LAHORE: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) organised a conference on biological production on Monday and discussed the development of an indigenous vaccine aimed at curbing livestock diseases.

UVAS Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad presided over the event. Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) Asim Rauf, Livestock and Dairy Development Department Secretary Masoud Anwar, University of Education VC Prof Dr Talat NaseerPasha, Intellectual Property Organisation of Pakistan Chairman Farrukh Amil, academicians, researchers, professionals, and representatives from pharmaceutical industries, as well as officials from the Livestock Department, were also present.

Prof Ahmad emphasised the importance of think tanks in resolving issues within the livestock, poultry, dairy, meat, and pharmaceutical industries.

He highlighted the goals of the consultation, which included manufacturing indigenous vaccines, licensing and registering veterinary biologics, fosteringscientific collaboration between academia, industry, and Drap, and promoting patents in academia.

Mr Rauf said academia, industry stakeholders, and Drap representatives should work together to establish minimum standards.

He said Drap was offering its assistance to help achieve these objectives and had also digitalized its systems and provided accessible information tothe public.

Mr Anwar said Drap should simplify the registration procedure and provide clear timelines to stakeholders. Prof Pasha highlighted the issue of local vaccine production for livestock and suggested collaborating with Turkish experts to establish a training center at the Ravi Campus in Pattoki. This center would not only produce vaccines but also provide practical trainingto students.