Cipla partners ImmunoACT to launch CAR-T therapy for blood cancers in Africa

Cipla Ltd has partnered with ImmunoACT on January 20, to launch talicabtagene autoleucel, an anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy, for the treatment of blood cancers across select African markets, marking a key expansion of advanced oncology care in the region.

Under an exclusive licensing and supply agreement, Cipla, through its subsidiary Medpro Pharmaceutica, will commercialise the therapy in South Africa, Algeria and Morocco. Talicabtagene autoleucel is indicated for patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia who have failed standard lines of treatment.

The autologous therapy, developed and manufactured by ImmunoACT, has been administered to over 500 patients in India and has demonstrated high efficacy, durable responses and a well-tolerated safety profile.

The partnership aims to address significant unmet needs in African oncology markets, where access to next-generation cell and gene therapies remains limited. Cipla will leverage its regional presence to expand patient access, while ImmunoACT will continue manufacturing the product.

Separately, the development comes amid regulatory observations by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

The US FDA made multiple observations at the facility, noting that procedures to prevent contamination were not followed and that control systems designed to prevent contamination were deficient. The regulator also flagged deficiencies in aseptic processing areas and laboratory controls, stating that appropriate procedures were not included.

The FDA observed a failure to establish procedures to assure a drug’s purity and quality, while sampling plans and test procedures were not consistently followed. It further noted that buildings used in the manufacturing of drug products were not maintained in a good state.

Earlier this month, Systematix analyst Vishal Manchanda said Cipla’s recent correction could offer an opportunity, noting that most negative factors may already be priced in. He added that FY27 earnings could range from about ₹58 per share in a downside scenario to ₹75–76 in a more optimistic case.

Also read: Cipla correction offers opportunity as most bad news is priced in, says Systematix analyst

Cipla Limited  shares closed at ₹1,381, down 11.30 or 0.81% on the NSE on January 20, 2026.

Also read: Cipla shares fall 4% after brokerage downgrades, target cuts on temporary halt to key drug production