BIRSA 101 Gene Therapy

Context: India has launched its first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, named BIRSA 101, marking a major milestone in affordable genomic medicine.

About BIRSA 101 Gene Therapy:

What it is?

• BIRSA 101 is India’s first indigenously developed CRISPR gene-editing therapy designed to cure Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)—a severe hereditary blood disorder disproportionately affecting India’s tribal communities.

Developed by: CSIR–Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB)

• In partnership with the Serum Institute of India (SIIPL) for technology transfer, scale-up, and affordable national deployment.
• Named in honour of Birsa Munda, whose 150th birth anniversary was recently observed.

Objective:

• To support India’s mission of becoming Sickle Cell–Free by 2047, as envisioned by the Prime Minister.
• To make cutting-edge gene therapy affordable, replacing global treatments costing ₹20–25 crore with indigenous, low-cost solutions.

How It Works?

• BIRSA 101 uses CRISPR technology like “precise genetic surgery” to edit defective genes inside the patient’s cells.
• It corrects the mutation responsible for producing sickle-shaped red blood cells, thereby enabling normal haemoglobin production.
• Once edited, the corrected stem cells are infused back into the patient, offering a potential one-time, lifelong cure.

Key Features:

• Fully indigenous CRISPR platform (enFnCas9) engineered by IGIB.
• Low-cost alternative to global therapies costing crores.
• Developed under India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat push for medical self-reliance.
• Backed by a public–private partnership ensuring scalability, safety, and regulatory readiness.
• Supported by a new advanced translational research facility at CSIR-IGIB.

Significance:

• Positions India among the global leaders in advanced gene-editing therapies.
• Major step toward eliminating a debilitating disease common in Gond, Munda, Bhil, Santal, and other tribal groups.