Bio Innovation Corridor established between Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) and La Trobe University, Australia

Bio Innovation Corridor established between Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) and La Trobe University, Australia

Dr. Mohamed A.A, MD, Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre and Prof Theo Farrell, VC La Trobe University, Australia post signing of MOU at the Victoria Connect event in Bangalore.

Bangalore 20th September 2024 – Australia’s La Trobe University and the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) based in the Indian state of Karnataka will establish a Bio Innovation Corridor paving the way for the sharing of skills, infrastructure and capabilities, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today.

La Trobe University is ranked in the top one per cent of the world’s universities. It has a proud and successful history in India, partnering with tertiary institutions and organisations on projects that benefit both countries and helping develop India’s brightest minds through joint education opportunities.

The Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre is jointly established by the Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, and is aimed at nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship within the biotechnology sector.

The Bio Innovation Corridor will enable entrepreneurs, startup companies, researchers and investors from Karnataka and the Australian state of Victoria to enter and leverage the infrastructure, capabilities and network of the organisations to collaborate and evaluate their Technology Readiness Level (TRL), Commercialization Readiness Level (CRL), and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL).

It will enable portfolio companies of BBC and researchers of La Trobe to pilot novel biotechnologies with applications across human health, medical, food and agritech for scale-up, regulatory approvals and customer testing in the two states.

Dr. Mohamed Adil A.A, Managing Director of Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, said BBC encourages interdisciplinary advancement in research and innovation towards entrepreneurship by generating work, wealth and welfare and enabling the community by creating employers than employees.

He said: “The Bio Innovation Corridor between Karnataka and Victoria is a strategic partnership that will foster market access, mentorship, collaboration, and investment in the life sciences sector. By connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from both regions, they aim to accelerate innovation leading to global unicorns.”

La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said: “We are very pleased to announce the creation of this Bio Innovation Corridor between Karnataka and Victoria, and to offer the skills, infrastructure and capabilities of La Trobe University to startups, entrepreneurs and researchers associated with the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre.

“La Trobe University has a vision to develop an ecosystem of research and innovation through co-location opportunities, including at our University City of the Future at our Melbourne campus in Bundoora and our four Victorian regional campuses.

“This demonstrates our keenness to open opportunities for Karnataka-based entrepreneurs and startups to establish their R&D, innovation, product development and commercialisation facilities in conjunction with La Trobe through a range of innovative business partnership models for access to the Australian market.”

Professor Farrell said La Trobe had recently launched a purpose-built Bio Innovation Hub that will help startup companies develop new technologies in med tech and drug delivery.

The MOU was signed by Prof Farrell and Dr. Mohamed Adil during the Victoria Connect event being organised in Bangalore on 19 September 2024 and as part of showcasing the opportunities between Victoria and Karnataka in the higher education and value-adding technology sectors. 

Contact:

Dr. Mohamed A.A, Managing Director, Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (+91 9710520522)

Ms. Amruta P Jogalekar, Manager – Corporate & International Relations, Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (+91 9108560763) www.bioinnovationcentre.com

Amit Malhotra

Megan Fisher, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Industry Engagement, La Trobe University (+61 9479 2070)

Sid Jain, Director of Precinct Development & Operations, La Trobe University (+61 408 764 036)

Bio-Innovation-Hub-April-24-WEB-.pdf (latrobe.edu.au)

About Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC)                                                                    

Located in Bangalore, Karnataka, often referred to as the “Silicon Valley of India”. BBC strives to cultivate an environment conducive to biotech innovators, startups, and researchers. The rapid growth and success of the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) since its establishment in 2016 highlight its effectiveness as a hub for biotech startups in India. Its strategic focus on supporting innovation across various domains of life sciences, including Healthcare, MedTech, Pharmaceutical, Agriculture, food, and nutrition, Industrial biotechnology, Integrated Veterinary, Bio-IT, Bio-Electronics, Blue economy, sustainability, clean and climate tech underscores its role in addressing critical challenges and driving progress in these areas. BBC provides cutting-edge infrastructure, specialised equipment, mentorship, networking opportunities, and funding support to biotech startups and entrepreneurs. Additionally, BBC fosters collaborations among academia, industry, and government bodies to drive innovation and commercialisation in the biotechnology sector. BBC plays a crucial role in nurturing the growth of biotech startups, accelerating the development of new biotech products and technologies, and contributing to the overall growth of the biotechnology ecosystem in India and the globe. We strive to create an ecosystem for startups from Karnataka to the globe and the globe to Karnataka.

About La Trobe University

For more than 50 years, La Trobe University has been transforming people and societies. Located in Melbourne, Australia, the University works collaboratively across disciplines and with partners to develop fresh ways of thinking and conducting research – constantly seeking new ways to engage with and better serve its partners and communities, to build relationships and develop solutions for the issues facing society. Along with holding its top 300 ranking in Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2024, La Trobe earned the prestigious ‘Most Improved – Oceania Award’ in the QS World University Rankings 2025, rising 183 places over the past five years to claim its new spot at 217 of the 1,500 universities evaluated. Read more about La Trobe here.

