India Conducts Groundbreaking Gene Therapy Trial for Haemophilia

One of the biggest landmarks in the scientific advancement of India has been achieved through an innovative partnership between Bengaluru's Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (BRIC-inStem) of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council's and CMC Vellore. Through this collaboration, the nation's first-ever trial of human gene therapy for haemophilia, a hereditary blood disorder which makes the blood incapable of clotting, and leads to improper bleeding, has been conducted.

Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh called upon BRIC-inStem to evaluate the success of the initiative. He highlighted the importance of this success, calling it a landmark moment in India's scientific history. He also appreciated the role played by BRIC-inStem in the field of preventive and regenerative healthcare, and he highlighted the institute's pivotal role in taking medical research ahead.

The minister visited the institute's Biosafety Level III laboratory, which is a strategic national facility specializing in the research of high-risk pathogens. The lab is a part of India's One Health Mission, projected to improve India's awareness against potential health threats. Minister Singh also appreciated the new Centre for Research Application and Training in Embryology (CReATE), which has recently opened, for its research into developmental biology and addressing major issues like birth defects and infertility.