India's First Indigenous Cancer Gene Therapy Unveiled by President Murmu
India's President, Smt Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the nation's inaugural homegrown gene therapy for cancer at IIT Bombay. Addressing the event, the President hailed the milestone as a significant advancement in the fight against cancer, emphasizing that the accessibility and affordability of the 'CAR-T cell therapy' offer renewed optimism for all humanity. She voiced assurance in its potential to effectively rejuvenate numerous patients' lives.
The President said that CAR-T cell therapy is considered to be one of the most phenomenal advances in medical science. It has been available in the developed nations for some time, but it is extremely costly and beyond the reach of most patients around the world. She was happy to note that the therapy being launched today is the world’s most affordable CAR-T cell therapy. She said that it is also an example of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, a shining example of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
The President expressed satisfaction at the collaboration between the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Tata Memorial Hospital, and industry partner ImmunoACT, which led to the development of India's inaugural CAR-T cell therapy. She hailed this as a commendable instance of academia-industry partnership, highlighting its potential to inspire further similar initiatives.
The President emphasized IIT Bombay's global recognition as a beacon of technology education, stating that the development of CAR-T cell therapy showcases technology's alignment with humanitarian goals forged through partnerships with distinguished institutions from diverse fields and industry. She credited IIT Bombay's steadfast dedication to research and development over the past thirty years for enabling such collaborations. The President highlighted the potential for India's advancement in the ongoing technological revolution, leveraging the knowledge and expertise of IIT Bombay's faculty and students, along with similar institutions nationwide.