Archive · 21 Nov 2025
India Launches Affordable CRISPR Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease
India has created a cheaper way to treat sickle cell disease using a special tool called CRISPR.
This tool fixes the broken part of a person's DNA that causes the disease.
The treatment is expected to cost much less than current options, making it more affordable for people in India.
Clinical trials will start next year to see if it works, and if it does, it could help many people with this disease.
India launches first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD)
Birsa-101, developed by CSIR-IGIB and Serum Institute of India, uses enFnCas9 enzyme to fix SCD-causing mutation
Treatment aims to reduce cost from tens of millions of dollars to about ₹50 lakh
Clinical trials to commence in 2023 with 150 potential participants from central and eastern India
If successful, Birsa-101 will initially treat severe SCD cases and may eventually be extended to children
- Who
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) and Serum Institute of India (SII)
- What
- Launched an affordable CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease
- When
- November 19, 2022
- Where
- India
- Why
- To make gene therapy more affordable and accessible to the Indian population, particularly in tribal areas with high SCD prevalence
- Disease
- Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
- Treatment Name
- Birsa-101
- Developer
- CSIR-IGIB and SII
- Estimated Cost Reduction
- From ₹20-25 crore to ₹50 lakh
- Clinical Trials Start
- 2023
- Initial Target
- Severe SCD cases with organ damage