• The Union Minister inaugurated Asia’s first “Pre-clinical Network Facility” related to health research at the Regional Centre of Biotechnology in Faridabad.

• Alongside this, the Ge-HuMic was also launched.

• It stands for “Genetically Defined Human Associated Microbial Culture Collection Facility” and will serve as a repository for supplying microbial cultures to institutes.

• The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) selected BRIC-THSTI (Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute) as a pre-clinical network laboratory, making it the first in Asia and the 9th globally.

• This facility will support vaccine development and translational research and foster collaborations between academic institutions, hospitals, and industry.

• This experimental animal facility can house up to 75,000 mice, including immune-compromised mice, and other species, including rats, rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs.

• It is among the biggest ‘small animal’ facilities in the nation.

• Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the institute’s achievements, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare and research in India.

Click here to read more.