Tripartite Agreement amongst DBT, CRUK, and India Alliance for Cancer Care Initiative

Tripartite Agreement amongst DBT, CRUK, and India Alliance for Cancer Care Initiative

Government of India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Cancer Research UK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Cancer Research Initiative, “Affordable Approaches to Cancer.” This was signed during the Inaugural Researchers Summit that was held in New Delhi during November 14-16, 2018. The summit witnessed the participation of scientists, researchers, epidemiologists, clinicians, public health professionals and industry in the field of oncology representing 40 different institutions (26 Indian and 14 UK) culminating in the development to 13 research concept notes after lengthy discussions and deliberations. This was followed by a Challenge Setting Meeting that was held in London during March 19th& 20th 2019. The two-day meeting was attended by Members of the Advisory Panel (cancer experts and patient representatives drawn from both India and UK) and representations from DBT and Cancer Research UK. The Advisory Panel, after extensive discussions, has short-listed seven challenges for the research initiative.

DBT and Cancer Research UK have partnered to launch a £ 10 million, five-year research initiative focussed on finding affordable approaches to cancer. This research initiative aims to stimulate a focussed bilateral, multidisciplinary research effort to address important challenges in affordability in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment and drive collaboration between the two countries. By bringing together the complimentary research expertise of India and the UK, the initiative will accelerate progress in research with the potential to make significant progress against cancer consequences and impact cancer outcomes.

DBT and Cancer Research UK’s Bilateral Research Initiative for Affordable Approaches to Cancer will be implemented in three phases; Phase I: Identifying Core Challenges; Phase II: Establishing New Research Partnerships, and Phase III: Program Awards. The Bilateral Initiative has successfully completed phase I.

DBT, Cancer Research UK and DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance have now signed a tripartite agreement that sets out the terms and conditions by which the India Alliance will undertake grant-funded activities for the second and the third phase of the India-UK Affordable Approaches to Cancer initiative.

About DBT

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology is a scientific funding agency that has laid emphasis on promotion of excellence and innovation for discovery, early and late-stage translational research in the areas of agriculture, affordable healthcare & medical technology, food & nutritional security, animal biotechnology, environmental safety, clean energy & bio-fuel, bio-manufacturing, etc. Innovation-driven research in biotechnology and modern biology is being facilitated and supported by the Department through its various schemes across the country. Building capacity in cutting edge areas of research, developing right kind of infrastructure, building new national and international partnerships, development of products and their commercialization for a robust bio-economy and establishment of India as a world-class bio-manufacturing hub for developing and developed markets are the major thrust of the Department.

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. The organization 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, two in four people survive cancer for at least ten 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 ten years. Cancer Research UK’s 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 DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance

The DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance (India Alliance; www.indiaalliance.org) is an independent, dynamic public charity that funds research in health and biomedical sciences in India. India Alliance invests in transformative ideas and supportive research ecosystems to advance discovery and innovation to improve health. India Alliance stands for diversity, inclusivity, and transparency in science and works to facilitate engagement of science with society. Established in 2008, India Alliance is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India and the Wellcome Trust, UK.

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