Maharashtra – First Gene Therapy: In a historic moment, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated India’s maiden home-grown gene therapy for cancer, known as CAR-T cell therapy, at the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on April 4, 2024.
During her address at the launch event, President Murmu hailed the development as a significant breakthrough in the global fight against cancer. She emphasized that the accessibility and affordability of CAR-T cell therapy offer renewed hope for humanity, underscoring its potential to transform countless lives.
CAR-T cell therapy, acknowledged as a remarkable advancement in medical science, has been predominantly available in developed nations, albeit at exorbitant costs. President Murmu expressed pride in India’s achievement of unveiling the world’s most affordable CAR-T cell therapy, which epitomizes the principles of the ‘Make in India’ initiative and contributes to an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
The President commended the collaborative efforts between the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Tata Memorial Hospital, and industry partner ImmunoACT in developing India’s inaugural CAR-T cell therapy. She lauded this synergy as a commendable example of academia-industry partnership, inspiring similar endeavors in the future.
Highlighting the esteemed stature of IIT Bombay as a global leader in technology education, President Murmu underscored the institution’s pivotal role in driving technological innovation for societal welfare. The development of CAR-T cell therapy exemplifies the convergence of technology, healthcare, and industry, facilitated by IIT Bombay’s robust focus on research and development over the past three decades.
President Murmu expressed optimism about the transformative impact of India’s burgeoning technological prowess, driven by the collective knowledge and skills of institutions like IIT Bombay. She affirmed that the nation stands to reap substantial benefits from the ongoing technological revolution, positioning India as a frontrunner in global innovation and healthcare advancement.
