Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and BPL Medical Technologies have entered into a partnership to jointly develop clinically validated and cost-effective medical devices. The collaboration aims to merge academic research with industrial capabilities, with a focus on creating products suited to emerging markets.
The agreement was signed by Giridhar P Kini, Registrar of MAHE, and Guruswamy Krishnamurthy, CEO of BPL Medical Technologies. The partnership includes provisions for joint research, internships, educational programs, and the exchange of scholars. According to the companies, the goal is to accelerate product development and manufacturing through shared expertise and infrastructure.
“This collaboration represents a significant step towards bridging the gap between academia and industry. By combining our research capabilities with BPL’s industrial expertise, we can develop healthcare solutions that are not only innovative but also affordable for rural populations,” said H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor of MAHE.
“Our institutions share a common vision of advancing healthcare technology. This partnership will provide our students and researchers with valuable real-world exposure while contributing to meaningful healthcare innovations,” stated Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh (Retd.), Vice Chancellor of MAHE.
“Industry-academia partnerships drive innovation globally, and this collaboration marks a pivotal shift for BPL from trading to product development and manufacturing. Leveraging MAHE’s world-class testing facilities and clinical expertise will accelerate our journey to deliver practical, affordable medical devices for India and similar markets across the world,” said Guruswamy Krishnamurthy, CEO of BPL Medical Technologies.
During the signing event, MAHE also showcased its Medical Instruments, Devices & Allied Services (MIDAS) hub, which is supported by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. The hub includes 25 institutions and 30 industry partners and is focused on indigenous development and commercialization of medical technologies.
BPL Medical Technologies Private Limited, established in 2013 with investments from BPL Group and Goldman Sachs, is headquartered in Bangalore. The company has two manufacturing plants: one in Palakkad, Kerala, and another in Jigani, Bangalore, inaugurated in 2024. The Jigani facility spans 1.25 acres and, together with the Palakkad unit, employs around 300 staff members. BPL Medical operates in six business areas including cardiology, imaging, and home care.
Manipal Academy of Higher Education is a deemed university with campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bangalore, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. It offers more than 400 specializations across health sciences, technology, management, law, and humanities.