranteed package prices. The final cost may be higher if the patient needs additional testing, prolonged hospitalization, intensive care, blood products, treatment for complications or therapy to control the cancer before the CAR-T infusion.
Patients should request a current written quotation from the treating center and confirm what it includes. Cost comparisons are meaningful only when the same stages of treatment and possible additional expenses are being compared.
CAR-T treatment cost in Israel
Why does the treatment center's CAR-T experience matter?
The CAR-T infusion itself is only one part of treatment. Successful delivery requires coordination between hematologists, apheresis services, cell-manufacturing laboratories, intensive-care teams, infectious-disease specialists and other hospital departments.
An experienced CAR-T team must be able to:
- Determine whether the patient's disease and current condition make CAR-T appropriate
- Plan T-cell collection and manufacturing without losing medically important time
- Decide whether bridging treatment is required while the cells are being manufactured
- Recognize and manage CAR-T-related complications promptly
- Evaluate the response and plan treatment if the disease does not respond or later returns
The number of CAR-T treatments completed by a center is therefore relevant, although it is not the only measure of quality. Patients should also ask how much experience the team has with their particular disease.
Major side effects of CAR-T therapy
CAR T patients in Israel with CAR-T case manager Tanya Preminger.
Israel's experience in CAR-T therapy
Israel was among the earlier countries to introduce CAR-T treatment. Israeli hospitals began treating CAR-T patients in 2017 and have since developed substantial experience with children and adults with leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
At Sheba Medical Center, more than 550 CAR-T procedures have been performed across the different indications, including leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. At Hadassah Medical Center, more than 200 patients with multiple myeloma have received CAR-T therapy.
This accumulated experience is one of Israel's principal advantages for international patients. It includes not only administering CAR-T cells but also selecting patients, producing CAR-T cells within hospital programs, managing complex cases and adapting the pathway when a patient's disease is progressing quickly.
Hadassah's academic BCMA-directed therapy, HBI0101, was developed for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Published clinical results have shown high response rates in heavily pretreated patients, although study results cannot predict the outcome for an individual patient.
When might an Indian patient consider CAR-T treatment in Israel?
Receiving treatment in India may be the most practical choice when an appropriate approved therapy is available and the local center has suitable experience. Evaluation abroad may be relevant when:
- The patient has multiple myeloma and cannot access an appropriate BCMA-directed CAR-T program in India
- Manufacturing or treatment cannot be arranged within a medically appropriate period
- The patient needs a second opinion about the timing or suitability of CAR-T
- The case is medically complex and the family wants an assessment from a highly experienced CAR-T center
CAR-T therapy for international patients
Another CAR-T Patient Achieves a Clear PET-CT Scan (2022)
CAR-T evaluation in Israel for patients from India
The first medical review can usually be completed without the patient traveling to Israel. The Israeli Hospitals team coordinates the submission of medical records to experienced Israeli CAR-T centers, including reviews for Indian patients with lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma.
The initial review normally requires:
- A recent medical summary with a complete list of previous treatment lines
- Recent blood tests and imaging results
- A description of the patient's present physical condition
The reviewing team may request additional tests, pathology material or a remote consultation before deciding whether treatment may be suitable. Submitting medical documents does not guarantee medical eligibility, hospital acceptance, manufacturing availability or a particular treatment result.
Request an individual CAR-T review
If you are considering CAR-T treatment and would like to find out whether an Israeli CAR-T program may be suitable, you can submit the patient’s medical records to our team for a free, no-obligation review.
Submit medical records for an individual CAR-T review >>
More Testimonials from Our Indian Patients
Testimonial from a Patient from India
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Tanya Preminger for her exceptional guidance and support throughout my journey with CAR-T treatment at Hadassah Hospital in Israel.
From the very first interaction, Tanya's kindness, patience, and professionalism stood out. She was always available to provide clear and timely responses, addressing all my concerns with remarkable efficiency.
Her expert advice, coupled with her empathetic nature, made a challenging process much more manageable. Tanya’s promptness in responding to every question, her thoughtful explanations, and her constant dedication to ensuring the best possible care made a world of difference.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had her support during such a crucial time. Her compassion and commitment have left a lasting impact, and I am forever thankful for her invaluable assistance without which it would have been impossible for us to go through such difficult situation.
Family from India, 2025.
Patient testimonial - April 2024
I would like to describe my experience with Tanya Preminger of Israeli Hospitals during my mother's treatment at Sheba Medical Centre, Israel. We are an Indian family who arrived in Tel Aviv from India at the start of Apr'24 for 2 weeks for my mother's treatment at Sheba Hospital. Naturally, we were very apprehensive of how things would go in Israel, considering that it was our first time seeking medical advice in a foreign country, not to mention the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
However, our entire ordeal went very smoothly thanks to Tanya's proactive nature. I cannot overstate how convenient she made our visit by going beyond her normal duties. She was always with us when we went to the hospital. She gave us an overview of the Sheba hospital, helped us in interacting with the International Medical Tourism staff there & even accompanied us during our consultations with the doctor. Throughout our Israel visit, she was always available for any help or queries that we had about living in Tel Aviv.
I would strongly recommend her services to anyone who is traveling to Israel for medical treatment.
CAR-T therapy patient testimonial - December 2023
We had a great and seamless experience working with Tanya. For us the idea of going through a treatment in foreign land was daunting but Tanya made everything feel like home and comfortable. She went above and beyond to help us at each step. She helped with finding a right place to stay, with interactions with medical staff and also with any adhoc request that was not part of the original services. She is a great and kind person to work with and we are grateful for all her help.
Sources
- Jain H, et al. “Talicabtagene autoleucel for relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies: results from an open-label, multicentre, phase 1/2 study.” The Lancet Haematology, 2025. PubMed
- Nie T. “Talicabtagene Autoleucel: First Approval.” Drugs, 2024. PubMed
- National Cancer Institute. “India's First Homegrown CAR T-Cell Therapy.” 2024. NCI
- AABB. “India Approves Second CAR-T Cell Therapy.” 2025. AABB
- Kfir-Erenfeld S, et al. “Clinical evaluation and determinants of response to HBI0101, an academic BCMA-directed CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma.” Blood Advances, 2024. Scientific article
- Technology Development Board, Government of India. “TDB-DST Supports Helix Cell Therapeutics under Indo-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund.” 2026. Government announcement
