KOCHI: In a major step towards fighting frequent threats of infectious viral diseases, Kerala government is setting up a virology institute of international standards at the campus of KSIDC Life Science Park at Thonnakkal near state capital Trivandrum.

The project, aimed at early detection and rapid prevention of viral attacks along with carrying out research in the area, will start functioning from next year, according to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

“The works on the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV) is progressing and it will start functioning by next year,” chief minister said while inaugurating a one-day International Virology Meet in Trivandrum on Monday. Vijayan also released the base document for the preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the venture at the function. According to sources close to the project, the IAV is expected to be a reality by July 2018.

IAV is envisioned as a virology institute of global standards with most modern laboratories complying with high end international bio-safety levels in order to research, diagnose and manage the emerging and re-emerging infectious viral diseases with special attention to the state’s needs.

Kerala Biotechnology Commission (KBC) and Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) have been entrusted with the task of spearheading the establishment of the institute. The project, estimated to cost Rs5 billion, will be housed in a 78,000 sq-ft building complex on 50 acres inside the park, earmarked for the virology institute.

The one-day International Virology Meet is being attended by eminent virologists of the country and abroad. Subhash Vasudevan, National University of Singapore, MG Sargadharan, University of Maryland, USA, Navin Khanna, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGBE), New Delhi and Devendra Maurya, National Institute of Virology, Pune are among the experts, scheduled to take part in the Virology meet.

Last month, Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) sanctioned Rs3 billion for acquiring of 128.5 acres required for the second-phase development of the Life Science Park being developed by Kerala State Industries Development Corporation (KSIDC) at Thonnakkal.