Date Created: 22 July 2011
Scots scientists from Moredun Research Institute (MRI) Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow signed a landmark £1 million agreement last month with the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) with help from Scottish Development International (SDI).
The project, funded by the Wellcome Trust, aims to develop a new vaccine to help control a fatal bacterial disease, Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) affecting cattle, water buffalo and camels across South and South-East Asia, Africa and South America.
In India, it is estimated that HS is responsible for approximately half of all cattle and buffalo deaths. The disease is a significant economic problem for resource-poor farmers who rely on these animals for subsistence.
Inocul8, GALVmed and Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) will license and manufacture the new vaccine in India when ready.
Support from SDI India was instrumental in facilitating the agreement.
Mark Dolan, SDI India Country Manager, announced:
''On behalf of Scottish Development International I warmly welcome the signing of this landmark research agreement between IVRI and IIL in India and the Moredun Research Institute, Glasgow University, Inocul8 and GALVmed in Scotland.
"This agreement is indicative of the increasing collaboration between India and Scotland in the area of life sciences. Scotland hosts one of the largest life sciences clusters in Europe, as well as a tradition of medical and scientific discovery stretching back 200 years. This agreement will give IVRI access to Scotland's high levels of expertise and culture of innovation and will be of mutual benefit to both countries.''
Did you know?
- Scotland is a global leader in animal bioscience and has the largest concentration of animal science related expertise anywhere in Europe
- World famous for the creation of “Dolly” the sheep, Edinburgh leads the way in advancing animal health and welfare through knowledge of genetics and reproductive biology understanding
- The Easter Bush Research Consortium (EBRC) brings together over 600 leading scientists from the Roslin Institute, the Moredun Research Institute, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Scottish Agricultural College to tackle pressing issues in animal health and welfare and their implications for human health
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New facilities at Roslin Institute are home to 500 top animal research scientists