Boehringer Ingelheim India, Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre ink pact to support socially impactful innovations

The purpose of this collaboration is to extend support to nationally significant innovations developed at SIIC, IIT Kanpur, with a specific emphasis on healthcare solutions that leverage technology to make a positive impact on patients' lives. The focus will be on socially beneficial innovations that can drive transformational change in the healthcare industry.

As a part of this collaboration, Boehringer Ingelheim will provide support to Lenek Technologies, one of the startups incubated at SIIC, IIT Kanpur. Lenek Technologies aims to eradicate Tuberculosis (TB) by improving the screening process through its innovative handheld X-ray device.

In 2021, India reported 20 Lakh cases of tuberculosis, which accounts for around 27% of the global burden of the disease, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's annual TB report. With the rising burden of TB in the country, this partnership will enable Lenek technologies to expand its reach and continue to work toward eliminating tuberculosis and helping improve millions of lives.

"At Boehringer Ingelheim, we are committed to transforming lives with the help of innovation. The last three years have underlined the importance of technology in solving some of the key issues that plague the majority of the population. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to finding innovative solutions that positively impact patients' lives and society. We look forward to working closely with the startup community to drive meaningful change," said Sandip Agarwal, Interim Managing Director, Boehringer Ingelheim India.

"We are pleased to partner with Boehringer Ingelheim India, a global leader in pharma innovation, in our mission to support socially impactful innovations. This Memorandum of Understanding is a testament to the power of collaboration between academia and industry in driving innovation and creating positive social impact. With this partnership, we aim to leverage our collective expertise and resources to nurture and promote innovative ideas that can bring about significant societal changes," said Professor Abhay Karandikar, Director of IIT Kanpur.

Speaking on this collaboration, Prof. Ankush Sharma, Professor–in–Charge, SIIC, IIT Kanpur, said, "We are thrilled to announce our association with Boehringer Ingelheim India, a renowned player in the pharmaceutical industry, to promote socially impactful innovations. This association is a significant stride in our shared objective of supporting socially impactful startups that can transfer positive change to society. With this collaboration, we aim to create a conducive environment for young innovators to turn their ideas into successful ventures. Our partnership is assumed to harness the synergies of our respective capabilities, culminating in new and pioneering ideas that can spur economic progress in India.”

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