Dr. Rahul Purwar delivers the Prof. J. W. McBain Memorial Lecture at CSIR-NCL
Pune, 28th October 2025: CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, organized the prestigious Prof. J. W. McBain Memorial Lecture on Monday, October 27, 2025. Dr. Rahul Purwar, Professor, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, delivered the lecture on the topic “First ‘Make in India’ CAR-T Cell Therapy – From R&D to Clinic to Market,” highlighting India’s strides in indigenous cell-based therapeutic innovations and the journey from laboratory research to commercial application.
The programme began with welcome remarks by Dr. Swati Chadha. Dr. Varun Natu addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of Prof. J. W. McBain’s contributions. The McBain Memorial Lecture series commemorates the pioneering work of Prof. J. W. McBain in the field of colloid and surface chemistry and continues to inspire young researchers to strive for innovation and excellence. Dr. Mugdha Gadgil introduced the Chief Guest to the audience.
Dr. Purwar began his lecture by emphasizing the vital role of T-cells, describing them as the “heroes” of the human immune system that safeguard us against diseases. He explained that the majority of cancer patients worldwide are treated through three conventional therapies — chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy – which have saved millions of lives. However, he noted that a fourth pillar of cancer treatment, immunotherapy and gene therapy, has revolutionized cancer care globally but remains financially out of reach for most patients in developing nations. “If the cost is the only barrier, let us try at least,” he said, recounting the motivation that led to the development of India’s own CAR-T cell therapy platform.
Dr. Purwar elaborated on how CAR-T Cell Therapy is leading the healthcare revolution through personalized, “living drug” treatments offering long-term remission benefits. He shared that clinical trials have shown response rates of 70–80% in certain cancers. Yet, he highlighted the pressing issue of access disparity, noting that less than 1% of clinically eligible patients in low- and middle-income countries currently receive CAR-T therapy due to high treatment costs and infrastructural challenges. Only around 15,000 patients worldwide can be treated with CAR-T therapy despite nearly 100,000 being eligible annually, reflecting a vast unmet need.
Focusing on bridging this access gap, Dr. Purwar discussed how ImmunoACT developed NexCAR19, India’s first indigenous CAR-T therapy. Built on advanced technology, the therapy demonstrates scalable, efficacious, and affordable solutions for cancer treatment. He outlined ImmunoACT’s decade-long journey, including collaborations with IIT Bombay, Tata Memorial Centre, and Laurus Labs. He further revealed the company’s pipeline of upcoming breakthroughs.
Concluding his lecture, Dr. Purwar emphasized that collaboration and affordability are vital to making life-saving CAR-T therapies accessible, ensuring that advanced healthcare reaches every patient—irrespective of their geography or economic status.
As part of the event, retired employees of CSIR-NCL were felicitated for their valuable contributions. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Swati Chadha.
Dr. Rahul Purwar while delivering the Prof. J. W. McBain Memorial Lecture Dr. Ashish Lele, Director, CSIR-NCL, Pune, felicitating Dr. Purwar
