Four vaccines to be commercialised by 2012 Staff Reporter

S. R. Rao

GUNTUR: At least four vaccines developed by researchers in collaborative projects supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, will be commercialised by the year 2012, S.R. Rao, Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, has said.

The four vaccines – Rotavirus – for treating diarrhoea, recombinant cholera, malaria and Japanese encephalitis were under various stages of clinical trail, Dr. Rao said delivering the key-note address at the International Symposium on ‘Emerging trends in biomedical and nanobiotechnology: relevance to human health’ conducted by the Department of Biotechnology, Acharya Nagarjuna University.

Dr. Rao presented a techno-economic analysis of biotechnology and the emerging nanotechnology research and industry in the country. He urged the students of biotechnology to browse through websites of the Department of Science and Technology and explore opportunities for research.

The Government of India has come up with a project worth Rs.1,000 crores in a bid to stimulate path-breaking research and stimulate research and development in bio and nanobiotechnology areas with the industry expected to generate $15-20 billion by the year 2020. International Research Projects were being awarded to outstanding medical professionals in collaborative research projects with AIIMS, IIT, Delhi and Stanford Medical Centre. Three teams had already completed the projects and secured 17 patents, which generated $2 millions.

“The research projects have come up with innovative findings, which would pave the way for affordable health care, targeted treatments for cancer and improved drug delivery systems,” he said. Associate Dean, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of Pacific, Xiaoling Li said advances in nanotechnology paved the way for targeted cancer treatment with reduced risks of toxicity and improved drug delivery mechanisms. Director, Seo Corporation, Kazuyoshi Soma, Professor at ISAS-Institute for Analytical Sciences, Germany, H.M. Heise and professor, Yamanashi University, Samuel JK Abraham, K. Sambamurthy from Medical University of South Carolina, Krishna Bhat, Bhaskar R. Jasti were among those present. Vice-Chancellor Y.R. Haragopal Reddy exchanged MoUs West Georgia University and Government of Panama on collaborative research projects. The V-C thanked the JAC of the university agitating for an integrated State for allowing the conduct of the symposium. Director of symposium and general secretary, ABAP, K.R.S. Sambasiva Rao was present.