AIIMS Jammu conducts over 100 cancer genomic tests in 3 months
Jammu, Sep 23: The AIIMS Jammu–4baseCare Centre for Advanced Genomics and Precision Medicine has reached a major milestone by delivering more than 125 patient reports.
The centre was inaugurated on February 2, 2025, by Union Minister of State in PMO and Minister of State (independent charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh and became fully operationalised in mid-June 2025.
The Centre, a collaborative effort between the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu and the Infosys-backed Bengaluru-based healthtech company 4baseCare, was set up with a clear mission to bring world-class genetic testing within reach of Indian patients at a more affordable cost.
Until now, advanced genomic tests for cancer were largely sent abroad, costing families anywhere between Rs 3-5 lakh. Even local providers charged Rs 1.5-2.5 lakh for similar comprehensive tests. The new centre has brought this cost down to almost one-fourth, making it possible for more Indian families to benefit from precision medicine.
“At the heart of this effort is Indiegene, India’s first population-specific cancer gene panel, developed through local research and recognised as a Made in India DeepTech innovation. Launched during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Indiegene ensures that Indian patients receive test results tailored to their unique genetic makeup,” an AIIMS Jammu spokesperson said.
In just three months, the Centre, according to a spokesperson, has served patients from 17 states and Union Territories, covering more than 15 different cancer types, including lung, breast, ovarian, stomach, pancreatic, gallbladder, and head and neck cancers.
At a recent review meeting chaired by Prof. (Dr) Shakti Gupta, Executive Director and CEO, AIIMS Jammu, the decision was taken to expand the Centre’s offerings beyond oncology.
Dr Gupta noted, “India records a large number of inherited and rare disorders, making it critical for the Centre to address broader healthcare needs. With this expansion, the Centre will not only provide genomics-based differential diagnosis for rare and inherited diseases but also establish itself as a reference centre for India and neighbouring countries.”
According to him, the same technology that helps doctors find the right treatment for cancer patients can also help diagnose rare inherited diseases and guide family health planning.
Some of the key areas include women’s health vis-à-vis carrier screening for couples, newborn screening for early detection of rare genetic disorders and testing for unexplained infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss.
In the case of brain and nerves, the areas covered include genetic insights into epilepsy, developmental delays in children and rare neurological syndromes; in heart health, the areas cover identifying inherited heart conditions such as cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias and assessing sudden cardiac arrest risk in young individuals.
