Apollo, DRDO to work on stem cell research

President A P J Abdul Kalam yesterday formally launched the Apollo DRDO Technology Partnership at the Apollo DRDO Hospital. The Apollo-DRDO partnership is a joint venture of Apollo group of hospitals and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

DRDO has the know-how, the personnel, the infrastructure and the resources to undertake and conduct pre-clinical research, while Apollo Hospitals, with its large patient base across India, has a wealth of clinical material required for the clinical component of medical research. This joint venture aims at leveraging the core strengths of both partners for the benefit of the common man.

Kalam exhorted the doctors at Apollo Hospitals and the DRDO scientists to join hands and explore the possibility of opening new vistas in the area of medical technology.

He mentioned that good progress was being made in the area of stem cell research and wanted Apollo and DRDO to work in this area too. He asked both Apollo and DRDO to focus on two specific areas "� stem cells related research for specific diseases, and enabling tools for mentally challenged children.

Prathap C Reddy, the chairman of Apollo Hospitals group, said Apollo-DRDO Technology Partnership would focus on stem cell research in neurology, neuro surgery and cardiology.