RGCB and Cochin Cancer Research Centre Sign MoU on Cancer Therapy

THIRUANANTHAPURAM:
The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB) and Cochin Cancer Research Centre, Kochi (CCRC) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cancer research, therapy and advanced diagnostics.

The MoU was signed between Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana, Director of RGCB, and Dr Balagopal P.G., Director of CCRC, in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Health & Family Welfare Minister Veena George and Law & Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, at the State Secretariat here.

Under the MoU, RGCB, an institute of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) under the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, will act as a nodal institution for a period of five years for establishing the Research and Diagnostic facility at CCRC and anchor its Research and Diagnosis Service Division since it requires expert stakeholder governance in the initial phase.

“The MoU is quite important because the RGCB will extend its expertise and sophisticated lab facilities to make a significant headway in research on cancer treatment and prevention. The cooperation in the cancer research will essentially benefit the common man” said Prof. Narayana.

As part of the agreement, RGCB will provide scientific mentoring and overall technical management of the R&D facility at CCRC and also provide structured training to its research staff and clinicians.

The major areas of research will be cancer development, cancer progression, and cancer therapy & diagnostics.