It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dr M K Bhan on 26th January 2020, in Delhi.
Dr Bhan was a paediatrician and an outstanding clinical scientist credited with pioneering the Rotavirus vaccine, one of the first indigenous vaccines. A Padma Bhushan recipient, he began as secretary of the DBT in 2005 and served in this position till 2013 - one of the most vibrant periods in the growth of life science research and entrepreneurship in India.
He is credited with many innovations that transformed the life sciences in the country, including the building of the transformative BIRAC - the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council - and was also instrumental in setting up the Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR) at Vellore, a few years before inStem and C-CAMP were realised under his watch.
Dr Bhan conceptualised the very idea of Clusters, of which our Life Science Cluster was one of the first. Above all, he was a great friend of NCBS, inStem, and C-CAMP, and we always knew that we could count on him for support and inspiration. His mentorship was invaluable, and he will be sorely missed.
Image credit- Madhu Kapparath For Forbes India
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