India and Denmark will launch joint strategic research programme in the areas of biotechnology and life sciences, especially in the emerging sectors like stem cells and cell therapy with a view to strengthen the research efforts and work developing leads.

The joint programme, to be launched by early 2012, will be in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2004 between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MSTI) aimed at further developing and strengthening the Indo-Danish research collaboration within health science biotechnology.

The project will be managed jointly by the DBT and the Programme Commission on Individuals, Disease and Society (PCIDS) under the Danish Council for Strategic Research (DCSR). The selected projects will be funded for a period of three to five years, covering direct research activities, research training and international conferences.

“For both of the countries it is of major importance to provide solutions by means of health science biotechnology in order to accommodate the related challenges in a sustainable way. The objective is thus through the present joint strategic research programme to strengthen and intensify the research effort within these areas and to integrate the specific competencies of the Indo-Danish research groups involved,” according to the official note in this regard.

The areas suggested for the collaborative research included stem cells, cell therapy, Nucleic acid technologies, Lifestyle diseases - molecular aspects, molecular epidemiology - host and pathogen components, nutrigenomics and molecular aspects of food quality - improved nutrition safety, biotechnology perspectives of traditional medicine, cancer - molecular diagnostics and therapy, and vaccines and diagnostics.

The projects will be open for scientists from universities, research institutions and private companies in India and Denmark conducting research within the health science biotechnology area. The total economical frame is approx. €3.0 million. Up to two projects will be funded. “Significant co-financing as well as the participation of relevant public or private entities other than the main applicants is expected,” the note said.