
Strengthening Global Partnerships: A Dialogue with DNDi and the Swiss Embassy to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases
On 24 May 2024, DNDi and the Embassy of Switzerland in India co-hosted a dialogue at the Swiss Residence in New Delhi. The evening was dedicated to discussing innovative partnership models for research into Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Bringing together experts and key stakeholders, including government and pharmaceutical bodies. The speakers aimed to address the unique challenges posed by NTDs through collaborative approaches.
The evening began with opening remarks from Dr Ralf Heckner, Ambassador of Switzerland to India and Bhutan, and Dr Kavita Singh, South Asia Director of DNDi. Both speakers emphasized the importance of global cooperation in tackling global health problems. They expressed their satisfaction at the strengthening commitment between India and Switzerland towards sustainable development goals, particularly in the domain of NTDs.
A major highlight of the evening was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DNDi, DNDi India Foundation and the Indo-Swiss Innovation Platform. This MoU outlines a framework of cooperation among Team Switzerland India organizations. The collaboration focuses on “Health, Sustainability, and Digital Transformation” to enhance innovation and research collaboration between India and Switzerland.
Mr Jonas Brunschwig, CEO of Swissnex in India and Consul General of Switzerland, highlighted the power of innovation and partnerships. He praised India’s efforts towards creating a robust Digital Public Infrastructure. Dr Rishi Jain, Head of Medical Affairs, India, Novartis, discussed the lengthy process required for medical drug products to reach the market. Dr Radha Rangarajan, Director of CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, urged a focus on global treatments beyond national boundaries. Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of BIRAC, emphasized the need for deep tech companies to engage and attract industries looking for innovative models.
The discussions and insights shared will undoubtedly contribute to advancing DNDi’s mission to fight NTDs through innovative research partnerships.