LETTER OF APPEAL

The Foundation for Medical Research (FMR) is a 44 years old Government of India (GOI) recognized research institute that conducts research on major infectious diseases like leprosy and tuberculosis, modernization of traditional medicine and climate change. FMR was established with a vision of providing innovative and appropriate approaches for tackling the major infectious diseases of India.

At FMR, we have been working in the TB area for more than 15 years now and have contributed significantly to disease understanding that is relevant for TB control efforts. Our work in TB is recognized internationally, as can be seen from the:

  • Wide spectrum of project funding received from several international and national organizations amounting to about Rs. 14.2 crores from the year 1991 onwards
  • Over 45 publications in international journals in the field of TB
  • Recognition as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by the Department of Science and Technology, GOI and Virtual Centre for Excellence in TB research by the Department of Biotechnology, GOI

Our key contributions towards the fight against TB are:

  • Warning of high levels of drug-resistant TB in Mumbai and defined mechanisms of rapid acquisition of drug resistance
  • Provided insights into patient pathways to care in collaboration with PATH’s public-private interface agency and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), USA
  • Working on rapid diagnostics of TB that will help individualized treatment for drug-resistant patients in collaboration with University of Oxford, UK and funded by Wellcome Trust, UK and BMGF, USA
  • Working with GOI and national TB programme for national laboratory strengthening through onsite training and ECHO model.
  • With the support from Tata Trusts through India Health Fund, we are also working on unravelling mechanisms behind TB transmission and its relevance to TB spread at the household level.

The Foundation is expanding its work towards more translational, preventive and public health aspects of diseases using a combination of cutting edge technologies, field-based research, and environmental monitoring.

To keep up with the expanding technological advancements in research and comply with the recently changed GOI laboratory regulations for ever-increasing hazardous microorganisms like drug-resistant tuberculosis and leprosy, FMR is planning to upgrade and build an advanced biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory in the third floor of its premises. This requirement has been accelerated due to the requirement of gene editing experiments that mandate higher laboratory safety for the protection of researchers undertaking such work.

A competent vendor who has built similar laboratories in higher-level referral labs in the public sector has been appointed to build the facility. The lab including ancillary equipment will cost Rs.80 lakhs. We have already raised Rs. 20 lakhs and are looking for additional donations to fill up the gap.

In case you would like to contribute to our infrastructure development and support us in our endeavours, please send in your amount by cheque or demand draft in the name of “The Foundation for Medical Research”. Donations made to the Foundation are exempt u/s 35 (1) (ii) of the Income-Tax Act 1961.

You may feel free to contact us for more details on +91 22 2493 4989 /8601 or by email on fmr@fmrindia.org.

We would be extremely grateful for any donation we receive to bridge the funding gap.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely,

Nerges Mistry, Ph.D.

Director

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