DBT-BIRAC partners Blockchain For Impact to accelerate bio-medical innovation in India

New Delhi: The Department of Biotechnology – Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (DBT-BIRAC) has announced a strategic partnership with catalyst funder and philanthropic organization, Blockchain For Impact (BFI) at the recently concluded 4th edition of Global Bio India.

This partnership will enable Blockchain For Impact to deliver long-term equitable medical preparedness mechanisms by the amalgamation of the deep technology expertise and network of DBT-BIRAC. It will address gaps in healthcare, provide lab to market support and put India’s R&D on the global map. The collaboration will support start-ups in the biomedical field and life sciences. There would be mentorships, initiatives to accelerate programs for start-ups and innovators, together with funding of SMEs for product development.

The Letter Of Intent was announced in the presence of key dignitaries like Dr. Ajay Sood – Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale – Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Dr. Jitender Kumar – Managing director of BIRAC, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – CEO of Biocon, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi – Director General, CSIR & Secretary DSIR, amongst others.

Sandeep Nailwal, Founder, Blockchain For Impact (BFI) highlighted, “I firmly believe that our partnership with DBT-BIRAC marks an important milestone in our journey towards enhancing the nation’s biomedical sector. We are inclined towards putting India’s R&D and biomedical research capabilities on the world map. By partnering with DBT-BIRAC, we are committed towards cultivating biotech innovation and supporting cutting-edge healthtech innovations to improve the healthcare accessibility and outcomes for communities across the country.”

The mega three days congregation of the best scientific minds in the country emerged as the epicentre of expert panel discussions and showcased innovative start-ups in biotechnology and healthcare. The event also witnessed the ‘Sandeep Nailwal Startup Pitch Award’ by BFI which recognises and celebrates some of the brightest entrepreneurial minds across fields of biotech, healthcare, and biomedical technology. The top two winners were rewarded with INR 3 lakhs and INR 1.5 Lakhs respectively whereas the third position was secured by three start-ups receiving INR 50,000 each.

This re-affirms BFI’s commitment to driving change in the healthcare ecosystem by harnessing the power of collaborations to push the boundaries of innovation in the biomedical field.