Life science R&D activities in Asia have seen a lag period in the last century and needs huge attention. We had been largely dependent upon the Western countries for innovation in life sciences and we are used to follow the path that has been built by them. There is a serious demand of committed people to undertake R&D activities in Asia. Until the time research remains the least priority area for majority of the people, R&D activities will keep on suffering in Asian countries. There is a need to stimulate the young mind at the grass root level to generate interest in the innovation so that the talented students take-up the research as their first choice in the carrier, not as last choice. At the same time, there should be enough research infrastructures in the country to retain these brilliant talents and make them feel financially comfortable.

Another important point that needs attention in the Asian countries is the huge gap between academia and industry. I think there is a lack of trust on academic research outcome due to which industry is not readily willing to adopt them. Industry is more comfortable in buying ready-made technology from the western countries. Industry needs to fund research at the academic institutions and involve them from the beginning to take the research to the meaningful conclusion.

How different do you think is the research scenario in Asia from the rest of the developed nations of the world?

Research scenario in Western world is at a much advance stage due to their long-term vision of innovation, awareness at the school level, higher proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) in research and intense involvement of industry in the academic research program.

What are the various challenges being faced by you?