India and UK sign MoU for collaboration in cancer research
GS 2: IR | Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Why in news?
- India and United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration in cancer research.
- It is a follow-up to the joint statement issued by Prime Ministers of India and UK during the visit of PM Narendra Modi to the UK in April 2018.
Highlights of the MoU:
- The MoU was signed between Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Cancer Research UK (CRUK) for India-UK Cancer Research Initiative for collaboration in cancer research for the next five years.
- Under the MoU, both CRUK and DBT will invest 5 million pounds each in this five-year pilot project and seek further investment from other potential funding partners.
- India-UK Cancer Research Initiative will identify core set of research challenges that address issues of affordability, prevention and care of cancer patients by bringing together leading Indian and UK experts in clinical research, demographic research, new technologies and physical sciences.
- The initiative will provide funding to develop new research alliances and undertake impactful research to enable significant progress against cancer outcomes.
- It will also provide a catalysing platform for scientists and researchers in India and UK to co-create solutions for affordable cancer care that will improve cancer outcomes around the globe.