RESEARCH

various immunotherapies like chimeric antigenic receptor (CAR) - T cell therapy, natural killer (NK) therapy, and tumourinfiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) therapy are being studied by a few Indian companies and hospitals, some in phase 2 clinical trials with promising early data.

Another area of innovation in India is the use of personalised medicine in immuno-oncology. This approach involves using genetic information about a patient's tumour to select the most appropriate IO treatment for that individual. Research is being conducted to develop methods for identifying which patients are most likely to respond to immunotherapy drugs and to understand the mechanisms behind the clinical response. Some of these path-breaking innovations have a significant artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) component. AI is also being leveraged for assessing new and better combination therapies which involve using more than one type of existing treatment in conjunction with immunotherapy for better outcomes.

India has all that is needed in terms of expertise, research skills, regulatory framework, and diverse patient populations. It’s noteworthy that over the last decade, clinical data generated in Indian sites have been able to support drug approvals in the US and the EU. India remains steadfast in its intent to become a major center for oncology clinical trials. With an improved and streamlined regulatory environment, and various governmentfunded and private cancer hospitals that can support multicenter clinical trials, India is touted as the next hub for global clinical trials.

Cancer treatment in India is on par with the best in the world and there are ongoing discussions that a few Indian pharma companies and start-ups are likely to offer cell therapy-based treatment for cancers at a fraction of global and US prices. These innovative initiatives give many cancer patients hope. India is steadily building an innovation-centric ecosystem with the right mix of technology, hospitals, research centers, patient communities, strategies, and collaborations.

Health insurance companies have been directed by regulators to recognise and reimburse IO treatments. Such decisions are likely to ensure equitable access and affordability to newer IO therapies that offer sustained clinical benefits and overall survival. The integration of health insurance into a high-quality cancer care ecosystem augur well for needy cancer patients.

For millions of poor Indians who previously lacked health insurance, thePradhan Mantri Jan

Aarogya Yojanahas changed the game. Recently, a panel has proposed that the government consider waiving GST on cancer drugs and audit the prices of cancer drugs.

IO therapeutics are driving the much-needed change in can- cer treatment and are increasingly being included in treatment guidelines as the standard of care. India is on the path to bolstering its reputation in developing and offering innovative, affordable, accessible cancer care.

The Sikkim Pharma Summit brought stalwarts,experts and game-changers of the state’s pharma sector together to deliberate upon the opportunities and challenges in the state,discuss strategies to optimise growth potential, and share learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic to enable sustained progress in a rapidly changing global milieu

By EPNews Bureau