AstraZeneca India signs MoU for genomic cancer centre in Amaravati | Vijayawada News
Vijayawada: In a move aimed at advancing cancer diagnosis and treatment through genomics, AstraZeneca India has signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh govt to establish an Integrated Genomic Solutions Centre in Amaravati.The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of chief minister Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday. The project will be implemented by AstraZeneca India in partnership with Reliance-backed Strand Life Sciences and Qure.ai.The collaboration is expected to lead to India’s first Integrated Precision Oncology Programme, initially focusing on lung and breast cancer patients. The centre will provide advanced genomic testing and biomarker analysis to enable personalised treatment based on a patient’s genetic profile.Officials said the initiative will combine artificial intelligence, next-generation sequencing and genomic medicine to improve early cancer detection and targeted treatment. AI-enabled X-ray screening systems for early detection of lung cancer will also be introduced in govt hospitals to speed up screening, diagnosis and treatment.Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said the initiative aims to make advanced healthcare technologies accessible to people. He stressed the need for greater research in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors and noted that early detection can significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients.The chief minister said healthcare systems should evolve towards predictive, preventive and curative models. Referring to the state’s Sanjeevani project, he said Andhra Pradesh is creating digital health profiles for all citizens and called for faster transformation of the healthcare sector.Naidu also urged stakeholders to leverage the Amaravati Quantum Valley initiative for research into cancer and other diseases. He said quantum technologies are expected to bring transformative changes to drug discovery in the coming years.Chief secretary K Sai Prasad, AstraZeneca India managing director A Praveen Rao, representatives of Strand Life Sciences and Qure.ai, and senior health department officials were present.
