Nucelion Therapeutics and VeGen Bio partner to build end-to-end pathway for cell therapy innovation

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Nucelion Therapeutics, a specialised cell and gene therapy contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO), and VeGen Bio, a Hyderabad-based precision oncology company, have announced a strategic collaboration for the technology transfer, clinical manufacturing, and commercial production of innovative cell therapies in India.

Under the agreement, Nucelion, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Biotech, will serve as the technology transfer and clinical- and commercial-stage manufacturing partner for VeGen Bio's lead candidate, VL-2511, a first-in-class dual BCMA/CD19 autologous CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma into its single-site GMP manufacturing facility, designed to meet CDSCO, US FDA, and EMA regulatory standards.

Beyond multiple myeloma, VL-2511 is also being clinically investigated in POEMS syndrome and selected autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The collaboration centers on therapeutic translation, process development and manufacturing scale-up, rather than marketing or distribution. The partnership combines Nucelion’s manufacturing infrastructure, technical expertise and production capabilities with VenGEN Bio’s scientific expertise and therapeutic pipeline. Over time, the collaborative framework is intended to serve as a platform for additional cell therapy candidates across VeGen Bio’s pipeline.

The companies will also focus on process optimisation, manufacturing yields and operational efficiency to improve production economics, with the aim of reducing manufacturing costs and improving access to advanced cell therapies in India.