CAR-T Therapy in South Korea: Products, Centers, Costs, and Eligibility
Korea's CAR-T landscape changed significantly in 2026. The first domestically developed CAR-T — Limcarto (RIMQARTO) — received MFDS approval in April 2026 for relapsed/refractory DLBCL and PMBCL[citation:1][citation:7]. Imported products (Kymriah) are also available at 16+ centers, with national insurance coverage for eligible Korean patients[citation:14]. For international patients, the questions are different: which product, which indication, which center, and what the full self-pay cost is.
Quick Answer
Korea has two CAR-T products available: Kymriah (imported, Novartis) and Limcarto (domestic, Curocell, approved April 2026). Both target CD19-positive B-cell malignancies — primarily DLBCL and PMLBCL after ≥2 prior lines of therapy. Asan Medical Center has performed 100+ CAR-T cases with a 60% response rate in DLBCL[citation:3]. Samsung Medical Center reported 49% complete response in 129 Kymriah patients (2021–2025)[citation:19]. For international patients, expect self-pay pricing; Korean insurance coverage does not generally apply.
Limcarto (RIMQARTO) — Korea's First Domestic CAR-T
| Attribute | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Generic name | Anbalcabtagene autoleucel (anbal-cel) | MFDS approval, April 2026[citation:1][citation:7] |
| Target | CD19 | [citation:2] |
| Indication | Adult patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL or PMBCL after ≥2 lines of systemic therapy | [citation:1] |
| Mechanism | CD19 CAR-T with proprietary OVIS platform that reduces PD-1 and TIGIT expression to prevent T-cell exhaustion | [citation:1][citation:2] |
| Phase 2 efficacy | ORR 75.3%, CR 67.1% (independent review committee) | [citation:6][citation:18] |
| Safety (Grade ≥3) | CRS 8.9%, neurotoxicity 3.8% | [citation:6][citation:18] |
| Manufacturing | Daejeon GMP facility; hospitals do not need their own cell-processing facility | [citation:18] |
| Reimbursement status | Passed HIRA Pharmaceutical Benefit Assessment Committee September 2026; price negotiation pending; target coverage within 2026 | [citation:18] |
| Expected price | ~10% below Kymriah's ₩360 million (~$260,000) list price | [citation:4] |
| Supply network | 12 hospitals initially (incl. Samsung, Asan), expanding to 30 by end-2026 | [citation:1] |
Why this matters: Before Limcarto, Korea relied entirely on imported CAR-T products with long wait times and high costs. Domestic manufacturing may shorten turnaround time from T-cell collection to infusion, and may lower the price — though the reimbursement process is still ongoing[citation:9][citation:18].
Kymriah (Tisagenlecleucel) — The Established Imported Option
Kymriah has been available in Korea since 2021 and is covered by national health insurance for eligible patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma[citation:3][citation:14].
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Novartis |
| Target | CD19 |
| Indications (Korea) | Relapsed/refractory B-cell ALL; relapsed/refractory DLBCL |
| Available centers | 16+ hospitals nationwide, including Samsung Medical Center, Asan Medical Center, National Cancer Center[citation:14] |
| List price | ~₩360 million (~$260,000)[citation:4][citation:9] |
| Korean insurance patient copay | ~₩5.98 million (~$4,300) for eligible patients[citation:9] |
Major CAR-T Centers in Korea
Asan Medical Center
Asan opened Korea's first dedicated CAR-T Cell Therapy Center in 2022 and reached 100 cases by 2025[citation:3]. It operates a multidisciplinary clinic involving neurology, infectious diseases, and intensive care. Response rates: 89% in relapsed/refractory B-ALL, 60% in relapsed/refractory DLBCL[citation:3]. Asan is one of the initial 12 hospitals for Limcarto supply[citation:1].
Samsung Medical Center
Samsung has the largest published real-world Kymriah experience in Korea (129 patients, 2021–2025)[citation:19]. It is also one of the initial Limcarto supply hospitals[citation:1]. Samsung's hematology-oncology department has been involved in Limcarto's clinical development; Professor Kim Won-seok presented at the approval press conference[citation:1].
