TFP Bureau, New Delhi; April 4, 2024: Today, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, unveiled India’s pioneering gene therapy for cancer at IIT Bombay, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s fight against the disease.
In her address, the President hailed the launch of India’s first gene therapy as a monumental breakthrough in the battle against cancer. Named “CAR-T cell therapy,” this innovative treatment offers accessibility and affordability, instilling new hope for humanity. President Murmu expressed optimism that it would breathe new life into countless patients.
Acknowledging CAR-T cell therapy as a remarkable advancement in medical science, the President noted its prior availability in developed nations, albeit at exorbitant costs beyond the reach of many patients worldwide. She emphasized the significance of India’s achievement in launching the world’s most affordable CAR-T cell therapy, citing it as a testament to the ‘Make in India’ initiative and the spirit of self-reliant Bharat.
President Murmu commended the collaborative efforts between the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Tata Memorial Hospital, and industry partner ImmunoACT in developing India’s first CAR-T cell therapy. She lauded this academia-industry partnership as a model worthy of emulation, encouraging similar endeavors in the future.
Highlighting IIT Bombay’s global reputation as a bastion of technological education, the President underscored the pivotal role of technology in serving humanity. The successful development of CAR-T cell therapy, she emphasized, exemplifies the institution’s commitment to research and development over the past three decades. With the collective expertise of faculty and students from IIT Bombay and similar institutions, India stands to reap substantial benefits from the ongoing technological revolution.
The launch of India’s first home-grown cancer gene therapy marks a significant leap forward in the nation’s healthcare landscape, promising accessible and affordable treatment options while heralding a new era of hope in the fight against cancer.
