Miltenyi Biotec, a global leader in biomedical solutions, is launching operations in India with a focus on advancing cell and gene therapy. Their new center in Hyderabad aims to train experts and bring innovative therapies to patients, catalyzing India's healthcare progress.

Hyderabad, India: Miltenyi Biotec, renowned globally for its innovative biomedical products and services, is making its mark in India with the opening of its inaugural office and ambitious plans for a cutting-edge Cell and Gene Therapy Center of Excellence (COE) in Hyderabad. This move signifies a significant investment in advancing cellular research and therapy in the country.

With a rich history spanning over 30 years, Miltenyi Biotec has been at the forefront of providing tools that facilitate biomedical discovery and support various research fields, including immunology, stem cell biology, neuroscience, cancer, hematology, and graft engineering. The company's comprehensive portfolio, ranging from cellular research to therapy and manufacturing solutions, empowers scientists and clinicians worldwide.

The Miltenyi Innovation and Technology Center, designated as a CGT COE, will be among the first of its kind in India. It aims to serve as a hub where scientists, researchers, industry experts, and clinicians can engage in comprehensive training programs on cell and gene therapy methodologies. From proof-of-concept to pre-clinical and clinical development, this center will facilitate hands-on learning and collaboration.

Miltenyi Biotec's expertise extends to offering device and technology solutions, automated workflows, and CGT services for both research and translational purposes, including development for commercialization. Their notable platform, CliniMACS Prodigy®, is uniquely positioned for the end-to-end clinical development and manufacturing of CGT, featuring an automated and functionally closed system for small to large-scale manufacturing.

This global leader in cell therapy has contributed significantly to the treatment of over 10,000 patients annually with cell products using its technologies. Moreover, Miltenyi Biotec's platforms have been integral to more than 950 investigational new drug (IND) applications and investigational device exemptions (IDE) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The company's collaboration with local authorities and industry stakeholders in India, including a recent meeting with Mr. Revanth Reddy, Honorable Chief Minister of Telangana, underscores its commitment to fostering local development and manufacturing. Additionally, the company's aim to facilitate CAR T cell clinical development and manufacturing has the potential to bring centralized and point-of-care CAR T cell therapy to hospitals throughout India.

The announcement of opening an office in Hyderabad, India was made during a significant meeting at BioAsia 2024, where Mr. Jayesh Ranjan IAS, Principal Secretary of the Industries and Commerce Department, and Mr. Shakthi M. Nagappan, Chief Executive Officer of Telangana Life Sciences, were also present. This strategic move positions Miltenyi Biotec to drive affordable and accessible CGT therapies for Indian and global patients, exemplifying its dedication to advancing healthcare through innovative cellular technologies.

Honorable Chief Minister Reddy, said, “I am delighted to note that Miltenyi Biotec has chosen Hyderabad to set-up their first Innovation and Technology Center. It gives me immense pleasure to note that this center will be an important node to help advance novel therapies within the scientific community and promises access to healthcare options for patients both in India but also worldwide. I welcome Miltenyi to the vibrant life sciences ecosystem of Telangana. I’m also happy to note that the center will offer training in cell and gene therapy to academia and industry, which aligns with our vision of skilling university.”

Dr. Boris Stoffel, Miltenyi Biotec’s Managing Director, said, “Miltenyi Biotec seeks to help bring new therapies to patients with high unmet medical need. Fostering knowledge exchange will be vital for CGT advancement by forging public-private partnerships like our recent MOU with BIRAC, DBT as CGT partner as well as collaborations between academic and industry partners. We have single-minded focus to drive accessibility, affordability and availability of CGT therapies by local development and manufacturing in India.”

According to TechSci Research, the opening of Miltenyi Biotec's new center in India is poised to have significant impacts on both the cell & gene therapy market and the broader Indian healthcare market.

In terms of the cell & gene therapy market, Miltenyi Biotec's presence in India marks a strategic move to tap into a rapidly growing sector. The center's focus on training scientists, researchers, and clinicians in cutting-edge cell and gene therapy approaches is likely to bolster innovation and expertise within the country. This could lead to an acceleration in the development and commercialization of cell therapies, particularly in the Indian context. By offering training programs and access to advanced technologies, Miltenyi Biotec is creating an ecosystem that supports the advancement of novel therapies, potentially attracting more investments and collaborations in the cell & gene therapy space.

The impact on the Indian healthcare market is equally significant. With Miltenyi Biotec's center of excellence, Indian researchers and clinicians gain easier access to expertise and resources previously limited to international collaborations. This could catalyze a shift towards more sophisticated and personalized treatments for various diseases, including cancer and genetic disorders. The center's focus on CGT (cell and gene therapy) approaches, from proof-of-concept to pre-clinical and clinical development, means that Indian patients may soon have greater access to innovative therapies that were previously out of reach.

Moreover, the center's presence is likely to boost the overall healthcare infrastructure in India. It can attract top talent, drive local employment, and encourage collaborations between academia and industry. As a result, the country's healthcare ecosystem stands to benefit from enhanced research capabilities, advanced manufacturing processes, and improved treatment options. The CGT COE's focus on developing Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, for instance, has the potential to transform cancer treatment in India, offering patients more effective and personalized care.