The Andhra Pradesh government is in the process of setting up a National Animal Resource Facility near Hyderabad in partnership with Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). The state government has provided 103 acres of land free of cost, as part of its contribution towards the project.

Dr A Ashok, director of Biotechnology, Industries and Commerce Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, told Pharmabiz that the proposed facility would assist in attracting drug discovery companies to the state. It will also act as a national reference centre.

The state government has handed over the land to ICMR to enable to initiate the project. Project report has been prepared. Measures are being taken that the facility meets international standards, he said.

"AP government, ICMR and NIN are committed to ethical use of animals in research. Minimum possible number of animals will be used for testing and unnecessary animal suffering will be avoided. Wherever applicable, alternate methods such as model studies other than using animals will be put into use," Dr Ashok added.

According to him, ethically driven research will be carried out at the facility. Animal welfare will be of utmost importance.