The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has granted Reliance Life Sciences, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, a licence for gene therapy technology that has the potential to treat many hereditary eye diseases. Reliance Life Sciences will further develop IIT Kanpur’s gene therapy technology as an indigenous product. Gene therapy with viral vectors has recently emerged as a powerful tool in molecular medicine. It is the first time a gene therapy-related technology has been developed and transferred from an academic institution to an Indian company.
Reliance Life Sciences is a research-driven company focused on bio-therapeutics (plasma proteins, biosimilars, and novel proteins), pharmaceuticals (later-generation, oncology generics), clinical research services, regenerative medicine (stem cell therapies), and molecular medicine. Reliance Industries is the largest private sector company in India. Hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, retail, and 4G digital services are all part of the company’s operations.