Government of India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Cancer Research UK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Cancer Research Initiative, “Affordable Approaches to Cancer”. This was signed during the Inaugural Researchers Summit that was held in New Delhi from November 14th to November 16th 2018. The summit witnessed participation of scientists, researchers, epidemiologists, clinicians, public health professionals and industry in the field of oncology representing 40 different institutions (26 Indian and 14 UK) culminating in the development to 13 research concept notes after lengthy discussions and deliberations. This was followed by a Challenge Setting Meeting that was held in London during March 19th& 20th 2019. The two day meeting was attended by Members of the Advisory Panel (cancer experts and patient representatives drawn from both India and UK) and representations from DBT and Cancer Research UK. The Advisory Panel after extensive discussions has short-listed seven challenges for the research initiative.

DBT and Cancer Research UK have partnered to launch a £ 10 million, 5 year research initiative focussed on finding affordable approaches to cancer. This research initiative aims to stimulate a focussed bilateral, multidisciplinary research effort to address important challenges in affordability in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment and drive collaboration between the two countries. By bringing together the complimentary research expertise of India and the UK, the initiative will accelerate progress in research with a potential to make significant progress against cancer consequences and impact cancer outcomes.

DBT and Cancer Research UK’s Bilateral Research Initiative for Affordable Approaches to Cancer will be implemented in three phases; Phase I: Identifying Core Challenges; Phase II: Establishing New Research Partnerships, and Phase III: Program Awards. The Bilateral Initiative has successfully completed phase I.

DBT, Cancer Research UK and DBT Wellcome Trust India Alliance have now signed a tripartite agreement that sets out the terms and conditions by which the India Alliance will undertake grant funded activities for the second and the third phase of the India-UK Affordable Approaches to Cancer initiative.