Kolkata: The Eastern Hematology Group's 10th Annual Conference (EHGCON 2026), held at the Hyatt Regency in Kolkata, welcomed internationally recognized pediatric hematologist and global sickle cell disease expert Dr. Akshat Jain (USA) as a distinguished keynote faculty member. Dr. Jain delivered a highly anticipated address titled "Precision Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease: Gene Editing and Clinical Pathways – Practical Insights for Indian Clinicians," drawing significant interest from hematologists, physicians, researchers, and trainees from across India.
Widely regarded as one of the leading voices in the field of inherited blood disorders, Dr. Jain serves as Director of the Sickle Cell Disease Program and Director of the Inherited Bleeding Disorders and Thrombosis Program at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital in California, USA. His invitation to address EHGCON reflects his growing international influence in advancing innovative therapies for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) worldwide.
Global Perspective on a Transformative Era
During his keynote presentation, Dr. Jain highlighted the remarkable progress achieved in the treatment of sickle cell disease over the last decade, emphasizing the transition from symptom management toward potentially curative therapies.
Dr. Jain provided a comprehensive overview of the first FDA-approved gene therapies for sickle cell disease and discussed their implications for patients worldwide. He also outlined practical pathways for integrating these advances into clinical practice, particularly in resource-variable settings such as India.
Bridging Innovation Between the United States and India
A major theme of Dr. Jain's lecture focused on strengthening scientific collaboration between the United States and India in the fight against sickle cell disease.
India bears one of the largest global burdens of sickle cell disease, with millions of individuals affected or carrying the sickle cell trait. Dr. Jain emphasized that while groundbreaking therapies are transforming care in high-income countries, ensuring equitable access for patients in India and other low- and middle-income nations remains a critical challenge.
He called for:
"Scientific innovation must ultimately translate into patient access," Dr. Jain noted. "The future of sickle cell disease care will depend not only on technological breakthroughs but also on our collective commitment to ensuring these therapies reach the communities that need them most."
Practical Insights for Indian Clinicians
One of the most appreciated aspects of the session was Dr. Jain's emphasis on real-world implementation. Drawing from his experience treating patients in the United States and collaborating globally, he presented practical case studies demonstrating patient selection, counseling, fertility preservation considerations, long-term monitoring, and multidisciplinary care models associated with gene therapy.
Attendees praised the session for translating complex scientific concepts into actionable clinical guidance relevant to Indian practice.
Recognition of International Leadership
Conference organizers highlighted Dr. Jain's contributions to hematology, particularly his work in sickle cell disease, hemophilia, thrombosis, and gene therapy access. His leadership in international educational initiatives and advocacy efforts has helped advance awareness and access to innovative therapies for patients across multiple continents.
Looking Toward the Future
The keynote address concluded with an optimistic vision for the future of sickle cell disease care. Dr. Jain predicted that the next decade will witness further advances in gene editing, base editing, RNA-based therapeutics, and potentially safer, more scalable curative approaches that could expand access beyond specialized centers.
His presentation received enthusiastic feedback from attendees and was widely regarded as one of the scientific highlights of EHGCON 2026.
As India continues its national efforts to eliminate the burden of sickle cell disease, experts agreed that global collaborations and knowledge exchange—such as those fostered by Dr. Jain's participation at EHGCON 2026—will play an essential role in shaping the future of care for millions of patients.
About Dr. Akshat Jain
Dr. Akshat Jain is a U.S.-based pediatric hematologist-oncologist and internationally recognized expert in sickle cell disease, inherited bleeding disorders, thrombosis, and gene therapy. He serves as Director of the Sickle Cell Disease Program and Director of the Inherited Bleeding Disorders & Thrombosis in Southern California. His work focuses on advancing innovative therapies, improving global access to care, and fostering international collaborations to improve outcomes for patients with hematologic disorders worldwide.
