Indo-French Liver & Metabolic Disease Network (InFLiMeN)

Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India and Ministry for Europe & Foreign Affairs, Govt. of France Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR), Centre Franco-Indien por la Promotion de la Recherche Avancee (CEFIPRA)

Liver Disease

Liver is the main metabolic hub orchestring multitudes of function such as detoxification, synthetic , secretory, vascular, immunological and excretory functions. Despite the immense regenerative ability of liver it is vulnerable to various diseases triggered by external factors such as viral infections, an unhealthy diet, and lifestyle choices such as alcohol abuse. Viruses like hepatitis B and C can cause chronic inflammation and lead to severe conditions like cirrhosis or liver cancer. Additionally, diets high in fats and sugars, along with sedentary habits, can contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a growing global health concern. These challenges underscore the importance of protecting this vital organ through balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and preventive healthcare.

Liver Disease Burden in India and France

Liver disease is a significant public health challenge in both France and India, but its burden varies due to distinct risk factors. In India, liver disease is mostly attributed to viral hepatitis (particularly hepatitis B and C) and recently there is an alarming increase in number of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to lifestyle changes and increasing obesity rates. India is the first country in world to formally integrate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) into its national program for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In France, the major liver disease burden is closely tied to alcohol consumption, of alcohol-related liver and the growing prevalence of metabolic liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), exacerbates the overall strain on healthcare systems.
Both France and India face a significant burden of liver diseases, driven by different factors such as alcohol consumption, viral hepatitis, and metabolic disorders like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This shared public health challenge has spurred focused research interests in critical areas, including the study of liver inflammation and devlopment of drugs and vaccine to prevet liver disease.
This landmark initiative reflects the growing recognition of NAFLD as a significant public health issue, closely linked to metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. With the increasing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets, NAFLD has emerged as a silent epidemic, affecting nearly 25-30% of the population in urban areas. By including NAFLD in its NCD program, India aims to promote early diagnosis, raise public awareness, and implement preventive measures through lifestyle modifications, thereby reducing the long-term burden of liver-related complications and associated chronic diseases. being a leading cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Additionally, the prevalence of NAFLD is growing rapidly, driven by urbanization, dietary shifts, and sedentary lifestyles.
Both countries face the challenge of raising awareness, improving early detection, and enhancing access to treatment for liver diseases.
India: NAFLD affects 14.6–42% of the population.
France: NAFLD is expected to be prevalent in 23.6% of the population by 2030.

About InFLiMeN

The Indo-French Node "Liver and Metabolic Disease Network" (InFLiMeN) represents a collaborative initiative between India and France, focusing on research and development in the field of liver and metabolic diseases. The joint research programme is being supported under the aegis of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Government of France.

Promoting Indo-French Collaborative Research IFCPAR/CEFIPRA is a model for international collaborative research in advanced areas of science & technology. The primary objective is to enhance and strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation between India and France by providing research grants, organizing workshops, and facilitating networking opportunities for scientists from both countries.

This network aims to foster scientific exchanges and enhance joint research projects, leveraging the expertise of both countries to tackle critical health challenges associated with liver and metabolic disorders. By integrating multidisciplinary approaches and cutting-edge technologies, InFLiMeN is dedicated to advancing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions. The ultimate goal of this joint Indo-French Node is to develop a fertile ecosystem in both nations, enabling collaborative efforts to address key issues in translational sciences. This collaborative Node aspires to serve like a virtual university & promote development of new products & technologies to benefit people suffering from liver and metabolic diseases.

Objectives

Setting-up of goals, creation of teams
Submission of collaborative grant proposals
Industry - academia partnerships

Student - faculty exchange & training programs
Technology & innovation hubs

InFLiMeN - Key Areas

Metabolic diseases: Novel biomarkers and therapies Early diagnosis of infections in liver diseases: New POC tests Improving intestinal barrier in liver diseases Fecal microbiota transplantation-protocols and products Interventions in liver diseases Liver cancer & cancer vaccines Animal models of hepatic and metabolic diseases Bio-artificial liver & liver regeneration Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Computer Vision Clinical trials & product development Joint investigative projects

InFLiMeN - NEWS

Innovation in Genetic Manipulation and Gene Therapy (16-17 April 2026)
30 Mar 2026

Cutting - Edge Lecture - Droplet-based Microfluidics as a Universal Toolkit for The Synthesis of Smart Microcapsules and Membranes
28 Jan 2026

National Workshop
28 Dec 2024

Every third Indian has fatty liver; predates Diabetes, metabolic disorders, says Dr Jitendra Singh
05 Jul 2024

