IKP Grand Challenges Explorations (IKP-GCE), an initiative since 2011 between Hyderabad-based IKP Knowledge Park and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is holding a meeting in Bangalore on October 20, at the St John’s Research Institute to spread awareness of the programme.
IKP-GCE is an initiative to identify, fund and nurture healthcare innovations in India. This is the second call for proposals, which aims to address issues of the developing world such as infectious diseases, child and maternal health, family planning, nutrition, and more.
IKP-GCE is a search for new drugs, medical devices, vaccines, diagnostics, delivery systems and service models that will work towards realising equitable healthcare. Winners of the IKP-GCE programme receive Phase I funding of $100,000, and will be eligible to apply for a larger funding of up to $ 1 million after 18 months. Also, IKP Knowledge Park will help early stage technologies with mentorship from its large network within India and abroad. Applicants will have to submit a two page proposal at www.ikp-gce.com outlining their innovation and how they plan on how to take it forward. The organisers are looking to identify three or more innovations that will help have societal impact, and potentially reach out to everyone.
The event will be attended by Dr Bala Manian – serial entrepreneur from the Bay Area, Deepanwita Chattopadhyay – MD and CEO, IKP Knowledge Park; Dr Satya Dash, Consultant to IISC and IIM-B, Ex-COO of ABLE, Dr Tony Raj, Vice-Dean of St Johns Research Institute, Dr Anand Sivaraman, CEO, Remedio, members of the innovation community from Bangalore.
EP News Bureau