India, Oct. 1 -- India's position depends partly on how the frontier is defined. One measure is scientific novelty, reflected in advances in cell engineering, gene editing and delivery technologies. Another is translation, meaning whether a therapy can move from laboratory to regulated manufacturing and clinical use at a cost and level of complexity that a health system can absorb.

India is advancing on both measures, although at different speeds. Its strongest emerging proposition may lie in translation, particularly in models that reduce manufacturing cost and logistical complexity. That is also where regulatory capability, research funding and specialised infrastructure are likely to have the greatest near-term effect.

A demonstrable...