With a population of over 1.4 billion people, India stands at a pivotal point concerning its healthcare system, presenting a unique set of challenges and opportunities. On one hand, the country faces a growing demand for innovative medical treatments, while on the other, its youthful and dynamic population eagerly embraces technological advancements.
Advanced cell and gene therapy (C>), a field with the potential to revolutionize the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, rare genetic disorders, and infectious diseases, remains limited in India due to its high cost and the scarcity of infrastructure and expertise.
To address this issue, the Indian government must make C> a national priority by investing in research, development, and infrastructure. This effort will make advanced therapies more accessible and affordable for Indian patients, marking a significant step forward in the nation’s healthcare landscape.
Gene therapy, once considered the stuff of science fiction, is now a reality in multiple research centers in India. These therapies aim to modify cellular functioning by introducing gene fragments into the cell nucleus or incorporating messenger RNA into the cell to produce or alter protein synthesis, particularly in diseases caused by the absence or mutation of a gene.
A standout technology in this field is CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspersed Short Palindromic Repeats)/Cas, which allows for the editing of the human genome to correct genetic defects and prevent infectious diseases. It has demonstrated tremendous potential in accelerating the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, with the first gene therapy based on CRISPR/Cas recently approved for the treatment of sickle cell anemia.
The global CRISPR technology market size attained a value of USD 1.8 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow at a rate of 23.1% during the forecast period of 2023-2031 to attain a value of USD 11.9 billion by 2031.
These trends indicate a growing interest and investment in CRISPR technology across the globe. The increasing number of patents and the projected market growth underscore the potential of this technology in transforming various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and more.
Another advanced cell therapy that has revolutionized oncology is immunotherapy. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, known as “CAR-T,” uses genetic engineering to modify white blood cells so they can selectively identify, attack, and destroy cancer cells. Initially focused on treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common cancer in children, CAR-T therapy has since been demonstrated to be effective in treating lymphomas and multiple myeloma.
Despite these advancements, the implementation and availability of these therapies in India remain limited.
Given the potential of these therapies to transform healthcare and improve the quality of life for millions of individuals, prioritizing the development and implementation of advanced cell and gene therapies should be a national priority for India.
By investing in research and development, fostering collaborations between research institutions and healthcare providers, and implementing clear policies for cell therapy, India has the opportunity to become a global leader in this field.
India’s investment in gene therapy
India’s investment in gene therapy is growing, but it’s still in the nascent stages compared to other countries. For instance, the global gene therapy market was valued at USD 6.36 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 22.8% during the forecast period of 2023-2031 to achieve a value of USD 40.39 billion by 2031.
The global CRISPR patent landscape has been evolving rapidly. As of 2020, there were 12,000 CRISPR patent applications filed worldwide, falling into about 4,600 patent families. The patents were divided among different platforms, with 6563 patents for Cas9 and 1510 patents for Cas12a.
In terms of ownership, the CRISPR/Cas9 patents are jointly owned by the University of California, University of Vienna, and Emmanuelle Charpentier, commonly referred to as the CVC group. ERS Genomics, founded by Emmanuelle Charpentier, Rodger Novak & Shaun Foy, grants worldwide access to the essential CRISPR/Cas9 patent portfolio across life science sectors.
In contrast, specific figures for India’s investment in gene therapy are not readily available, but the country is known for its robust biotechnology sector. Companies like Immuneel Therapeutics are pioneering cell and gene therapies such as Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T cell therapy) in India.
However, when compared to the global scenario, there is a significant gap in the level of investment and progress seen in India. This is not to say that India is not making strides in this field. On the contrary, with continued investment and focus on this area, India has the potential to become a key player in the global gene therapy landscape.
