India’s first indigenous CAR-T therapy and gene therapy for Hemophilia, discussed during the 7th PM-STIAC meeting in January 2025, were presented by experts from which institutions?​

Correct option is C

Correct Answer: (C) IIT Bombay and St. John’s Hospital, Bengaluru

Explanation:

• During the 7th PM-STIAC meeting held in January 2025, India’s first indigenous CAR-T therapy and gene therapy for Hemophilia were presented by experts from IIT Bombay and St. John’s Hospital, Bengaluru.
• These therapies represent significant advancements in cell and gene therapy, with a focus on making treatments for blood cancers and genetic disorders more affordable and accessible in India.

Information Booster:

• CAR-T Therapy:
• Developed by IIT Bombay and St. John’s Hospital, this therapy involves modifying a patient’s T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells, particularly useful for blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
• It aims to make cutting-edge cancer treatments more accessible and affordable in India.
• Gene Therapy for Hemophilia:
• The gene therapy for Hemophilia discussed during the meeting offers long-term solutions for individuals with this genetic bleeding disorder by delivering functional copies of the clotting factor gene.
• This innovative therapy can potentially eliminate the need for frequent infusions of clotting factors, offering a better quality of life for patients.
• Significance:
• These therapies reflect India’s growing capacity to develop indigenous treatments for complex diseases, contributing to the country's scientific and healthcare advancements.

Additional Information:

• Option A (NIPER and PGIMER, Chandigarh):
• While these institutions are well-known in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, they were not involved in presenting the therapies at the PM-STIAC meeting.
• Option B (CSIR and JIPMER, Puducherry):
• These institutions are leaders in scientific research and healthcare, but they did not present the discussed therapies at the meeting.
• Option D (IISc, Bengaluru, and AIIMS, Delhi):
• Both IISc and AIIMS are prominent research and medical institutions, but IIT Bombay and St. John’s Hospital were responsible for the presentations regarding CAR-T and gene therapy.