Public–private partnership key to driving innovation in life Sciences: Dr Jitendra

Srinagar, Nov 21: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and MoS in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today said that public–private partnership (PPP) is crucial for advancing innovation and creating a strong research ecosystem in the field of life sciences.
Speaking at GISICON 2025 at ASCOMS, Sidhra—a two-day conference of the Gastro Intestinal Infections Society of India themed “Brain-Gut Axis: Two Lane Expressway”—the Minister said that PPP models in medicine and life sciences will help build a sustainable environment for cutting-edge research and inclusive healthcare.
Dr. Singh praised the organizers for hosting a major scientific conference in Jammu through a non-government body, calling it a significant step toward promoting a vibrant research culture in the Union Territory. He said the older distinction between public and private sectors is fading, and collaboration is becoming central to progress in life sciences and healthcare delivery.
Highlighting India’s growing scientific capabilities, Dr. Singh said the private sector is now deeply involved in sectors such as space, atomic energy, and earth sciences, and is increasingly contributing to medicine, biotechnology, and life sciences. He said recent breakthroughs have helped India shed its earlier “late starter” image in global research.
For India to lead globally, Dr. Singh said the country must maintain consistency and achieve landmark progress in scientific fields. “We cannot rely on the laurels of yesterday if we aim to secure India’s future in global innovation,” he remarked.
He emphasized India’s advancements in preventive healthcare under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pointing to India’s rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine and its supply to several nations under Vaccine Maitri, the Minister said this showcased India’s emergence as a global leader in preventive medicine. He also highlighted the Department of Biotechnology’s development of the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer prevention as another milestone.
Dr. Singh further referred to India’s first indigenous antibiotic Nafithromycin, and the successful gene therapy trials for hemophilia, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. He stressed that deeper public–private collaboration would help sustain such achievements and secure long-term innovation.
The Minister later felicitated Dr. M.S. Khuroo, former Director of SKIMS, who delivered the keynote address. The conference features sessions on holistic healthcare, gut microbiome, Parkinson’s and gut health, neuromodulation, the gut–brain axis, FMT in liver disease, and other emerging topics, with participation from leading medical experts across the country.
The event was attended by Dr. Pawan Malhotra, Principal-Director ASCOMS; Swami Prem Vivekanand Ji, President ASCOMS Society; Dr. Bela Mahajan, HoD Microbiology; Dr. Anil Gupta, HoD Medicine; and several researchers, clinicians, and academicians.
The Gastrointestinal Infection Society of India, founded in 2007, continues to promote research, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing on gastrointestinal health across the country. (KINS)