News: India’s Department of Biotechnology and BIRAC have identified Precision Biotherapeutics as a key focus area under the BioE³ Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment).
About Precision Biotherapeutics
- Precision biotherapeutics refers to medical interventions that are designed according to a patient’s genetic, molecular, or cellular profile.
- These therapies focus on correcting the root cause of illness instead of only managing symptoms in many complex diseases.
- The global precision medicine market is projected to exceed $22 billion by 2027.
- Technologies used
- Genomic and proteomic analysis decodes genetic and protein signatures to find mutations or dysfunctions that cause disease.
- Gene editing (CRISPR-Cas9) therapies directly modify genes to correct underlying problems.
- mRNA and nucleic acid therapeutics use RNA molecules to guide cells to produce or block specific proteins.
- Monoclonal antibodies and biologics are engineered molecules that bind to precise disease targets.
- AI-driven drug discovery uses big data and machine learning to predict how different molecules interact inside the body and to design better therapies.
- Applications
- Cancer: Identifying and targeting specific mutations that drive tumor growth with therapies like monoclonal antibodies or gene-modifying tools.
- Precision biotherapeutics are also being developed for genetic, metabolic, autoimmune, and infectious diseases, including HIV.
- Vaccine development: Creating vaccines or antiviral therapies that are more effective by considering the genetic makeup of an individual’s immune system.
- Cardiovascular disease: Tailoring medication dosages, like for warfarin, based on genetic variations that affect drug response.
- Post-transplant care: Using blood tests to predict organ rejection and tailor immunosuppressive drugs for transplant patients.
India and Precision Biotherapeutics
- India faces a heavy non-communicable disease burden (about 65%) and high genetic diversity, so one-size-fits-all medicines often do not work well.
- Capacity building : Institutions like Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), and the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), and several biopharma companies, are building capacity in precision therapies and diagnostics.
- India still lacks clear regulations, affordable precision drugs, and enough local manufacturing, so better laws, secure biobanks, and public schemes are required.
