BioAsia 2024: Miltenyi Biotec launches first office in India, pioneers cell and gene therapy center
The COE will provide a unique opportunity for scientists, researchers, industry experts, and clinicians to receive comprehensive training in CGT approaches
Dr. Boris Stoffel, Managing Director of Miltenyi Biotec
Hyderabad: Miltenyi Biotec, a global leader in Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) solutions, has announced the opening of its first office in Hyderabad, India. This move is part of the company's strategic investment to establish the Miltenyi Innovation and Technology Center, serving as a CGT Centre of Excellence (COE). The center aims to support Indian academia and industry in advancing research and development in cell and gene therapy.
The COE will provide a unique opportunity for scientists, researchers, industry experts, and clinicians to receive comprehensive training in CGT approaches, from proof of concept to pre-clinical and clinical development, all the way to commercialization. It will offer easier access to expertise, research, and manufacturing solutions for Indian researchers and clinicians.
Miltenyi Biotec is renowned for its device and technology solutions, automated workflows, and services in CGT for research, translational approaches, and commercialization.
The company's platform, Clini MACS Prodigy, enables end-to-end clinical development and manufacturing of Cell and Gene Therapy in an automated and functionally closed system, catering to small to large-scale manufacturing needs.
With over 10,000 patients treated annually using Miltenyi Biotec's technologies, and over 950 investigational new drug (IND) applications and investigational device exemptions (IDE) with the U.S. FDA, the company is well-positioned to facilitate local development and manufacturing in India.
The announcement was made following a meeting between Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister of Telangana, Dr. Boris Stoffel and Dr. Toon Overstijns, Board Members of Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, and Ms. Annapurna Das, Managing Director of Miltenyi Biotec India, at BioAsia 2024. Also present were Mr. Jayesh Ranjan IAS, Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce Dept., and Mr. Shakthi M. Nagappan, Chief Executive Officer of Telangana Life Sciences.
Expressing his pleasure, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said, "I am delighted that Miltenyi Biotec has chosen Hyderabad for their first Innovation and Technology center. This center will play a vital role in advancing novel therapies and expanding healthcare options for patients globally. I welcome Miltenyi to Telangana's vibrant life sciences ecosystem."
Dr. Boris Stoffel, Managing Director of Miltenyi Biotec, emphasized the company's commitment to advancing CGT through knowledge exchange and partnerships. He highlighted a recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BIRAC and DBT as CGT partners, aiming to drive accessibility and affordability of cell and gene therapies through local development and manufacturing in India.
Dr. Stoffel also revealed the company's intention to focus on CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T cell clinical development and manufacturing opportunities, aiming to bring CAR T cell therapy to hospitals across India, both centralized and point-of-care options.