ILBS partners with French institute to address metabolic disorders
05 Jul 2024

All News

InFLiMeN - Event

Diagnostic Point-of-care (PoC) tools; Microfluidics, Lateral Flow Assays and Cell-free DNA
28 Dec 2024

View All

French Experts

Prof. Didier Samuel Chairman & CEO, Inserm

Research Interests: liver transplantation, Viral Hepatitis, HIV, Liver failure & Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Dr. Christian Boitard Professor, Head of the Clinical Immunology & Diabetology departments of Necker-Enfants Malades, Hôtel Dieu and Cochin hospitals, Paris

Research Interests: Immunology, Endocrinology, Diabetes mellitus
Dr. Richard Moreau Senior Scientist, Inserm Centre de Recherche sur l’Inflammation CRI

Research Interests: Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure Systemic Inflammation, Omics
Dr. Thomas F. Baumert Professor of Medicine Director, Institute of Translational Medicine & Liver Disease, Inserm U1110

Research Interests: Molecular Pathogenesis of Viral Hepatitis & liver disease
Dr. Jean Charles Nault Associate Professor at liver unit of the Avicenne Hospital in Bobigny, France

Research Interests: Hepatocellular adenoma and hepatocellular carcinoma genetics
Dr. Emmanuel Weiss Professor UMR_S 1149, CRI, Inserm

Research Interests: Inflammatory responses & stress in chronic liver disease
Dr. Nicolas Weiss Professor of Therapeutics & Intensive Care Medicine Sorbonne Université

Research Interests: Neurobiology & Brain Physiology, Immunology, Critical Care Medicine
Dr. Christophe Junot Honorary Research Associate in University College London, Italy

Research Interests: Multi-omics integrated studies
Dr. Harry Sokol Professor in Gastroenterology department of Saint Antoine Hospital, Paris

Research Interests: Inflammatory Bowel Disease & gut microbiot
Dr. Daniel Racoceanu Professor at Sorbonne University, Paris Brain Institute (ICM)

Research Interests: Microscopic biomedical image analysis, computational integrative pathway, pattern recognition

Indian Experts

Dr. Shiv K. Sarin Director & Chancellor, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India

Research Interests: Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure, Portal Hypertension, Liver Regeneration
Dr. G.P. Talwar Former Director, NII, New Delhi

Research Interests: Vaccines & Immune Contraception
Dr. NK Ganguly Former Director General, ICMR, New Delhi

Research Interests: Tropical Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases and Diarrhoeal Diseases
Dr. Yogesh Kumar Chawla Chairman Academics & Prof. Emeritus, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Odisha

Research Interests: Acute on chronic liver failure, portal hypertension, viral hepatitis
Prof. CE Eapen Professor, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Research Interests: Viral Hepatitis, Chronic Liver Disease
Dr. Debasisa Mohanty Director, NII, New Delhi

Research Interests: Structural Bioinformatics, Host Pathogen Interaction
Dr. Vineet Ahuja Professor, AIIMS, New Delhi

Research Interests: Luminal Gastroenterology: Inflammatory bowel disease, Peptic ulcer disease, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Amebic liver abscess
Dr. Sanjeev Sachdeva Professor, GB Pant Hospital, Delhi

Research Interests: Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth, Liver Failure, Tropical Sprue, Endoscopy & Colonoscopy
Dr. Shalimar Professor, AIIMS, New Delhi

Research Interests: Acute liver failure Acute on chronic liver failure, Hepatocellular carcinoma & Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Manoj Kumar Sharma Professor, ILBS, New Delh

Research Interests: Acute Liver failure, liver infections & translational science
Dr. Sanjay Singh CEO, Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. Pune, India

Research Interests: Vaccine development Genetic Engineering
Dr. Neetu Singh Professor, IIT Delhi

Research Interests: Designing nano-structured materials with enhanced functionality for applications in biomedical implants, cancer diagnostics, and drug delivery
Prof. Sujata Mohanty Stem Cell Facility DBT-Centre of Excellence for Stem Cell Research All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Research Interests: Stem cells therapy & Exosomes in diabetes & Liver disease
Dr. Chinmay K. Mukhopadhyay Professor, JNU, New Delhi

Research Interests: Role of iron in neuron interaction, metabolic diseases & host-parasite interaction & inflammation
Prof. Biman B. Mandal Professor, IIT Guwahati

Research Interests: Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering & 3D Organ Bioprinting
Dr. Kolin Paul Associate Professor, IIT, Delhi

Research Interests: Embedded Systems, Near Data Computing, Accelerators, Healthcare