Lok Sabha Question No. 85 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-21
Subject: R&D of Medicine
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Pushpendra Singh Chandel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RE SE A RCH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 85 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST JUNE,2019

## R&D OF MEDICINE

## 85. SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is planning  to  improve  Research  and Development  (R&D)  in medicine and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether India needs to increase the pace of research in regenerative medicine to come up to the global level, especially in the area of clinical trials and regulatory requirements and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any long term plans has been prepared by the Government in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of funds allocated for the purpose; and
- (e) the extent to which the Government has achieved the target and goals so far in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a): The  Department  of  Biotechnology,  (DBT)  through  'Biotechnology  Industry  Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)'  a  public - sector  undertaking  of  the  DBT,  is  supporting, strengthening  and  empowering  the  Biotech  enterprise to  undertake  strategic  research  and innov ation, addressing nationally relevant product development needs.

The  Department  of  Biotechnology  has  also  initiated  the  Mission  programme titled Industry -Academia  Collaborative  Mission  for  Accelerating  Discovery  Research  to  Early Development for Biopharma ceuticals -'Innovate in India (i3) Empowering biotech entrepreneurs & accelerating inclusive innovation.

Also, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been promoting research activit in  stem  cell  research  and  Regenerative  Medicine  through  its  a dhoc  research  projects  and fellowships.  It  has  also  initiated  some  of  the  task  force  activities  and  established excellence and core facilities for stem cell research.

(b): The Department of Biotechnology has identified Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine as  one  of  the  thrust  areas  to  increase  the  pace  of  research  in  regenerative  medic and supporting  a  number  of  projects  in  this  area  for  both  basic  and  translational  resea The 'National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research -2017' has been jointly formulated by Department of Biotechnology and the Indian Council of Medical Research to lay down standards for s cell research and ensure that research with human stem cells is conducted in a responsi ethically sensitive manner in t he country.

(c): The Department of Biotechnology has formulated the 'National Biotechnology Development  Strategy'  to  promote  and  facilitate  all  aspects  of  biotechnology  across  the country.

The  Bio - Pharma  Mission  programme  launched  by  the  Department  als o  aim to  make India a hub for design and development of novel, affordable and effective biopharmaceu products such as vaccines and biotherapeutics for combating public health concerns.

(d): The Medical Biotechnology programme is supported under the R search & Development scheme  of  the  Department  of  Biotechnology  with  approximately  Rs  100 - 125  crores  annual budget  with  allocation  of  approx.  Rs  130  crores  for  the  current  FY  2019 - 20.  The National Biopharma Mission approved by the Cabinet at a total cost f US$250 million for five years with 50% funding through World Bank loan is being implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) -a Public Sector Undertaking of DBT.

(e): Some  of  the  significant  outcomes  of  DBT's  support  under  Medical  Biotechnology programme include: a) Development of Rapid diagnostic Kit for Celiac disease in humans a  highly sensitive and specific Rapid 1 - Day Diagnostic Test for Dengue; b) Development of various innovative technologies and devices for day - to - day use by patients.