Cipla, Kemwell, Manipal Forge Cell Therapy Alliance in US

New Delhi, January 8: Cipla Ltd., a leading pharmaceutical company in India, has announced a significant collaboration with Kemwell Biopharma and Manipal Education & Medical Group to establish a joint venture in the United States. This strategic partnership aims to develop and commercialize innovative cell therapy products, addressing major unmet medical needs in the US, Japan, and EU regions.

Representative image

Strategic Collaboration for Novel Cell Therapy Products

The joint venture involves Cipla EU Ltd (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cipla), Kemwell Biopharma UK Ltd, and MNI Ventures (a subsidiary of Manipal Education & Medical Group). The primary objective is to leverage the expertise of each organization and expedite the development, manufacturing, licensing, import, and export of cutting-edge cell therapy products for patients worldwide.

Cipla's Leadership and Expertise

Cipla EU Ltd will secure a 35.2 percent stake in the joint venture company. The collaboration capitalizes on Cipla's leadership in product development and commercialization, Kemwell's expertise in biologics, and Manipal's strength in healthcare delivery. This strategic alliance aims to pioneer transformative treatments in stem cell and CAR T-cell therapies, enabled by advancements in biotechnology, mRNA, and cell-engineering research.

Quotes from Key Executives

Umang Vohra, Managing Director & Global Chief Executive Officer of Cipla: "This joint venture reinforces our efforts to drive innovation and introduce transformative treatments in the areas of stem cell and CAR T-cell therapies. Our partnership with Kemwell and Manipal Group will be integral in realizing these advancements and making a difference in the lives of patients globally."

Ranjan Pai, Chairman of Manipal Education & Medical Group: "This collaboration will bring the next generation of biological therapies to address unmet medical needs globally. Physicians will have accessible, safe, and clinically effective cell therapies to combat serious indications."

Anurag Bagaria, Chairman and CEO of Kemwell: "We believe that cell therapies will become a major branch of medical treatment and a standard of care for challenging diseases. Kemwell's world-class CGMP facility in Bangalore has positioned India as an emerging hub for cell therapy development and manufacturing."

Building on a Strong Partnership

This joint venture marks the second collaboration between Cipla and Kemwell Biopharma, following the establishment of Aspergen Inc, USA, in 2022. Aspergen focuses on the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of biosimilars for global markets.

The collaboration between Cipla, Kemwell Biopharma, and Manipal Education & Medical Group represents a significant step forward in the advancement of cell therapy products. By combining their expertise and resources, these organizations aim to transform the new joint venture into a global player in cell therapeutics, offering hope and innovative treatments to patients worldwide.