"India has established its credentials in chemistry research, biotech is progressing well and I feel India will become a hub for Gene Therapy as well", said Dr. Farzin Farzaneh, president of International Society of Cell and Gene Therapy. He was inaugurating the three- day International Cell and Gene Therapy Conference which got underway in Mumbai.

Around 40 foreign speakers, scientists working on Gene Therapy at leading universities of the world, will share their experiences and achievements in gene therapy with Indian scientists at the conference. Over 300 scientists working in the field of gene therapy and cancer research have gathered for the conference to discuss the achievements and future pathways for gene therapy.

Work in gene therapy encompasses stem cell research, delivery of new genes into the body so the system can make corrections or creation of new organs and the like. Gene therapy will change the way dreaded ailments like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular complications, etc. are cured. Many Indian scientists settled abroad and working with leading universities are participating in the conference.

Speaking about the objective of the gene and cell therapy conference, Dr Farzaneh said, "Through this conference, we aim to foster collaboration between scientists and clinicians and provide a platform for research collaboration with industry and knowledge sharing. The conference is a platform for promoting latest developments and research in the areas of cell and gene therapy."

About the advancements in gene therapy, Sanjeev Saxena, chairman and CEO of Actis Biologics, a company engaged in gene therapy research said, "Nanotechnology or gene therapy may today sound sci-fi like the thought of prevention or treatment of smallpox or polio would have to people in the last century. But science has progressed and we will see all the current research in gene therapy becoming a reality soon and India will be hopefully in the lead."

United Kingdom (UK) based International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCGT) are the organizers of the Cell and Gene Therapy conference in Mumbai. ISCGT's principal goal is to foster camaraderie and collaboration between scientists and clinicians around the globe, in their quest for cell and gene therapy.