'BIRSA 101': India's first indigenous CRISPR gene therapy for sickle cell disease launched
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched 'BIRSA 101', India's first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease, developed by CSIR–Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), on 19 November 2025.
Summary
BIRSA 101, India's first indigenous CRISPR gene therapy for sickle cell disease, is named after tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, as the disease particularly affects tribal communities in central and eastern India. Dr Jitendra Singh said it could replace treatments that cost ₹20–25 crore abroad and supports the goal of a Sickle Cell–free India by 2047. CSIR-IGIB and the Serum Institute of India exchanged a technology transfer agreement to turn IGIB's engineered enFnCas9 CRISPR platform into scalable, affordable therapies for sickle cell disease and other genetic disorders.
Key facts
- Therapy
- BIRSA 101 — CRISPR-based gene therapy
- Disease
- Sickle cell disease
- Developer
- CSIR-IGIB
- Industry partner
- Serum Institute of India (technology transfer)
- Platform
- enFnCas9 CRISPR
- Named after
- Bhagwan Birsa Munda
- Goal
- Sickle Cell–free India by 2047
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What is the name of India's first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease, launched in November 2025?
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Correct answer: A — BIRSA 101
The therapy is named 'BIRSA 101', after Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Which institution developed the BIRSA 101 gene therapy?
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Correct answer: B — CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology
BIRSA 101 was developed at CSIR–Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB).
Consider the following statements about the BIRSA 101 gene therapy: 1. CSIR-IGIB signed a technology transfer agreement with the Serum Institute of India for it. 2. It is based on IGIB's engineered enFnCas9 CRISPR platform. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: CSIR-IGIB and Serum Institute of India exchanged a technology transfer agreement to translate the enFnCas9 CRISPR platform into affordable therapies.