The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pfizer to strengthen India’s healthcare innovation ecosystem.

The collaboration aims to accelerate the lab-to-market journey of innovative healthcare products by extending both financial and non-financial support to startups.

Under the partnership, the Pfizer INDovation programme will empower DPIIT-recognised startups with grants of up to INR 60 lakhs each, along with a tailored 18-month incubation programme delivered by Social Alpha. The programme will provide dedicated acceleration tracks covering clinical validation, regulatory approvals, and go-to-market strategies.

Startups will also gain access to expert mentorship, infrastructure, and global networks, in addition to exposure at Pfizer’s Research and Development facilities in Chennai, enabling them to strengthen innovations with advanced industry insights.

The initiative will support 14 pioneering MedTech startups innovating in screening, diagnostics, health monitoring, and treatment enablers, with a particular focus on non-communicable diseases, oncology, brain health, maternal and child health, and immunisation.

Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, emphasised that startups will play a key role in India’s journey towards novel drug discovery.

Sharad Goswami, Senior Director – Global Policy and Public Affairs, Pfizer India, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to enabling Indian startups to develop patient-centric, impactful healthcare solutions tailored to the country’s needs.

The MoU is part of DPIIT’s efforts to foster impactful public–private partnerships that drive inclusive growth and reinforce India’s position as a global hub for healthcare innovation.