The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt of India in collaboration with All India Biotech Association (Southern Chapter) and University of Hyderabad (UoH), conducted a brainstorming session on mode of operation of the Pharmaceuticals Research and Development Fund (PRDSF) at Hyderabad on Sunday.

Representatives from Pharma and Biotech industries, institutions and Universities were invited to present their views and suggestions on the guidelines to be followed for the operation of Pharma Fund, with the central idea of promoting research towards new drug development.

A panel discussion with specific recommendations for the implementation of Pharma R & D Support Fund by DST also was conducted. The specific recommendations and the suggestions arising out of the session will be submitted to DST.

Addressing a press conference on the occasion, Dr VS Ramamurthy, secretary to the Govt of India, Department of Science and Technology, said, the industry has recommended the government to give due thrust to clinical testing / research facilities, HRD, and development of new research facilities. Though the Fund is not sufficient to the needs of the industry, the government is to ensure that reasonable funds are created every year.

He added, out of the proposed Rs 150 crore-Pharma R & D Fund, Rs 80 crore will go to industry in the form of loans and the Rs 70 crore will be given to the institutions in the form of grants. The government has identified diseases such as TB, AIDS and malaria and focused attention will be given to developing vaccines.

In terms of Pharma R&D funds created by governments, Japan, China and South Korea are better placed than India, as of now, he added.

In view of the new regime of IPR, there is need for emphasis on novel drug / product development. Realizing this challenge, large and mid-sized companies are plunging to the R & D band wagon. This, however, will be highly expensive proposition for the industry, specifically with in-house R & D capabilities, Dr Ramamurthy added.

It can be made possible with greater financial support by the government and the industry-academia collaboration by fully exploiting the expertise and infrastructural facilities available at various National Laboratories and Universities, he opined.