Shailendra Sawleshwarkar

The Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India — Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, graced the occasion of @thePHFI's Foundation Day as the Chief Guest and chaired the Foundation Day Lecture at PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi on 25th April 2025. Prof. Sood delivered a special address on ‘𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐫, 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞’, outlining the strategic direction provided by the Office of PSA to Science Policy as well as Scientific Advice to key sectoral policies of India, and missions conceptualised by the Prime Minister’s Science Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). Highlighting initiatives under PM-STIAC, Prof. Sood briefed the gathering on India’s National One Health Mission, its focus areas and its holistic approach bringing human, animal and environmental health sectors together on national and international levels. Prof. Sood laid emphasis on a focused drive for cell and gene therapy, stating that India has 2 approved CAR-T cell products. He called for capabilities to accelerate development and commercialisation with a robust regulatory, manufacturing, and clinical ecosystem that creates affordable and accessible therapies. Speaking on AI Innovations Driving Healthcare Applications as in personalised healthcare, drug development and virtual nursing, etc., Prof. Sood underlined the contribution of the @OfficialINDIAai initiative in supercharging AI Infrastructure, leveraging the power of data and other real-world applications. He emphasised the pivotal role the AI Centre of Excellence will play in leading transformative change not only in next-generation healthcare but also across agriculture, education, and sustainable living. Watch the special address at: youtu.be/4cOQ2LM7Flg