Revolutionizing Drug Discovery in India: Insights from Ex-ICMR Chief on Quantum Computing and AI
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Synopsis
Dr. Balram Bhargava, former ICMR Director General, highlights the transformative potential of quantum computing and AI in drug discovery, positioning India as a global pharmaceutical leader. He emphasizes collaboration and market shaping for healthcare accessibility.
Key Takeaways
- Quantum Computing and AI are set to revolutionize drug discovery in India.
- India's rich chemistry heritage supports its pharmaceutical advancements.
- Challenges like API availability and innovative drug discovery persist.
- Collaboration is essential for boosting India's pharmaceutical sector.
- Market shaping is crucial for making innovations accessible.
New Delhi, Feb 20 (NationPress) Quantum computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are poised to transform drug discovery in India, establishing the nation as a leading center for pharmaceutical innovations, according to Dr. Balram Bhargava, the former Director General of ICMR.
Speaking at the 9th "International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research" hosted at CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow, he emphasized that India's expertise in drug discovery is rooted in its extensive history in chemistry, positioning it as a global leader in pharmaceutical developments.
Dr. Bhargava remarked, "The fusion of Quantum Computing and AI is set to transform drug discovery processes, expediting research timelines and cutting down costs."
The expert highlighted India's track record of producing high-quality and affordable medicines, which promotes healthcare accessibility on a global scale. Nonetheless, he pointed out ongoing challenges such as the accessibility of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and the pressing need for innovative drug discoveries.
Moreover, he advocated for collaborative efforts to enhance India's pharmaceutical landscape, akin to the successful vaccine development initiatives.
"It's crucial to shape the market effectively, ensuring that groundbreaking innovations are accessible to the public while upholding India's status in providing cost-effective healthcare solutions," he stated.
The symposium aimed to explore emerging strategies in synthetic and medicinal chemistry and featured insights from esteemed global experts from the universities of Florida and Minnesota in the US. They discussed advancements in pain management techniques and the imperative to devise new antimicrobial agents with unique mechanisms.
Additionally, Dr. Arindam Talukdar from CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) in Kolkata presented his research on the stimulation of agonism-antagonism in TLR7 modulators through intricate interactions among chemical components.
TLR7 is an endosomal TLR protein that plays a pivotal role in the body’s ability to identify and respond to viral and bacterial infections.
