Thu Jan 30 00:00:00 UTC 2025: **RNA-Based Therapies Offer Hope for Inherited Retinal Diseases in India**

**New Delhi, January 30, 2025** – Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), a group of genetic conditions causing vision loss and blindness, affect millions worldwide, with a disproportionately high prevalence in India. While gene therapy has shown promise, RNA-based therapies are emerging as a more versatile and safer alternative, offering a potential game-changer for treating these conditions.

According to a recent article in *The Hindu*, over 5.5 million people globally suffer from IRDs, with studies suggesting significantly higher rates in India – one in 372 in rural South India, for example. The article highlights the potential of RNA-based therapies, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), RNA editing with ADAR enzymes, suppressor tRNAs, and small molecules like PTC124, to correct genetic mutations causing IRDs with greater precision and fewer long-term risks than gene therapy. These therapies offer a targeted, personalized approach, unlike traditional one-size-fits-all treatments.

However, the article emphasizes a critical need for further research in India. A lack of large-scale genetic studies to map the specific mutations prevalent within diverse Indian populations hinders the development of effective, locally relevant RNA-based treatments. The article points to the absence of a large cohort study (at least 500 patients) detailing the mutation spectrum of IRDs in India as a major obstacle. This knowledge gap, coupled with limited awareness among clinicians, insufficient funding, and restricted access to diagnostic facilities in rural areas, presents significant challenges.

While some collaborative efforts between Indian research institutions, such as the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology and the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, show promise, broader collaboration between global and local pharmaceutical companies and increased investment in research are essential. Raising awareness among healthcare providers about these advanced therapies is also crucial for effective implementation and improved patient outcomes. The article concludes with a call for prioritizing genetic research to unlock the full potential of RNA-based therapeutics for IRD patients in India.

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