Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches India's first indigenous "CRISPR" based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, which particularly affects India's tribal population

Key Points

1. India launched its first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease named 'BIRSA 101'.
2. The therapy is dedicated to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, commemorating his 150th anniversary.
3. CSIR-IGIB and Serum Institute of India signed a technology transfer agreement for affordable gene therapies.
4. The therapy aims to contribute to a Sickle Cell Disease-free India by 2047.
5. The CRISPR platform was developed at CSIR–Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB).