AIIMS Bhubaneswar Signs MoU with KIIT-TBI and BCKIC to Boost Healthcare Innovation

Collaboration to establish Centres of Excellence, attract startups, and promote clinical entrepreneurship

Bhubaneswar: In a landmark step towards advancing healthcare innovation and nurturing clinical entrepreneurship, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, has entered into a strategic partnership with KIIT-Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI) and Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC) Foundation. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on Thursday, seeks to create a strong ecosystem for developing, validating, and deploying cutting-edge healthcare technologies while attracting healthcare startups to Odisha.

The partnership aims to establish joint Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in healthcare, diagnostics, and digital health. These centres will focus on product development, technology validation, skill-building, and clinical entrepreneurship, thereby positioning Odisha as a leader in healthcare innovation.

Prof. (Dr.) Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, stating, “This partnership will position AIIMS Bhubaneswar as a national translational innovation hub. It will foster medical product development, technology advancement, effective IP management, and boost clinical entrepreneurship.”

The MoU outlines a wide range of initiatives, including innovation and startup programmes, bootcamps, regulatory workshops, and startup–investor roundtables. These platforms will provide budding entrepreneurs with mentorship, exposure to investors, and knowledge of regulatory pathways essential for medical technology development.

In addition, the collaboration will enable real-world testing of healthcare technologies. This includes telehealth platforms, AI-based diagnostic tools, and remote monitoring devices, ensuring that innovations are clinically validated before reaching patients.

One of the key highlights of the partnership is the proposed Centre of Excellence (CoE), which will be equipped with high-end diagnostic tools, advanced research facilities, and clinical validation mechanisms. This will not only facilitate innovation but also serve as a hub for startups working in healthcare technologies.

Dr. Mrutyunjay Suar, CEO of KIIT-TBI and Chairman of BCKIC, said the initiative would attract healthcare startups from across the country, adding that Odisha has the potential to become a hub for healthcare research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The collaboration also focuses on skill development, training healthcare professionals, and fostering entrepreneurship among young innovators. By promoting clinical innovation and technology transfer, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and market-ready solutions.

Dr. Namrata Misra, CEO of BCKIC and Advisor at KIIT-TBI, said, “This partnership is designed to strengthen Odisha’s healthcare ecosystem. By enabling skill development and incubation of healthcare startups, we will contribute to a healthier society and a stronger economy.”

The MoU signing ceremony at AIIMS Bhubaneswar was attended by senior officials and academicians, including Dr. Satyajeet Misra, Dean (Research), AIIMS Bhubaneswar; Dr. Rituparna Maiti, Secretary, MoU Committee, AIIMS Bhubaneswar; Dr. Jayalaxmi Dash, Manager (Tech-Innovation), KIIT-TBI; and Mr. Arpan Ghosh, Manager, BCKIC. Their presence underscored the commitment of all institutions involved in this ambitious collaboration.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in Odisha’s journey to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure while promoting innovation-driven growth. With joint efforts from a premier medical institute, a leading technology incubator, and a knowledge cluster, the state aims to not only address healthcare challenges but also set benchmarks for the rest of the country.

The partnership promises to bridge gaps in healthcare access, accelerate digital health adoption, and empower startups to scale their solutions globally. By leveraging advanced technology and strong institutional collaboration, Odisha is steadily moving towards becoming a leader in healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship.