The Centre-backed BIRSA 101 initiative aims to develop India’s first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease, a condition that disproportionately affects tribal communities across several states.
India has taken a significant step in its genomic medicine ambitions with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), organising a workshop on BIRSA 101, the country’s first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy initiative for sickle cell disease.
The workshop, held at CSIR-IGIB in New Delhi, highlighted the government’s effort to combine biotechnology research with tribal healthcare priorities, particularly as sickle cell disease continues to affect large populations in central and western India. The initiative has received financial support of around ₹3.75 crore from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda, BIRSA 101 is positioned as part of India’s broader push towards affordable and locally developed genomic therapies. The programme also aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate sickle cell disease, which has a disproportionately high burden among Scheduled Tribe populations.
National screening data from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Indian Council of Medical Research between 2016 and 2018 showed that more than 1.13 crore people, largely from tribal communities, were screened for sickle cell disease. Of these, 8.75% tested positive; around 8.3% were identified as carriers while 0.42% had the disease.
The burden remains particularly high in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In some tribal groups, including Bhil and Garasiya communities, sickle cell trait prevalence exceeds 20% to 30%. Among Scheduled Tribes, approximately one in 86 births is affected by sickle cell disease.
Addressing the workshop, Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, stressed the importance of using indigenous scientific innovation to improve healthcare access for tribal populations. She emphasised the need for collaboration between scientific institutions and government agencies to ensure affordable healthcare delivery reaches underserved communities.
The scientific dimension of the programme was outlined by Souvik Maiti, Director, CSIR-IGIB, who presented the institute’s work in genomics, sequencing and translational biomedical research. His presentation covered initiatives including Ayurgenomics, the GUaRDIAN programme for rare genetic disorders, the Indian Breast Cancer Genome Atlas, PHENOME India and Indian gut microbiome studies.
The workshop also reflected the government’s attempt to integrate modern biotechnology with traditional knowledge systems. Viswajanani Sattigeri, Director, CSIR-Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, presented ongoing efforts to preserve India’s traditional medicinal knowledge, including tribal healthcare traditions.
A technical presentation by Debojyoti Chakraborty traced the development of the BIRSA 101 initiative since 2017 and detailed efforts to build an indigenous and affordable CRISPR-based therapeutic pathway for sickle cell disease.
The discussion extended beyond laboratory research to the realities faced by patients. Sickle cell patient advocates Gautam Dongre and Farhat Naz shared their experiences and highlighted the need for early diagnosis, wider awareness and improved access to medicines such as Hydroxyurea in underserved regions.
Officials also briefed participants on the phased development of clinical trial infrastructure, regulatory processes and collaborations with leading medical and research institutions. The workshop highlighted the transfer of the technology framework to Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. for collaborative clinical and manufacturing development.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs later visited the GMP manufacturing facility linked to the programme to review the manufacturing ecosystem and technological infrastructure being developed under the initiative.
The BIRSA 101 programme reflects India’s growing ambition to build domestic capabilities in precision medicine while addressing diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Its progress through clinical development and regulatory pathways is likely to be closely watched as the country attempts to translate advanced gene-editing research into affordable public health solutions.
