C-CAMP joins Blockchain for Impact, Biome Virtual Network Program to accelerate transformative healthcare solutions

New Delhi: Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms, C-CAMP, India’s leading biosciences research and innovation ecosystem, has signed a MoU with Blockchain for Impact, a philanthropic organization, to join the BFI-Biome Virtual Network, a catalyst, that will nurture cutting-edge biomedical science and innovation and accelerate impact of transformative scientific advances in moving the needle for key healthcare challenges in India.

The pact was exchanged at C-CAMP premises in Bengaluru by C-CAMP Director-CEO, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed and Dr. Gaurav Singh, CEO, BFI in the presence of Dr Satya Prakash Dash, Senior Advisor, BFI and Dr Pooja Agrawal, Program Director, BFI.

C-CAMP has a robust pipeline of biomedical innovations in several critical areas such as infectious disease diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, cell therapy, immuno-oncology, regenerative tissues, digital health tech to name a few. At least ten of these solutions are already in clinical trials or at pre-IND stage with FDA or CDSCO. With the support of BFI, C-CAMP plans to jumpstart the last-mile sprint to commercialization of these important emerging solutions by providing access to more state-of-the-art infrastructure, regulatory networks, funding and scale-up opportunities.

The BFI-Biome Virtual Network Program is a pioneer initiative uniting incubators and research institutes under a single umbrella. This fosters collaborations among the stakeholders in the translational pipeline, the process of transforming research discoveries into real-world applications. Through this program, BFI will allocate over 200,000 USD over the course of three years, leveraging C-CAMP’s expertise to develop essential programs for healthcare-based startups. C-CAMP being an organization to foster deep science research and innovation for societal impact, the goals and mandates of both partners naturally align and complement each other. The partnership is expected to blur disciplinary boundaries in approaching biotech R&D, promote cross-integration of expertise and infrastructure, provide multidisciplinary insights into need identification, problem-solving and solution implementation.

Sandeep Nailwal, founder, Blockchain For Impact expressed his delight at C-CAMP joining the BFI Biome Virtual Network Program. With a dedicated USD 15 million program for advancing Biomedical Research and Innovation in India, the BFI Biome initiative integrates both upstream and deep science, fostering an environment that drives innovation leading to transformative health solutions. This programme aims to bring together leading researchers, technologists, and innovators to collaborate and innovate to drive the next generation of intervention for improved healthcare. By partnering with a distinguished life science incubator in India, BFI-Biome seeks to support initiatives with the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery in India and the global south.

Welcoming the agreement, Dr Saiyed said, “Both CCAMP and BFI are examples of organizations that showed tremendous agility and agency in addressing the critical gaps in public health during the COVID pandemic. We were working alongside them. We will work alongside now, with the aim to strengthen India’s healthcare system and improve public access to quality healthcare in areas including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and hereditary diseases.

Dr. Gaurav Singh, CEO of BFI, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration with C-CAMP exemplifies our commitment to advancing biomedical innovation ventures in India. We aim to act as catalysts, collaborating with partners to forge multi-sectoral alliances that deliver long-term and equitable medical preparedness mechanisms. And while funding is one key aspect, our commitment to the cause goes beyond financial support. Through our biomedical research and innovation arm, district-level full-stack partnerships, and process-driven innovation funding and support, we are working towards addressing critical gaps in India’s healthcare sector. The BFI-Biome Virtual Network Program is a significant first step in this direction.”

Dr. Pooja Agrawal, Program Director, BFI, highlighted the potential impact of the collaboration, stating, “By combining C-CAMP’s expertise in nurturing life sciences startups with BFI’s programmatic resources, we can empower the development of indigenous solutions for pressing healthcare challenges in India. This synergy will create a more dynamic environment for improved public health.”

Dr Satya Prakash Dash, Senior Advisor, BFI, reflected upon the achievements of C-CAMP since its inception, stating, “We at BFI are extremely happy to partner with C-CAMP to build next generation of entrepreneurs in biomedical sciences and create positive synergies for innovators to leverage during their product development journey.”

A call for applications for healthtech innovations will be launched shortly. The partnership between C-CAMP and BFI is looking to support 3 Innovators and 2 Start-ups every year and marks a significant addition to the BFI-Biome Network Program’s ongoing efforts to advance biomedical research and innovation in India.