Dr Tong is CEO of Australia’s Cancer Therapeutics Cooperative Research Centres, which works at the cutting edge of medical research to develop new cancer drugs.
 
During his visit to India he is addressing leading academic and research institutions in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad on cancer treatment and drug development. He is also meeting with a number of pharmaceutical companies to discuss drug discovery, clinical trials and joint research collaborations. 
 
Australia’s Acting High Commissioner to India,  Chris Elstoft, said the visit would open up new opportunities for further collaboration between world-class researchers in both countries.
 
“Australia and Indian medical institutions have forged strong research relationships, and they’ve achieved outstanding results,” Elstoft said.
 
“Dr Tong’s visit will help reinforce these links, as well as fostering closer ties between academic institutions and industry, which is crucial to bring new drugs into the market.”
 
The visit is supported by Australia India Education Council’s (AIEC) Eminent Researcher Lecture Program. The AIEC is a bi-national body co-chaired by the Australian and Indian Education Ministers, for driving the Australia India education, training and research agenda.
 
The Indian institutions Dr Tong visits include the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, the Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer, the Adyar Cancer Centre (Chennai), the Indus Cancer Centre, the Translational Health Sciences and Technology Institute and Apollo hospitals.