Haffkine Institute partnering with IIT-Bombay to Promote Medical Device Innovation

Mumbai-based Haffkine Institute of Training, Research & Testing is collaborating with IIT Bombay for establishing a Biomedical Engineering & Technology incubation Centre (BETiC) at Haffkine campus in Parel.

Dr. Nishigandha Naik, Director of Haffkine Institute, said, "The presence of leading hospitals in Parel, including Tata Memorial Hospital, King Edward Memorial Hospital and Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children will enable better identification of unmet clinical needs as well as quicker feedback on devices during their development. An interdisciplinary team of doctors and engineers will develop innovative medical devices suitable for the local population, in the proposed center."

In order to kick-start the activities by bringing doctors, engineers, and other stakeholders together, both the partners are planning a Medical Device Hackathon (MEDHA) in the month of March.

B. Ravi, Head, Biomedical Engineering & Technology incubation Centre (BETiC), IIT Bombay, stated, "The hackathon will help us curate the unmet clinical needs and identify committed innovators to take it forward. Previous MEDHA at partner institutes have been very successful in sensitizing the participants about the importance and process of med-tech innovation."