Boehringer, IIT Kanpur tie-up for healthcare innovations

German pharmaceutical major Boehringer Ingelheim’s Indian subsidiary will collaborate with Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) to develop socially beneficial innovations that can drive transformational change in the healthcare industry.

As a part of this collaboration, Boehringer Ingelheim India will provide support to Lenek Technologies, one of the startups incubated at the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur. Lenek Technologies aims to eradicate Tuberculosis (TB) by improving the screening process through its innovative handheld X-ray device, which has the potential to bring about a significant change in TB screening in areas where resources are limited.

Boehringer and SIIC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 24th March to formalise the collaboration. “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”, a Boehringer India statement said.

"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 with the startup community to drive meaningful change," said Sandip Agarwal, Interim Managing Director, Boehringer Ingelheim India.

"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 Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur.

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, the partnership is expected to enable Lenek technologies to expand its reach and continue to work toward eliminating tuberculosis and helping improve millions of lives.