New Delhi: The International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) has signed a partnership with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), under the aegis of the India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH), to tackle the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) across the One Health domain.
One Health is an approach that recognizes that human health is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment.
As a part of this partnership under the aegis of the India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH), ICARS will strive to provide funding support over the next five years, and technical expertise and network for implementation research jointly with C-CAMP, aligning with India’s National Action Plan on AMR (NAP 2.0). Additionally, ICARS and C-CAMP will work together to mobilise further funding to expand efforts and create a wider impact.
The partnership will focus on identifying, developing, and scaling innovative solutions to tackle AMR in India, with potential expansion to other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The partnership also aims to bring together a network of Indian stakeholders actively working on AMR-related challenges.
Welcoming the announcement of this landmark cross-border partnership, Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, Director-CEO, C-CAMP said: C-CAMP is delighted to partner with ICARS towards identifying and supporting development of innovations in Antimicrobial Resistance particularly in the complex One Health domain. In India we are yet to recognise health, food and environment holistically as One Health and have a go-to pipeline of proven solutions whether that be technology, implementation or framework. With this partnership, under India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH), we are committed to change this scenario.”
Prof Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt of India said: “As Chair of the C-CAMP anchored India AMR Innovation Hub, I’m excited to welcome our latest international partner ICARS to India’s fight against the AMR challenge. As India’s AMR NAP 2.0 comes up, such partnerships will provide crucial perspective, guidance and significant support in navigating the formidable multi-sectoral challenge of One Health.”
H.E. Freddy Svane, Ambassador at the Royal Danish Embassy in New Delhi said: “Drug resistance is a growing threat to global health. ICARS holds the key for raising awareness and advocacy. With the MoU between ICARS and C-CAMP, a new step is taken in tackling AMR in India and beyond. A one health approach is crucial.”
ICARS’ Board Chair, Henrik Wegener said: “We welcome the partnership with C-CAMP and anticipate a productive, collaborative relationship over the next five years. At ICARS we focus on context-specific, country-owned solutions and we look forward to working with C-CAMP and other stakeholders to identify, develop and test AMR solutions that will deliver meaningful impact and address One Health AMR challenges in India.”
ICARS’ Executive Director, Dr Sujith J. Chandy said: “ICARS is proud to partner with C-CAMP and bring together our expertise in developing tailored AMR solutions, using implementation research, and building impactful networks of committed stakeholders. As India implements its National Action Plan 2.0, our partnership will help to support the development of sustainable and innovative One Health solutions that align with national plans and can be scaled up to respond to the ever-growing threat of AMR.”
The ICARS C-CAMP partnership will kick off with an AMR Challenge, designed to fund and support innovations to develop evidence-based AMR solutions. These innovations will then be tested and scaled through public sector networks.
Inaugural Stakeholders’ Deliberation
At the onset of this partnership, a stakeholders’ deliberation was held bringing together key decision-makers, policymakers, and enablers from India to set the context for AMR mitigation. This gathering attended by key dignitaries, global partners, and stakeholders including the Danish Ambassador to India is expected to be the foundation for shaping future initiatives of this partnership across the innovation spectrum addressing AMR within the One Health approach.
Objectives of the Partnership:
-
To support identification and prioritisation of India specific One Health AMR challenges and strategies to tackle them.
-
To foster innovative evidence-based solutions that address these AMR challenges by leveraging promising cutting-edge research, technology, and data-driven insights.
-
To validate ready solutions in the field and generate evidence for the effect/impact of solutions.
-
To enhance the integration of human, animal, and environmental health perspectives in AMR strategies.
-
To build a robust network of stakeholders, including researchers, innovators, policymakers, healthcare providers, and industry leaders.