India presents a new advancement in quantum computing technology and homegrown CAR-T cell therapy for cancer at ESTIC 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils three indigenously developed innovations at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025: a quantum security chip (QSIP), a 25-qubit quantum processor (QPU), and India’s first homegrown CAR-T cell therapy, NexCAR19.
Highlighting India’s growing focus on secure computing, advanced data protection, and affordable cancer treatment.
The QSIP chip is launched as India’s own hardware-level solution for quantum-secure communication. It uses quantum key distribution to secure data transfer and is developed to protect critical networks from future quantum-based cyber threats.
The 25-qubit quantum processor is introduced as India’s first functional quantum computing unit. It is designed to handle problems that traditional computers cannot solve efficiently. The processor is expected to support applications in cryptography, materials science, and drug discovery, strengthening India’s research ecosystem in quantum technology.
The CAR-T cell therapy, NexCAR19, is inaugurated as the country’s first indigenous cell and gene therapy for cancer. Developed by ImmunoACT, a start-up from IIT Bombay, the therapy modifies a patient’s immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells. Clinical trials are underway at Tata Memorial Centre for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
The project receives support from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under the National Biopharma Mission. DBT has also launched a biomanufacturing initiative under the BioE3 policy to set up a 200-litre GMP facility for large-scale production of gene therapy materials, with capacity to serve up to 1,000 patients annually.
India is also funding new research to expand CAR-T therapy for cancers such as glioblastoma and multiple myeloma, to make cell and gene therapies more accessible. Together, these initiatives position India at the frontier of quantum and biotechnological innovation.
