It is my immense pleasure to announce that Prof Pallu Reddanna has joined the Advisory Board of Biotech Express magazine. He is an eminent personality in Life Sciences and a well known name in Biotech Industry. Prof Reddanna is Executive president of FABA and is actively involved in promoting Indian biotech in Asia and around the world.
Kamal Pratap Singh, Managing Editor
Brief Profile: Prof. Pallu Reddanna
Prof. Reddanna was born in Reddivaripalli village, Lakkireddipalle in Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh, in the year 1954, completed schooling from ZPH School, graduation (1974), post-graduation(1976) and doctoral studies (1979) from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
He started his career as lecturer in Zoology (1982-1990) in Sri Venkateswara University before joining as Reader in the School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad in 1990. He became Professor in 1998, and later managed the department of Animal Sciences as Head (now Department of Animal Biology) during 1999-2002, Coordinator, Centre for Biotechnology, (now Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics) during 2006-2008 and as the Dean, School of Life Sciences (2015-2018) and served as a member of the Executive Council of University of Hyderabad.
Prof. Reddanna served as the Founding Director (2010-2014) of National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. Dr. Reddanna was instrumental in establishing the infrastructure, recruiting the scientists and establishing the NIAB in about 100 acres in a record time.
Prof. Reddanna played a key role in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship activities in the University of Hyderabad by establishing NSTEDB supported Technology Business Incubator (TBI) in 2010 and BIRAC supported Biotech Incubation Center (UoH-BioNEST) in 2018. Within a span of three years of the establishment of BioNEST incubator, it has been recognized as the Best BioNEST incubator in the country, under emerging incubators category, in 2021.
As one of the founder members of the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) he provided a platform for interactions for the academy, industry and Government bodies not only in India but also in a number of Asian countries. During the 17th edition of BioAsia i.e. BioAsia 2020, FABA Academy was launched, mainly to bridge the gap between academia and industry in Human Resources Development. As part of FABA Academy a number of webinars and workshops are being conducted to help the science graduates in career guidance and skill development activities. More details are available at: https://biofaba.org.in/
Areas of Research:
Prof. Reddanna’s main research focus is on bioactive lipids, prostaglandins and leukotrienes (eicosanoids) formed via cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways. These eicosanoids play a role in the regulation of variety of physiological processes and their uncontrolled production in some cases is associated with many of the inflammatory disorders, including cancer. As a result, the enzymes- COX and LOX, have become the targets for the development of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drugs.
Prof. Reddanna, during his research career over 35 years, has published around 200 papers, guided 41 students for Ph.D and mentored several masters and post-doctoral students. He was successful in collaborating with leading Pharma and Biotech industries like Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Dabur India Ltd, Shantha Biotechnics Ltd, Indian Immunologicals, Natco Pharma Ltd, Surya Pharmaceuticals, Onconova Therapeutics, USA etc. Similarly, his service to the promotion of Pharma and Biotech industry in the country was recognized with “Outstanding Contribution Award (Pharma)” in 2005 by the ChemTECH Foundation and “Outstanding Scientist Award for the Benefit of Industry” in 2007 by Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI).
International Exposure
He has visited Countries like USA, Canada, China, UK, Germany, Portugal, Pakistan, France, Israel, Singapore, Malaysia and Iran, Sri Lanka, Japan for academic and industrial purposes. As exchange visitor (1984-87) and as The Rockefeller Foundation Biotechnology Career Awardee (summers of 1992 – 96, 2003 & 2005) at The Penn State University, Prof. Reddanna made significant contributions to the field of eicosanoids. His contributions to the field of lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenases and thus on eicosanoids were recognized with “Royan International Award” in the year 2007.
Research Grants
Government of India – Completed 18 projects funded by: DST (5), DBT (4), CSIR (3), UGC (1), ICMR (4), NMPB (2)
Industries– Completed 13 projects funded by various Biotech and Pharma Industries: Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Unique Biotech, Shantha Biotechnics Pvt. Ltd., Natco Pharma, Indian Immunologicals, Medgene Biotech, Surya Pharmaceuticals, Laila Impex, Pacific Hospital Pvt Ltd, Institute of Life Sciences, ABL Biotechnologies and Dabur Research Foundation and Onconova Therapeutics (USA), Celestial Labs.
International – Completed 5 projects funded by: Netherlands Biotech Program, The Rockefeller Foundation, Asian Office of Air Force Research and Development (AOARD), Japan; DST-DAAD Sandwich program; IRTG program, Germany
Publications:
Published around 200 papers in peer reviewed journals. H index: 49, i10 index: 137;
Total citations: 8541 (Source: Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xCp2iFoAAAAJ).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=reddanna
Important Honours and Awards:
• Founder Director, National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, a Unit of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India (2010-2014).
• Founder Director, ASPIRE (Association for Scientific Pursuits for Innovative Research Enterprises), a section-8 company established in the University of Hyderabad.
• Executive President, Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA), 2016 onwards
• Vice President, FABA- 2013 to 2016
• Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) ‘Outstanding Scientist for the Benefit of Industry -2007’
• Royan International Foundation, “ Best Research Project Award- 2007”
• Chemtech Foundation “Pharma Bio Excellence Award” 2005
• The Rockefeller Foundation Biotechnology Career Award (1993-96)
• Ministry of Education & Culture, Govt. of India “ Overseas Post-doctoral Fellowship” (1984-87)
• Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt. of India, JRF, SRF & Research Associate Fellowships
Promotion of Biotech Industry:
On behalf of AIBA (All India Biotech Association) & FABA (Federation of Asian Biotech Associations), he was actively involved in organizing various scientific meetings/workshops/conferences. As the Vice-President of AIBA-SC and Member Secretary of FABA, one such major event organized annually is BioAsia, an event promoted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. BioAsia provides the platform for academia-industry interaction and promotes business partnerships and collaborations. It provides an opportunity for life science companies from around the world to showcase their products, services, technologies and facilitates interactions and business transactions. BioAsia was successful in putting Andhra Pradesh state on world radar and attracting many Pharma and Biotech companies to set up their facilities in the state. To promote entrepreneurship among the scientists, he was instrumental in introducing “BioAsia Innovation Award” for young scientists with a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/- and “Young Minds Award” for the best innovations by the High School children with a cash prize of Rs50,000/-. During BioAsia 2020, FABA Academy was launched, mainly to help science graduates in career guidance and skill development activities, through webinars, workshops and conferences.
