National Research Development Corporation inks MOU with Indian Institute of Chemical Biology to Promote Entrepreneurship

The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) entered into an Memorandum of Understand (MOU) with Indian Institute of Chemical Biology to promote entrepreneurship. CMD NRDC Dr. H. Purushotham and Director, CSIR-IICB Prof. Samit Chattopadhyay signed and exchanged the MOU in the presence of the Union Minister of S&T and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan and West Bengal Minister for Science, Technology & Biotechnology, Dr. Rabiranjan Chattopadhyay.

CSIR – Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata is engaged in research on diseases and certain biological problems of global interest. To spin out these R&D outcomes and with a view to contribute country’s startup movement, CSIR-IICB established a Translational Research Unit of Excellence (TRUE) which includes an Incubation Centre of about 10,000 sq. ft.. The MOU was signed after the Union Minister of Science & Technology Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated this Centre on 8^th February, 2016. Dr. Harsh Vardhan hoped that the ‘TRUE’ and the Incubation Centre would help in research getting translated into viable products.

After signing MoU, Dr. H. Purushotham, Chairman and Managing Director of National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) stated that the partnership between NRDC and CSIR-IICB contributes to the “Startup India” and “Make in India” Missions of Govt. of India by way of promoting Entrepreneurships, Incubation, IPRs, Technology Transfer as NRDC has rich experience in these areas over six decades and executed about 5000 technology Licence Agreements with industries so far.

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Minister of Science & Technology & Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan Inaugurates a Translational Research Unit of Excellence At Kolkata

Union Minister for Science & Technology & Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated a Translational Research Unit of Excellence (TRUE) at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB) Kolkata on Monday (February 8, 2016) in the presence of the Minister-in-charge, Science Technology & Biotechnology, Govt. of West BengalDr. Rabiranjan Chattopadhyay.

This ‘TRUE’ is conceived as a productive platform for successful industry-institute liaison for translating previously achieved and ongoing biomedical discoveries by IICB scientists into biomedical deliverables.

The major dimensions and the roadmap set for the new unit are: 1) Research facilitation by establishing advanced technological platforms, 2) establishing a Biomedical Incubation Center for MSME start-up companies and 3) translating discoveries made by IICB scientists into deliverable biomedical technologies.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Harsh Vardhan expressed happiness about the name adopted for the new center (‘TRUE’) as any science is the study of the prevailing truth. Dr.Harsha Vardhan hoped that CSIR-IICB will emerge into more glorious future from its glorious past. He praised the contribution of the great scientists of Bengal, namely, Dr. S. N. Bose, Dr.Meghnad Saha, Sir J. C. Bose, Dr. C. V. Raman etc. He also appreciated significant contribution of CSIR-IICB in areas Cholera and Leishmaniasis. The Minister said, he is also happy to know that several herbal medicines have been developed and marketed by CSIR-IICB and many of them are in pipe-line which would be materialized soon.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan also said that India is progressing very rapidly in the field of science and technology and slowly entering into the 'high risk high gain' type research work. He said that "Be it scientists or institutes, today the most important factor is innovation coefficient and our government is keen on developing this coefficient. With the impetus by the start-up movement and centres like the TRUE, we are confident of turning lab researches into solutions for the common man."

Minister of Science & Technology, Govt. of West Bengal, Dr. Rabiranjan Chattopadhay, expressed his happiness for the creation of the unique Incubation Center for doing translational research with high end equipments. He mentioned that West Bengal Govt. has also developed a Biotechnology Park in the Salt Lake which is run by Calcutta University. He hoped that the State Government and this newly created CSIR-IICB TRUE would work together to benefit the people.