KARACHI: Speakers at a conference on neuroscience have called for steps to promote academia-industry collaboration with reference to recent developments in neurodegenerative diseases.

The attention towards the joint efforts was drawn at the concluding session of a two-day conference held on Friday on ‘The 8th Annual Neuroscience Conference’ at the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS).

Local and foreign experts discussed the recent developments in neurodegenerative diseases at the event jointly organised by the DUHS, Pakistan Society of Basic & Applied Neuroscience (PASBAN), Pakistan Society of Neurology and Advance Educational Institute and Research Centre (AEIRC).

Speakers highlighted the importance of neurosciences in the backdrop of growing prevalence and incidence of depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders and substance abuse.

Dr Shan Siddiqui from Harvard Medical University, USA, was the keynote speaker who talked about circuit-targeted neuromodulation in neuropsychiatry.

Dr Kaiser Waheed, former chairman of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association, recalled how Novartis teamed up with Harvard University to develop implantable and injectable systems for different types of cancer.

“An inspiring step indeed, but are there lessons to be drawn especially in the context of Pakistan?” he asked, adding that the challenges in the health sector could be effectively addressed by exploring the opportunities for industry-academia collaboration.

“The potential advantages to both as a result of collaboration can work as a springboard towards a win-win situation,” he noted.

About the problems being currently faced by the pharmaceutical sector, Dr Waheed said the rising cost of doing business and depreciating rupee value was hurting the margins which in turn leave a meagre amount of money for any endeavours.

“Despite these obstacles, we must act today with all the creative energy at our command. Let us begin an era of revolution. Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength. And let us renew our faith and our hope,” he said.

Prof Athar Inam, founding president of the PASBAN, recalled how his organisation had been engaged in efforts for promotion of neuroscience since its establishment in 2007.

Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, chairman of the Higher Education Commission, also addressed the participants through the video link.

Prof Attaur Rehman, former federal minister for science and technology, was the chief guest while DUHS Vice-Chancellor Prof Saeed Qureshi spoke as the guest of honour at the inaugural session.

Earlier, Dr Sonia Siddiqui, the conference chair, welcomed the guests and highlighted the salient features of the conference.

The conference was well attended by neuro physicians, faculty members of the DUHS and medical students of Dow International Medical College.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2022