The central government has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for setting up the Centre for Translational Research in Health Sciences at Faridabad. The infrastructure development is to begin by January 1, 2007, Dr M K Bhan, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) informed.

The centre will develop new vaccines, futuristic diagnostics and biological drugs, establish an incubator for development of products, and build capacity for running academic programmes of Masters in translational research and clinical sciences and MD/Ph.D for physician scientists.

The institution will be under the joint patronage of DBT and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and will impart specialized training to medical graduates to fare well in clinical research activities.

Explaining the importance of such an institution, Dr Bhan said that best way to ensure quality clinical research activities is to hand over the responsibilities of such trials to competent clinical researchers. "The Drugs Controller General of India cannot bring in regulations unless good clinical trial researchers are there. We need many institutions that can equip medical graduates with translational skills," he said.

Dr Bhan felt that the neglect of medical school system has been a serious mistake made by the country during the last 30 years. "Our medical school research system needs to be reformed. ICMR and DBT have signed an agreement in this regard and we are committed to see it happen in the next five years, " he said.