SunAct Cancer Institute, Smita Memorial Hospital launch CoE for CAR T-cell therapy and bone marrow transplant

SunAct Cancer Institute and Smita Memorial Hospital, founded by the Father of Medical Oncology, Dr Suresh H. Advani (Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan), announced the opening of a Centre of Excellence in CAR T-Cell Therapy and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Smita Memorial Hospital in Thodupuzha, Idukki district, Kerala.

The Centre was inaugurated on the occasion of Vishu by  V. Vigneshwari, IAS, District Collector and District Magistrate of Idukki, in the presence of Dr Advani, SunAct’s co-founders Dr Vijay Patil, Dr Ashay Karpe, and other dignitaries from the oncology and healthcare ecosystem.

This collaboration, formalised in March 2025, aims to deliver affordable, globally benchmarked cell and gene therapies to India, with an emphasis on precision oncology, pediatric care, and access to global clinical trials.

Dr Suresh H. Advani, Founder, Smita Memorial Hospital, stated,  “Over the decades, I have witnessed the evolution of cancer care in India — from limited options to remarkable possibilities. This new Centre of Excellence represents the next frontier: where science, compassion, and collaboration come together to transform patient outcomes. I am proud to see this movement rooted in Kerala, and confident that with SunAct’s scientific leadership, we are building a model for the future of oncology in India.”

Dr Vijay Patil, Co-Founder, SunAct Cancer Institute, said, “We are honoured to launch the first Centre of Excellence in CAR T-Cell Therapy and Bone Marrow Transplantation in South India. With the visionary guidance of Dr Suresh Advani, we are committed to making the most advanced cancer therapies — previously only available in elite global centres — both accessible and affordable for Indian patients. This marks a pivotal step in our mission to bring world-class precision oncology to every corner of India.”

Dr Ashay Karpe, Co-Founder, SunAct Cancer Institute, noted, “This collaboration is a convergence of cutting-edge science and seasoned clinical wisdom. By combining SunAct’s pioneering Cell and Gene Therapies with Dr Advani’s clinical legacy and Smita Memorial’s infrastructure, we are setting a new benchmark for how cancer should be treated — precise, humane, and accessible.”

 Scientific breakthroughs for Indian patients

The newly launched Centre introduces CAR T-Cell Therapy for solid tumours. In addition to CAR-T, the centre will offer: 

– TCR (T-Cell Receptor) Therapies

–  TIL (Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocytes)

–  Gamma Delta T-Cell Platforms

–  Gene Therapies

–  A dedicated Pediatric Oncology Program

The Centre also aims to accelerate access to Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT), clinical trials, and new immunotherapies.

Vision and Impact

This partnership’s vision resulted in developing Made-in-India CGT platforms for Indian patient biology. With an aim to:

–  Creating equitable access to elite therapies across underserved regions

–  Launching internationally benchmarked clinical trials from Tier-2/3 cities

–  Building a training ecosystem to develop the next generation of oncologists, researchers, and CGT specialists

–  Attracting global partnerships for joint research, biomanufacturing, and IP co-development