Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) is gearing up to set up a laboratory for animal research and production centre at the proposed life science park at Kazhakuttam in Thiruvananthapuram in association with Kerala State Industrial Development Cooperation (KSIDC).
The Rs.30-crore project envisages an internationally accredited and Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) compliant animal production house, state-of-the-art referral laboratory on par with international standards to diagnose emerging diseases, including zoonotic and contagious diseases, and an international training centre for capacity building, Vice Chancellor B. Ashok told The Hindu .
The varsity had signed a memorandum of understanding with KSIDC for the purpose recently, Dr. Ashok said.
The Directorate of Entrepreneurship of the university had been assigned the task of identifying appropriate projects based on market feasibility, Dr. Ashok said.
This centre would offer open online courses under technology-enabled mode in association with the University of Guelph, Canada; University of Connecticut, USA; University of Bristol, U.K.; and University of Western Australia, T.P. Sethumadhavan, Director of Entrepreneurship, KVASU, said.
Since there was no national level animal disease referral diagnostic laboratory facility in South India, it would help the State to diagnose emerging diseases, including Avian Influenza and Kysanur Forest Disease at a fast pace, Dr. Sethumadhavan said.
Cornell University, U.S., would assist KVASU in setting up the animal house.
It is expecting that the project would be commissioned in one-and-a-half years, he said. ‘‘If KVASU can able to supply laboratory animal across southeast Asian region as part of ASEAN agreement, it is a huge market which can fetch nearly Rs.25 crore a year,’’ Dr. Sethumadhavan said.
The university has signed a memorandum of understanding with KSIDC for the purpose.
Source : The Hindu
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