Alkem Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) division of Alkem Laboratories Ltd, has announced a significant partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) to create a pioneering research center focused on immuno-therapeutics and regenerative medicine. This initiative represents a groundbreaking effort in India, aimed at fostering innovation in medical treatments for complex diseases that currently lack effective solutions.
The new facility, named the Alkem Centre for Advanced Research and Development of Applied Immuno-Therapeutics and Regenerative Medicines, will be situated on the IIT Bombay campus in Powai, Mumbai. The Alkem Foundation is set to allocate an estimated 20-25 percent of its total CSR commitments over a seven-year period to support the establishment of this center.
This collaboration marks the first instance of an industry-academia partnership in India leveraging CSR funding to propel research in immuno-therapeutics and regenerative medicine. By combining Alkem”s pharmaceutical industry knowledge and experience in healthcare solutions with IIT Bombay”s proficiency in biomedical engineering, biosciences, and translational research, the partnership aims to create a unique ecosystem for innovation and development.
The primary goal of the research center is to cultivate a comprehensive environment that encourages research, innovation, and skill development in challenging therapy areas. It seeks to address critical shortages in infrastructure, expertise, and translational capabilities, particularly in the realm of high-precision medicine.
This initiative is expected to enhance IIT Bombay”s interdisciplinary approach to healthcare, which integrates biology, engineering, and data science to improve human health outcomes. The institute”s established research in biotechnology, biomedical engineering, and cell and gene therapy will provide a solid foundation for advancing the next generation of immuno-therapeutics and regenerative medicines.
Looking ahead, the research center plans to explore emerging fields such as gene editing and biomaterials technology to further enhance immuno-therapeutics and regenerative medicine. It will also function as a training and incubation hub for clinician-scientists and biotech entrepreneurs, thereby strengthening India”s translational research landscape in life sciences.
Key personnel involved in this initiative include Madhurima Singh, the Executive Director and Chairperson of the CSR and Sustainability Committee at Alkem, who emphasized the importance of scientific progress in meeting unmet medical needs. She stated, “Despite government encouragement, only a small share of corporate CSR spending in India goes towards R&D. We saw it as our responsibility to go beyond business and support R&D in the important field of immuno-therapeutics and regenerative medicines through CSR.”
Prof. Shireesh B. Kedare, the Director of IIT Bombay, expressed optimism about the collaboration, asserting, “This partnership will foster clinical breakthroughs that lead to affordable therapies, reduce dependence on imports, and take us a step further in India”s journey toward self-reliance in healthcare innovation.”
