Faridabad: In a groundbreaking move for health research in Asia, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the continent’s first “Pre-clinical Network Facility” under the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) at the Regional Centre of Biotechnology, part of the Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, today. This facility, which can handle BSL3 pathogens, is now the ninth in CEPI’s global network and the first in Asia, with other labs located in the USA, Europe, and Australia.
The newly inaugurated experimental Animal Facility is one of India’s largest small animal facilities, boasting a housing capacity of approximately 75,000 mice, including immune-compromised mice and other species such as rats, rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, who holds multiple key portfolios including Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, and MoS Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, also inaugurated the “Genetically Defined Human Associated Microbial Culture Collection (Ge-HuMic) Facility.” This facility will serve as a repository for microbial cultures, supporting research institutes, universities, and industries in their research and development efforts. It will act as a Nodal Resource Center fostering national and international collaborations between academic institutions, hospitals, and industry. Additionally, it will maintain genetically characterized specific pathogen-free animals for research purposes.
The Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), an institute under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, has facilitated over a dozen agreements and MoUs with the private sector for vaccine development and research on diseases such as Nipah Virus and Influenza. The institute is committed to advancing fundamental research, supporting translational research to test drug and vaccine candidates, identifying disease biomarkers, and fostering research collaborations across disciplines and industries.
During his speech on the 14th Foundation Day of THSTI, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the institute’s achievements over its relatively short span of 14 years, particularly noting its critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. He praised the efforts of Dr. M.K. Bhan in the establishment of the facility and emphasized the steady progress made by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) despite limited resources. Dr. Singh assured continued support for the department’s needs, including office infrastructure.
Dr. Singh underscored the institute’s pivotal role in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, which received emergency use authorization in India, cementing the country’s status as a leader in preventive healthcare. He also addressed contemporary health challenges, particularly lifestyle-related metabolic diseases prevalent in India, and highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a TB-free India (TB Mukt Bharat).