Scientists achieve breakthrough in gene therapy for haemophilia
Bengaluru: The country's first
human gene therapy trial
for haemophilia was conducted through a collaboration between Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council's Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (
BRIC-inStem
) in Bengaluru and CMC Vellore, officials announced Thursday.
Haemophilia is a genetic blood disorder where blood doesn't clot normally, causing abnormal bleeding.
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Union science and technology minister Jitendra Singh reviewed the progress during an inspection of facilities at BRIC-inStem. "This is a milestone in India's scientific journey," Singh said, highlighting the institute's contributions to preventive and regenerative healthcare. "This is not just about science, it's about nation-building," he said.
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The minister stressed the importance of biotechnology in shaping India's economy and public health infrastructure. "India's biotechnology sector experienced remarkable growth, expanding 16-fold over the past decade to reach $165.7 billion in 2024, with projections of $300 billion by 2030," an official statement read.
Singh attributed this growth to policy reforms, including the recently approved BIO-E3 policy designed to boost economy, employment and environment through biotechnology. "We now have over 10,000 biotech startups compared to just 50 a decade ago," he said.
Singh toured BRIC-inStem's Biosafety Level III laboratory, a critical national facility for studying high-risk pathogens under India's One Health Mission. "The pandemic taught us that we must always be prepared. Facilities like this will help us stay a step ahead," Singh said.
The newly launched Centre for Research Application and Training in Embryology (CReATE) received praise for its work on addressing birth defects and infertility through developmental biology research. "With 3% to 4% of babies born with some form of defect, this centre is vital for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes," the minister said.
Calling for greater collaboration between scientific and medical institutions, Singh suggested that BRIC-inStem explore MD-PhD programmes and strengthen integration with clinical research. "As Mark Twain said, the economy is too serious a subject to be left to economists alone. Biotechnology is not just a science anymore — it is a pillar of our national strategy," Singh said.
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