Pact inked with US, Indian firms to advance DNA-based therapies
Tumakuru: Sridevi Institution has signed a first of its kind in India, agreement with US-based Vaxxonic and India-based Vaxogene to promote research and development in DNA-based therapies, with a focus on genetic disorders, chronic illnesses and cancer.
The agreement was signed on Friday, with Vaxxogene chairman Kempaiyya Rayawara and CEO Shivakumar exchanging the agreement with Dr. M.R. Hulinaykar, founder of Sridevi Educational Institution.
Speaking on the occasion, Kempaiyya Rayawara said the collaboration aimed to make treatments for chronic, incurable and cancer-related diseases more affordable and accessible to society. The initiative would focus on identifying genetic disorders, developing appropriate treatments and exploring personalised therapies and medicines based on individual health profiles, he said.
Focus on personalised medicine
The collaboration will also explore the development of human organoids — laboratory-grown models of human tissues and organs — to support research into diseases and the development of new drugs and treatment methods.
The initiative is expected to help researchers understand diseases caused by genetic mutations and inherited variations, paving the way for more targeted treatment approaches.
Rayawara said Sridevi Institution had the necessary infrastructure, research facilities and a team of experienced faculty members, doctors and researchers to support collaborative research with Vaxogene. Vaxogene CEO Shivakumar said Vaxxonic of the US and Vaxogene of India would work together to improve the early detection and treatment of genetic disorders.
He pointed out that the same medicine could produce different results in different individuals. While some patients might respond well to a particular drug, others might not experience the expected benefits, partly because of genetic differences and other biological factors.
The collaboration would seek to scientifically investigate these variations in drug response and develop approaches to make treatment more effective and personalised, he said.
Research to benefit students and society
Dr. M.R. Hulinaykar, founder and chairman of Sridevi Educational Institution, said the agreement reflected the institution’s commitment to strengthening medical research and finding solutions for chronic, incurable and hereditary diseases.
The partnership would benefit researchers, medical students and the wider community by encouraging scientific investigation and the development of new treatment approaches, he added.