- First Indian co-researchers team to receive $25 Million Cancer Grand Challenges award
- Esteemed award granted by Cancer Grand Challenges – a global research initiative co-founded by Cancer Research UK and National Cancer Institute US, two of the largest global funders of cancer research
- BMC is a state-of-the-art oncology institution serving a patient base of 37,000 in Central India
New Delhi, 08 March, 2024: The BALCO Medical Centre (BMC) of Vedanta, a rising star in the Indian oncology scene, has made history by being the first team of Indian co-researchers to win the esteemed Cancer Grand Challenges Award. Accompanied with a sizeable donation of $25 million for cancer research, this accolade highlights BMC’s role as a trailblazing organization in India’s oncology scene. The PROSPECT recipient team, which is made up of scientists, advocates, and doctors from BALCO Medical Centre and other prestigious institutions worldwide, will be tackling the pressing problem of early-onset malignancies.
The chairperson of the Vedanta Medical Research Foundation, Ms. Jyoti Agarwal, conveyed her appreciation by saying, “We are honored to have been selected for this esteemed award, which substantially progresses the fight against cancer.” At BMC, our management, staff, and stakeholders have put in many hours over the last six years to make sure we have access to the newest technologies and that our patients and communities feel secure and protected. We are able to continue and even intensify our work with the help of Cancer Grand Challenges. Through cooperative endeavors, I am optimistic that we can make a constructive impact on the healthcare environment as a whole.
Established in 2020 by Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute US, Cancer Grand Challenges funds five international teams annually to encourage diverse, top-tier research teams to collaborate, think creatively, and tackle some of the most difficult cancer-related problems. Team PROSPECT is one of these teams. Through Cancer Grand Challenges, a total of $125 million will be invested by Cancer Research UK, the National Cancer Institute, the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, and the Institute National Du Cancer to support the teams in tackling some of the most difficult problems in cancer research.
Dr. David Scott, Director of Cancer Grand Challenges, stated, “Together with our network of visionary partners and research leaders, Cancer Grand Challenges unites the world’s brightest minds across boundaries and disciplines and aims to overcome cancer’s toughest problems.” “We continue to develop our worldwide research community and fund new teams that have the potential to uncover discoveries that could positively impact cancer outcomes with this investment, our largest to date,” the statement reads.
Vedanta’s BALCO Medical Centre, a state-of-the-art tertiary care Oncology facility in Central India, has been at the forefront of cancer care, providing multidisciplinary treatment and support. The institution is recognized as a referral centre for advanced radiation therapy, brachytherapy, nuclear medicine, surgeries, chemotherapy, and many more. Since inception in March 2018, BMC has treated more than 37,000 patients. Additionally, the institution has received many certifications and accreditations including LEED certification, NABH, FSSAI, NABL, Nursing Excellence, CAHO certifications. This significant grant underscores BMC’s commitment to pioneering research and delivering innovative solutions to address critical healthcare challenges in India.
Dr. Bhawna Sirohi, Medical Director at Vedanta Medical Research Foundation (BALCO Medical Centre) and the lead principal investigator for PROSPECT-India study, says “The worrisome increase in colorectal cancers stresses the importance of early detection and lifestyle choices for prevention. There’s a dire need for cancer screening in high-risk areas to facilitate early diagnosis and prompt treatment, especially with the shifting demographics towards a younger population. This grant will speed up global cancer research, focusing on understanding the reasons behind the rise in early-onset colorectal cancer and strategies for prevention”.
Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is an important emerging global problem among individuals younger than 50 years. Team PROSPECT aims to address this by understanding the pathways, risk factors and molecules involved in its development. The team’s vision is to understand and ultimately try to reverse the network of causal factors throughout the life course that disrupts normal biological processes to promote EOCRC. The team will employ a disruptive, transdisciplinary approach spanning cells, individuals and populations to uncover the mechanisms linking lifetime exposures to early-onset colorectal cancer, and test new strategies to combat this cancer type.
Currently, Cancer Grand Challenges brings together 1,200 researchers and 16 teams from across the world to take on 13 challenges. The spirit of giving back is part of the Vedanta’s core values. This achievement brings the company closer to fulfilling the vision of contributing to the community and making a lasting impact on society.
About Vedanta Limited
Vedanta Limited (“Vedanta”), a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading natural resources companies spanning across India, South Africa, Namibia, Liberia, UAE, Korea, Taiwan and Japan with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, Nickel, Aluminium, Power & Glass Substrate and foraying into semiconductors and display glass. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta’s strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector, is committed to reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner and aims to spend $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate this transition. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on various social impact programs and its flagship project, Nand Ghar is setting up model anganwadis across India. Vedanta Ltd. has been listed in Dow Jones Sustainability World Index 2022, conferred Golden Peacock Award for excellence in Corporate Governance 2022 and certified as a Great Place to Work 2023. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com
About BALCO Medical Centre (BMC)
BALCO Medical Centre (BMC) is a 170-bed, state-of-the-art tertiary care Oncology facility in Naya Raipur. It is the flagship initiative of Vedanta Medical Research Foundation (VMRF), a non-profit organization by Vedanta Resources and Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd. (BALCO). BMC is emerging as a national leader in India’s oncology space, providing comprehensive medical, surgical, radiation, haematological, BMT, and palliative care services. Although located in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh, it is rapidly becoming a preferred center for cancer treatment for people from Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh.
For more information, visit www.balcomedicalcentre.com
About Cancer Grand Challenges
Co-founded in 2020 by two of the largest funders of cancer research in the world: Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute, Cancer Grand Challenges supports a global community of diverse, world-class research teams to come together, think differently and take on some of cancer’s toughest challenges. These are the obstacles that continue to impede progress and no one scientist, institution or country will be able to solve them alone. With awards of up to $25M, Cancer Grand Challenges teams are empowered to rise above the traditional boundaries of geography and discipline to make the progress against cancer we urgently need.
