May 18, 2026 —
Cellogen Therapeutics has raised approximately $2 million from Kotak Alternate Asset Managers through the Kotak Life Sciences Fund I. The funding will support the company’s CAR-T clinical programs, expansion of its gene therapy pipeline, and strengthening of its GMP-compliant manufacturing and regulatory capabilities.
Founded in 2021 by Dr. Gaurav Kharya and Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, Cellogen Therapeutics is a cellular engineering and gene therapy startup developing next-generation treatments for cancers and blood disorders. The company’s mission is focused not only on therapeutic innovation but also on improving affordability and access. While many CAR-T therapies globally can cost between $500,000 and $700,000, Cellogen aims to bring treatment costs down to approximately $60,000 to $70,000.
Cellogen’s core platform is a bispecific, dual-antigen CAR-T therapy. Unlike conventional CAR-T therapies that typically target a single cancer-associated marker, Cellogen’s approach is designed to recognize two different markers. This dual-targeting strategy may help improve anti-tumor activity and reduce the risk of relapse caused by antigen escape, a known limitation of single-target CAR-T therapies.
The company is working toward Phase 1 human clinical trials, subject to regulatory approvals, in collaboration with CMC Vellore. Cellogen also secured a patent for its CAR-T platform last year, further supporting its technology position. Beyond oncology, the startup is developing early-stage programs for beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease, expanding its focus into genetic blood disorders.
The investment from Kotak Alts follows an earlier investment by Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma, which acquired more than a 5% stake in Cellogen Therapeutics for ₹15 crore. Kotak Life Sciences Fund I, which marked its first close at ₹250 crore last year, is focused on life sciences, medical devices, digital health, consumer wellness, diagnostics, and healthcare delivery companies across early, growth, and late stages.
Cellogen’s financing reflects growing momentum in India’s biotech and advanced therapy sector. With more than 11,000 biotech startups in the country and increasing policy support for biopharma innovation, India is emerging as an important market for affordable cell and gene therapy development. If successful, Cellogen’s dual-antigen CAR-T platform could help expand access to advanced cancer therapies in India and other cost-sensitive markets.
