2 days ago
- Health
- United News of India
Experts meet to boost monoclonal antibody innovation in India
New Delhi, June 10 (UNI) Leading voices from the pharmaceutical industry, biotech start-ups, funding agencies such as BIRAC, and premier academic institutions convened on Tuesday to explore new strategies for accelerating monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies in India. Such a therapy uses antibodies, made in a lab, to target and treat specific diseases, including cancer.
The symposium, organised by the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), highlighted India's rapidly growing biopharmaceutical sector and noted the vast potential for indigenous innovation in the development of mAb therapies—critical tools in precision medicine.
A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the need for early and sustained collaboration between academia and industry, particularly at the innovation and discovery stages. Such partnerships, experts agreed, are vital to developing affordable, homegrown technologies that serve national healthcare needs, said a statement from the Union Science and Technology.
Prof. Jayanta Bhattacharya, Dean of THSTI, stressed that bridging the gap between scientific research and industrial application is essential to ensure India's self-reliance in biologics.
Echoing this, Prof. G. Karthikeyan, Executive Director of THSTI, highlighted the importance of establishing innovation clusters where industry and academia can collaborate closely. These clusters, he said, would also serve as talent hubs, fostering the next generation of skilled professionals.
Dr. Alka Sharma, Senior Adviser at the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), outlined the government's Bio-E3 policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment). She reaffirmed DBT's commitment to advancing mAb platforms, which are vital for addressing complex diseases and ensuring equitable access to high-quality biologics.
She emphasised that the Bio-E3 initiative aims to build biotech self-reliance, reduce dependency on imports, and strengthen domestic R&D capacity through targeted investments in technologies like mAbs.
The symposium served as a dynamic platform for cross-sector dialogue, reinforcing the belief that strategic collaboration and policy support are key to unlocking India's full potential in the global biopharmaceutical landscape, added the statement. UNI AJ SSP
