Bengaluru, November 21, 2025 – Bengaluru has become the focal point of global medical innovation with the inauguration of the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT) Symposium on Cell Therapy – Bengaluru 2025. This landmark global scientific convention, co-organized by the Ramaiah Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy Program (established in 2014), is dedicated to exploring the future of cellular therapy, including Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and CAR-T treatments.
The high-impact event was formally inaugurated by Mr. K.B. Sivakumar, IAS, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Services, Government of Karnataka; Dr. Nagendra Swamy S.C., Chief Executive – Ramaiah Memorial Hospital & Healthcare Services; and Dr. Damiano Rondelli (Chicago, USA), President of the WBMT. The WBMT, a global Non-Governmental Organization in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), uses this symposium to bring together eminent clinicians, scientists, researchers, and global experts.
The symposium features leading international faculty from the USA, Europe, the UK, Japan, Brazil, Australia, and India. Their objective is to advance dialogue, foster innovation, and strengthen collaboration in hematopoietic cell transplantation, CAR-T therapies, and other cutting-edge cellular treatments. This event represents a significant milestone for Indian healthcare, focusing on the next frontier in treating blood cancers and congenital blood disorders like thalassemia.
Professor Damiano Rondelli, WBMT President, emphasized the event’s importance, stating, “This symposium is extremely important to the mission of WBMT to promote international collaboration, education, and increase capacity building in transplantation and cell therapy worldwide. Gathering speakers from this region of the world will impact access and quality of care for many patients in Asia.”
Delivering the inaugural address, Dr. Nagendra Swamy S.C. highlighted the institution’s dedication to increasing access to advanced cell therapy and solidifying India’s role in global healthcare innovation. He noted, “The symposium has come at a very crucial juncture when the science of cell therapy is moving faster so that systems, policies, and training frameworks can catch up to implement global standards. Our priority will be to bridge that gap by creating platforms where science, technology, professional care, and patient needs can align. Bengaluru has the talent, the ecosystem, and the collaborative spirit to make a meaningful contribution to global advancements in cell therapy.”
The symposium features distinguished WBMT leadership, including President Damiano Rondelli, Vice President Mickey Koh, and Past President Mahmoud Aljurf, among other senior international faculty.
Dr. Santhosh K. Devadas, HOD & Consultant – Medical Oncology & Chief – BMT at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, shared his excitement about the evolving landscape. “What really excites me is moving from BMT to how new science—especially cellular and gene-modified therapies—is starting to complement more traditional transplant protocols,” he said. Dr. Devadas also highlighted that hosting the WBMT symposium is a testament to the standing of the Ramaiah Institute of Oncology. He concluded, “Cell therapy with genetically engineered blood cells represents the future of cancer therapy and the cure for genetically inherited diseases such as thalassemia. The conversations at this forum will help us refine pathways and expand the window of opportunity for patients.”
