Boehringer Ingelheim and IIT Kanpur join hands for social impact

Kanpur, India, 27 March 2023 – Boehringer Ingelheim India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK). The MoU was signed on World Tuberculosis Day, 24th March 2023, at SIIC in IIT Kanpur’s campus in the presence of dignitaries from SIIC, IIT Kanpur, and Boehringer Ingelheim India. Prof. Ankush Sharma, Professor-in-charge, Innovation & Incubation, IIT Kanpur, and Prabhat Sinha, Director, Government and Public Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim India, were the signing authorities for this MoU exchange.

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, which has the potential to bring about a significant change in TB screening in areas where resources are limited.

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.”

This collaboration between SIIC, IIT Kanpur, and Boehringer Ingelheim India is a significant step towards supporting socially impactful innovations and addressing critical health challenges in India.

About SIIC, IIT Kanpur

Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, is one of the oldest incubators in the country. It was established in 2000 when the entrepreneurial ecosystem was still at a nascent stage in India. The multifaceted and vibrant incubation ecosystem at IIT Kanpur, nurtured for over two decades, prospers to fill the gaps on the road to converting an idea into a successful and meaningful business model. The domain expertise combined with the infrastructural prowess of the academic institute has collectively demonstrated a knack for tremendous social impact and technological advancement over the years.

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About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. Around 52,000 employees serve more than 130 markets in three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com

Established in 2003, Boehringer Ingelheim India manages India and the neighboring markets’ operations of the global enterprise. The Company enables access to innovative products as part of its Human Pharma and Animal Health businesses. The focus Human Pharma therapy areas include diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.in