M4PNews|Chandigarh
CSIR-IMTECH in an MOU with Johnson & Johnson together is in mission to eradicate tuberculosis from world. In this step Global Public Health Director of Johnson & Johnson Dr. Paul Stoffels confirms that New Drug Discovery Bedaquiline is doing wonders for MDR(Multi Drug Resistant)-TB Patients and now they are aspiring for oral drugs which would certainly help in eradicating TB from World by year 2025.
CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) today organised a symposium on TB to brainstorm on challenges of drug-resistant TB and newer treatment options. The symposium was organized in the memory of late Dr. Paul Janssen who dedicated his life for discovering more than 80 medicines that benefited millions of patients across the globe.
This symposium assumes great significance as IMTECH has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaborative research on TB Drug Discovery with US multinational Johnson & Johnson (J&J),the largest health care company in the world. On this occasion a keynote address was delivered by Dr. Paul Stoffels, MD, Chief Scientific Officer of J&J who is leading several efforts to discover and develop treatment of several neglected disease like tuberculosis and HIV. On this occasion, Dr. Paul Stoffels spokeon need to strengthen the efforts for addressing global health care challenges through open innovation and partnership. Dr. Stoffels keynote address was followed by presentation from Dr. Wim Parys, Global Public Health,R&D Head, who discussed the current pipeline of drugs for neglected disease.
The other prominent speaker at the Symposium were Dr. Rohit Sarin, Director NITRD Delhi, AnujBhatnagar, HoD, RBIPM, Delhi, Dr. Behera (PGIMER, Head Pulmonary Medicine), Dr. Janmeja (Head, GMCH) and Ms.Deepti Chavan(TB advocacy).
It is imperative to note that TB in India still kills 3 people per minute and about 1.5 millions lives are lost annually across the world. Thisnew R&D collaboration between IMTECH & J&J aims to discover new drugs for treatment of both TB with overall goal of developing a universal, safe, shorter drug regimen.
“There is a need to focus our research activities at IMTECH and bring maximum value of our R&D spending so as to address key healthcare challenges of our people especially TB”, said Dr. Anil Koul, Director, CSIR-IMTECH who has dedicated last 20 years of his medical research to find cure for tuberculosis. He also said that in order to bring in translational products to market, collaboration with partners like J&J can synergize our R&D efforts.
The visit of Johnson & Johnson team to IMTECH is expected to spawn new ideas and cooperation to bolster India’s research in the fight against neglected disease. Over last 30 years, CSIR-IMTECH has successfully developed strong scientific expertise in medical innovation with its state-of-the-art facilities and engagement with private sector enterprises.
Symposium was attended bythe leaders of various institutions in Chandigarh area including PGIMER, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Panjab University and other CRICK institutions who explored the possibilities of transforming Chandigarh as an innovation hub for global healthcare.