ICMR Invites Industry Partners For Commercialisation Of Indigenous Cervical Cancer Drug Candidate

In a significant step towards strengthening India’s fight against cervical cancer, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from pharma companies and eligible organisations for the transfer of technology and commercialisation of SHetA2, an investigational drug candidate aimed at treating Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer.

The proposal marks an important move in India’s efforts to develop affordable and indigenous therapies for cervical cancer, which remains one of the leading cancers affecting women in the country. Persistent infection with HPV is known to be the primary cause of cervical cancer.

According to the EoI document issued by ICMR, the technology has been jointly developed by the ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR) and the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents in the United States.

The proposed technology transfer is intended to enable selected companies to undertake further development, manufacturing, marketing, and commercialisation of the drug candidate.

The ICMR said in its proposal that the initiative is aimed at accelerating the availability of innovative cancer therapies while encouraging industry participation in translational medical research.

Interested companies have been invited to apply through the Medical Innovation Patent Mitra portal before May 20, 2026.

A scientist from the ICMR said that the SHetA2 molecule is being explored for its role in treating HPV-induced cervical dysplasia — a pre-cancerous condition involving abnormal changes in cervical cells — as well as cervical cancer itself. He noted that early intervention at the dysplasia stage could potentially reduce progression to invasive cancer.

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In India, it is the second most common cancer among women after breast cancer, despite improvements in screening and vaccination efforts.

Public health experts have repeatedly stressed the need for affordable diagnostics, preventive strategies, and accessible treatment options, particularly in low-resource settings where women often present with advanced disease.

The EoI document states that eligible companies selected through the process will receive rights to further develop and commercialise the technology. This includes scaling up manufacturing and undertaking regulatory and market-related activities necessary for bringing the product to patients.

Medical experts say such initiatives are important because cervical cancer remains one of the few cancers that is both preventable and potentially curable if detected early.

Amid rising cervical cancer cases in India, the Government has launched a nationwide HPV Vaccination Programme from February 28, 2026, for the prevention of cervical cancer among women. The vaccine is being made available free of cost at government facilities to approximately 1.15 crore girls aged 14 years across all States and UTs.

Girls who turn 15 within 90 days of the launch will also be eligible under the intensive three-month campaign. Thereafter, the vaccine will continue to be available on routine immunisation days.

India accounts for nearly 25% of global cervical cancer deaths, and one in every five women diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide is from India. The country ranks fourth globally in cervical cancer-related morbidity, said Anurag Srivastava from Mediways Health Foundation, an NGO working to promote women’s health awareness and preventive care through regular outreach and awareness camps.

“Women’s health still does not receive the attention it deserves despite the rising burden of breast and cervical cancers in the country,” Srivastava said. “One of the biggest challenges continues to be low awareness and hesitation among women to undergo routine screening.”

He noted that women who are educated, informed, and have easier access to healthcare services are more likely to opt for preventive screening. “However, a large number of women still avoid regular health check-ups because of fear, social hesitation, stigma, or simply lack of awareness,” he said, adding that these factors continue to contribute to the growing burden of preventable cancers such as breast and cervical cancer.

Dr. Akansha Sinha, Senior Consultant in the Preventive Oncology Department at the Delhi State Cancer Institute, echoed similar concerns. She pointed out that cervical cancer remains one of the few cancers that can largely be prevented through timely vaccination and early detection.

She also noted that women up to 45 years of age can still benefit from it. Dr. Sinha emphasised providing vaccines for boys as well, as it helps reduce the risk of certain cancers in them.