India is making big strides in gene therapy and precision medicine. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Centre for Advanced Genomics & Precision Medicine at AIIMS Jammu on February 2, 2025. The center will use genetic research to provide personalized treatments, supporting India’s growing bio-economy, which has surged from $10B to $130B.
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India’s Gene Therapy Revolution: A New Era in Medicine
Jammu, February 2, 2025: In a major step toward personalized healthcare, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Centre for Advanced Genomics & Precision Medicine at AIIMS Jammu. The center aims to use gene therapy and genetic research to provide customized treatments for diseases like cancer, kidney disease, and diabetes.
Dr. Singh emphasized that gene therapy will allow doctors to tailor treatments based on a patient’s unique genetic makeup, moving away from the traditional one-size-fits-all approach. This means that even if two people have the same disease, their treatment plans could be completely different.
India’s Bio-Economy on the Rise
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s bio-economy has grown dramatically:
- 2014: $10 billion
- 2025: $130 billion
- Future Goal: $300 billion
India now has over 9,000 biotech startups, compared to just 50 in 2014, positioning itself as a global leader in medical research and biotechnology.
Why Personalized Medicine Matters
Traditionally, medical treatments are designed for the average patient, but they don’t always work the same way for everyone. Precision medicine focuses on tailoring treatments based on genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
At AIIMS Jammu, researchers will use AI-powered diagnostics and genetic testing to:
- Detect diseases early
- Improve treatment accuracy
- Reduce the trial-and-error approach in prescribing medicines
This is especially important for cancer treatment, where targeted gene-based therapies can replace conventional chemotherapy with fewer side effects and better results.
The Need for an India-Specific Genomic Database
Dr. Singh stressed the importance of creating a genetic database specific to India’s diverse population.
- India has over 4,600 demographic groups.
- Scientists have already mapped 10,000 healthy individuals across 99 communities.
- The goal is to sequence one million genomes to improve disease prediction and treatment.
Fighting Diabetes and Other Lifestyle Diseases
Diseases like diabetes are rising rapidly in India. Studies show that Jammu has a higher-than-average diabetes rate. Precision medicine can help develop customized treatments to manage the disease effectively.
Affordable Healthcare for All
One of the main challenges of gene therapy is its high cost. AIIMS Jammu is working to make personalized medicine affordable, integrating it into public healthcare programs like Ayushman Bharat, which provides health coverage to millions.
India’s Breakthroughs in Genetic Research
- First-ever genetic therapy trial for hemophilia at CMC Vellore showed a 60% improvement in clotting factor production, with zero bleeding episodes.
- India pioneered the world’s first DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine.
- The HPV vaccine for cervical cancer was developed using indigenous research.
Looking Ahead: A Future of Predictive Medicine
Dr. Jitendra Singh envisions a future where medicine is not just curative but also predictive and preventive. By 2047, India aims to be a global leader in genomic healthcare, ensuring better health outcomes for all.
“This is just the beginning. The future of medicine is personalized, and India is well on its way to leading the world in genomic healthcare,” he said.
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Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2098931
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