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The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, is looking at collaborative ties with companies such as Biocon.
Prof Tyler Jacks, Head of Koch Institute, and renowned cancer researcher, addressing a symposium on ‘Integrative Research in Oncology' at Biocon Research Centre, said, “For designing the future of cancer research in MIT, we are focussing on new initiatives that combined expertise in science and engineering.”
“We are embracing several dimensions to address the challenges of the dreaded disease which is affecting nearly eight million people across the world. Today more deaths are caused by cancer than by tuberculosis, malaria and HIV,” he added.
In India, the Institute is looking at developing close collaborative relationships with companies like Biocon which already have a significant oncology research pipeline, he further said.
Prof Vikas Sukhatme of Harvard Medical School, speaking on ‘Yesterday's Medicines, Tomorrow's Cures Available Today' said, “Therapies for India should be developed in India because our (India) needs are different.”
He illustrated multiple examples covering cancer metabolism and cancer immunology where existing low cost medications like beta blockers (drugs which block the action of adrenaline) and metformin (an antidiabetic drug) could significantly improve the outcome when combined with existing cancer therapies.
“Whilst these combinations are not commercially pursued in the United States due to lack of patentability, however in a country like India we should systematically evaluate these options as these could have a huge impact in providing affordable cancer care to patients,” explained Prof Sukhatme.
Welcoming the Koch Institute delegates, Ms Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon Group, said that “Today there are new advances in cancer immunology, cancer metabolism and cancer genomics that are providing new answers to cancer care. In addition, advanced diagnostics and enhanced drug delivery systems are providing superior outcomes.”
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