Lakshmy Ramakrishnan
@lakshmyrkrish.bsky.social
Associate Fellow @ORF International Relations | Global health security | SciComm | Educator She/her ~in pursuit of something meaningful~
Sharing my latest for ORF: Governing Biotechnology’s Dual-Use Security Dilemma. Check it out here: www.orfonline.org/expert-speak...
Governing Biotechnology’s Dual-Use Security Dilemma
Treating biotechnology as a strategic security asset deepens the dual-use dilemma, fuels techno-nationalist competition, fragments research cooperation, and risks worsening biosecurity unless managed ...
orfonline.org
Check out my latest for ORF where I delineate some emerging fault lines in global health to guard against in 2026. Read it here: www.orfonline.org/expert-speak...
Emerging Fault Lines in Global Health to Guard Against in 2026
At World Health Assembly 2025, debates on vaccines, pandemic rules, and pathogen sharing exposed risks that will shape global health security in 2026.
orfonline.org
In this third edition of the Annual Trends Report of the tripartite among PCNS, ISPI, and ORF, experts have shared their ideas for building a resilient world order. Do read my chapter, “Global health governance in flux." Check it out here: www.orfonline.org/research/bey...
Beyond Global Polarization: New Cooperation Wanted
A polarized global order is giving rise to pragmatic alliances, institutional reform, and inclusive cooperation across governance, security, AI, trade, and global public goods.
orfonline.org
In this article for the Indian Express, I write on how #India can champion the Global South for the modernisation of the #BWC. indianexpress.com/article/upsc...
How India is uniquely positioned to champion Global South interests in modernising BWC
India’s membership in the Australia Group since 2018 and consistent diplomatic support for the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) give it significant credibility, particularly among countries of the ...
indianexpress.com
In my latest Expert Speak for Observer Research Foundation, I write on the America First Global Health Strategy. Read it here: www.orfonline.org/expert-speak...
America First in Global Health: Strategy, Selectivity, and Contradictions
Explore how the America First Global Health Strategy reshapes global health through tech innovation, commercial diplomacy, selective partnerships, and shifting US priorities.
orfonline.org
I was honoured to participate in the conference marking the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention (#BWC), joining colleagues and global experts in reaffirming #India’s commitment to strengthening #biosecurity — particularly for the #GlobalSouth.
Sharing my latest article with Observer Research Foundation on #India’s first indigenous #CRISPR therapy, Birsa-101 for Sickle-cell Disease. Check it out here: www.orfonline.org/expert-speak...
Birsa-101: India’s Path Towards Affordable CRISPR Therapies
Explore how Birsa-101 marks a major breakthrough in India’s efforts to create affordable CRISPR therapies for Sickle-cell disease (SCD), benefiting vulnerable communities.
orfonline.org
It was an honour to be invited to present my research work at the Symposium on Democracy and Pandemics, organised by the Cini Foundation in Venice earlier this month.
Pleased to have my piece on mirror biology mentioned in the Pandora Report. pandorareport.org/2025/10/26/p... @gregkoblentz.bsky.social @carmenshaw.bsky.social
Pandora Report 10.24.2025
Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! 🍂 This issue unprecedented workforce disruptions at the CDC, as mass layoffs and leadership changes raises questions about ‘America’s first’ public health rea…
pandorareport.org
For ORF - on the global fallout of US pharma tariffs on health and innovation. www.orfonline.org/expert-speak...
The Global Fallout of US Pharma Tariffs for Health and Innovation
The US decision to impose 100 percent tariffs on branded and patented medicines marks a sharp shift in trade policy, raising risks of higher drug prices, weakened innovation, and global supply chain d...
orfonline.org
In my Op-Ed for BioSpectrum India, I argue that when medicines become collateral in geopolitics, patients everywhere lose. Read the full article here: www.biospectrumindia.com/views/17/267... Thanks to Manbeena Chawla for this opportunity.
