SCRFI calls for better linkup between research, industry

Bangalore, Feb 1 (UNI) With the debate on following ethics in stem cell therapy getting intense, the first-ever conference of the Stem Cell Research Forum of India (SCRFI) envisaged laying the roadmap for a meaningful collaboration between research and biotech and pharma industry.

Briefing newspersons about the outcome of the conference, which concluded here today, SCRFI Secretary Satish Totey said stem cell research, which was still in the nascent stage in the country, provided huge potential in treating serious diseases like cancer, alzheimer's disease, diabetes and spinal cord injuries.

''What we need to do is forge a meaningful partnership with the international stem cell research community. SCRFI is going to go global. We have already become members of some foreign stem cell networks and there will be more exchange programmes. Now we have to find ways to woo Indian scientists, working on research programmes outside, back to the country. There is a shortage of researchers and we need to get our acts together. Otherwise, we will be left behind,'' he said.

Dr Totey said the Forum, in its first conference sponsored by Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, made efforts to collaborate at various levels like public-private partnerships, funding, clinical trials, cord blood banking, stem cell therapy and manufacturing of stem cells.

He said collaborations between academics and the industry would be vital to take forward research and the community was not averse to adhere to the guidelines drafted by ICMR or DGMP. ''We have to remove some of the prevailing misconceptions in the minds of people,'' he added.

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