Commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the visionary who inspired India’s march toward scientific and technological self-reliance, the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) and its research arm, the Kalam Institute of Health Technology (KIHT), have unveiled two landmark initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s MedTech innovation ecosystem.

Marking the occasion, SVL Bioscience Pvt. Ltd., a startup within AMTZ, inaugurated its state-of-the-art clean-room facility dedicated to manufacturing rapid diagnostic kits for dengue. The company also announced plans to expand production to cover a broader spectrum of diagnostic parameters — a move expected to transform access to affordable, high-quality diagnostic solutions across India.

In a parallel development, AMTZ launched a Thermoforming Technology Centre, designed to produce large enclosures and customized components for medical device manufacturers. This new facility is expected to bolster India’s precision manufacturing capabilities, providing critical infrastructure to accelerate the development of advanced medical technologies.

“These initiatives reflect our enduring commitment to Dr. Kalam’s dream of a self-reliant India in science and technology,” said Dr. Jitendra Sharma, Founder CEO and Managing Director, AMTZ, and Founder Executive Director, KIHT. “The establishment of KIHT within AMTZ marked a strategic leap for India’s biomedical innovation landscape. Our vision extends beyond manufacturing — it is about building an ecosystem where science, policy, and industry evolve together.”

Highlighting India’s strong scientific base, Dr. Sharma added, “Our laboratories and R&D capabilities are world-class and have been well-established for over 25 years. The next big leap is to strengthen the commercial ecosystem — to take science from lab to market, from innovation to industry.”

Dr. Sharma also revealed plans for a MedTech Capital Fund aimed at supporting growth-stage MedTech companies on their journey towards IPO readiness. “AMTZ has also acquired a World Trade Center (WTC) license, making it the only cluster in India — and globally — to host both a WHO Collaborating Centre and a WTC. This connects us to 392 WTCs across more than 100 countries, expanding India’s MedTech footprint through global trade linkages. The goal is simple: to turn scientific success into commercial success,” he said.

Since its inception in 2017 as an initiative of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, KIHT has played a catalytic role in fostering indigenous R&D, evidence-based policymaking, and affordable innovation. The institute has supported the development of over 100 medical technology products and continues to strengthen the bridge between academic innovation and industrial application.

Emphasizing KIHT’s mission, Dr. Kavita Kachroo, Chief Operating Officer, KIHT, said, “Our goal is to transform innovation into impact. KIHT accelerates the research-to-market journey by offering innovators technical guidance, access to expertise, and continuous engagement with industry. By merging the academic knowledge base with AMTZ’s manufacturing capabilities, we are building a pipeline of devices that meet both Indian and global standards.”

With over 160 companies, including nearly 30 international entities, operating within AMTZ, the cluster has emerged as one of Asia’s most dynamic MedTech manufacturing hubs. Through KIHT’s multidisciplinary support — spanning policy, technology consultancy, testing, validation, and R&D facilitation — India is carving a distinct space in the global MedTech landscape.

Aligned with Dr. Kalam’s vision of self-reliance, the collaborative efforts of AMTZ and KIHT are not only advancing innovation but also ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare, reinforcing the ‘Make in India’ initiative, and positioning the nation as a global hub for MedTech research, development, and trade.