Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research inaugurated
Manipal, Oct 15, 2021: The Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research (MCBR) was inaugurated at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal.
Anurag Bagaria, Chairman and CEO of Kemwell Biopharma, Bengaluru, who inaugurated the Centre appreciated MAHE for establishing a dedicated centre for carrying out Biotherapeutics Research.
“It is a science that continues to gain momentum in the universities of the developed countries. I am confident this centre will emerge as one of the eminent centres in this part of the globe,” Anurag Bagaria said.
“From Insulin, the first modern medicine produced using biotechnological methods, to today’s COVID vaccine, biotherapeutics research has come a long way. With advances in Biotherapeutics research, especially cell and gene therapy, we are starting to see cures for certain diseases. Without academia-industry collaboration, none of these would have been possible” he said.
Dr. Ranjan R Pai, Chairman of MEMG, Bengaluru was the Guest of Honour.
“We need to get deeper in the area of innovative cell therapies for regeneration and cancer treatment, gene therapy, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, etc., to compete with the developed countries. Although biologics produced in the developed countries provide hope for many unmet medical needs, their high costs pose an entry barrier to the developing markets,” he said.
Chief Guest Vasanti R Pai launched the webpage of the new centre.
“MAHE has established the state of the art facility to carry out advanced research in Biotherapeutics. I am glad to note that all the faculty of MCBR are foreign-trained and gained experience in the industries as well as academia. The new centre is expected to create novel intellectual properties and innovative products,” Dr. H S Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of MAHE said.
Lt. Gen. (Dr) M D Venkatesh, Vice-Chancellor of MAHE, said MCBR would offer Masters (by research), Doctoral and postdoctoral Programs in the area of Biotherapeutics. It also aims to co-create or co-develop Biotherapeutics products in partnership with Biopharma companies.
Dr. Raviraja N S, Director of Corporate Relations and Coordinator of MCBR, Dr. Vasan Sambandamurthy, CEO, DBT Wellcome Trust India Alliance, Dr. Mukesh Kumar, VP and Head of clinical R&D, Cipla Limited, Manohar BN, MD and CEO, Stempeutics Research Pvt. Ltd spoke on the occasion.
Dr. Sairam Atluri, the co-founder of RCRI, Hyderabad, and Dr. Roberto Salvi, Lab Head, Curio Biotech, Switzerland, are in the advanced stages of collaboration discussion with MCBR and expressed their best wishes to MCBR.
MCBR faculties Dr. Manjunatha SM proposed the vote of thanks and Dr. Sachin Kadam anchored the program.
