On July 23, 2024, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Merck Life Science Private Limited. The agreement aims to develop test kits for detecting foodborne pathogens and create food safety guidance documents and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The collaboration also includes the development of joint scientific projects, methods for microbial detection, workflow development, and providing subject matter guidance, regulatory consultation, scientific demonstrations, and training in the field of food safety.
The MoU was exchanged by Dr. George Ninan, Director of ICAR-CIFT, Cochin, and Dr. Veena Panicker, Head of BioMonitoring at Merck Life Science Pvt. Ltd. The ceremony was attended by Dr. R. Dinesh, Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala, Dr. Bindu J., Head of the Fish Processing Division, and other dignitaries during the inaugural event of the DST-SERB sponsored Kaaryashala on “Business Avenues in Fish Processing and Value Addition” organized by the Fish Processing Division and the ZTMC-Agribusiness Incubation Centre of ICAR-CIFT.
The team for this collaboration includes Dr. Zynudheen A. A, Head of the Quality Assurance & Management Division, Dr. Pankaj Kishore, Dr. Niladri Sekhar Chatterjee, Dr. Ranjit Kumar Nadella, Mr. Babu P.S., Mr. Ajith Chellapan, Mr. Padmaraj P.D., and Mrs. Bindu Joseph from ICAR-CIFT, Cochin, and Mr. Ashvinkmar J., Dr. Harmesh Sahay, Mr. Satheesh K. Nair, and Mr. Parag from Merck. A confidentiality agreement was also signed between ICAR-CIFT and Merck for the development of rapid testing kits.
ICAR-CIFT is the first research institute in India to sign an MoU with the Merck group, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of food safety technologies in the country.
Source: ICAR-CIFT
