C-CAMP Tech Showcase: The Stage for Connecting Global Advancements in Science and Tech with Market
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP)
Fostering deep science research and innovation for societal impact
The 21st century has been all about the boom of artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, vaccines for previously untreated diseases, genetic engineering using CRISPR, augmented reality, CAR T-cell therapy for cancer treatment and what not innovations across science and technology. But how do these discoveries that are invented in labs in one part of the world reach tens of millions across continents? This is where the power of patenting, technology licensing, industry collaborations and technology transfers lie or in other words exploring the commercial potential of science because there is no other way to make a big impact.
What does a STEM researcher do upon finding a promising cure for breast cancer? Or a possible vaccine for dengue that might reduce infection rates in India? (2,89,235 cases in India in 2023) Or a unique technology that can detect antimicrobial resistance associated genes in superbugs and make diagnostics 100x faster than the usual 5-day wait for culture reports to help bend the growing anti-microbial resistance curve? One has to collaborate with industries for further development and deployment of such innovations to create an impact in the society, thereby closing the gaps in unaddressed areas while simultaneously achieving commercial success.
And that’s what C-CAMP Tech Showcase does! It’s a unique programme run by the Office of Technology Transfer at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP). This- showcase brings forward the most innovative solutions produced in academic laboratories and start-ups and connects them with matching industry partners from their sector of innovation with the intent to translate such technologies, increase collaborations for commercialisation and licensing to amplify and democratise the impact of cutting-edge science on societal progress.
In Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, C-CAMP Director-CEO’s words at the recently concluded 4th Tech Showcase in August 2024, “Science affects every aspect of our lives throughout the day. All developed nations see tremendous growth in science and technological advancements for overall progress. But to build the best scientific product for society, you will need the convergence of people from every sector at every stage. That’s what C-CAMP’s Tech Showcase does! This platform is the convergence of academic & startup inventions and industry partners to take the science made in labs move forward. In short, it’s a movement for science, where any inventor can apply and leverage the ecosystem and make further progress.”
Since 2023, C-CAMP has organised 4 Tech Showcases, showcasing a total of 44 technologies across the domains of Healthcare, Agriculture & allied and Clean-tech. In every showcase, 10-15 unique technologies get selected for pitching to (potential) industry partners and a lot of times, more than one industry partner expresses interest in one particular innovation. Till date, the Tech Showcase has presented 9 technologies in Therapeutics addressing dengue, sepsis, non-healing diabetic wounds, AMR infections, respiratory infections, skin cancer among other diseases; 11 in Medical Devices to screen for osteoporosis, a blood sampling device, heart-attack diagnosis device, CPAP for neonates etc; 11 in Diagnostics for breast cancer, sickle-cell anaemia, multi-drug- resistant infectious diseases. 6 in Agri- Biotechnology such as biostimulants, novel bioinsecticides and plant varieties; 4 in Agri-Tech addressing cattle-health monitoring, automation in agricultural fields and more, 2 in Cleantech addressing waste-water treatment and 2 as Research Tools such as collection & preservation of nucleic acids, to name just a few.
Till date, 38 global industry partners have participated in the 4 tech showcases cumulatively. Some of those names include 西门子医疗 , 欧莱雅 India, theraCUES , nasscom , Aurigene Oncology Limited , ThermoFisher Scientific , Trivitron Healthcare , Meril , CORE Diagnostics , DSS Imagetech Pvt Ltd , Mylab Discovery Solutions Pvt. Ltd. , Murata , Danaher Corporation , GE医疗 , Bosch , Yokogawa , ImmuGenix Biosciences Pvt Ltd , bigtec Private Limited , Bayer | Crop Science , Bühler Group , PI Industries Ltd , among many others.
What are some of these technologies that have been showcased this far? Few examples in details:
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A number of organisations including multiple startups have applied in the last 4 tech showcases. Institutes who have participated include the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine?(InStem), Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), C-CAMP’s Discovery to Innovation Accelerator team, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, University of Calicut, C-DAC: Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, University of Agricultural Sciences-GKVK and IIT-Madras.
At the launch of the 1st Tech Showcase, Dr. Shirshendu Mukherjee, Mission Director - Program Management Unit, BIRAC had commended C-CAMP and the OTT team's efforts: “We are happy that in the last two and a half years C-CAMP and OTT have enabled the scientific community at various levels (academic, institute, and startup) to transfer their technologies to the industry”
From ranking as the 81st country in the global innovation index in 2015 to ranking 40th in 2023 , such inventions as cited above indicate an exciting scientific and an economic leap for India. However, to improve India’s current health index or ring in India’s second green revolution or adopt the new BioE3 scheme, the nation needs easier and smooth translation of these innovations happening across academic labs and startups. C-CAMP’s Discovery to Innovation Accelerator programme (supported by Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the GoI and Pratiksha Trust) and the Office of Technology Transfer (supported by DBT India, BIRAC and NBM) are two such examples of research translation programmes that attempt to bring research and innovations through evidence-based approach to daily practice by healthcare professionals or policymaking by government agencies or common lives as a successful use case of relevance of science in society.
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms
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