Mankind Pharma (BSE: 543904; NSE: MANKIND), through its subsidiary Mankind Pharma (Netherlands) BV, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 70% stake in Belgium-incorporated biotechnology company Armed Cell Therapeutics BV . for €48 million. The proposed acquisition is part of Mankind Pharma’s long-term strategy to build a global, innovation-led pharmaceutical business.
Armed Cell Therapeutics (ACTx) is developing next-generation chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies for cancer. Its lead programmes target non-Hodgkin lymphoma and small cell lung cancer. The company is also exploring approaches to generate CAR-T cells inside the body, known as in vivo CAR-T cell generation.
CAR-T therapies have changed the treatment landscape for certain blood cancers. However, treatment outcomes can be affected by cancer relapse, limited persistence of modified immune cells, T-cell exhaustion and the development of resistance. Solid tumours present additional challenges because CAR-T cells may struggle to enter and function within the tumour environment.
ACTx is developing engineered CAR-T cells with additional biological components intended to strengthen and sustain their anti-tumour activity. Its research also includes approaches targeting multiple cancer antigens, with the aim of reducing the likelihood of cancer cells escaping treatment. The company’s research and development teams operate in the United States and Europe.
ACTx was founded by professionals with experience in drug development, cell therapy and biotechnology businesses. Its leadership includes Paul Stoffels, former Chief Executive Officer of Galapagos and former Chief Scientific Officer of Johnson & Johnson; John Mellors, a Distinguished Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and former Senior Vice-President of Discovery and Early Development at Galapagos; and Peter Verhaeghe, former Chair of argenx.
Arjun Juneja, Chief Operating Officer of Mankind Pharma, said innovation would be an important driver of the company’s growth over the coming decades. He said the investment would provide access to differentiated scientific platforms, experienced leadership and a pipeline of potential next-generation CAR-T candidates. Mankind’s long-term objective is to help make advanced therapies more accessible to patients in India and other markets.
Paul Stoffels, Chair of the Board of Armed Cell Therapeutics, said the company’s assets and research team, supported by Mankind Pharma, would help advance its work on more effective and durable CAR-T treatments. The proposed transaction strengthens Mankind Pharma’s presence in complex and chronic disease areas and expands its participation in global biotechnology research.
Mankind Pharma is an Indian pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare company with operations across acute and chronic therapeutic areas, including anti-infectives, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, antidiabetic, neuro/CNS, gynaecology and respiratory care. Its consumer healthcare portfolio includes products across several established categories. The company has 32 manufacturing facilities in India, seven research and development facilities and more than 740 scientists. Its distribution network includes over 18,500 field professionals and reaches more than five lakh doctors across urban and rural markets.
Armed Cell Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing next-generation armed CAR-T therapies. Its lead programmes focus on non-Hodgkin lymphoma and small cell lung cancer. Headquartered in Belgium, the company has operations in the Netherlands and research and preclinical activities in Pittsburgh, United States, alongside early development activities across Europe, Asia and the United States.
