India Launches Its First Ferret Research Facility
India’s commitment to cutting-edge biometric research and innovation took a huge leap with the launch of the nation’s first Ferret Research Facility. It also launched GARBH-INi-DRISHTI, which is a technology transfer agreement. The event was held at THSTI (Translational Health Science, Technology Institute) in the NCR Biotech Science Cluster located in Faridabad, Haryana.
Dr Rajesh Gokhale, the BRIC (Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council) Director General and Secretary of the DBT (Department of Biotechnology), led the event. This landmark event was held on February 3, 2025.
The Ferret Research Facility will adhere to biosafety and research standards and serve as a resource for vaccine development, therapeutic testing, and research of Mpox-like infectious diseases. Dr Gokhale emphasised that the inauguration of India’s first Ferret Research Facility will place the country among nations with advanced animal research capabilities. It also enhanced India’s contribution to global biometric science.
Dr Rajesh Gokhale also launched GARBH-INi-DRISHTI, the DBT Data repository and information-sharing hub. Developed under the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI agreement, this platform will provide access to clinical data, images, and biospecimens compiled from 12,000 pregnant women, newborns, and postpartum mothers.
GARBH-INi-DRISHTI will empower researchers across the world to conduct transformative research to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
The THSTI implemented the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI Technology Transfer Agreement with M/s Sundyota Numandis Probiotics Pvt. Ltd. This agreement facilitates Lactobacillus Crispatus, THSTI’s advanced and genetically defined synthetic microbial consortium.
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