On November 19–20, 2025, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched India's first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy named 'BIRSA 101', developed by CSIR–Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi. The therapy is named as a tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary. A technology transfer agreement was signed between CSIR-IGIB and the Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. (SIIPL), deploying the enFnCas9 CRISPR platform for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) treatment. BIRSA 101 uses precise CRISPR 'genetic surgery' to edit defective haemoglobin genes in a patient's stem cells — correcting the mutation causing sickle-shaped red blood cells — and infuses the corrected cells back for a potential one-time, lifelong cure. Similar therapies abroad cost ₹20–25 crore, whereas BIRSA 101 targets affordability for India's tribal populations (Scheduled Tribes in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra carry the highest SCD burden). The launch aligns with PM Modi's vision of a Sickle Cell Disease-free India by 2047, in line with the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. Rajasthan's tribal belt — particularly Bhil, Meena, and Garasia communities in Dungarpur, Banswara, and Pratapgarh — also has documented SCD prevalence, making this breakthrough directly relevant to the state.
BIRSA 101: India Launches First Indigenous CRISPR Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease by CSIR-IGIB
On November 19–20, 2025, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched India's first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy named 'BIRSA 101', developed by CSIR–Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi. The therapy is named as a tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary. A technology transfer agreement was signed between CSIR-IGIB and the Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. (SIIPL), deploying the enFnCas9 CRISPR platform for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) treatment. BIRSA 101 uses precise CRISPR 'genetic surgery' to edit defective haemoglobin genes in a patient's stem cells — correcting the mutation causing sickle-shaped red blood cells — and infuses the corrected cells back for a potential one-time, lifelong cure. Similar therapies abroad cost ₹20–25 crore, whereas BIRSA 101 targets affordability for India's tribal populations (Scheduled Tribes in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra carry the highest SCD burden). The launch aligns with PM Modi's vision of a Sickle Cell Disease-free India by 2047, in line with the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. Rajasthan's tribal belt — particularly Bhil, Meena, and Garasia communities in Dungarpur, Banswara, and Pratapgarh — also has documented SCD prevalence, making this breakthrough directly relevant to the state.
Key facts
- BIRSA 101 is India's first indigenous CRISPR gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease.
- Developed by CSIR-IGIB, it uses enFnCas9 CRISPR platform to edit defective haemoglobin genes.
- Technology transfer agreement was signed with Serum Institute of India for manufacturing.
- Therapies abroad cost ₹20–25 crore; BIRSA 101 targets affordability for tribal populations.
- Named after Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary to honour tribal heritage.
- Rajasthan's Bhil, Meena, and Garasia communities in Dungarpur-Banswara have documented SCD prevalence.
Mains angle
Q: Discuss BIRSA 101 as India's first indigenous CRISPR gene therapy for sickle cell disease and its relevance to tribal populations.
Answer (50 words):
Launched on 19-20 November 2025 by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, BIRSA 101 is CSIR-IGIB's indigenous enFnCas9 CRISPR therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, transferred to Serum Institute. Named for Bhagwan Birsa Munda's 150th birth anniversary, it targets affordability versus ₹20-25 crore therapies abroad, aligning with a 2047 SCD-free India vision.
Static prep for this topic
Read the permanent syllabus behind this story.
6-axis classification
Appears in these topics
Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
CRISPR gene editing technology was developed by which scientists who won the Nobel Prize?
Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology.
Source: PIB
Frequently asked questions
What is BIRSA 101 and who developed it?
BIRSA 101 is India's first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease. It was developed by CSIR–Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi, and uses the enFnCas9 CRISPR platform to edit defective haemoglobin genes.
Why is this therapy named 'BIRSA 101'?
The therapy is named as a tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the revered tribal leader and freedom fighter, on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary. The name honours tribal heritage, as Sickle Cell Disease disproportionately affects tribal communities.
Which company signed the technology transfer agreement for BIRSA 101, and why is this significant?
The Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. (SIIPL) signed the technology transfer agreement with CSIR-IGIB for manufacturing BIRSA 101. This is significant because similar therapies abroad cost ₹20–25 crore, and this collaboration aims to make the treatment affordable for India's tribal populations.
Which Rajasthan communities are particularly affected by Sickle Cell Disease?
The Bhil, Meena, and Garasia tribal communities in the Dungarpur-Banswara region of Rajasthan have documented prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease. This makes BIRSA 101 especially relevant for Rajasthan's tribal belt from an exam perspective.
Who launched BIRSA 101 and when?
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched BIRSA 101 on November 19–20, 2025. The launch coincided with the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and included the signing of the technology transfer agreement between CSIR-IGIB and Serum Institute of India.
Was this useful?
Share corrections or missing exam angles with the editorial team.
Send feedback