Indigenous Gene Therapy Initiative
India Launches First Indigenous CRISPR Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease: India has launched its first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy, named BIRSA 101, in honour of tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda. This therapy is developed by CSIR–Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), marking a significant step in India’s biomedical innovation. The therapy aims to address the genetic disorder Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), which disproportionately affects tribal populations.
Static GK fact: India has over 700 officially recognized tribal communities, many of whom are at higher risk for SCD.
Understanding Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a medical technique that treats or prevents diseases by introducing new or modified genes into a patient’s cells. In BIRSA 101, the therapy works by replacing defective or missing genes in red blood cells with healthy copies. This correction restores proper haemoglobin function and improves oxygen transport.
Static GK Tip: The first approved gene therapy in the world, Glybera, was introduced in 2012 for lipoprotein lipase deficiency.
Role of CRISPR in Treatment
CRISPR, short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, is a genome-editing technology that allows precise modification of DNA. It uses two key components:
- Guide RNA, which locates the target DNA sequence.
- Cas9 protein, molecular scissors that cut DNA for gene replacement.
This precision enables targeted correction of the sickle cell mutation in patient cells, minimizing off-target effects.
Static GK fact: CRISPR technology was first discovered in 1987 and has revolutionized genetic engineering globally.
Sickle Cell Disease in India
Sickle Cell Disease is a hereditary condition affecting haemoglobin in red blood cells, causing them to assume a rigid, sickle-like shape. These abnormal cells block blood flow, causing pain, organ damage, and increased infection risk. In India, SCD predominantly impacts Scheduled Tribes, with 1 in 86 births among ST populations affected.
Static GK fact: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand report the highest prevalence of SCD among tribal populations in India.
enFnCas9 Collaboration
The therapy leverages enFnCas9, an engineered high-fidelity CRISPR-Cas9 platform developed by IGIB. A partnership with Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. aims to scale up this technology, ensuring it becomes an affordable therapy for genetic disorders nationwide.
Static GK Tip: The Serum Institute of India is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by number of doses produced.
Future Implications
The launch of BIRSA 101 positions India at the forefront of genome-editing therapies. It represents a major stride in tribal health, precision medicine, and affordable biotechnological innovation. This initiative also opens avenues for research on other genetic disorders prevalent in India.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
India Launches First Indigenous CRISPR Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease:
| Topic | Detail |
| Therapy Name | BIRSA 101 |
| Developed By | CSIR–Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) |
| Target Disease | Sickle Cell Disease |
| Technology Used | CRISPR-Cas9, enFnCas9 |
| Key Components | Guide RNA, Cas9 Protein |
| Collaboration Partner | Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. |
| Focus Population | Scheduled Tribes |
| Named After | Bhagwan Birsa Munda |
| Objective | Affordable indigenous gene therapy |
| Global Significance | First CRISPR-based therapy developed in India |
