Former CSIR Director-General Girish Sahni Passes Away at 68

Dr. Girish Sahni, the former director-general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), passed away on August 19, 2024, at the age of 68. Sources reported to The Hindu that the cause of death was a heart attack. CSIR expressed its mourning through a post on X (formerly Twitter) at 5:40 pm on the same day.

Scientific Journey and Achievements

Early Career and Rise to Leadership

Dr. Sahni’s journey with CSIR began in 1991 when he joined the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) in Chandigarh. His dedication and expertise led to his appointment as the director of IMTECH in 2005, a position he held until 2015 when he was elevated to the role of CSIR director-general.

Groundbreaking Research in Blood Clot Treatment

Dr. Sahni was renowned for his research on blood clots and the development of ‘clot buster‘ drugs. His notable achievements include:

1. Development of clot-specific streptokinase, which was licensed to Nostrum Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey for $5 million in 2006.
2. Leading teams that created India’s first indigenous clot-buster drug, marketed as ‘STPase‘ by Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
3. Development of recombinant streptokinase, marketed under the names ‘Klotbuster’ and ‘LupiFlo’.

Tenure as CSIR Director-General: Challenges and Controversies

The BGR-34 Controversy

In 2016, a product called BGR-34, developed by two CSIR labs in Lucknow, came under scrutiny. Despite being praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its alleged anti-diabetic effects, eminent scientists questioned CSIR’s ethical responsibility due to the product’s lack of scientific testing.

Financial Challenges and Reforms

Dr. Sahni’s tenure was marked by significant financial issues:

1. In 2015, the Union government directed CSIR to start paying for half of its expenses within two to three years.
2. By 2017, CSIR declared a financial emergency, with only ₹202 crore available for new research projects out of a ₹4,063 crore budget allocation.
3. Dr. Sahni implemented measures to increase revenue, including:
   • Compiling a “technology basket” for licensing to industry
   • Requiring new projects to include stakeholders to bear certain costs
   • Setting a target of ₹1,000 crore in annual revenue by 2017

Despite these challenges, the financial situation improved by 2018, with average annual revenue between 2014 and 2018 reaching ₹475 crore.

Legacy and Honors

Dr. Sahni’s contributions to science were widely recognized:

• Membership in India’s three major science academies
• Recipient of the National Biotechnology Product Development Award (2002)
• Awarded the CSIR Technology Shield (2001-2002)
• Honored with the Vigyan Rattan Award (2014)

His term as CSIR director-general concluded in August 2018, leaving behind a legacy of scientific innovation and organizational reform in the face of financial constraints.

Dr. Girish Sahni’s passing marks the end of an era for Indian scientific research, particularly in the field of biotechnology and drug development. His leadership during challenging times at CSIR and his contributions to blood clot treatment will be remembered as significant milestones in India’s scientific journey.