Navigating Tariffs: Securing Medicines and Safeguarding Innovation
Navigating Tariffs: Securing Medicines and Safeguarding Innovation
biospectrumindia.com
In this piece for ORF, I take a look at AI in drug development. Read it here: www.orfonline.org/expert-speak...
Harnessing AI for Drug Discovery: The Race to Innovate and Govern
AI is revolutionizing drug discovery, enabling faster, personalized medicines and shaping the global pharmaceutical landscape.
orfonline.org
In this piece for Observer Research Foundation, I examine an emerging frontier in life sciences - mirror biology. Read it here: www.orfonline.org/expert-speak...
Mirror Biology: Governing the Next Frontier of Life Sciences
AI and synthetic life creation,Bioethics of synthetic organisms,Biological Weapons Convention,Mirror biology governance,mirror molecules applications,Mirror organisms biosecurity,Responsible science d...
orfonline.org
‘Microsoft says it began a “red-teaming” test of AI’s dual-use potential in 2023 in order to determine whether “adversarial AI protein design” could help bioterrorists manufacture harmful proteins.’
A Framework for Effective Risk Assessment of AI-Biotechnology Convergence
Advances in disruptive technologies have enabled scientists to engineer biological systems and create more efficient and sustainable products for a range of purposes. The convergence of artificial int...
orfonline.org
Happy to share my chapter: '#GlobalHealthDiplomacy at a Crossroads' in Transforming Health in India: The 2030 Innovations Agenda, an edited volume by Oommen C. Kurian and Shoba Suri, published by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). Read it here: www.orfonline.org/research/tra...
Transforming Health in India: The 2030 Innovations Agenda
This edited Volume examines India’s health care system, highlighting approaches and strategies to strengthen nutrition, equity, and innovation by 2030.
orfonline.org
I examine the promise and debate around #India’s #gene-edited #rice varieties. Read the analysis here: www.orfonline.org/expert-speak...
Resilient Harvests: The Promise and Debate Around India’s Gene-Edited Rice
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s launch of two climate-resilient, gene-edited rice varieties marks a scientific breakthrough for sustainable agriculture, but it also reignites debates ove...
orfonline.org
In my latest Occasional Paper for ORF, I examine how the #Quad can deepen cooperation in #biotechnology. Do read my analysis here: www.orfonline.org/public/uploa...
orfonline.org
#BiologicalWeapons #MirrorLife #Governance #RiskManagement #SyntheticBiology Mirror Biology: Governing the Next Frontier of Life Sciences @lakshmyrkrish.bsky.social www.orfonline.org/expert-speak... In a pre-emptive move towards ensuring the responsible application of emerging biological ...
Mirror Biology: Governing the Next Frontier of Life Sciences
AI and synthetic life creation,Bioethics of synthetic organisms,Biological Weapons Convention,Mirror biology governance,mirror molecules applications,Mirror organisms biosecurity,Responsible science d...
orfonline.org
One year ago, #India launched the #BioE3 policy with the ambitious goal of building a US$300 billion #bioeconomy by 2030. In my latest piece for ORF, I take stock of the first year. Read it here: www.orfonline.org/expert-speak...
One Year of BioE3: Charting India’s Path to a US$300 Billion Bioeconomy
One Year of BioE3: Charting India’s Path to a US$300 Billion Bioeconomy
orfonline.org
#BiosecureAct may make its way back into the headlines. Last year, I wrote for @orf on how the act aims to decouple US supply chains from China, presenting a huge opportunity for India’s pharma industry. www.orfonline.org/expert-speak...
The US Biosecure Act: An impetus to strengthen India’s pharma sector
The US Biosecure Act: An impetus to strengthen India’s pharma sector
orfonline.org
In my latest for ORF, I argue that any #US move to impose tariffs on #Indian #pharmaceuticals risks raising drug costs, disrupting supply chains, weakening #healthsecurity on both sides, and stifling global pharma innovation. www.orfonline.org/expert-speak...
