Pfizer and Indian Government Join Hands to Boost Healthcare Startups
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has partnered with US-based pharma company Pfizer to give a big push to healthcare innovation in India. The agreement is designed to help startups take their ideas from the lab to the market faster, with both financial and non-financial support.
Through the Pfizer INDovation programme, DPIIT-recognised startups can receive grants of up to Rs 60 lakh each. They will also take part in an 18-month incubation programme led by Social Alpha, which will guide them through important steps like clinical validation, regulatory approvals, and market entry strategies.
Startups in the programme will benefit from mentorship by industry experts, access to advanced infrastructure, global networks, and even hands-on exposure at Pfizer’s research and development center in Chennai.
The initiative will initially support 14 MedTech startups working on innovations in areas such as disease screening, diagnostics, health monitoring, and treatment tools. Special focus areas include cancer care, brain health, maternal and child health, immunisation, and non-communicable diseases.
“India needs to move towards new drug discovery, and startups will play a key role in this journey,” said Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT.
Sharad Goswami, Senior Director of Global Policy and Public Affairs at Pfizer India, added that the company is committed to helping Indian startups create healthcare solutions that directly meet the needs of patients in the country.
This partnership reflects DPIIT’s larger push for strong public-private collaborations that drive inclusive growth and position India as a global hub for healthcare innovation.
Just last month, DPIIT signed a similar agreement with pharma company Roche. That collaboration focuses on supporting startups in oncology, neurology, ophthalmology, haematology, and rare diseases, offering guidance on regulations, intellectual property, and access to cutting-edge technologies and international platforms.
Together, these partnerships mark an important step toward building a stronger healthcare startup ecosystem in India.