Other Centers
Kymriah is available at 16+ hospitals nationwide, including National Cancer Center and Ewha Womans University Blood Cancer Hospital[citation:8][citation:14]. Ewha opened its own Cell and Gene Processing Center in October 2025 to perform CAR-T independently[citation:8]. Limcarto's initial network includes 12 hospitals, expanding to 30 by end-2026[citation:1].
Who Is Eligible for CAR-T?
CAR-T is not a treatment for all cancers. Both Kymriah and Limcarto are approved for specific B-cell blood cancers after prior treatments have failed.
• Adult patients (≥18 years)
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL)
• Relapsed or refractory after two or more lines of systemic therapy[citation:1]
What eligibility does not mean: Having DLBCL does not automatically make a patient a CAR-T candidate. The treating hematologist must assess prior treatments, organ function, disease burden, and fitness for the procedure. CAR-T involves chemotherapy conditioning, a single infusion, and intensive monitoring for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity.
Cost for International Patients
Korea's National Health Insurance covers CAR-T for eligible Korean citizens, reducing out-of-pocket costs dramatically. International patients generally do not qualify for this coverage and should expect self-pay pricing.
| Scenario | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Korean citizen with insurance (Kymriah) | ~₩5.98 million (~$4,300) | Copay after insurance[citation:9] |
| Korean citizen without insurance | ~₩400 million (~$290,000) | Non-reimbursed patient burden[citation:9] |
| International patient (self-pay, estimated) | $250,000–$350,000 | Base treatment; may exclude hospitalization, ICU, follow-up |
| Limcarto list price (expected) | ~10% below Kymriah (~₩324 million / ~$234,000) | Price not finalized; reimbursement pending[citation:4] |
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Korea have CAR-T therapy?
Yes. Korea has two CAR-T products available: Kymriah (imported, since 2021) and Limcarto (domestic, approved April 2026)[citation:1][citation:7]. Both target CD19-positive B-cell malignancies. Asan Medical Center and Samsung Medical Center are among the major treatment centers.
What is Limcarto and how does it differ from Kymriah?
Limcarto (RIMQARTO) is Korea's first domestically developed CAR-T, approved April 2026. Both target CD19. Limcarto's Phase 2 data showed ORR 75.3% and CR 67.1%[citation:6]. Limcarto uses a proprietary platform to reduce PD-1 and TIGIT expression, aiming to prevent T-cell exhaustion[citation:1]. Its expected price is ~10% below Kymriah[citation:4]. Kymriah has longer real-world track record in Korea (since 2021)[citation:19].
How much does CAR-T cost in Korea for an international patient?
Korean insurance reduces copay to ~$4,300 for eligible citizens, but international patients generally do not qualify[citation:9]. Self-pay pricing is estimated at $250,000–$350,000 for Kymriah, potentially lower for Limcarto once pricing is finalized. Always request a written, treatment-specific estimate from the hospital.
Who is eligible for CAR-T in Korea?
Limcarto is approved for adults with relapsed/refractory DLBCL or PMBCL after ≥2 prior lines of systemic therapy[citation:1]. Kymriah is approved for relapsed/refractory B-ALL and DLBCL. Eligibility is determined by the treating hematologist based on prior treatments, organ function, disease status, and fitness for the procedure. Not every patient with these diagnoses qualifies.
Which Korean hospitals offer CAR-T?
Kymriah is available at 16+ hospitals including Samsung Medical Center, Asan Medical Center, and National Cancer Center[citation:14]. Limcarto is initially supplied to 12 hospitals (including Samsung and Asan), expanding to 30 by end-2026[citation:1]. Asan has a dedicated CAR-T Center with 100+ cases[citation:3].
Is CAR-T the Right Question?
CAR-T is approved for specific blood cancers after prior treatments fail. The first question is whether the patient meets the indication and eligibility criteria — not which country to choose.