Neglected diseases tomorrow’s global pandemics, says Bharat Biotech Executive Chairman
In vaccine national security, India on par with US and Europe: Dr Krishna M Ella
Trivandrum / October 6, 2023
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct. 06: In a world where neglected diseases have the potential to become pandemics, it is very critical for India and Africa to control them effectively as all of these diseases are located in Asia and Africa, according to Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech International Ltd Dr Krishna M Ella.
Delivering the Foundation Day lecture at CSIR-NIIST today, Dr Ella said it is significant to note that in vaccine national security, India is on par with US and Europe. And India’s clinical trials on Covid-19 vaccines are the world’s largest next to the US.
Dr Ella, who is also Chairman, Research Council, CSIR-NIIST, said Bharat Biotech was the first one to isolate Chickungunya virus infection through indigenously-developed vaccine when it spread in Kerala in 2006.
Chairman and Managing Director, IREL, Mumbai, Shri Deependra Singh was the Guest of Honour at the Foundation Day celebration of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and CSIR-NIIST (National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology) on its campus at Pappanamcode here. Director, CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, Dr C Anandharamakrishnan, presided over the function.
“Zika virus, which was anticipated to be spread, went from Madagaskar to Brazil. We made a global pattern of it. Now we are doing phase-3 efficacy trials in Philippines, Thailand, Columbia and Guatemala,” said Dr Ella, a recipient of Padma Bhushan honour.
He also reflected on the transformation of Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech into a global leader in innovative vaccine. Bharat Biotech developed indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, COVAXIN, in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Dr Ella noted that the entire emerging markets depend on Indian vaccine and India is the third country in the world to complete efficacy trial.
Commenting that innovation is the key for future, Dr Ella said creating an ecosystem for youngsters in the country is vital as combination of skill set and knowledge makes the difference.
According to him, Indians are creating unicorns globally and Indians dominate the list of non-US born unicorn founders in the US. Dr Ella stressed that the keys for India’s next century innovation include stable economy, digitalisation, infrastructure, evolving and changing of ecosystem.
Dr Ella also inaugurated the Food Architecture Lab of CSIR-NIIST and released the annual report of NIIST.
In his address, Dr Anandharamakrishnan said over the years, CSIR-NIIST could deliver what industry and society needs prominently.
MoUs signed by CSIR-NIIST with NIF- India & Vibha Vani, Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Peekay Steels, MKN Bricks & Blue Metals (P) Ltd, Hydronest and Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering were exchanged at the function.
The Gold Medal for the best Ph.D Thesis and merit awards for students were distributed on the occasion. NIIST employees who completed 25 years in Council Service and retired employees of 2022-23 were also felicitated.
Dr U S Hareesh, Head, HRAD, CSIR-NIIST and Shri S Antony Peter Raja, Administrative Officer, CSIR-NIIST, also spoke.
Launched in 1975 as a CSIR complex, the institute was named the Regional Research Laboratory in 1978. Later in 2007, it was rechristened NIIST.
Since its inception, NIIST has been spearheading quality research in the areas related to agro-processing, chemical sciences, material sciences, microbial processes, and environmental technology. It also trains post-graduate/doctoral students.
Another focus area of the institute is to achieve excellence in chemical-bioscience interface and advanced materials through high-quality research, globally competitive technologies, and value-added research and development services.
NIIST also plays a key role in connecting industry, society, and higher education to strengthen the country’s scientific capacity thereby facilitating national development and security.
