Health

The GenomeIndia project is one of the country’s most ambitious scientific efforts to map the genetic diversity of Indian populations. Funded by the Department of Biotechnology, the project aims to build a comprehensive catalogue of genetic variations that reflect India’s unique population structure. The official GenomeIndia portal states that 20,000 samples have been collected from 83 diverse populations, while whole genome sequencing has been completed for 10,000 samples.

A major highlight of the event was the transfer of three ICMR-developed technologies to industry through licensing agreements under ICMR’s Medical Innovations Patent Mitra initiative. The first technology, a cost-effective PSP94 ELISA designed to help guide prostate biopsy decisions in patients with PSA levels below 20 ng/ml, was developed at ICMR–National Institute for Research in Women’s Health by Dr. Dhanashree Jagtap, Dr. Smita Mahale and Dr. Bhakti Pathak. It was licensed to Krishgen Labs Pvt. Ltd.

The portable MRI system is designed primarily for patients in intensive care units, emergency wards, trauma care, neurosurgical units, and other high-risk clinical settings where moving unstable patients for imaging can be dangerous. Traditionally, critically ill patients requiring MRI scans must be transported through hospital corridors to specialised imaging facilities — a process that can expose them to significant medical risks, especially if they are on ventilators, life-support systems, or continuous monitoring equipment.

Bevacizumab is a widely used oncology biologic that works by blocking tumour angiogenesis — the formation of new blood vessels that feed cancer growth. The originator product, Avastin, is marketed by Roche/Genentech, while biosimilar versions are developed to offer comparable quality, safety and efficacy at potentially lower cost

According to reports, the Centre is integrating AI-powered analytics into the claims adjudication process under Ayushman Bharat to improve transparency, reduce financial leakages, and accelerate the settlement of legitimate insurance claims. The initiative is being led through the National Health Authority (NHA), which administers the world’s largest government-funded health insurance programme.

The acquisition is strategically important because Organon brings a strong global portfolio in women’s health, biosimilars and established medicines. The New Jersey-headquartered company operates in more than 140 countries and has over 70 products across its portfolio. Organon was formed as a spin-off from Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, in 2021.