President Murmu hailed the launch as a pivotal breakthrough in India’s battle against cancer...
Digital Desk: In a historic moment for India’s medical landscape, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the nation’s maiden indigenous gene therapy for cancer at the esteemed India Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay on April 4, 2024. This groundbreaking therapy, known as CAR-T cell therapy, marks a significant stride in India’s fight against cancer.
Addressing the audience at the inauguration, President Murmu hailed the launch as a pivotal breakthrough in India’s battle against cancer. She emphasized the accessibility and affordability of CAR-T cell therapy, underscoring its potential to instill hope not only for Indians but for humanity at large.
The collaborative efforts of key figures including IIT Bombay Director Professor Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director of Tata Memorial Centre Professor Sudeep Gupta, and lead contributors such as Professor Rahul Purwar from the Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering at IIT Bombay, Dr. Hasmukh Jain, and Dr. (Surg Cdr) Gaurav Narula from Tata Memorial Centre, were instrumental in realizing this milestone.
During the launch event, several cancer survivors who had undergone successful treatment with CAR-T cell therapy were present, serving as living testaments to its efficacy and potential.
President Murmu underscored the significance of this therapy’s affordability, highlighting that it costs 90 percent less than its counterparts available in developed nations. This achievement not only renders CAR-T cell therapy accessible to a broader population but also exemplifies India’s commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, epitomizing self-reliance.
Echoing the sentiments of collaboration and optimism, Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director of Tata Memorial Centre, expressed satisfaction with the fruitful partnership between IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Centre. He emphasized the potential of this indigenous therapy to save numerous lives at a fraction of the cost of similar treatments available abroad.
The launch of India’s first home-grown gene therapy for cancer marks a significant milestone in the nation’s healthcare landscape. With the promise of affordability, accessibility, and innovation, it heralds a new era of hope and progress in the fight against cancer.
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