AIIMS Jammu Leads India’s Push for Affordable Precision Medicine with Genomic Testing Breakthrough
Jammu, September 27, 2025 – AIIMS Jammu has set a new benchmark in public healthcare by becoming the first government hospital in India to offer advanced genomic testing services nationwide at significantly reduced costs. Launched through a partnership with Bengaluru-based healthtech firm 4baseCare and supported by Infosys, this initiative provides patients across the country with personalized treatment options for cancer and beyond.
Pioneering Affordable Genomic Testing in India
Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, officially inaugurated the AIIMS Jammu–4baseCare Centre for Advanced Genomics and Precision Medicine on February 2, 2025. The facility began full operations in mid-June and quickly scaled up, processing cases from 17 states and union territories. In just three months, the center has issued more than 125 genomic reports for patients with over 15 types of cancer, including lung, breast, ovarian, stomach, pancreatic, gallbladder, and head and neck cancers.
Slashing Costs with Indigenous Innovation
This collaboration has significantly reduced the cost of comprehensive genomic tests, which previously ranged from Rs 1.5-Rs 5 lakh when outsourced abroad or to private providers. Patients now pay roughly one-fourth of that amount, making precision medicine more accessible. Central to these tests is Indiegene, India’s first population-specific cancer gene panel, developed through domestic research. This “Made in India” DeepTech tool customizes results to reflect the genetic diversity of Indian patients, improving treatment accuracy.
Expanding Beyond Cancer Care
Dr. Shakti Gupta, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Jammu, highlighted the center’s broader ambitions during a recent review meeting. Plans are underway to extend services beyond oncology to address rare and inherited disorders, which affect a substantial portion of India’s population. “India faces a high burden of inherited and rare disorders, so we must broaden our healthcare solutions,” Dr. Gupta said. The center aims to serve as a reference hub not only for India but also for neighboring countries, offering genomics-based diagnoses for conditions such as neurological syndromes, heart diseases, pediatric anomalies, eye disorders, and women’s health issues including infertility and pregnancy complications.
Driving Global Standards with Indian Innovation
Hitesh Goswami, Co-founder and CEO of 4baseCare, emphasized the initiative’s global significance: “Indian innovation is addressing local health challenges while meeting international standards. We are positioning India as a leader in precision medicine, where treatments are tailored to each individual’s unique genetic profile rather than generic approaches.” The center has already partnered with major institutions including AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Apollo Hospital in Karnataka, Fortis Hospital in Delhi, and SMS Hospital in Jaipur, demonstrating its pan-India reach.
A Vision for Personalized Healthcare
During the inauguration, Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the transformative power of gene therapy. “It enables individualized disease management,” he noted. “Even for the same condition, treatments can vary based on a patient’s genetic makeup, susceptibilities, and inherited factors.” He also called for the development of an India-specific genomic database to leverage the nation’s diverse genetic landscape. This initiative aligns with India’s growing focus on affordable healthcare innovations, reducing reliance on foreign testing, and fostering self-reliance in medical technology.
(Rh/Eth/VK/MSM)
