Gene Therapy Transferred From IIT Kanpur To Reliance Life Sciences.

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur said it has licensed Reliance Life Sciences Private Limited, a gene therapy technique with the potency to treat several inherited eye ailments. To cure these illnesses, gene therapy involves replacing the defective gene with a functioning form of the gene. Reliance Life Sciences will develop IIT Kanpur’s gene therapy technology into an indigenous product.

What is a faulty gene?

A change in a gene is referred to as a “fault” or mutation. These imperfections can lead to a cell’s dysfunction. It might then develop cancer and divide and expand uncontrolled. Several gene changes occur throughout our lifetime, although some might be inherited from our parents.

What is gene therapy?

The patented method, developed by Jayandharan Giridhara Rao and Shubham Maurya from IIT Kanpur’s Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering (BSBE), modifies an organism’s gene to treat a genetic disorder, according to the institute. They feel that this technique has significant potential for treating a wide range of genetic eye illnesses, such as Leber congenital amaurosis, a birth defect, and Retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that causes gradual persistent vision loss, said IIT Kanpur Director Abhay Karandikar. 

According to IIT Kanpur, this is the first time a gene therapy-related technology has been produced and transferred from an academic institution to an Indian enterprise. Gene therapy employing viral vectors has lately emerged as a formidable technique in the field of molecular medicine. Gene therapy is one of the most powerful uses of recombinant DNA technology, in which bits of DNA from different sources are joined to successfully deliver the healthy copy of the broken gene in such a way that protein synthesis from the inserted gene is sustained for life.

The patented method is developed by pair of brilliant minds from the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering (BSBE), IIT Kanpur.

1. Prof. Jayandharan Giridhara Rao.
2. Mr. Shubham Maurya.

The method alters an organism’s gene to treat a genetic illness. The term “site” refers to a specific spot on an Adeno-associated virus (AAV) (viral vector) utilized in gene therapy. This region is modified by the technology to maximize its capacity to transport genes to impacted cells and boost its efficiency. The method offers the potential to enhance gene therapy for a wide range of genetic disorders, including inherited eye problems. It has shown tremendous promise in repairing visual impairment in blind animal models.

Gene therapies can work in a variety of ways:

1. A disease-causing gene is replaced with a healthy version of the gene.
2. Inactivating a disease-causing gene that is no longer functional.
3. Introducing a new or modified gene into the body to aid in illness treatment.

Gene therapy products are being researched for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, genetic problems, and infectious diseases.

How Reliance life sciences would work on this new agreement?

Reliance Life Sciences President K V Subramaniam said the business would carry further this unique technology to commercialization. To address unmet therapeutic needs, Reliance Life Sciences is developing several gene treatments. In addition, the business is working on a variety of human and animal health vaccinations as well as mRNA products, according to the release. Defective genes trigger many genetic diseases. Gene and cell therapies are a new and creative product line that aims to complement Reliance Life Sciences’ strong position in biosimilars and pharmaceutical goods.

They are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with IIT Kanpur to advance this critical technology. Reliance Life Sciences is a research-driven medical biotechnology firm that is excited to cooperate and commercialize this new technology, as said by Mr. K. V. Subramaniam, President of Reliance Life Sciences.

Some dignitaries were present at the event of gene therapy.

1. Professor Abhay Karandikar – Director, IIT Kanpur.
2. Mr. K. V. Subramaniam – President of Reliance Life Sciences and Licensee of this agreement.
3. Professor Ankush Sharma – PIC, Innovation & Incubation
4. Professor Amitabha Bandyopadhyay – Head, BSBE Department.
5. Professor Jayandharan Giridhara Rao – Dept. of BSBE.
6. Dr. Venkata Ramana – CSO.
7. Mr. Praveen Sharma – The General Manager of Reliance Life Sciences.

The last line.

The future of gene therapy is bright, and it promises to improve people’s lives. IIT Kanpur’s license of a gene therapy technology to Reliance Life Sciences is a significant step forward in the field of gene therapy and highlights IIT Kanpur’s dedication to creating creative solutions to unmet medical needs.

edited and proofread by nikita sharma