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Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease: India Launches First Indigenous CRISPR Breakthrough ‘BIRSA 101’
For the very first time in India, a Healthcare treatment stands not just as another disease management option, but as a possibility to stop a lifelong and painful condition at its root. Gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease represents a breakthrough that was once a distant Scientific dream and is now unfolding in real trials, real Clinics, and the lives of people.
In a landmark Technological advancement for Indian Science and public health, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the nation’s first indigenous CRISPR-based Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, on 19 November 2025. SCD is a type of Genetic Disorder that affects India’s tribal communities to a large extent.
The incredible innovative therapy is named “BIRSA 101”, as a tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, whose 150th birth anniversary was observed recently. This dedication honours his legacy as a respected and influential tribal freedom fighter and symbolises India’s commitment to improving Health outcomes among vulnerable populations.
This revolutionary announcement marks India’s “decisive journey towards becoming a Sickle Cell Disease–free nation”, as the Minister highlighted, and is aligned with our honorable Prime Minister’s vision of a Sickle Cell–free India by the year 2047.
A Turning Point in India’s Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, Genomic Medicine, and Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that this innovation is a step forward for Atmanirbhar Bharat, and that India is now moving from adopting foreign Technologies to creating world-class advanced solutions and treatments.
The therapy has been developed by the CSIR-IGIB (CSIR–Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology) and showcases India’s ability to develop advanced and futuristic Medical Technologies and now Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease at a fraction of global costs.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that such Therapeutics costs around ₹20–25 crore abroad, whereas our country’s futuristic innovation aims to bring advanced Gene Therapy cures within the reach of patients and at an affordable expenditure, particularly for the tribal groups in the eastern and central parts of India, where SCD prevalence is the highest and growing.
How does This Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, BIRSA 101, work?
The minister explained that the indigenous CRISPR (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) system, which functions like a “precise Genetic surgery”. This demonstrates the therapy’s core mechanism: it directly treats the disorder by correcting the Genetic mutations responsible for SCD.
This precise genetic surgery forms the scientific foundation of India’s first indigenous Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, offering a targeted way to correct the underlying mutation.
He further stated that this advanced approach provides us with the possibility of treating SCD and sets the foundation for future treatments to cure numerous other hereditary diseases and disorders.
By calling out various Scientific institutions to communicate these incredible innovations in simple language and through accessible formats such as infographics, Dr. Singh stressed the need to ensure the public fully understands the significance of these Scientific advancements.
Strengthening Public–Private Collaboration for Affordable Advanced Therapies
A prime highlight of the event was the technology transfer agreement signed between CSIR-IGIB and the SIIPL (Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd.). This powerful collaboration will allow the IGIB-developed enFnCas9 CRISPR (an engineered variant of the Cas9 protein) platform or India’s pioneering Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, to be scaled and made into affordable and effective Gene Therapies for SCD and other important Genetic Disorders.
The Minister praised the evolving collaborations between industry partners and Indian Scientific Research Institutions. He elaborated that such partnerships have already resulted in globally recognised achievements, such as effective Vaccines for HPV, COVID-19, as well as other diseases and disorders. He further stated that industry involvement is essential for translating Scientific Research innovations into real-world and accessible Healthcare therapeutics.
During the official launch event in New Delhi, senior Scientific leaders, including Dr. Souvik Maiti (Director, IGIB), Dr. Umesh Shaligram (Executive Director, SIIPL), as well as Dr. N. Kalaiselvi (DG, CSIR), were present, along with Researchers, faculty members, and media representatives.
New Infrastructure and a Unified Research Model
Dr. Jitendra Singh also inaugurated a new advanced research and translational facility at CSIR-IGIB during the same event. While interacting with Research Scientists and reviewing the ongoing Genomic Medicine Programmes, he highlighted the need for integrated Scientific models such as “One Week–One Theme”, which encourage coordinated research efforts across CSIR, DBT, and associated institutions.
He highlighted that innovations should not remain confined within laboratories or research papers but must be translated into clinical applications that reach the people who need them most.
Serum Institute’s Commitment to Making Gene Therapy Accessible
The Executive Director at SIIPL, Dr. Umesh Shaligram, expressed their organisation’s commitment to ensuring that IGIB’s innovation achieves real-world impact. He stated, “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 to the poorest of the poor. Serum has saved over 30 million lives through affordable vaccines, and we are fully committed to supporting the Prime Minister’s vision of a Sickle Cell–Free India by 2047. With the energy and encouragement from the Minister, we will dedicate all efforts to translate this technology into saving lives.” He assured continued collaboration with CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) and IGIB to ensure that breakthrough therapies reach underserved communities, especially tribal populations, at scale.
India’s Growing Leadership in Advanced Therapeutics
Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that the innovations witnessed today reaffirm India’s Scientific capabilities and vision, as seen in the rapid development of Antibiotics, Vaccines, and now Gene Therapies. He said that India’s journey, from reliance on imported Biomedical Technologies to becoming a global Scientific innovator, is a testament to Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision and the rising confidence of Indian Science & Technology on the world stage.
The Minister remarked, “We are no longer just adopting global Technologies; we are creating them. The world will now look to India for the future of affordable, cutting-edge Healthcare.”
With this innovation, India marks a decisive leap in genomic medicine and strengthens its resolve to advance affordable Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease at a global scale.
With the milestone launch of “BIRSA 101,” India has not only marked a significant leap in Genomic Medicine but has also strengthened its resolve to bring revolutionary Healthcare Therapeutics.
