India has officially introduced its first homegrown CRISPR-based gene therapy to treat sickle cell disease, a major step in its genomic medicine efforts. The therapy, dubbed BIRSA 101, was unveiled at a ceremony in New Delhi, and is dedicated to the revered tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, whose 150th birth anniversary was recently commemorated.
Developed at the CSIR–Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), BIRSA 101 uses a modified CRISPR system called enFnCas9, which is designed for high precision.
Officials say this technology behaves like a “precise genetic surgery”, capable not only of correcting the mutation that causes sickle cell disease, but also of reshaping treatment paradigms for other inherited disorders.
A key part of the announcement was the signing of a technology-transfer agreement between IGIB and the Serum Institute of India. Through this partnership, the gene therapy will be scaled up and made more cost-effective.
One of the most striking aspects of this initiative is the cost reduction: while similar CRISPR-based therapies abroad can cost between ₹20-25 crore, this indigenous version is expected to be available for about ₹50 lakh.
The launch event also underscored the national importance of this breakthrough, particularly for tribal communities in central and eastern India, where the burden of sickle cell disease is highest.
In his address, the science minister emphasized that India has begun a “decisive journey” toward eradicating sickle cell disease, framing the innovation as a watershed moment for public health and India’s capacity for cutting-edge biotech.
He also called on scientific institutions to communicate such high-tech breakthroughs in simpler terms — suggesting the use of infographics and social media to help the public understand their significance.
This development aligns with India’s broader health goal of eliminating sickle cell disease by 2047.