STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: India has conducted the first human clinical trial of gene therapy in Haemophilia A (FVIII deficiency) at Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore.
This was disclosed here on Wednesday by Union Science & Technology Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh while addressing the “National Science Day 2024” programme in Vigyan Bhavan.
Dr Jitendra further informed that the programme is supported by the Department of Biotechnology, the Centre for Stem Cell Research – a unit of InStem Bengaluru, in collaboration with Emory University, USA at Christian Medical College, Vellore.
The trials involved deploying a novel technology of using a lentiviral vector to express a FVIII transgene in the patient’s own haematopoietic stem cell which will then express FVIII from specific differentiated blood cells.
The Minister expressed the hope that manufacturing of this vector will commence soon in India and proceed with further clinical trials. Stating that the National Science Day commemorates the discovery of “Raman Effect” by Nobel Laureate Sir CV Raman, Dr Jitendra Singh recalled C.V. Raman’s words that India could progress only through science, more science and still more science, and said that after Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi took over, India is truly under the “Raman Effect” as PM Modi accords very high priority to science and keeps reiterating that science and technology are imperative to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat. On the increasing role of women scientists due to equal opportunity in S&T, Dr Jitendra categorically mentioned that the women scientific community has been empowered under PM Modi as many of the Scientific Institutions and programmes, including Space Missions, are women-led. Dr. Jitendra said that in the wake of recent scientific achievements, it may be underscored that the rising trajectory of India over the past 10 years is being witnessed globally.
“We are globally among the top five countries in scientific research publications, 40th in Global Innovation Index (GII) showcasing remarkable climb from 81st rank in 2015 and our patent filing has crossed 90,000 which is highest in two decades,” he said.
On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh unveiled a compendium of SATHI Clusters by felicitating heads of IIT Hyderabad, BITS Pilani, ICT Mumbai etc. He also released a White paper on ‘Evolution: Catalysing technology led ecosystem for Bharat e-Mobility.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. V.K Saraswat, Member Niti Aayog shared that currently 15 companies are producing Bullet proof vests for our soldiers using indigenous technology as PM Modi has said no soldier should martyr due to lack of Bullet proof vest. In his address, Prof. A.K. Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India shared that RUTA i.e. Rural Technology Action Group – recognises potential in rural India to foster innovation at ground level in rural areas.