AIIMS AND CMC VELLORE
CAR-T ACADEMIC TRIALS
Two of India's most respected academic medical centres run independent CAR-T programmes funded by government science bodies โ offering a partially subsidised alternative to commercial NexCAR19.
analyticsAt a Glance
- check_circleAIIMS New Delhi: Department of Haematology runs its own CD19 CAR-T programme โ separate from ImmunoACT
- check_circleCMC Vellore: haploidentical transplant + CAR-T combination programmes under Dr Eunice Sindhuvi
- check_circleAcademic trial access may be partially subsidised for eligible patients
- check_circleCancerFax can facilitate documentation and referral for both centres
AIIMS New Delhi CAR-T Programme
The Department of Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant at AIIMS New Delhi runs a government-funded academic CAR-T programme independently developed from the commercial NexCAR19 product.
AIIMS-Developed CD19 CAR-T
AIIMS uses its own in-house CD19-targeting CAR-T construct, developed under DST and DBT grants. This is a distinct product from NexCAR19 (ImmunoACT) and is administered under academic trial protocols.
BCMA CAR-T Pipeline
AIIMS has an active BCMA CAR-T development pipeline targeting multiple myeloma. This programme is in pre-clinical to early Phase I stage as of 2026 โ not yet open for general patient enrolment.
Funding Structure
Funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the AIIMS programme operates under academic trial governance. Some components (chemotherapy, monitoring) may be subsidised; others may incur patient cost.
Academic vs Commercial
Academic trials at AIIMS differ from commercial NexCAR19 in manufacturing oversight, regulatory status, and cost structure. They require academic ethics board approval for each patient and may have stricter eligibility requirements.
CMC Vellore CAR-T Programme
Christian Medical College Vellore is one of India's foremost academic transplant centres. The Department of Haematology at CMC runs innovative haploidentical transplant plus CAR-T combination programmes.
Dr Eunice Sindhuvi and Team
CMC Vellore's haematology department, led in part by Dr Eunice Sindhuvi, has an established record in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The CAR-T programme builds on this transplant expertise.
Haplo-SCT + CAR-T Combination
CMC is developing protocols combining haploidentical stem cell transplant with subsequent CAR-T therapy โ an approach suited to patients who have failed standard CAR-T or require deeper remission consolidation.
Patient Population
CMC Vellore primarily serves patients from South India and a large international community including patients from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and East Africa who travel for affordable transplant care.
Cost Structure
Academic trials at CMC may partially subsidise chemotherapy and monitoring costs. Patients typically still bear some costs for consumables and extended stay. CancerFax can help clarify current trial cost structures before travel.
How to Get a Referral to AIIMS or CMC CAR-T Trial
Accessing an academic trial requires a structured referral and documentation process. CancerFax can facilitate each step.
- 1
Medical Record Review
Compile bone marrow biopsy with immunophenotyping (CD19 status mandatory), prior treatment summary, cytogenetics, and organ function tests. CancerFax organises and formats these into a structured summary.
- 2
Eligibility Pre-Screening
CancerFax reviews records against published AIIMS/CMC trial criteria: ECOG 0โ2, adequate organ function, CD19+ disease, at least 2 prior lines of therapy.
- 3
Centre Contact and Slot Inquiry
CancerFax contacts the AIIMS or CMC haematology team to enquire about current trial status, open slots, and patient eligibility confirmation before travel is booked.
- 4
Ethics Board Documentation
Academic trials require ethics board approval for each patient. CancerFax helps prepare the structured summary that the treating physician submits to the board.
- 5
Travel and Visa
Indian e-medical visa applied online. CMC Vellore (Tamil Nadu) and AIIMS (Delhi) have accommodation options for international patients. CancerFax provides visa support letter.
Key Documentation for Academic Trial Application
- CD19+Disease Confirmation RequiredFlow cytometry or IHC confirming CD19 expression is mandatory for all CD19 CAR-T trial applications.
- โฅ2Prior Lines of TherapyMost academic CAR-T trials require at least 2 prior lines including standard immunochemotherapy.
- ECOG 0โ2Performance Status RequirementECOG performance status of 0โ2 is typically required; ECOG 3 patients may need case-by-case review.
- 10โ20 daysEthics Board Processing TimeEstimated time from documentation submission to ethics board decision at AIIMS and CMC.
More from the CAR-T India Resource Library
Explore related guides on accessing CAR-T in India โ from IIT/TMC/ImmunoACT programmes to bridge therapy and disease-specific eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions โ AIIMS and CMC Vellore CAR-T
Is AIIMS CAR-T the same product as NexCAR19?
No. AIIMS uses an independently developed academic CD19 CAR-T construct, not NexCAR19 (ImmunoACT). The two are distinct products manufactured under different regulatory frameworks. NexCAR19 is commercially approved by CDSCO; the AIIMS product is administered under an academic clinical trial protocol.
Is CMC Vellore CAR-T free for patients?
Academic trials at CMC may subsidise certain components such as chemotherapy drugs and monitoring tests. Patients are typically still responsible for accommodation, travel, some consumables, and non-trial medications. The exact cost structure depends on the current trial protocol โ CancerFax can help clarify this before you commit to travel.
Can international patients join AIIMS or CMC CAR-T trials?
Academic trials in India can accept international patients, but they typically require an Indian co-investigator or treating physician relationship and must obtain ethics board approval. The process is more administratively intensive than accessing commercial NexCAR19 at TMC or Apollo. CancerFax can assess feasibility for your specific case.
How does CancerFax help with AIIMS/CMC referral?
CancerFax compiles your records into a structured oncology summary, pre-screens against published eligibility criteria, contacts the haematology team at AIIMS or CMC on your behalf, and assists with documentation for the ethics board submission. We do not guarantee trial acceptance โ that decision rests entirely with the clinical team.
How CancerFax Helps
CancerFax is a specialist cancer access and patient-navigation platform. We help patients and families understand their options, organise medical records, coordinate hospital communication, and support cross-border treatment planning where appropriate.
We help collect and organise reports, scans, pathology, biomarker results, and treatment history for structured case review.
We communicate with hospitals or trial teams to assess whether a case may be suitable for further screening.
We support appointment coordination, document submission, translation, and direct communication with international departments.
For international patients, we help with practical coordination โ travel planning, hospital admission guidance, and local support.
If this option is not suitable, we help explore other relevant treatments, clinical trials, or advanced care pathways.
From inquiry through to follow-up, our coordinators provide a single point of contact for the family.
CancerFax does not guarantee treatment access, eligibility, or clinical outcome. Our role is to help patients access accurate information, structured review, and appropriate specialist pathways.
Want to Explore AIIMS or CMC Vellore CAR-T Trial Eligibility?
CancerFax reviews your case records and helps determine whether you may qualify for the AIIMS or CMC Vellore academic programmes before you travel.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Trial availability is subject to current enrolment status.