The 27th meeting of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) concluded at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Chief Scientific Advisor Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood. The key focus was to promote Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) in India, aiming to make treatments for rare diseases more affordable and accessible.
Addressing Rare Diseases in India
Prof. Sood highlighted that 70 million Indians suffer from rare diseases, 80% of which are genetic. Cell and Gene Therapy holds significant potential for treating cancer, genetic disorders, and other rare conditions. NITI Aayog member Dr. V.K. Paul emphasized the need for rapid advancements and broader collaboration to make these therapies cost-effective and widely available.
Progress in CGT Projects
Dr. Rahul Purwar from IIT Bombay and Dr. Alok Srivastava from St. John’s Hospital, Bengaluru, discussed India’s first CAR-T cell therapy and gene therapy projects. Industry leaders like Immuneel Therapeutics and Laurus Labs shared their achievements. Experts proposed setting up specialized clinics in government hospitals and launching a national mission for CGT.
Regulatory Simplification and Roadmap
Drug Controller Dr. Rajeev Raghuvanshi advocated for simplifying existing regulations and creating a centralized system to streamline CGT approvals. The meeting concluded with a plan to develop new technologies, reduce treatment costs, and create a roadmap for widespread adoption of these cutting-edge therapies in India.
