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The Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Centenary Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research was instituted in the year 1991-92 as part of the Dr.Ambedkar Birth Centenary Celebrations. The award, of value Rupees one lakh, is awarded in alternate years for excellence in any field of biomedical research as evidenced by scientific publications in internationally recognised journals and contribution to advancement of knowledge and/or improvements in medical practices, health programmes etc. This Award is open to scientists of all age groups.
The Award for 1999-2000 is being presented to Dr. Sandip Kumar Basu, Director, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, for the outstanding quality and importance of his research contributions, inspiring leadership in building and nurturing institutions of excellence in scientific research, exemplary initiatives, demonstrated success in fostering partnership between science and the healthcare industry in India and translating research leads into products.
Dr. Basu pioneered the concept of receptor-mediated targeting of drugs as a new therapeutic approach against macrophage associated infections like kala-azar, tuberculosis, etc., and cancer. His highly innovative work, wholly done in India, also provides a new tool for targeting antigens to macrophages for generating predictable immune responses deemed essential for designing new vaccines and immunotherapeutics.
His leadership has been successful in translating research outcome into product development through a strong industrial partnership, the most significant being a therapeutic vaccine against leprosy.