Delhi-based Cellogen Therapeutics, a biotechnology startup focused on cell and gene therapy, has raised ₹20 crore (approximately $2 million) in funding from Kotak Alternate Asset Managers.
The fresh investment will support the company’s efforts to accelerate development of advanced CAR-T cancer therapies, strengthen gene therapy research programs, and scale manufacturing capabilities.
Funding to Support CAR-T Therapy Development
According to the company, the newly raised capital will be used to:
- Advance CAR-T oncology programs
- Expand gene therapy research
- Upgrade manufacturing infrastructure
- Strengthen regulatory and compliance systems
- Achieve GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards
The company aims to build scalable and affordable advanced therapies for cancer and genetic blood disorders in India.
India’s Growing Need for Advanced Cancer Therapies
India continues to face a significant burden of:
- Blood cancers
- Genetic blood disorders
- Rare inherited diseases
However, access to advanced treatments such as CAR-T therapy and gene therapy remains limited due to:
- High treatment costs
- Limited manufacturing capacity
- Complex regulatory processes
Ashish Ranjan, Director at Kotak Alternate Asset Managers, highlighted the importance of affordable innovation in this segment.
He said:
“India carries a high burden of blood cancers and genetic blood disorders, yet access to advanced therapies such as CAR-T and gene therapy remains limited, largely due to cost.”
Ranjan added that Cellogen’s indigenous and IP-driven platform could help build scalable and cost-efficient cell and gene therapy capabilities from India.
Focus on Dual-Target CAR-T Technology
Founded in 2021 by Dr. Gaurav Kharya and Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, Cellogen Therapeutics is developing advanced CAR-T therapies for cancer and blood-related disorders.
Unlike traditional CAR-T treatments that target a single cancer marker, the company is building a dual-target CAR-T platform designed to:
- Improve treatment effectiveness
- Reduce relapse risk
- Enhance long-term outcomes for patients
This multi-target approach places Cellogen among a small group of companies globally working on advanced bispecific CAR-T technologies.
AI-Driven Drug Development Platform
The startup is also integrating artificial intelligence into therapy design and development.
According to co-founder Dr. Tanveer Ahmad:
“Our AI-driven platforms are central to how we design and develop cell and gene therapies.”
He added that the partnership with Kotak Alts would help the company scale next-generation approaches, including in vivo CAR-T therapies.
Preparing for Human Clinical Trials
Cellogen Therapeutics is currently preparing for its first Phase I human clinical trials in collaboration with Christian Medical College Vellore.
The company is awaiting regulatory approvals to begin trials for its CAR-T platform.
Last year, the startup also secured a patent for its CAR-T technology platform, strengthening its intellectual property portfolio.
Expanding Beyond Cancer Treatment
In addition to oncology research, Cellogen is developing therapies for genetic disorders such as:
- Beta thalassemia
- Sickle cell disease
These diseases continue to impact thousands of patients in India and other emerging markets.
Previous Backing from Natco Pharma
Earlier, Natco Pharma invested ₹15 crore in Cellogen Therapeutics, acquiring more than a 5% stake in the company.
The partnership further strengthened Cellogen’s ability to scale research and manufacturing efforts in the advanced therapy segment.
India’s Biotech and Cell Therapy Market Expanding
India’s biotechnology sector is witnessing increasing investment in:
- Precision medicine
- Gene therapy
- Oncology innovation
- AI-driven healthcare platforms
As healthcare companies focus on reducing treatment costs and improving accessibility, indigenous biotech startups are emerging as important players in the future of advanced medicine.
Conclusion
With fresh funding from Kotak Alternate Asset Managers, Cellogen Therapeutics is accelerating its mission to make advanced CAR-T and gene therapies more affordable and accessible in India.
By combining AI-driven research, indigenous technology development, and scalable manufacturing, the company aims to position India as a growing hub for next-generation cancer and genetic disease treatments.
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape. She has written extensively on fintech, AI and emerging startups.