During the year 2022 Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) supported many passionate innovators/startups working in deep technologies that could potentially create a significant social, environmental, and global impact. These innovations cater to a spectrum of emerging sectors including the likes of – Healthtech, SpaceTech, Climate, CleanTech, Industry 4.0, etc. Here is a glimpse of noteworthy technologies and associated research conducted by their innovators.
Emerging technologies in the healthcare domain have gained significant impetus in recent years. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in a press release predicted a steep rise in India’s cancer burden i.e., from 26.7 million in the year 2021 to 29.8 million in 2025. According to the report, seven cancers viz lung, breast, esophagus, mouth, stomach, liver, and cervix uteri, accounted for 40% of the total disease burden. Research also shows that India is at the forefront – leading the cancer mortality rates (ranking 2nd globally). SINE has incubated ImmunoAct, a startup led by Dr. Rahul Purwar, IIT B, that is operating to revolutionize cancer treatment through CAR-T therapy. Their vision is to become the leader in Cell & Gene Therapy for Patients’ Long-term cures through transactional research in India & beyond. Cell and gene therapy, a highly effective method of treatment, is uneconomical and currently unavailable in India. The solutions developed by ImmunoAct are targeted not only to be affordable but also accessible in Indian Markets. Their first product HCAR1 (CD 19) treatment for blood cancer and Lymphoma is currently in human clinical trials, the company has completed Phase-I of the human trials. In Phase-I, a total of 16 patients were treated and initial data on safety and efficacy has been very encouraging and in line with global benchmarks. The company has now received approval for Phase II of the human trial. This product is expected to get commercial by end of 2023. This treatment is being priced at 1/10th of current on-market treatments in US. The startup founded by experts in their respective fields of science and business is further supported and bolstered by a scientific advisory board comprising eminent experts. The company has set up manufacturing facilities that is equipped to cater to therapies treating 1000+ patients every year. Renowned hospitals and research institutes like Tata Memorial Centre and experts from National Cancer Institute are actively supporting and facilitating the research endeavours by ImmunoAct.
The copious perils caused by carbon emissions are a matter of grave concern to the world as a whole. Industrial sectors, policymakers, research institutes, and other bodies are adopting various measures and endeavours to reduce carbon footprints in order to save the planet. A faculty entrepreneur team led by Dr Vikram Vishal and Dr Arnab Dutta from IITB are in the process of establishing a startup named UrjanovaC. The vision of this startup is to develop a sustainable, practical, and scalable CO2 capture technology through an integrated approach. The state-of-the-art innovation’s primal focus is a responsible CO2 management technology (carbon capture, utlization and storage, or simply CCUS) that facilitates energy generation, leaving a zero or even negative carbon footprint. The technology also enables facile conversion of CO2 to commercially high-value products. Considering India was enlisted as the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases in volume in the year 2020 (Source: BBC News) – the world’s climate and environmental condition are severely reliant on India. India has declared a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2070. The impact of this technology developed by UrjanovaC is crucial and shall contribute significantly to reducing carbon footprints in India without compromising production capacities in industrial sites.
Today, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s have no recognised cures. These conditions are to be managed with generic and need-based medications and therapies. Several researches are being conducted to find a cure or a solution to effectively manage these conditions. The neurodegenerative disease market is poised to grow the world over. SINE has incubated a startup by the name of Lifespark Technologies led by Amey Desai, aiming to provide solutions to Parkinson’s patients. Their technology aims at restoring patients’ gait to a near-normal movement to perform day-to-day functions. The initial technology developed by Lifespark is a wearable device that provides sensory cueing-based therapy to improve gait and reduce falls. Through a digital platform, the doctor & physicians receive regular updates regarding the patients’ conditions. The startup is conducting clinical trials and the results so far have reflected increased confidence in walking more independently among subjects.
The space industry in India has witnessed significant momentum in terms of policy changes to encourage private-public partnership. The entry by large conglomerates to this sector, the creation of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the implementation of the new India space policy will further open up the eco-system and contribute to the momentum supporting this industry. There are several successful startups and ongoing research purporting to capitalize on the opportunities emerging in this sector. SINE is supporting one such startup, Inspecity – building cities in space, led by a faculty from IIT Bombay, led by Prof Arindrajit Chowdhry. While the technology is in its nascent stage, the startup is underway towards developing satellites for servicing and deploying other satellites. The prototype is under development.
Burn healthcare services in India face inherent challenges geographically due to which there is a delay in treating burn patients, especially those suffering from large wound injuries. Recent research states that not only is there a shortage of burn centers but also concerns like limited infrastructure, disparities in quality at the point of care, and human resource capacity among others comprise this challenge. While at the policy level, there have been several measures introduced to resolve the critical concerns, researchers are also working on innovative solutions to tackle the treatment process besides. One such startup, Pacify Medical founded by Saiprasad Poyarekar has developed a technology-based solution named the “Skin Spray Gun” which enables plastic surgeons to treat burn patients through a portable surgical device. The current process of skin grafting coupled with extensive skin harvesting, and multiple surgeries entails increased costs incurred for treatments. Further, the existing process is heavily contingent on the availability of skin from the skin bank for cadaver skin. However, the device developed by Pacify performs the existing process where less than 80% donor skin is required, the procedure time is less by 70 min, and the healing time will be abridged to an average of 20 days in comparison to the traditional 30 days. Various agencies of the Government have extended support to Pacify Medical during the product development phase and this solution has also been supported by the Indian Defence Services. This solution is poised to disrupt the market and create a significant social market.
The economy and Indian markets today are witnessing new-age technologies developed by Indian researchers across every sector, each strengthened with a global perspective. These startups are not only developing technology to solve large scale problems but also are generating wealth for the nation and, creating employment opportunities. In other words, the startup eco-system is painting the canvas embodying the phrase “ Atmanirbhar Bharat”.