India launches landmark CRISPR gene therapy: A new era for sickle cell disease treatment
New Delhi: India on Wednesday launched its first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease, marking a major milestone for Atmanirbhar Bharat and offering new hope to communities, particularly tribal populations, disproportionately affected by the condition.
The world-class, low-cost gene-editing therapy, named “BIRSA 101” in honour of tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, was launched by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh.
Describing the technology as a form of “precise genetic surgery”, the minister said it holds the potential not only to cure sickle cell disease but also to transform treatment options for a range of hereditary disorders.
Sickle cell disease is a chronic single-gene condition that leads to severe anaemia, painful crises, organ infarction and long-term organ damage, significantly shortening life expectancy and impacting a patient’s entire life.
“India has formally begun its decisive journey towards becoming a Sickle Cell Disease–free nation, marking a historic turning point in the country’s public health and genomic medicine landscape,” Singh said.
He added that the development and transfer of the country’s first home-grown CRISPR-based therapy represent a significant step towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a sickle cell–free India by 2047, while advancing the nation’s self-reliance in cutting-edge medical technologies.
Developed at the CSIR–Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), the breakthrough therapy demonstrates India’s capability to produce world-leading medical solutions at a fraction of international costs. Comparable treatments abroad can cost between ₹20–25 crore.
IGIB has signed a technology transfer and collaboration agreement with the Serum Institute of India in Pune to scale up the engineered enFnCas9 CRISPR platform into affordable therapies for sickle cell disease and other serious genetic disorders.
“Globally, gene therapies cost over three million dollars and are beyond the reach of even the wealthy. Our mission is to take Indian innovation and make it accessible for the poorest of the poor,” said Dr Umesh Shaligram, Executive Director of the Serum Institute of India.
IANS