India makes progress in haemophilia gene therapy: Minister
In addition to reviewing ongoing clinical trials in partnership with prestigious hospitals and medical institutes, including the historic first-in-human gene therapy trial for hemophilia carried out with CMC Vellore, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh visited a number of facilities at the BRIC-inStem facility on Thursday.
The minister praised the institute’s contributions to preventive and regenerative healthcare, calling it a “milestone in India’s scientific journey.”
Dr. Singh emphasized the strategic significance of biotechnology in forming India’s future public health infrastructure and economy during his visit.
He praised the recent achievements of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and its rise from relative obscurity to national prominence, saying, “This is not just about science—it’s about nation-building.”
With a goal of reaching $300 billion by 2030, India’s biotechnology industry has experienced an incredible surge, expanding 16 times in the last ten years to reach $165.7 billion in 2024.
The minister attributed this expansion to enabling policy changes, such as the recently enacted BIO-E3 Policy, which uses biotechnology to improve the economy, jobs, and environment. He noted that there are now over 10,000 biotech startups, up from just 50 ten years ago.
He applauded the establishment of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), which brought together 14 independent institutes under a single roof.
He highlighted inventions like the “Kisan Kavach,” which shields farmers from neurotoxic chemicals, and the germicidal antiviral mask that was developed during the pandemic, saying, “BRIC-inStem is at the cutting edge of fundamental and translational science.”
We learned from the current pandemic that we need to be ready at all times. We’ll be able to stay ahead of the game with facilities like this,” Dr. Singh said.
The minister also commended the recently established Centre for Research Application and Training in Embryology (CReATE), which advances developmental biology research to address infertility and birth abnormalities. “This center is essential for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes, as approximately 3 to 4 percent of babies are born with some kind of defect,” he stated.
He recommended that BRIC-inStem investigate MD-PhD programs, integrate more with clinical research, and increase awareness through coordinated communication tactics in order to foster stronger collaboration between scientific and medical institutions.