Memorandum of Understanding with Asahi General Hospital, Japan

Frontier Lifeline signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the division of cardiac surgery of Asahi General Hospital in Japan for the exchange and training of nurses in Japan.

In return, Japanese cardiologists and surgeons will undergo training at Frontier Lifeline in Chennai and in Kerala. The MoU will provide a platform for these nurses to get trained in a foreign hospital.

Dr. Higuchi with Dr. K. M. Cherian

Unlike an Indian, the average Japanese life expectancy is about 85 years. Elderly Japanese suffer from geriatric problems such as aneurysms, atherosclerosis and coronary artery diseases. In Indian hospitals, at least 1,500 surgeries are performed in a year, while a Japanese hospital does an average of 100 heart surgeries annually. The Japanese doctors would benefit from exposure to the enormous clinical material at Frontier Lifeline, while in return, the Japanese doctors will help with advanced research in stem cell technology, tissue engineering and molecular biology. For the Japanese hospital too it is a beneficial arrangement since it faces a dearth of skilled, qualified nurses.

During their visit, Dr. Higuchi, Director, Division of Cardiac Surgery - Asahi General Hospital, and Dr. Hiroshi Osawa, cardiac surgeon, underwent an exchange of knowledge and experience.

Memorandum of Understanding with KRIBB

Frontier Lifeline (Dr. K. M. Cherian Heart Foundation), Chennai signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ with KRIBB (Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology), South Korea on the 6th of November, 2006. This collaboration is for the purpose of facilitating the exchange of scientists, medical personnel and students of bioscience, biotechnology and clinical research for the emerging concept of Bio-Hospitals and Regenerative Medicine.

This significant event was witnessed by several important people of the society and industry. The occasion was held at TICEL BIO-PARK, Taramani, a fitting venue for a scientific collaboration between the reputable South Korean institution and Frontier Lifeline, which has a dedicated research unit, Frontier Tissueline, at TICEL BIO-PARK, focused on Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine.

Dr. K. M. Cherian, Chairman and CEO, addressed the august gathering with an introduction to Frontier Lifeline, followed by a dissertation by Dr. Soma Guhathakurta, Director of Frontier Tissueline who encapsulated the various research and development projects currently underway at the ‘Knowledge Cluster’ embodied by Frontier Lifeline.

The President and CEO of KRIBB, Dr. Sang Ki Rhee, then gave an introduction to KRIBB followed by Dr. Hyouk Joung of KRIBB who spoke on the Asia Pacific Bio-Resources Consortium. This is a conglomerate of scientific companies from Japan, South Korea and China. Frontier Lifeline has been invited to participate as a partner, thus proudly representing India. The focus of this scientific pool is to explore and enhance the role of natural herbs and Ayurveda in the field of Regenerative Medicine.

The MoU was signed by Dr. K. M. Cherian and Dr. Sang Ki Rhee. The ceremony concluded with the Vote of Thanks rendered by Dr. Sanjay Cherian of Frontier Lifeline.

This momentous incident was the culmination of a series of discussions and visits from both countries, initiated by the Honourable President of India, His Excellency, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, after his visit to South Korea.