India Showcases BIRSA 101 Gene Therapy For Sickle Cell Disease
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), organised a workshop on “BIRSA 101”, India’s first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), in New Delhi on 14 May 2026.
The workshop formed part of the ongoing Janjatiya Garima Utsav 2026 celebrations, a month-long programme highlighting the journey towards Viksit Bharat inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.
The first week of the festival focuses on “Technology as a Development Driver”, showcasing innovation-led transformation and scientific achievements aimed at improving tribal welfare and development.
BIRSA 101 Targets Sickle Cell Disease
Named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the BIRSA 101 initiative represents a major step in India’s biotechnology and genomic research efforts.
The project aims to support the elimination of Sickle Cell Disease, which disproportionately affects tribal populations across several Indian states.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided financial assistance of nearly Rs. 3.75 crore to support the initiative as part of its broader efforts to strengthen affordable healthcare, research, and innovation for tribal communities.
Officials said the programme reflects India’s growing commitment to indigenous healthcare technologies and precision medicine.
Officials Highlight Indigenous Innovation
Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, stressed the importance of combining scientific innovation with public policy to improve healthcare access in underserved tribal regions.
She also underlined the need for close cooperation between research institutions and government agencies to ensure affordable healthcare reaches communities at the grassroots level.
Meanwhile, Dr. Souvik Maiti, Director of CSIR-IGIB, presented the institute’s major scientific programmes in genomics, sequencing, and biomedical research.
The presentation highlighted India’s expanding capabilities in precision medicine, national genome sequencing, and disease genomics.
Key initiatives discussed included Ayurgenomics research, the GUaRDIAN programme for rare genetic disorders, the Indian Breast Cancer Genome Atlas, PHENOME India, Indian gut microbiome studies, and India’s genomic response during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Traditional Knowledge And Gene Editing Discussed
Smt. Viswajanani Sattigeri, Director of CSIR-TKDL, outlined efforts under the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) to preserve India’s traditional medicinal systems and tribal knowledge heritage.
A detailed technical session on BIRSA 101 and CRISPR-based gene-editing technologies was delivered by Dr. Debojyoti Chakraborty.
He traced the development of the Indian programme since 2017 and explained efforts to create an indigenous and affordable gene-editing therapy pathway for Sickle Cell Disease.
The workshop also included interactions with Sickle Cell patient advocates Shri Gautam Dongre and Ms. Farhat Naz, who shared their personal experiences and highlighted the importance of early diagnosis, awareness campaigns, and improved access to medicines such as Hydroxyurea.
Clinical Development And Manufacturing Progress Reviewed
Participants received updates on the development of clinical trial infrastructure, regulatory processes, and partnerships with leading medical and research institutions.
Officials also highlighted the transfer of the technology framework to Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. for collaborative clinical and manufacturing development.
Later, senior Ministry officials visited the GMP manufacturing facility linked to the programme to review the evolving research and manufacturing ecosystem supporting the initiative.
The workshop concluded by emphasising the importance of indigenous scientific innovation, institutional collaboration, and technology-driven healthcare solutions in addressing major healthcare challenges affecting tribal communities while advancing the vision of an inclusive and technologically empowered Viksit Bharat.
With inputs from PIB