Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Sun Pharma have entered into an agreement for research and innovation in preventive health. This was announced by Union Health Minister JP Nadda in New Delhi at a function on the occasion of World Malaria Day yesterday. <br/><br/>He said, this unique initiative is a significant step in the health sector and reiterated the commitment of the government to strengthen health research in the country. He said this collaboration, which is India's first public-private-partnership for research and innovation, will prove to be a milestone in the government's strategy to address the issue of Malaria in the country. <br/><br/>In addition, ICMR and Sun Pharma will jointly conduct scientific research for development and testing of medical products including drugs, biosimilars and vaccines as well as undertake disease control and elimination programs. They will setup a Joint Working Group to identify and collaborate in disease surveillance and elimination that are relevant to India.<br/><br/> Both will expand cooperation in the area of translational health sciences research with the objective of developing new and improved medicines for infectious and chronic diseases. They will jointly work to strengthen capacity and facilities required for conducting research and trials aimed at testing safety and efficacy of medical products.