- India-UK Cancer Research Initiative for Affordable Approaches to Cancer, launches on November 14th with a Three-Day Inaugural Researchers’ Summit
- Date: November 14th – November 16th, 2018
- Venue: The Lalit Hotel, Barakhamba Rd, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Press Meet:
- Prof Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Chair, Cancer Research UK
- Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology
The India-UK Cancer Research Initiative is a collaborative 5-year bilateral research initiative by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, India and Cancer Research UK (CRUK) that will focus on affordable approaches to cancer. Both CRUK and DBT will invest £5m each in this 5-year pilot, and seek further investment from other potential funding partners.
The India-UK Cancer Research Initiative will identify a core set of research challenges that address issues of affordability, prevention and care of cancer by bringing together leading Indian and UK experts across clinical research, demographic research, new technologies and physical sciences. The initiative will provide funding to develop new research alliances and undertake impactful research to enable significant progress against cancer outcomes.
This is a follow up of the joint statement issued by the two Prime Ministers during the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India; Shri Narendra Modi to UK on April 18, 2018 states the following:
“As thriving democracies, we share a desire to work closely together and with all who share our objective to support a rules-based international order that upholds agreed international norms, global peace and stability. Together the UK and India are a force for good in an uncertain world. We are sharing our experience and knowledge to tackle global challenges. India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Cancer Research UK propose to launch a £10 million bilateral research initiative which will focus on low cost approaches to cancer treatment.”
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the partnership will be signed between Department of Biotechnology and Cancer Research UK on November 14, 2018.
The India-UK Cancer Research Initiative will be launched at the Inaugural Researchers’ Summit, to be held in New Delhi from November 14th to November 16th, 2018. The summit will facilitate knowledge sharing and communication among scientists, researchers, epidemiologists, clinicians, public health professionals and industry in the field of oncology.
Prior to the launch of the Summit, marking the importance of this initiative, Dr. Swarup, Secretary, DBT states, “Cancer is a global epidemic that requires radically new approaches through inter-disciplinary and multi-national efforts. The India-UK Cancer Research Initiative will provide a catalysing platform for scientists and researchers in the UK and India to co-create solutions for affordable cancer care that improve cancer outcomes around the globe. At DBT our priority is to apply science to solving complex challenges that benefit all humanity and we are glad to be partnering with CRUK to support research across all stages of cancer from prevention to cure to addres the formidable challenge of cancer.”
Nick Grant, Cancer Research UK’s executive director of international partnerships, said: “No country escapes the impact of cancer, with millions around the world diagnosed with the disease every year. We need to bring together the brightest scientific minds across the world, breaking down barriers to address the challenge of cancer globally.”
“Our research partnership with the Indian government’s Department of Biotechnology provides a unique opportunity for leading UK and Indian scientists to collaborate, bringing together the best from both countries. This research initiative will seek to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer with a focus on affordable approaches. Our partnership has potential for global impact and by working across borders; we hope to ignite new ideas which can be quickly translated for patients in India, in UK and beyond.”
The research phases of the India-UK Cancer Research Initiative will be overseen by a board of advisors comprising five cancer experts each from India and UK. Prof. David Hunter of the University of Oxford and Dr. CS Pramesh of the Tata Memorial Hospital will serve respectively as Chair and Co-chair of the India-UK Cancer Research Initiative’s Advisory Panel.
About DBT
- “Attaining new heights in biotechnology research, shaping biotechnology into a premier precision tool of the future for creation of wealth & ensuring social justice-specially for the welfare of the poor.”
DBT under the Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI has infused fresh momentum to the developments in modern biology & biotechnology. - The Department has witnessed outstanding achievements in the growth & application of biotechnology in the areas of agriculture, healthcare, animal aquatic sciences, & sustainability of bio-resources & environment.
- DBT has also witnessed success towards fostering innovations and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country.
- Today, India is among the major biotech destinations in the world and ranks third in the Asia-Pacific region.
About Cancer Research UK
- Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
- Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
- Cancer Research UK receives no funding from the UK government for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on vital donations from the public.
- Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.
- Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least 10 years.
- Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
- Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK’s vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
About the India-UK Cancer Research Initiative
The India-UK Cancer Research Initiative provides an opportunity to tackle the global epidemic of cancer by opening new pathways for international knowledge exchange and research base. The research outcomes of this initiative will aid cancer prevention, control and management in the long term. The joint investment by both countries in this initiative is a testament to the emerging consensus that solutions to affordable cancer care lie in building strategic and evidence-based research partnerships that benefit the global cancer community.
