BioVoice News eMag July 2023 | Page 8

N E W S B Y T E S

IIT Kanpur signs breakthrough MOA with Laurus Labs for novel gene therapy assets
Laurus Labs will establish a state-ofthe-art Good Manufacturing Practice ( GMP ) facility at IIT Kanpur ’ s Techno Park , bolstering the production capabilities of gene therapy products .
Dr Shroff ’ s Charity Eye Hospital & Pandorum launch centre to offer regenerative therapy for corneal blindness
In a historic milestone , the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur ( IITK ) has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement ( MOA ) with Laurus Labs to introduce groundbreaking gene therapy assets to the market . This collaboration marks a paradigm shift with regards to innovation and advancement in the field of bioengineering in India , with this unprecedented industry-first investment in a faculty research group .
In accordance with the MOA , IIT Kanpur will transfer several gene therapy assets through in-licensing to Laurus Labs , who will provide a research grant to facilitate their progression through pre-clinical development . Laurus Labs will also fund the necessary clinical trials and spearhead the launch of these cuttingedge products not only in India but also in emerging markets . In addition ,
India ’ s leading eyecare institute Dr Shroff ’ s Charity Eye Hospital has collaborated with Bengaluru-based Pandorum Technologies to inaugurate a one-of-its-kind centre offering advanced regenerative therapeutics for patients suffering from corneal blindness . The initiative hopes to help in bridging the demand-access for cornea availability by making regenerative treatments accessible for millions .
India has a huge burden of bilateral ( 1.2 million ) and unilateral ( 5 – 6 million ) corneal blindness . Each year , the burden increases by 30,000 new cases of blindness . According to the
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BioVoiceNews | July 2023