Tariffs and Health Security: The Future of US–India Pharma Trade
Tariffs and Health Security: The Future of US–India Pharma Trade
orfonline.org
Meanwhile in the #AIxBio space, researchers at #StanfordMedicine created a team of virtual scientists backed by #AI to help solve complex biological problems in their real-world lab: med.stanford.edu/news/all-new...
Researchers create ‘virtual scientists’ to solve complex biological problems
Stanford Medicine researchers created a team of virtual scientists backed by artificial intelligence to help solve problems in their real-world lab.
med.stanford.edu
As the #US retreats from #globalhealth leadership, I examine how #BRICS is stepping up as a key player. Read my latest analysis for @ecprtheloop.bsky.social here: theloop.ecpr.eu/brics-and-th...
BRICS and the rewriting of global health diplomacy in a post-US era
As the US retreats from global health leadership, Lakshmy Ramakrishnan examines how BRICS is stepping up as a key player. With the Pandemic Agreement still under negotiation. This gives BRICS countrie...
theloop.ecpr.eu
Pleased to have contributed a chapter on a burgeoning #health partnership between #India and #SouthAfrica in this joint publication between ORF and High Commission of South Africa. Edited by Samirapolitical and VishalNirghen www.orfonline.org/research/cha...
Charting a Future for India-South Africa Relations in a Changing World Order
India-South Africa Relations grow through trade, diaspora, and cultural ties, offering new opportunities in a changing world order.
orfonline.org
🌍 As the US retreats from global health leadership, @lakshmyrkrish.bsky.social examines how #BRICS is stepping up as a key player. With the #PandemicAgreement still under negotiation, BRICS countries have the chance to promote a more equitable approach to global health diplomacy. 👉 buff.ly/oR9u4i7
BRICS and the rewriting of global health diplomacy in a post-US era
As the US retreats from global health leadership, Lakshmy Ramakrishnan examines how BRICS is stepping up as a key player. With the Pandemic Agreement still under negotiation. This gives BRICS…
buff.ly
Truth be told, the revelations of Johnson & Johnson’s shocking acts by Gardiner Harris’ ‘No More Tears,’ aren’t really surprising.
America’s Johnson & Johnson Problem
A new book shows how Johnson & Johnson has pushed misleading narratives and suppressed inconvenient findings to sell its products.
theatlantic.com
Changes in #aflatoxin pattens due to #climatechange are increasingly recognised. Sanitary and phytosanitary measures in #EU-#India #tradedeal negotiations need evidence-based research to make the necessary changes. #SPS indianexpress.com/article/busi...
India-EU trade deal negotiations: Differences over food safety rules persist, ‘intense work needed’ says EU report
India’s exports to the EU have seen limited growth over the years, rising from $3.02 billion in FY19 to $4.54 billion in FY25, largely due to the stringent standards imposed by the EU on foreign agric...
indianexpress.com
In a notable step towards addressing latent #TB infections #Kerala has introduced Cy-Tb, a new intradermal test, developed by Serum Institute of India and marketed by Mylab Global. www.thehindu.com/news/nationa...
Cy-TB test introduced by Kerala govt. for detecting and treating tuberculosis
TB infection is different from active TB disease; and a flare up could happen within weeks of acquiring the infection or maybe years
thehindu.com
Nipah Strikes Again: Adopting a One Health and Science Diplomacy Approach. My latest for the Observer Research Foundation: www.orfonline.org/expert-speak...
Nipah Strikes Again: Adopting a One Health and Science Diplomacy Approach
Nipah virus resurfaces in Kerala, spotlighting the urgency for a One Health approach, science diplomacy, and accelerated development of vaccines, diagnostics, and global health cooperation.
orfonline.org
My article for @ecprtheloop.bsky.social I argue that global health diplomacy is a powerful soft-power instrument where rising powers - India and China - can reshape the landscape as the Trump administration ignores it at its peril. theloop.ecpr.eu/global-healt...
Global health diplomacy in a post-Covid world
Global health diplomacy, once a cornerstone of soft power and international cooperation, stands at a crossroads. Recent upheavals – such as the US retreat from the World Health Organization – are chal...
theloop.ecpr.eu