India Unveils First Indigenous CRISPR Therapy ‘BIRSA 101’ to Eliminate Sickle Cell

Launching the therapy, Dr. Jitendra Singh declared that India has officially begun its decisive march toward a Sickle Cell–Free India by 2047, fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s long-standing national mission.

India marked a historic moment in its scientific journey as Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched the nation’s first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy, named “BIRSA 101,” designed to cure Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)—a hereditary disorder deeply prevalent among India’s tribal communities.

Dedicated to the legendary tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary, BIRSA 101 represents a breakthrough in India’s pursuit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in advanced healthcare and frontier biotechnology. It signifies the nation’s transition from being a technology adopter to an emerging global creator of gene-editing therapeutics.

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A Turning Point for India’s Healthcare and Tribal Welfare

Launching the therapy, Dr. Jitendra Singh declared that India has officially begun its decisive march toward a Sickle Cell–Free India by 2047, fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s long-standing national mission.

Sickle Cell Disease disproportionately affects tribal populations in India’s central and eastern belt, including:

• Madhya Pradesh

• Chhattisgarh

• Jharkhand

• Odisha

• Maharashtra

• Gujarat

For decades, families in these regions have faced severe health challenges due to the absence of affordable, curative treatments. BIRSA 101 aims to fill this gap with an Indian-made, scalable solution.

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A Scientific Breakthrough Developed at CSIR–IGIB

The therapy was developed at the CSIR–Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB), a premier national genomics institution. Using an engineered enFnCas9 CRISPR platform, BIRSA 101 provides a precise gene-editing solution capable of correcting the mutation responsible for Sickle Cell Disease.

Dr. Jitendra Singh explained the treatment in simple terms:

“This technology works like a precise genetic surgery that can cure Sickle Cell Disease and potentially other hereditary disorders.”

The innovation positions India among the global leaders in gene-editing therapies, with the added advantage of dramatically lower costs. While global CRISPR treatments cost ₹20–25 crore (USD 3 million), India’s indigenous platform aims to reduce costs to a fraction—making it accessible for the poorest and most vulnerable populations.

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Presence of India’s Scientific and Industrial Leadership

The launch event witnessed the participation of leading figures from the country’s scientific and biotechnology ecosystem, including:

• Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR

• Dr. Souvik Maiti, Director, CSIR-IGIB

• Dr. Umesh Shaligram, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India (SIIPL)

• Scientists, researchers, and faculty from IGIB

• Members of the media and invited guests

The presence of the Serum Institute of India, one of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturers, highlighted the strengthening of India’s public–private partnership model.

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Technology Transfer to Ensure Affordability and Scale

A formal technology transfer agreement was signed between IGIB and the Serum Institute of India, enabling the large-scale production and deployment of BIRSA 101.

This partnership mirrors India’s successful model used for:

• COVID-19 vaccines

• HPV vaccines

• Life-saving immunisation programmes

By leveraging Serum Institute’s massive manufacturing capabilities, India can ensure:

• Affordability

• Scalability

• Global-standard production quality

• Rapid rollout to high-burden tribal regions

Dr. Singh noted that this approach ensures scientific achievements do not remain confined to laboratories but reach those who need them most.

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Industry Applauds India’s New Era of Gene Therapy

Speaking at the event, Dr. Umesh Shaligram from Serum Institute said:

“Globally, gene therapies cost over three million dollars. Our mission is to take Indian innovation and make it accessible to the poorest of the poor.”

He reaffirmed Serum Institute’s commitment to supporting the Government’s goal of eliminating Sickle Cell Disease by 2047—adding that the company has already saved over 30 million lives through affordable vaccines.

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Government Calls for Greater Science Communication and Collaboration

Dr. Jitendra Singh urged India’s scientific institutions to simplify communication around breakthroughs using:

• infographics

• social media

• regional languages

• public outreach campaigns

He emphasised that citizens must understand the significance of scientific progress in order to build a national culture of innovation.

He also reiterated the need for nationwide collaboration through models such as:

• One Week—One Theme, bringing together CSIR, DBT, DST, and industry to accelerate outcomes and maximise visibility.

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A Testament to India’s Scientific Rise

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Singh said the launch of BIRSA 101 reaffirms India’s transformation into a global science and innovation leader, as seen in breakthroughs across:

• vaccines

• antibiotics

• diagnostics

• biotechnology

• DeepTech

• space and quantum missions

“We are no longer just adopting global technologies; we are creating them,” he declared. “The world will now look to India for affordable, cutting-edge healthcare.”

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A Hopeful Future for Millions

With BIRSA 101, India has taken a major step toward delivering equitable, world-class healthcare to tribal communities and underserved populations. The therapy embodies the principles of innovation, inclusivity, and Atmanirbhar Bharat—ensuring that the nation's scientific achievements translate into real-world impact for generations to come.