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Takeda signs MoU with BIRAC to support Healthcare Innovation in India

The collaboration aligns with the BIRAC's vision of enhancing strategic research and boost healthcare innovation in the Indian biotech industry and aims at creating affordable healthcare products for the larger sections of society.

• By Pooja Chaturvedi Sah
• New Delhi
• Dec 05, 2023

News

Japan-based global biopharmaceutical company Takeda has announced signing a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a public sector 'Not-for-Profit Company' set up by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.  

The collaboration aligns with the BIRAC's vision of enhancing strategic research and boost healthcare innovation in the Indian biotech industry and aims at creating affordable healthcare products for the larger sections of society.

The announcement was made at the Global Bio-India (GBI) 2023, an international congregation of global biotechnology stakeholders including investors, international regulatory bodies, Government Ministries, SMEs and large industry players, research institutes, and startups. 

The event was organized by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, and BIRAC.

The partnership also allows Takeda to provide advisory and mentoring support to the Indian innovators and entrepreneurs, from ideation to market deployment of new healthcare solutions.

Speaking of India’s potential as a vibrant and promising healthcare market, Sanjay Patel, Global Head of Data Digital and Technology Innovation Capability Solutions, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG, spoke about the “incredible” opportunity that the country’s healthcare segment offers for innovation and growth. He also emphasized the role of domestic healthcare startups in driving advancements in healthcare, not only in India, but globally. 

“This partnership between Takeda and BIRAC, thus, moves beyond convention, signifying a promise to further healthcare in a manner that sets the stage for lasting improvements in the years to come”, said Patel. 

Ruchi Sogarwal, Head of Corporate Affairs at Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd., highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, academia, and industry in order to accelerate innovation and building disruptive healthcare technology solutions. 

“Our partnership with BIRAC will allow us to foster innovations, nurturing capabilities and enhancing global competitiveness translating bioscience into bioeconomy", she said. 

Expressing commitment to meet the unmet needs of patients by discovering and delivering life-transforming treatments and innovative solutions, Serina Fischer, General Manager, Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd., said that the company’s vision aligns with the Indian Government's aspiration for local solutions to global healthcare challenges. 

“This partnership serves as a practical blueprint, highlighting how public and private players can join forces to propel substantial and enduring advances in healthcare", said Fischer. 

Takeda is working in core therapeutic and business areas such as gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience, and vaccines. The company has employees in approximately 80 countries and aims to improve patient experiences and advance treatment options through a diverse pipeline. “This MoU is part of Takeda’s commitment to patients, the planet, and innovation, as a values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader”, said the company’s press release. 

The MoU was announced in the presence of Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Minister of State for the Prime Minister Office, Government of India, and senior government and industry leaders.