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BIRSA 101: India’s First CRISPR Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell

20 November 20251 min read
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYBIRSA 101: India’sFirst CRISPR GeneTherapy for SickleCell20 November 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

India introduced a home-grown gene-editing treatment for sickle cell disease, which mainly affects tribal communities.

Key facts

  • Developer: CSIR-IGIB; partner: Serum Institute of India.
  • Named after Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary.
  • Vision: Sickle Cell-Free India by 2047; global therapies cost ₹20-25 crore.

How it works

  • CRISPR corrects the faulty gene behind sickle-shaped red cells.
  • Edited stem cells are infused back, restoring normal haemoglobin: a possible one-time cure.

Features

  • Fully indigenous enFnCas9 platform; public-private partnership.
  • Backed by a translational research facility at CSIR-IGIB; supports Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Exam angle

  • Disease: sickle cell; platform: enFnCas9.

Test yourself

1. BIRSA 101 gene therapy is meant to treat which disease?

It is India's first indigenous CRISPR therapy for sickle cell disease.

2. Which institute developed BIRSA 101?

CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology developed it.

3. Which industry partner supports BIRSA 101's scale-up and affordable deployment?

Serum Institute of India handles technology transfer and scale-up.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 20 November 2025 (16 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizNovember 2025

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