The Serum Institute of India (SII) and Symbiosis International University (SIU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Pune recently to set up an early research centre for vaccines and biologicals. The R&D centre will lead the development of new vaccines, technologies, products and innovations in immunisation practices that provide equitable access to life-saving interventions, especially across Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, SII will help set up an early R&D facility within the Symbiosis campus at Lavale, Pune. The research centre will build and harness commitment to action by identifying opportunities that strengthen and establish global immunisation agenda in pursuit of the universal health coverage. Poised as a futuristic global knowledge platform, the entity will work towards improving health equity against future pandemics and infectious diseases. It will also ensure cross-programme coordination and collaboration, as the facility will be an ecosystem that also has R&D centres for stem cells, nanotechnology, medical image analysis, applied AI and waste resource management, among others.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India (SII), said in the statement, “The research centre will be instrumental in advancing indigenous capabilities for end-to-end development of any futuristic technology and projects in the field of vaccines and biologics in collaboration with global partners.”
Adding to it, Dr Rajiv Yeravdekar, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Symbiosis International University, also said, “We are setting up a unique ecosystem with capabilities of research in vaccines and biologics. This will help not only in addressing futuristic innovations, but also the needs of LMIC-specific diseases. We look forward to get the best available talent and equip them with the latest technology that facilitates global partnerships and collaborations. It will also abode a galaxy of scientists over the next five to seven years and aim to be a frontrunner in building an equitable universal health framework.”