Bengaluru-based medical technology and digital solutions innovator Wipro GE Healthcare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

The collaboration aims to take a comprehensive approach to solving the care gap by addressing the full lifecycle that includes co-developing solutions, validating the technologies, and manufacturing them locally to bring them to the market.

With the impending commencement of the Bagchi-Parthasarathy Hospital & IISc Medical School, this strategic collaboration will enable the translation of technologies from bench to bedside.

WHO Report

According to the World Health Organisation Report 2018, globally, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) accounted for 71 percent of total deaths. In India, NCDs were estimated to account for 63 percent of all deaths, and cancer was one of the leading causes.

This industry-academia collaboration aims to advance indigenous innovation and manufacturing of MedTech products that meet the needs of global and local patients suffering from NCDs including cancer, cardiology, and neurology in line with the agenda of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

The collaboration will entail co-development initiatives in basic and applied science, systems engineering, product & software development, consultancy, joint IP & publications, academic studies, internships, fellowships, and training.

IISc and GE HealthCare will constitute a joint working committee, comprising representatives from both sides, for research around product and solution development.

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Director, Govindan Rangarajan, said, “We see a tremendous need for innovative R&D that can improve outcomes in patients with NCD. The collaboration will emphasize combining science and engineering with translational and clinical research to epitomize “bench-to-bedside” innovation.”

The collaboration aligns with the Indian Government’s emphasis on fostering local Research and Development (R&D) and Manufacturing in the MedTech sector, necessitating Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to further drive technology development.

Wipro GE Healthcare and President & CEO, MD and GE HealthCare South Asia, Chaitanya Sarawate said, “India today is at an inflection point, with a potential to become the hub for the world. Our aim together is to invest in technologies of the future that can revolutionize the care paradigm – with more precise, connected, and compassionate care to patients in India and worldwide.”