President Droupadi Murmu introduces India’s first affordable gene therapy for cancer

In a breakthrough development, President Droupadi Murmu unveiled India’s first indigenous and affordable gene therapy for cancer, known as the “CAR-T cell therapy” at IIT Bombay on Thursday. The treatment aims to provide new hope to cancer patients, especially in India where such therapies have been out of reach due to high costs.

President Murmu highlighted the significance of this achievement as an example of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, showcasing India’s potential for technological innovation and self-reliance. The collaboration between IIT Bombay, Tata Memorial Hospital, and industry partner ImmunoACT has been praised as a successful academia-industry partnership.

CAR-T cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy and gene therapy, involves modifying the patient’s immune cells to combat cancer effectively. President Murmu commended Indian scientists and physicians for developing this therapy within the country and obtaining approval in October 2023.

With cancer claiming a significant number of lives globally, the new therapy is a remarkable step towards healthcare innovation in India. President Murmu emphasized the importance of this milestone in positioning India on the global stage of advanced medical care and access to cutting-edge technology.