AIIMS Jammu Inaugurates Centre for Advanced Genomics & Precision Medicine

Jammu: In a major step towards advancing personalised healthcare in India, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Centre for Advanced Genomics & Precision Medicine at AIIMS Jammu. The centre, established in collaboration with 4baseCare, aims to revolutionize disease treatment through gene therapy and precision medicine, offering tailored solutions based on an individual’s genetic makeup.

Highlighting the transformative potential of genomic medicine, Dr. Singh emphasized that future treatments for diseases such as cancer and kidney ailments would no longer rely on a one-size-fits-all approach but would be customized to each patient’s unique genetic profile. “Gene therapy promises individualized disease management, enabling doctors to maximize treatment efficacy and minimize side effects,” he said.

AIIMS Jammu at the Forefront of Genomic Research

The newly launched centre integrates genomic data with AI-driven diagnostics, improving early disease detection, targeted treatments, and reducing trial-and-error in prescriptions. Experts believe this initiative will play a key role in precision oncology, cardiovascular genomics, and genetic screening for rare disorders.

Dr. Singh also underscored India’s rise as a global biotech leader, citing the sector’s growth from $10 billion in 2014 to nearly $130 billion today, with an ambitious target of $300 billion in the near future. India’s biotech startup ecosystem has also witnessed a significant expansion, growing from just 50 startups in 2014 to over 9,000 today.

Building an India-Specific Genomic Database

With India’s vast genetic diversity—spanning over 4,600 demographic groups—Dr. Singh stressed the need for an India-specific genomic database. He highlighted that Indian researchers have already mapped 10,000 healthy individuals across 99 communities, forming the foundation for more accurate disease prediction and intervention strategies. The government is committed to sequencing one million genomes in the coming years to enhance personalised healthcare solutions.

Dr. Singh also noted that AIIMS Jammu’s genomic research would be crucial in tackling lifestyle diseases like diabetes, which are increasingly affecting younger populations. Recent studies indicate that Type 2 diabetes prevalence in Jammu is slightly higher than the national average, making precision medicine crucial for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment & Rare Disease Research

Dr. Singh described Precision Medicine as a game-changer for cancer treatment, enabling doctors to design targeted therapies instead of relying solely on conventional chemotherapy and radiation. He cited India’s first-ever genetic therapy trial for hemophilia at CMC Vellore, where patients showed a 60% improvement in clotting factor production with zero bleeding episodes. The globally recognized trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, highlights India’s rising stature in genetic research.

Making Precision Medicine Affordable

A key objective of the AIIMS Jammu centre is to make genomic medicine accessible and affordable for the masses. Traditionally, personalized treatments have been expensive, but AIIMS Jammu aims to reduce costs through indigenous research, government-backed biotech initiatives, and integration with public healthcare programs.

Dr. Singh highlighted initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, which has provided health coverage to millions, and the recently launched Bio-E3 policy, which focuses on biotechnology for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and employment generation. He also noted that the National Research Foundation (Anusandhan) will play a key role in funding next-generation genomic research.

A Step Towards a Viksit Bharat

Dr. Singh concluded by reaffirming the government’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, where healthcare will not only be 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 said.

Director AIIMS Jammu, Dr. Shakti Gupta, lauded Dr. Singh’s efforts in setting up and continuously upgrading AIIMS Jammu, emphasizing the institution’s growing role in India’s medical research landscape.