Bhubaneswar: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar organised a stakeholder consultation workshop recently for the Medtech Mission by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. The workshop explored ways to build an integrated and sustainable ecosystem for biomedical technology through innovation, entrepreneurship, and global branding. Experts stressed the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration to develop advanced medical devices that address real-world needs.
The event was coordinated by the IITBhubaneswar Research and Entrepreneurship Park. The initiative is aimed at developing a comprehensive enabling infrastructure- cum-centres of excellence (CoE) for biomedical product development, starting with the development of biocompatible materials and their processing, facilities for modelling and simulation, prototyping, testing and evaluation using animal models as well as alternatives to animal models. These hubs will be equipped for catering to biomedical product development, pilot scale manufacturing, testing and validation and also leading to human resources development. The workshop at IITBhubaneswar, fifth in a nationwide series, witnessed participation of stakeholders from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and the Northeast to discuss international collaborations, project pipelines, and sustainable hub models.
In its first phase, the mission will prioritise medical electronics, robotics, artificial intelligence, assistive devices, and diagnostic sensors, fostering partnerships across academia, industry, and startups to position the country as a global Medtech leader.
Speaking on the occasion, institute director Shreepad Karmalkar briefly provided the participants with an overview of IIT Bhubaneswar and mentioned how the institute is receptive to differences and respects diversity. In her address, DST scientist ‘F’ and head, SEED Anita Aggarwal provided an overview of the workshop and highlighted the significance of the collaboration among various stakeholders, including industries to develop medical technologies for the benefit of general public. Director of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology Sanjay Behari spoke on the multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach towards developing medical devices, products and technologies that can be accepted by the end-users. Professor at Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, IIT Kanpur Amitabha Bandhopadhyay presented the proposed draft for Medtech Mission by DST.