Ministry of External Affairs, GOI‘s ITEC Inaugural at NIPER, SAS Nagar
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Two Week Intensive Training Program on,‘Recent Trends and Challenges in Biopharmaceuticals’, at National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-SAS Nagar
Under India’s Foreign Policy of Ministry of External Affairs, GOI, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar (NIPER, SAS Nagar, the institute of National Importance & NIRF Rank 1 institute under Pharmacy Category) has been chosen by Ministry of External Affairs, GOI, to conduct ITEC programmes in the field of Pharmaceuticals. The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme was instituted by a decision of the Indian Cabinet on 15 September 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance of the Government of India.The Development Partnership Administration (DPA)-III was set up in the Ministry of External Affairs in January 2012. The ITEC Programme is fully funded by the Government of India, has evolved and grown over the years. Under ITEC India has economic cooperation with 162 countries in Asia, Africa, East Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean as well as Pacific and Small Island countries are invited to share in the Indian developmental experience.
NIPER-SAS Nagar is conducting such training since last 20 years. Now in October 2018 NIPER-SAS Nagar is organizing a two-week Intensive Training Program on Recent Trends and Challenges in Biopharmaceuticals till 13th October, 2018. Total 23 participants from 12 countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Cuba, Ethiopia, Honduras, Kenya, Mauritius, Peru, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Uzbekistan) with background of Biotechnology, Pharmacist and Drug Regulatory, are attending this course. Resource persons from the biopharmaceutical industry, academia and regulatory agencies will deliver lectures and participate in the deliberations. About 3 sessions will be held on hands on experience training on different biotechnology techniques. Visit to Central Research Institute, Kasauli and Panacea Biotec Limited, Lalru, Punjab are also a part of this ITEC program.
Dr. Girish Sahni, Ex-Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, the Chief Guest of the function inaugurated the programme. The inaugural session was held with lamp lighting and Sarswati Vandna. Dr. Sahni praised NIPER Mohali for its capability of not only producing skilled man power but engaging in high-end research. He said that today India is a top country that produces high quality of small molecule generic drugs. He also emphasize that biopharmaceuticals is the future of medicine, however, producing biopharmaceuticals is a big challenge and is more complex than producing generic drugs. He also stressed that researchers should engage in developing ‘replicative technology’ so as to make biopharmaceutical drugs with same safety and regulatory requirements as of innovator drug but of low cost so that even poorest of poor can afford them.
Prof Sanjay Jachak, Course Coordinator of ITEC at NIPER, welcomed the participants and encouraged them to take maximum benefit of the course. He also thanked ITEC division of Ministry of External Affairs for entrusting upon NIPER the responsibility of conducting ITEC programs.
Dr Abhay H Pande, course coordinator, gave an introduction of the course to the guests and the participants. He informed that biopharmaceuticals are the fastest growing sector of the pharmaceutical industry and with the advancement in the numerous technologies, tens of novel recombinant proteins are entering into clinical use every year. Because of fierce competition, biopharmaceutical manufacturers are forced to develop effective, safe and cheaper drug molecules to succeed in this increasingly competitive environment. In order to speed up the development of protein biopharmaceuticals for clinical use, a strong understanding of these challenges is important. Dr Pande stated that this course is designed to provide a platform for discussing various issues related to protein biopharmaceuticals and in the process impart knowledge to the participants about recent trends and challenges in the protein biopharmaceuticals.
Prof P. V. Bharatam, Officiating Director, NIPER addressed the gathering and gave information about NIPER-SAS Nagar to the overseas participants. He also applauded efforts of NIPER being made in the past 20 years to organize various training programs under ITEC, Ministry of External Affairs.Further he introduced Dr. Girish Sahani, Ex-Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Chief Guest of the function to the audience.
In the end Dr. Abhay H. Pande proposed a vote of thanks. The inaugural session ended with a group photo of all the participants with the Chief Guest.
