Pfizer, the global pharmaceutical powerhouse, has joined forces with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad. This pioneering collaboration seeks to nurture and empower six healthcare startups through the INDovation programme, with each startup receiving a substantial investment of ₹25 lakh.
Endorsed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals and Niti Aayog, and facilitated by Social Alpha, this initiative underscores the collective commitment to fostering indigenous innovation within the healthcare ecosystem. Arunish Chawla, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, emphasized the significance of indigenous innovation, stating, “Encouraging indigenous innovation in healthcare is not merely a priority but a responsibility shared by all who are part of this ecosystem.”
The partnership will adopt a structured cohort-based approach, with six startups selected nationwide to undergo a comprehensive one-year accelerator program hosted at NIPER. Startups demonstrating viable proof of concept aligned with the program’s objectives will be handpicked for incubation. In addition to financial backing, these startups will receive extensive support encompassing product development, regulatory guidance, pre-clinical testing, and technology transfer facilitated by the esteemed NIPER ecosystem.
Pfizer, in collaboration with NIPER Ahmedabad and Social Alpha, will focus on identifying innovations at technology readiness level (TRL) 3 or higher. Key areas of interest include deep tech, artificial intelligence for predictive analysis, point-of-care testing, software-as-a-service, informatics and wearables, and track and trace solutions. The emphasis on TRLs ensures a systematic evaluation of technological maturity, facilitating informed decision-making throughout the program.
The collaboration aims to empower healthcare startups to translate their concepts into market-ready solutions, leveraging NIPER Ahmedabad’s robust innovation ecosystem, particularly in medical devices. NIPER Ahmedabad is in the process of establishing a Centre of Excellence in Medical Devices, further augmenting its capabilities to support entrepreneurial ventures in this domain. Shailendra Saraf, Director of NIPER-Ahmedabad, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “Collaboration with a leading pharmaceutical organization like Pfizer will provide a boost for these innovative startups and their ideas.”
This partnership signifies an expansion of Pfizer’s INDovation program, which has already propelled the funding and development of 34 startups across diverse healthcare sectors including oncology, digital health, devices, and diagnostics. Launched in 2022, the INDovation program underscores Pfizer’s unwavering commitment to nurturing innovation and addressing unmet healthcare needs. Meenakshi Nevatia, Managing Director of Pfizer Ltd., underscored the program’s impact, stating, “Through the Pfizer INDovation platform, we are proud to have given wings to startups that are addressing important unmet needs in areas of oncology, digital health, devices, and diagnostics.”