BITS Pilani, Blockchain For Impact collaborate to accelerate biomedical innovation

NEW DELHI: Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani), and Blockchain For Impact (BFI) have announced a strategic collaboration under the BFI-Biome Virtual Network Program to promote healthcare innovation and development by supporting initiatives at BITS Pilani.

With a primary focus on life sciences and related interdisciplinary fields such as antimicrobial resistance, biomedical devices, and cancer research, BITS Pilani is dedicated to driving innovation in healthcare and life sciences.

Allocation of US$600,000 over three years

Through a strategic partnership with the institute, BFI will allocate US$600,000 over three years to leverage its intellectual expertise alongside BITS Pilani's advanced infrastructure in co-curating research collaboration opportunities. This partnership aims at advancing healthcare initiatives across BITS Pilani's campuses in Pilani, Hyderabad, and Goa.

Sandeep Nailwal, visionary founder,BFI, said, “The US$15 million BFI-Biome initiative represents a paradigm shift, encouraging collaboration between leading researchers, technologists and innovators to pioneer the next generation of health interventions. With BITS Pilani, an Institute of Eminence now part of the coalition, BFI-Biome is positioned to support impressive research efforts aimed at transforming health solutions in India and across the Global South.”

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This Partnership was followed by an event at BITS Pilani. The event at BITS Pilani saw notable participants including V Ramgopala Rao vice-chancellor; Sudhirkumar Barai, director BITS Pilani; Sanket Goel, dean research and innovation; Sunil Bhand and Syamantak Mazumdar, BITS BioCyTiH Foundation Project directors; and Ashis Das, senior professor of Biological Sciences. Representatives from BFI including Gaurav Singh, CEO; Pooja Agrawal, program director; and Satya Prakash Dash, senior advisor, were present.

Gaurav Singh, CEO of BFI, expressed his delight about the partnership, saying, “The BFI-BITS Pilani partnership is a milestone in the development of home-grown solutions to India's pressing health challenges. Through targeted research and BFI support, we drive innovation for better public health outcomes. Our collaborations with top institutes like IISc, CSIR-CCMB, IIT Bombay, FNDR, TCG CREST, Venture Center, AIC-CCMB and recently launched our BFI-Biome Medical Institute of National Importance Grant accelerate medical research and improve patient care in India.”