India has taken a significant step in advancing biomedical research with the inauguration of its first Ferret Research Facility, the launch of the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI data repository, and the execution of a key technology transfer agreement.
These milestones, achieved at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in the NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, highlight the nation’s commitment to cutting-edge scientific innovation.
India’s First Ferret Research Facility Boosts Disease Research
Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Director General of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council and Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), presided over the inauguration of the THSTI Ferret Research Facility. This state-of-the-art establishment adheres to the highest biosafety and research standards and marks a pivotal advancement in India’s fight against infectious and non-communicable diseases.
The facility will play a crucial role in vaccine development, therapeutic testing, and research on emerging infectious diseases. By enhancing India’s pandemic preparedness strategy, it positions the nation as a global leader in biomedical research.
GARBH-INi-DRISHTI: A Pioneering Maternal and Child Health Data Hub
Dr. Gokhale also launched GARBH-INi-DRISHTI, the DBT Data Repository and Information Sharing Hub at THSTI. Developed under the GARBH-INi programme, this platform provides access to an extensive collection of clinical data, images, and biospecimens from over 12,000 pregnant women, newborns, and postpartum mothers.
As one of South Asia’s largest maternal and child health databases, GARBH-INi-DRISHTI enables researchers worldwide to conduct transformative studies. Built through collaborations among India’s leading research institutions and hospitals, the repository represents a synergy of expertise aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Technology Transfer Paves the Way for Microbiome-Based Interventions
Furthering India’s commitment to translating research into real-world applications, THSTI signed a Technology Transfer Agreement with Sundyota Numandis Probioceuticals. This agreement facilitates the commercialization of THSTI’s innovative, genetically defined synthetic microbial consortium, Lactobacillus crispatus.
Isolated from the reproductive tracts of women enrolled in the GARBH-INi cohort, this microbial consortium has immense potential for nutraceutical applications. By promoting overall health and well-being through targeted microbiome-based interventions, this initiative reinforces India’s role in cutting-edge biotechnology research and product development.
As reported by biospectrumindia.com, the developments mark a major leap forward for India’s biomedical landscape, fostering scientific excellence and positioning the nation as a global leader in health innovation.