CCMB Launches Two New Research Projects At A Cost Of Rs.100 Cr.

Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) has commenced two sophisticated projects namely National Bio-safety level 4 Containment Facility for Human Infectious Diseases and Clinical Research Facility for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicines.

Union minister for science and technology and earth sciences Kapil Sibal, last week laid foundation stone for these two projects involving Rs.100 crore. The projects will come up on a 5 acre plot, provided by the Andhra Pradesh government at Uppal Industrial Development Area on Taranaka-Uppal main road.

The Department of Science and Technology and Industrial Research will jointly provide funding for both these facilities.

While speaking on the occasion, Sibal welcomed the development of science in Hyderabad, which has already been developed with a number of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies being established. These new facilities under the CCMB would further improve the facilities in the city.

The CCMB scientist would do basic research on HIV, drug resistant tuberculosis, various types of hepatitis and Japanese encephalitis. They were the causes of major public health problem faced in the country. The CCMB had already recruited a number of scientist and they had already initiated frontline research programmes in this area. More scientists would be recruited, he said.

Many leading pharmaceutical companies agreed to collaborate with the CCMB scientist for development of new diagnostic methods and therapeutic vaccines and drugs. Bio-safety level 4 Facility is designed for handling microorganism that causes human diseases.

(Ref: The Chronicle Pharmabiz dated November 22, 2007)

Umbilical Cord Blood Banks Spread In Gujarat

Infants across Gujarat have bankers coming to them! Indeed. If it was Lifecell India that had enrolled 800 newborns to bank their umbilical cord blood with them till October 2007, since last fortnight, yet another player Gurgaon based Cryobanks International India has made foray into the state looking for "customers in the womb". What's more, with a cord blood storage facility in the state in the near future, the state would see an increasing number of infants enrolled with these 'banks'.

Gujarat has so far banked 800 umbilical cord blood units with Lifecell India's Chennai facility. Ever since the benefits of  getting the otherwise waste blood left behind in the umbilical cord has dawned upon the state, the company has baged prestigious clients from the likes of Pankaj Patel of the Zydus Cadia Group, Nikita and Deepak Chiripal of the Chiripal Group, former Indian cricketer Nayan Mogia, among others who have gone for yet another investment that holds promise not only for the child but for the entire family.

Although on face value, the concept of storing the umbilical cord blood that otherwise is discarded at the time of birth, might not sound convincing to many, families expecting a childbirth have not shield away from spending Rs 40,000 to Rs 80,000 for the process.

The country that witness 25 million child births annually, has the potential to directly translate these cord blood units into potential elements to fight various life-threatening diseases including leukemia and thalassemia and even diabetes and heart diseases. Despite this, Gujarat for its part, is seeing mere 50 to 100 blood banking per month, points out CEO of Cryobanks International India Dr C V Nerikar.

Aiming target at lease 100 units alone, the company intends to spread out across the state in Ahmedabad, Baroda, Rajkot, Surat, Jamnagar and Mehsana. Boasting of celebrity clients like Shiny Ahuja, Sanjay Suri and the Roys of the Sahara Group, the group is positive of making inroads in Gujarat with much success. "While until now we have enrolled 8 cases from Ahmedabad in one fortnight of operations, we expect to have 1,500 enrollments with us by November 2008", he said.

Having committed Rs 500 crore investment in India over the next 10 years, the company proposes to come up with a storage facility in Gujarat in near future. "While we will meet our present requirement though our cord blood storage facility in Gurgaon, in next two years, we should be able to set up a facility in Gujarat. The bank should be able to help us in our logistics considering the blood has to be sampled and stored in the bank within 48 hours of the delivery," Dr Nerikar said.

Although cord blood banking does not come cheap - there are packages that start from Rs 37,500 onwards and customised as per the economic status of the client-with more players coming to their mothers even before they are born, infants can look forward to a secured healthy future.

(Ref: The Economic Times dated November 10, 2007)