India’s Breakthrough in Gene Therapy for Haemophilia

India has achieved a significant milestone in medical science through its first-in-human gene therapy trial for Haemophilia, led by BRIC-inStem in collaboration with CMC Vellore. During a recent review visit, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that biotechnology is not merely a field of science but a strategic pillar of India’s future economic growth and healthcare advancement. Underlining the rapid expansion of India’s biotech sector, the Minister celebrated the transformative role of institutions like BRIC-inStem in translating research from the lab to real-life healthcare solutions.

Key Highlights

Gene Therapy Milestone

• India’s first-in-human gene therapy trial for Haemophilia successfully underway.
• Conducted by BRIC-inStem in collaboration with CMC Vellore.
• Minister called it a milestone in India’s scientific journey.

Strategic Visit by Dr. Jitendra Singh

• Inspected BRIC-inStem facilities in Bengaluru.
• Reviewed ongoing clinical trials and research efforts.

Biotech as Nation-Building

• Minister hailed biotechnology as a vital part of nation-building, not just science.
• Urged integration of biotech in India’s economic and public health strategy.

Growth of the Biotech Sector

• Biotech sector grew 16-fold in a decade, reaching $165.7 billion in 2024.
• Aims to reach $300 billion by 2030.
• Growth driven by policies like the BIO-E3 Policy (Economy, Employment, Environment).

Startups and Innovation

• Over 10,000 biotech startups, up from just 50 ten years ago.

BRIC’s innovations include,

• Germicidal anti-viral mask (COVID-19 era)
• Kisan Kavach – shields farmers from neurotoxic pesticides.

Institutional Reforms

• Formation of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC).
• Unified 14 autonomous research bodies under one umbrella.

Infrastructure and Facilities

• Biosafety Level III Laboratory: Key for One Health Mission and pandemic preparedness.
• CReATE Centre: Focuses on embryology, infertility, and birth defect research.
• Important for addressing 3–4% neonatal defects in India.

Future Directions Suggested by Minister

• Initiate MD-PhD programs to strengthen clinical-scientific collaboration.
• Improve communication outreach of research.
• Highlighted need for national-level visibility of work being done at BRIC-inStem.

Quote by Dr. Jitendra Singh

• “Biotechnology is not just a science anymore—it is a pillar of our national strategy.”
• “As Mark Twain said, the economy is too serious a subject to be left to economists alone.”