Jammu, Feb 2 (PTI) – India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is accelerating its efforts in technology-driven healthcare advancements, with a major focus on genomic medicine, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Sunday.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Centre for Advanced Genomics and Precision Medicine at AIIMS - Jammu, Singh highlighted the government's ambitious plan to complete 10 lakh genome sequencing in the coming years. This initiative aims to revolutionize disease prediction and enable personalized treatment strategies, ensuring healthcare solutions are tailored to individual genetic profiles.
"Under Modi's leadership, India has prioritised technology-driven progress in healthcare," Singh stated, citing the government's strong push for indigenous research and biotechnology. He emphasized the exponential growth of India's bio-economy, which has surged from $10 billion in 2014 to nearly $130 billion today, with a vision to reach $300 billion in the near future.
India’s Rising Global Standing in Biotechnology
India has witnessed a phenomenal rise in biotech startups, growing from just 50 in 2014 to over 9,000 today. Singh stressed that this rapid development is positioning India as a global leader in medical innovation.Discussing the game-changing potential of gene therapy, Singh explained that treatments will no longer follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, medical care will be tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup, making treatments for diseases like cancer, kidney ailments, and cardiovascular conditions more precise and effective.
AIIMS - Jammu’s Role in Cutting-Edge Medical Research
The newly inaugurated Centre for Advanced Genomics and Precision Medicine at AIIMS - Jammu is set to play a pivotal role in personalized medicine. Established in collaboration with 4-base Care, the center aims to integrate genomic research with AI-driven diagnostics, facilitating:
Early disease detection Optimized treatment strategies Reduced trial-and-error in prescriptionsExperts at the center highlighted its significance in precision oncology, cardiovascular genomics, and genetic screening for rare disorders.
India’s Unique Genomic Diversity & Indigenous Research
Singh underscored the need for an India-specific genomic database, given the country’s vast genetic diversity.He reiterated the government's commitment to sequencing 10 lakh genomes, which will bolster efforts in disease prediction and precision medicine.
Making Precision Medicine Affordable & Accessible
Addressing concerns over the cost of personalized treatments, Singh assured that AIIMS - Jammu, through indigenous research and government-backed biotech initiatives, will work towards making precision medicine affordable and accessible.Government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the newly launched Bio-E3 policy—focused on biotechnology-driven economic growth, environmental sustainability, and employment—will play a key role in this endeavor.
India's Breakthroughs in Genetic Research
Highlighting India’s achievements in genetic therapy, Singh pointed to the recent haemophilia gene therapy trial at CMC Vellore, where patients demonstrated a 60% improvement in clotting factor production with zero bleeding episodes. This milestone, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, has been globally recognized.He also noted the rising prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in India, particularly in Jammu, and emphasized the crucial role of AIIMS - Jammu in developing effective genomic-based intervention strategies.