AIIMS Bhopal has signed a research partnership with Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, to conduct joint studies in pharmacogenomics using genetic profiles to guide more personalized and effective drug prescriptions for Indian patients.
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The collaboration, formalized through an exchange of a Letter of Intent during a visit by a Dutch delegation, focuses on exploring how genetic variations influence individual responses to medicines. Led by Dr. Shubham Atal from AIIMS Bhopal’s Department of Pharmacology, the project will evaluate clinical applicability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of pharmacogenomics approaches in routine healthcare. With an estimated budget exceeding INR 10 crore, the initiative aims to strengthen precision medicine efforts in India by integrating genetic data into treatment decisions and improving patient outcomes.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal has entered into a significant international research collaboration with Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands to push forward the field of personalized medicine. The partnership centers on pharmacogenomics, a science that examines how a person’s genetic makeup affects their response to specific drugs. This knowledge can help doctors choose the right medication, adjust dosages, or select alternative treatments, reducing adverse reactions and increasing treatment effectiveness.
A delegation from Erasmus Medical Center, led by Peter J. Van Der Spek, visited AIIMS Bhopal recently to formalize the tie-up. During the visit, both institutions exchanged a Letter of Intent to boost academic and research cooperation. The proposed project carries an estimated outlay of over INR 10 crore and will be spearheaded by Dr. Shubham Atal from the Department of Pharmacology at AIIMS Bhopal. Researchers from both sides will study the practical use of genetic data in everyday clinical settings, assess how such approaches can be scaled across different healthcare levels, and analyze the associated costs.
This Indo Dutch initiative seeks to make precision medicine more accessible in India by building a stronger data driven framework for treatment decisions. By understanding genetic influences on drug responses, the collaboration is expected to support safer and more individualized prescriptions, particularly for conditions where standard treatments show wide variability in outcomes. It also aligns with AIIMS Bhopal’s broader efforts to enhance research capabilities and integrate advanced technologies into public healthcare delivery.
The partnership comes at a time when pharmacogenomics is gaining global attention for its potential to transform how medicines are prescribed. For India, with its diverse genetic population, such research holds special relevance in addressing unique challenges in drug efficacy and safety. The joint efforts are likely to generate valuable insights that can inform national health policies and improve overall quality of care.
“The collaboration aims to enhance ongoing research in precision medicine by strengthening a data-driven approach and offering more personalized treatment options tailored to individual genetic profiles.”
By
HB Team
