GG News Bureau
Jammu, 3rd Feb. In a landmark event at AIIMS Jammu, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Centre for Advanced Genomics & Precision Medicine, underscoring the transformative potential of gene therapy in offering individualized disease management. Speaking at the event, Dr. Singh stated, “Gene therapy promises individualised management of disease for each patient. Even if two individuals suffer from the same condition—be it cancer, kidney disease, or any other ailment—the treatment could be different in each case, guided by the individual’s unique genetic makeup, pre-existing susceptibilities and inherited vulnerabilities.”
Set up in collaboration with 4 Base Care, the Centre aims to usher in a new era of personalised medicine by leveraging cutting-edge genomic research and AI-driven diagnostics. The facility will integrate genomic data to enhance early disease detection, optimise treatment strategies, and minimise the trial-and-error approach often associated with conventional treatments. Experts at the inauguration highlighted its pivotal role in advancing precision oncology, cardiovascular genomics, and genetic screening for rare disorders.
Dr. Singh lauded the Government’s emphasis on technology-driven progress in healthcare under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He noted that India’s bio-economy has soared from a modest $10 billion in 2014 to nearly $130 billion today, with ambitions to reach $300 billion soon. “With over 9,000 biotech startups now in India compared to just 50 in 2014, our nation is rapidly emerging as a global leader in medical innovation,” he remarked.
A key focus of the Centre will be the development of an India-specific genomic database, essential for addressing the country’s unique genetic diversity. “India is a subcontinent in itself, with over 4,600 distinct demographic groups. Our gene sequencing efforts, which have already mapped 10,000 healthy individuals across 99 communities, will help create a robust dataset tailored to Indian-specific health challenges,” Dr. Singh added. The Government is also committed to completing one million genome sequences in the coming years to facilitate more accurate disease prediction and personalised interventions.
The Minister also highlighted the resurgence of infectious diseases alongside the rise in non-communicable ailments, urging a hybrid approach that combines traditional diagnostics with genetic insights. He cited the success of India’s first-ever genetic therapy trial for haemophilia at CMC Vellore—where patients experienced a 60% improvement in clotting factor production with zero bleeding episodes—as a testament to the country’s rising stature in genetic research. Moreover, with Type 2 diabetes increasingly affecting younger populations, especially in regions like Jammu, the Centre’s research is set to become even more critical.
Affordability and accessibility of precision medicine are among the Centre’s key objectives. By leveraging indigenous research and government-backed biotech initiatives, AIIMS Jammu aims to bring down the costs traditionally associated with personalised treatments, integrating them into public healthcare programs such as Ayushman Bharat. Complementary initiatives like the recently launched Bio-E3 policy and the National Research Foundation (Anusandhan) will further fuel next-generation research in genomics.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Singh reaffirmed the Government’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047—a nation where healthcare is not only curative but also predictive and preventive. “This is just the beginning. The future of medicine is personalised, and India is well on its way to leading the world in genomic healthcare,” he declared.
Director AIIMS Jammu, Dr. Shakti Gupta, along with Dr. YK Gupta, President of AIIMS, and Dr. V Srinivas, Director of AIIMS New Delhi, also lauded the initiative, underscoring the continuous upgradation of AIIMS Jammu and its critical role in advancing India’s medical research landscape.
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