Bengaluru made history as the country hosted its first-ever human gene therapy trial for haemophilia, a genetic blood disorder, in collaboration with the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council’s Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (BRIC-inStem) and CMC Vellore. This groundbreaking trial was announced on Thursday.

Haemophilia prevents blood from clotting normally, leading to excessive bleeding. Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh inspected the facilities at BRIC-inStem and praised the achievement, calling it a “milestone in India’s scientific journey.” He emphasized that the work being done at the institute contributes not only to science but to nation-building. Singh noted that biotechnology is becoming an essential component of India’s public health and economic growth, with the sector expanding 16-fold in the past decade to reach $165.7 billion in 2024, with projections of $300 billion by 2030.

Singh also highlighted the importance of facilities like BRIC-inStem’s Biosafety Level III laboratory, essential for studying high-risk pathogens, especially in the wake of the pandemic. He lauded the newly established Centre for Research Application and Training in Embryology (CReATE), focusing on birth defects and infertility, which will help improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

The minister called for further collaboration between scientific and medical institutions and suggested that BRIC-inStem explore integrating MD-PhD programs to enhance clinical research.

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