Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh today launched country’s first indigenous CRISPR based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, which primarily affects country’s tribal population. The therapy, named BIRSA 101 is dedicated to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, whose 150th anniversary was observed on the 15th of this month. Addressing the gathering, the Minister said, the country has formally begun its decisive journey towards becoming a Sickle Cell Disease-free nation, marking a historic turning point in the country’s public health and genomic medicine landscape. Dr. Singh emphasized that the breakthrough has demonstrated country’s capability to produce pathbreaking therapies at a fraction of global costs, potentially replacing treatments priced at 20-25 crore rupees overs

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