Biotechnology frontiers- Research and funding opportunities, Are CEOs ready?

Research is increasingly becoming multidisciplinary and collaborative. India and most countries are fast responding and reflecting to this shift in the collaborative research. India too has extended opportunities for researchers engaged in the field of life sciences, intending to capitalise international funding schemes for mutual gain. The government of India has also launched several funding schemes for boosting research and entrepreneurship mind-set of the youth. Various Institutes support several experiments, professional and organizational development opportunities in support of its research mission and to accelerate scientific breakthrough towards improvising human health.

There are two major sources, which provide research funding namely corporations (from research and development departments) and government (operationalised through universities and specialised government agencies). Funding largely depends on the strengths and potential application of the research. The recent announcement of the application of Artificial Intelligence in predicting cataract and treatment of cancer are potential areas for  research funding. Domains like this need to be speedily captured with insights and harnessed.

There are various gateways for R&D support in life sciences and biotechnology domain, encouraging heightened support for inter-disciplinary training. This shall support upcoming areas such as robotics and machine learning in biotechnology and healthcare areas. This shall facilitate stalwarts from agencies across the countries to brainstorm on assorted research and funding opportunities. This article attempts to address the following objectives:

Objectives 

It is of paramount interest that as responsible citizens we must come forward and respond to several areas that are concerning with the subject. There are several gaps and at the same time high level of synergy desired to address them as well. Some prime ones that need immediate attention are:

1. Understand the importance of research funding in the context of Covid-19 pandemic and point out the agencies in the areas of Biotechnology.
2. Find out as how key programs of research funding can facilitate in translating scientific work, which may lead to smart and newer technologies in aiding the healthcare and biotechnology sector.
3. Explore research measures taken by the Indian Government and Corporates in supporting research projects to fight pandemic.

Covid-19 impact and the need 

Covid-19 pandemic had impacted livelihood, companies, economies and lives. Organisations around the world have been collaborating for reducing its impact on public health despite the research communities being affected. Projects have been put on hold, conferences being cancelled or postponed, industries have slowed due to financial distress. It is a tough time and few funding agencies are offering fast-track funding for projects related to Covid-19.

Research funding is a zero – sum game fairly dividing and that leaders make key contributions in generating jobs, training experiences and scientific advances. In the past few months, the Covid-19 pandemic had influenced every sector of our economy. However, across many threats that have emerged due to the pandemic, biotechnology’s key growth drivers have remained intact. Notably, the industry continues to generate innovative new products for temporary and long run both.

As the pandemic continues to affect lives, funding has grown to respond to existing and emerging needs. Industrial biotech has an immense potential in contributing to economic prosperity followed by a sustainable global economy. Collaboration with academia provides them with unlimited opportunities in amplifying the range of their research. For scientists, collaboration with SMEs provides interesting scientific challenges as well as a chance to directly impact business. Funding even requires secure science and support social impact in the society. The funding in this direction is much needed because of the threat of recurrence of  pandemic virus from the Covid family. We should not ignore and stay silent. The next one will be even more disastrous. Do you know why? The virus strain that fights that the current immune system shall offset all measures adopted till date. Have you thought of this re-generative genetic modification of the virus?

Key programs for pursuing 

There are  number of programs, which have a large impact on research, e.g. BIPP (Biotechnology Industry Partnership program), BMGF (Bill & Melinda Gates foundation), IUSSTF (Indo-US science & technology forum), TDB (Technology development board), Grand challenge Canada, BIG (Biotech ignition grant)- a scheme, which works on proof of concept, SPARSH (social innovation program for product affordable & relevant to social health) scheme. Few international programs include BMGH-IKP, BMGF-BIRAC, US-USISTEF and Welcome Trust- BIRAC scheme, which are helpful in research and development. For industrial research  and innovation certain programs are IARDP (Industry academies research and development program), CEFIPRA outstanding project award (PRIDE), CEFIPRA annual lecture series, while few fellowship for human resource & development like Raman-Charpak Fellowship, CEFIPRA-ESONN fellowship and women post-doctoral programme are available for pursuing research. In India large funding agencies are available providing grants for research in assorted fields. Few funding agencies are AICTE, CSIR, AYUSH, DBT, DST, TIFAC, ICMR, GUJCOST, INSA. International agencies funding research are NIH, NSF, DOD, EPA, DOE, CDC, FDA and AHRQ etc.

Measures Taken 

During these pandemic times, industry as well as  research communities collaborated in producing diagnostic kits at an effective cost price along with manufacturing lifesaving ventilators with many private partners like Maruti Suzuki, TATA, Bharat electronics playing a significant role during this pandemic time. Government of India specifically came up with a research consortium supporting innovations-diagnostic kits, PPE kits, sanitizers etc. Academic communities were also actively involved in moving products to the market. As a result, we witnessed research & development, production, and supply of critical much needed vaccine in 9 months. This is one great example of collaborative research and institutional funding. With research increasingly becoming multidisciplinary and collaborative, India has been aligning with international funding agencies and governments across the globe in capturing this shift. Let us see how this shapes up?

The issues addressed above are crucial because research funding is lifeline for biotechnology. The health status of the people is much linked with the path breaking research and breakthrough technology in preventing and treating life threatening diseases. The funding should encourage machine learning and Artificial Intelligence as tools of biotechnology research. We hope scientists, funding agencies, CEOs and policy makers come forward together and accelerate in this direction.

Written by Dr. Manoj Joshi.
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