20 High-Potential Startups Selected Under Pfizer INDovation Program (IP Support Edition) 2025–26 as Industry, Policy and Healthcare Leaders Discuss the Future of Innovation
India’s healthcare innovation ecosystem received a major boost as the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi, in collaboration with Pfizer India through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative and ecosystem partner Social Alpha, hosted the flagship event “Translating What’s Next: Securing the Future of Innovation” at IIT Delhi.
The event brought together policymakers, healthcare leaders, startup founders, investors, academics, industry experts and innovation stakeholders to explore how India can strengthen its position as a global hub for healthcare innovation.
At a time when India’s healthcare, biotechnology and digital health sectors are experiencing unprecedented growth, the gathering served as a platform for meaningful discussions on intellectual property, commercialization, regulation and the future of healthcare entrepreneurship.
20 Startups Recognized Under Pfizer INDovation Program
A major highlight of the event was the announcement of the 20 winning startups selected under the Pfizer INDovation Program (IP Support Edition) 2025–26, an initiative designed to help healthcare and biotech innovators protect, commercialize and scale their technologies.
The program offers participating startups comprehensive intellectual property support, including technical and legal consultation, commercialization guidance, mentorship opportunities and access to a curated network of investors, venture capital firms and industry experts.
By placing intellectual property strategy at the center of startup development, the initiative seeks to address one of the most critical challenges facing early-stage healthcare ventures—transforming promising innovations into globally competitive solutions.
Leaders Highlight India’s Healthcare Transformation
Digital Health Infrastructure as a Growth Engine
Addressing the gathering, Dr. M. Srinivas, Former Director, AIIMS New Delhi and Member (Health), NITI Aayog, emphasized the transformative role of digital health infrastructure in expanding healthcare access across the country.
“The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is not merely a government scheme—it is the digital spine of a new India. Interoperable health infrastructure, data-driven systems and technology-enabled access will fundamentally rewrite who gets care, when they get it and how.”
Dr. Srinivas highlighted how technology-driven healthcare systems can improve accessibility, efficiency and patient outcomes while creating new opportunities for innovators.
Startups at the Heart of India’s Vision 2047
Shri Bhuvnesh Pratap Singh, Director, Startup India, connected the aspirations of India’s startup ecosystem with the country’s long-term development goals.
He emphasized that innovation-led entrepreneurship, particularly in healthcare, will play a crucial role in achieving India’s vision of becoming a self-reliant and globally competitive economy by 2047.
Bridging Research and Real-World Impact
Speaking on the importance of translating research into market-ready solutions, Mr. Tarun Chaturvedi, COO, FITT IIT Delhi, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between academia, industry and startups.
“The gap between a breakthrough in a laboratory and a breakthrough in the market is where most innovations die. Closing that gap requires bold industry-academia partnerships, relentless translational research and startups willing to bet on deep tech.”
He underscored FITT’s commitment to helping innovators navigate the journey from scientific discovery to commercial success.
Global Collaboration for Sustainable Healthcare Innovation
Representing Pfizer India’s global policy perspective, Mr. Sharad Goswami, Senior Director, Global Policy & International Public Affairs, Pfizer India, highlighted the importance of collaborative innovation ecosystems.
“We at Pfizer recognize that sustainable healthcare transformation cannot happen in silos, but demands innovation enablers, cross-border collaboration and ecosystem partnerships to translate breakthroughs into real impact for people around the world.”
He noted that India is increasingly emerging as a source of globally relevant healthcare innovation and that initiatives such as INDovation are designed to support this evolution.
Industry Discussions Focus on IP and Regulatory Strategy
The event also featured two thought-provoking panel discussions that explored key challenges and opportunities for healthcare startups.
The first panel, “What Actually Makes Healthcare Innovation Defensible?”, brought together intellectual property experts, healthcare practitioners, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss how patent strategy, translational science and commercialization readiness can strengthen long-term competitiveness.
A second session, “Regulation as a Product Strategy, Not a Compliance Checklist,” challenged traditional perceptions of regulatory frameworks and highlighted how early regulatory planning can serve as a strategic advantage for emerging healthcare and biotechnology ventures.
A Defining Moment for India’s Healthcare Innovation Ecosystem
India’s healthcare innovation landscape is entering a pivotal phase. The rapid expansion of digital health infrastructure, growing investor interest in deep-tech ventures, increasing policy support and a thriving startup ecosystem are creating favorable conditions for global leadership in healthcare innovation.
Initiatives such as the Pfizer INDovation Program are helping bridge critical gaps by providing innovators with the tools, expertise and networks needed to move from invention to impact.
Supported by organizations including FITT IIT Delhi, Pfizer India and Social Alpha, the program aims to empower startups with the resources required to protect their innovations, accelerate commercialization and compete on a global stage.
Key Outcomes of the Initiative
- Selection of 20 promising healthcare and biotechnology startups through a rigorous evaluation process
- Comprehensive intellectual property support, including technical patent strategy and legal advisory services
- Access to investors, venture capital firms and experienced industry mentors
- Tailored commercialization roadmaps designed to support domestic and international market expansion
- Increased focus on integrating regulatory strategy into early-stage startup development
About the Partners
FITT IIT Delhi
The Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT Delhi serves as one of India’s leading technology transfer and industry engagement organizations. It plays a key role in converting academic research into market-ready products, facilitating industry collaborations, intellectual property development and startup incubation.
Pfizer India
Pfizer is among the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, working with healthcare providers, governments and communities to improve access to quality healthcare. For more than 75 years in India, Pfizer has contributed to advancing healthcare outcomes through innovation, partnerships and patient-focused solutions.
Social Alpha
Social Alpha is a leading science and technology innovation platform focused on supporting startups developing solutions for critical challenges across healthcare, energy, agriculture and water. Through incubation, acceleration and impact investing, the organization helps innovators scale transformative technologies.
For media inquiries, interviews and additional information, please contact the FITT IIT Delhi communications team.
Last Updated on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 4:34 pm by Startup Magazine Team
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