Sabin Institute honors Dr Poonawalla

Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla receiving the Sabin Humanitarian Award from Dr Seth Berkley, president and CEO of International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI).

The New York-based Sabin Institute has honored Padma Shri awardee Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla, chairman and managing director, Serum Institute of India Ltd, with its Humanitarian award. The award was given in recognition of his commitment for making available vaccines to protect the under-privileged children of the world at very affordable prices, with the result that the UN Agencies recognizing this fact have purchased these vaccines at low cost to protect the world's infant population against communicable diseases.

Dr Poonawalla also received the Global Corporate Philanthropy award on behalf of Serum Institute for excellence in quality healthcare and the philanthropic policy pursued by Serum Institute right from its inception. Dr Poonawalla was among the six distinguished international personalities to have been recognized by Sabin Institute, notably among them was the famed Larry King.

Dr Poonawalla received the Sabin Humanitarian award at the hands of Dr Seth Berkley, president and CEO of International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI). Receiving the award, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla said, "It gives me great pleasure and privilege to receive the award by the famed Sabin Institute. This award is a tribute to Serum Institute's 'Philosophy of Care' and commitment of 'Health to All'. Our aim and objective is to make available life saving serums to the masses of India at affordable prices. Our vaccines are available at prices that are within the reach of common man. I hope to have the strength to pursue the same philanthropic policy whilst launching newer vaccines in the future."

Dr Poonawalla lauded Sabin Institute for selecting a company in the developing world, perhaps for the first time, for this coveted award. He expressed his gratitude for the support and assistance rendered to SII by several UN and international agencies over the years.

Prasanta is new CEO of IBPL

Prasanta Biswal is the new chief executive officer of International Biotech Park Ltd (IBPL). He is joining the TCG Real Estate with 18 years of experience and expertise in the different areas of foreign investment promotion, international business development and SME development.

With a Masters Degree in Economics from Delhi School of Economics, Prasanta worked with several organizations at different levels such as director of FICCI-USA and managed FICCI's US operations; as a consultant to the Planning Commission and as the Indian delegate, nominated by the Ministry of Industry to participate in an investment promotion program under the Delegate Program of UNIDO for increased flow of Italian investment and technology into India.

Prof. Samuelson bags Chemito Award

Prof. AG Samuelson, professor, inorganic & physical chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore was declared winner of the Chemito Award 2004 for excellence in applied research in the field of analytical techniques. Prof. Samuelson has been involved in research activities that are focused on structure-reactivity and structure-property relationships.

Constituted in 1998 in the memory of BD Toshniwal, a pioneer in analytical instrumentation in India and the founder of Chemito Technologies, the Chemito National Award of Excellence recognizes significant contributions in the areas of applied research carried out using an instrumental technique (preferably chromatography or spectroscopy)/applied research in the field of chemistry and life sciences.
The award carries an endowment of Rs 20,000, a certificate and a citation.