New Delhi, Nov 19: Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday launched India’s first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease, which particularly affects the country’s tribal population.

The therapy, named “BIRSA 101” is dedicated to freedom fighter Birsa Munda, whose 150th birth anniversary was observed a few days back.

Singh said that the breakthrough, developed at CSIR–Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), has demonstrated India’s capability to produce path-breaking therapies at a fraction of global costs, potentially replacing treatments priced at Rs 20–25 crore overseas.

A formal technology transfer and collaboration agreement was exchanged between CSIR-IGIB and the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd, enabling translation of CRISPR

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