The Department of Biological Sciences (DBT) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed earlier in 2012, to support new approaches to developing new treatments, therapies and interventions needed to address health issues (of man and animals), food and health inequalities on June 7, 2022 in New Delhi.DBT and the Gates Foundation had previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation in the field of health and development issues on July 18, 2012, for five years, which was renewed for 5 years. collaboratively, over the past 10 years, plans have been made in various areas under maternal and child health, nutrition, sanitation, infectious diseases, data science methods have been developed. The program also brought together and used the best national researchers and founders of best international processes to address the positive challenges facing society.
Through the renewed MoU, the partnership will articulate and implement new strategic direction and continue to provide and manage a range of programs in the larger public health sector, tailored to meet strategic needs and national and international needs. Also present at the event was Mark Suzman, CEO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
He said, “The Gates Foundation appreciates our long-term relationship with the Indian Government Department of Biotechnology, and we feel honored to continue to support the department’s efforts to promote new research and improve local biotechnology capacity in India. India’s health and agricultural systems are already strong, but together we can make them even stronger. I am pleased with the strength of this partnership to address health and food inequalities in India and around the world. “The revitalized MoU partnership has promised a combined investment of USD 50 million in the joint program, to further explore and expand funding and support mechanisms for founders, focusing on early research and product development to address health and development issues.
Major Challenges India
GCI-supported programs have promoted innovative solutions that address the needs of vulnerable socio-economic sectors through effective research and evidence-based policy recommendations. GCI has been designing programs that focus on affordable innovation by promoting multi-sectoral transformation partnerships to speed up impact.Grand Challenges India has awarded 120+ Pan India projects for all public life and development in line with other government programs such as Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan, National Nutrition Mission, Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat etc.
Drs. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology, Government. of India stated: “Such relationships include the very best and the most outstanding in sharing and using the power and resources of each partner. The Grand Challenges India partnership is an example of this, where partners focus on identifying and funding affordable and innovative solutions to public health challenges not only in India but also in the developing world. The Covid-19 epidemic has shown what can be achieved through the concerted efforts of Government and the Private Sector. The GCI Partnership will look forward to further exposing these new strengths, resilience and strength to the new Indian ecosystem system in line with the Indian Government’s priorities in the development of health and science and technology. “
At the event was also announced the latest open application for funding for Diagnostics for Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) – Lymphatic Filariasis (LF). This call is focused on developing more affordable, diagnostic methods for lymphatic filariasis to be used in national programs to eradicate Lymphatic Filariasis. The goal of this challenge is to have affordable, long-lasting and accurate care assessment methods that can be used in development / remote areas. The effective diagnostic / novel techniques developed by this device will then be supported to ensure and improve the understanding that they will be used in community programs for the elimination of LF.
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