India launches first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease

Setting a new milestone the Indian government on November 20 launched an indigenous CRISPRbased gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease which particularly affects Indias tribal populationThe lowcost gene editing solution named BIRSA 101 in honour of Bhagwan Birsa Munda remembered as a great tribal freedom fighter was launched by Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra SinghThe technology works like a ldquoprecise genetic surgeryrdquo capable not only of curing Sickle Cell Disease but also transforming treatment pathways for several hereditary disorders the minister explainedSickle Cell Disease is a chronic singlegene disorder that causes a debilitating systemic syndrome characterised by chronic anaemia acute painful episodes organ infarction and chronic organ damage significantly reducing life expectancyThe genetic blood disorder affects the entire life of the patient as it leads to various severe health complicationsIndia has formally begun its decisive journey towards becoming a Sickle Cell Diseasendashfree nation marking a historic turning point in the countryrsquos public health and genomic medicine landscaperdquo Singh saidldquoWith the development and transfer of Indiarsquos first indigenous CRISPRbased gene therapy the nation has taken a major step toward fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modirsquos vision of a Sickle CellndashFree India by 2047 while simultaneously advancing the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat in frontline medical technologiesrdquo he addedThe breakthrough therapy developed at CSIRInstitute of Genomics and Integrative Biology IGIB has demonstrated Indiarsquos capability to produce pathbreaking therapies at a fraction of global costs potentially replacing treatments priced at Rs 2025 crore overseasIGIB has entered into a formal technology transfer and collaboration agreement with the Punebased Serum Institute of India to scale up the engineered enFnCas9 CRISPR platform into affordable therapies for Sickle Cell Disease and other critical genetic disordersldquoGlobally 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 poorrdquo said Dr Umesh Shaligram Executive Director Serum Institute of IndiaThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever