Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 11: In what could be the first-of-its kind in the country, the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, is contemplating the establishment of an Integrated Cell & Gene Therapy Centre.
In this regard, SKIMS stated that a meeting was held between Dr. Khalid Shah, Professor at Harvard Medical School, the Director of SKIMS, and senior faculty members to create a collaborative platform in cancer therapeutics.
During the meeting, the need for establishing a collaborative platform, with the long-term vision of setting up an ‘Integrated Cell and Gene Therapy Centre’ at SKIMS, was discussed.
“It would be the first of its kind not only in this region but in the whole country,” SKIMS said.
This initiative is expected to play a significant role in developing new treatment strategies for cancer management and would immensely benefit cancer patients, the institute said.
Earlier, the son of the soil and renowned researcher Dr. Khalid, who is the Vice Chair of Research, Department of Neurosurgery and Director, Center for Stem Cell and Translational Immunotherapy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Professor at Harvard Medical School, USA, delivered a lecture on ‘Role of Cellular and Gene Therapy in Brain Tumor Therapeutics’ at a CME & Research Orientation Program organised by SKIMS.
Dr. Khalid, a leading expert in cancer biology and translational therapies, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative research methodologies, engineered cell therapies, and emerging technologies in advancing brain tumor treatment.
His lecture highlighted recent breakthroughs, including immunotherapies and precision medicine approaches, that are reshaping the future of neuro-oncology.
“The fight against brain tumors requires a global, collaborative effort-combining cutting-edge science with clinical insights to develop transformative therapies,” he said.
“By fostering international partnerships across disciplines, we can accelerate progress and bring hope to patients within the region, country and worldwide.”
The session also featured an interactive Q&A, where participants exchanged ideas on challenges in cancer management, funding opportunities for cutting-edge research, and collaboration.
Attendees praised Dr. Shah’s visionary perspective, his commitment to translating lab discoveries into real-world therapies, and his dream of bringing recently developed treatment options to his hometown.
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