CSIR-CDRI inked a MoU with HCG Bangalore to Improve Breast Cancer Treatment

CSIR-CDRI Concludes Thematic Conclave on “India's R&D Priorities for Affordable Healthcare” under the CSIR One Week One Theme (OWOT) Initiative focused on Cancer Research

By Prem Kumar Updated: Nov 14, 2024, 18:46 IST

Lucknow desk (R L Pandey).CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute Lucknow, successfully concluded a two-day Thematic Conclave on "India's R&D Priorities for Affordable Healthcare" as part of the CSIR One Week One Theme (OWOT) initiative. The event, held from November 13 to 14, 2024, gathered experts to discuss the latest advancements and challenges in affordable healthcare, with a special focus on cancer research and personalized medicine.

The conclave opened with a series of engaging sessions, featuring thought leaders and scientists discussing recent trends in cancer research, patient care, and pioneering technologies that are shaping India’s healthcare landscape.The day began with a presentation on recent trends in cancer research and patient care, setting the stage for an insightful dialogue. The next session, led by Dr. Dipak Datta, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-CDRI, and Dr. Shalaka Joshi from ACTREC, Mumbai, focused on the Pan CSIR Cancer Research Program and highlighted the unique challenges in managing breast cancer in India, underscoring the importance of leveraging Indian data for improved outcomes.

CSIR-CDRI inked a MoU with HCG Cancer Hospital, Bangalore for Breast Cancer ResearchPart of Program, Director of CSIR-CDRI, Dr. Radha Rangarajan announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HCG Hospital, Bangalore, to access breast cancer tissue samples from HCG's Center for Biobanking and Biorepository. This collaboration aims to accelerate research into targeted breast cancer therapies tailored for Indian patients. “This partnership is a significant step towards more effective, patient-specific cancer care,” said Dr. Radha Rangarajan, Director of CSIR-CDRI. This MoU underscores the impact of collaborative research in transforming cancer treatment and establishing India as a leader in healthcare innovation.

The program continued with OncoGen.AI, an innovative platform developed for oncologists that integrates AI-driven recommendations for personalized cancer therapy. Dr. Gaurav Ahuja from IIIT Delhi shared insights into how this technology is advancing patient care by providing targeted, data-informed treatment options. Another presentation by Dr. Susanta Samajdar from Aurigene in Bangalore introduced AOL's Proprietary Protein Degradation Platform DNSD and the identification of AUR-110, a selective SWI/SNF ATPase degrader candidate.

Dr. Samajdar discussed the potential of this platform to bring forward a new generation of targeted cancer therapies. The event concluded with a lively panel discussion moderated by Dr. K. V. Sashidhara, which engaged speakers Dr. Gaurav Ahuja, Dr. Shalaka Joshi, and Dr. Susanta Samajdar in an interactive session addressing critical questions on translating R&D innovations into accessible healthcare solutions, including challenges in the Indian healthcare ecosystem and strategies for making advanced treatments both affordable and accessible. Following the discussions, Dr. Radha Rangarajan, Director of CSIR-CDRI, felicitated the speakers and panelists for their contributions to the conclave, recognizing their dedication to advancing India's R&D priorities in affordable healthcare.