La Trobe University media enquiries

Charisse Ede

c.ede@latrobe.edu.au, 0404030698, media@latrobe.edu.au

Bio Innovation Corridor established between India and La Trobe University, Australia

Bio Innovation Corridor established between India and La Trobe University, Australia

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, Dr. Jitendra Kumar, MD BIRAC, La Trobe University VC Prof Theo Farrell & Ms. Michelle Wade, Victoria’s Commissioner to South Asia, post signing of the Letter of Intent

New Delhi, India, 18 September – Australia’s La Trobe University and India’s Biotechnology Industry Research Association Council (BIRAC) have today signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to establish a Bio Innovation Corridor to support the development of research and innovation.

La Trobe University is ranked in the top one per cent of the world’s universities. It has a proud and successful history in India, partnering with tertiary institutions and organisations on projects that benefit both countries, and helping develop India’s brightest minds through joint education opportunities.

The Bio Innovation Corridor between India and the Australian state of Victoria will open access and provide landing pad opportunities to entrepreneurs, startups and researchers from both countries.

The LOI will enable La Trobe and BIRAC to scale up and foster collaboration with knowledge-based technologies and ideas leveraging biotechnology, with applications in agtech, food tech, medtech, and for human health and wellness purposes.

La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the University was delighted to announce the creation of the Bio Innovation Corridor.

“This exciting new partnership will offer the skills, infrastructure and capabilities of La Trobe University to Indian startups, entrepreneurs and researchers that have ideas and technologies that can be scaled up for applications and commercialisation in Indian and Australian markets,” Professor Farrell said.

“It is part of our vision to develop an ecosystem of research and innovation through co-location opportunities, including at our University City of the Future at our Melbourne campus in Bundoora and our four Victorian regional campuses.

“Here, promising start ups, entrepreneurs and corporates from India can establish their R&D, innovation, product development and commercialisation facilities in conjunction with La Trobe through a range of innovative business partnership models.”

The LOI was signed by Prof Farrell and Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of BIRAC, during the Victoria Connect event, which was attended by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.

Premier Allan said Victoria was a prime location for both international students and collaboration on important research and innovation.

“The agreement between La Trobe University and BIRAC offers immense opportunities to entrepreneurs and researchers from India through access to La Trobe’s world-class facilities at its campuses in regional Victoria and Melbourne,” the Premier said.

Dr Jitender Kumar from BIRAC said: “Today’s signing of the Letter of Intent between India and La Trobe University represents a significant milestone in the realm of biotechnological advancement. This formalizes our commitment to fostering collaborative research and innovation at the global level. The Bio Innovation Corridor will open new avenues for entrepreneurs by fostering cross-border collaboration and leveraging our collective expertise. This partnership exemplifies the potential of international synergy in advancing cutting-edge solutions for global scientific progress.”

La Trobe recently launched a purpose-built Bio Innovation Hub (BIH) that will help startup companies develop new technologies in med tech and drug delivery.

“Facilities like the Bio Innovation Hub and our Digital Innovation Hub are opportunities where Karnataka-based startups and new technology players will be encouraged to co-locate and work in a vibrant biotechnology-based ecosystem for building their businesses,” Professor Farrell said.

The Victoria Connect event in Delhi organised on 17 September 2024, is showcasing the opportunities between Victoria and India in the higher education and value-adding technology sectors.

Contact:

Amit Malhotra

Megan Fisher, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Industry Engagement, La Trobe University (+61 9479 2070) Sid Jain, Director of Precinct Development & Operations, La Trobe University (+61 408 764 036) Bio-Innovation-Hub-April-24-WEB-.pdf (latrobe.edu.au)

About the Biotechnology Industry Research Association Council (BIRAC)

Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a Not-for-profit, Section 8, Public Sector Enterprise set up by the Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. BIRAC’s mandate is to strengthen and empower emerging Biotech enterprises. The organization is committed to promoting, nurturing and enabling the Biotech Innovation Ecosystem to develop globally competitive affordable products to address the unmet needs of society at large. BIRAC through Public Private Partnership has taken up a multitude of activities from providing funds for high-risk translational research, supporting nascent ideas, capacity building through creating bioincubation centres as shared infrastructure, handholding through mentoring and training, to policy advocacy for empowering the biotech ecosystem in India.

About La Trobe University

For more than 50 years, La Trobe University has been transforming people and societies. Located in Melbourne, Australia, the University works collaboratively across disciplines and with partners to develop fresh ways of thinking and conducting research – constantly seeking new ways to engage with and better serve its partners and communities, to build relationships and develop solutions for the issues facing society. Along with holding its top 300 ranking in Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2024, La Trobe earned the prestigious ‘Most Improved – Oceania Award’ in the QS World University Rankings 2025, rising 183 places over the past five years to claim its new spot at 217 of the 1,500 universities evaluated. Read more about La Trobe here.

La Trobe University media enquiries

Charisse Ede

c.ede@latrobe.edu.au, 0404030698, media@latrobe.edu.au

Tata Institute of Social Sciences joins La Trobe-led Smart Cities Research and Innovation Powerhouse

Tata Institute of Social Sciences joins La Trobe-led Smart Cities Research and Innovation Powerhouse

A New Partnership between La Trobe University and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), will see TISS join two prestigious Indian Universities to advance research into smart city-related projects, as part of the Asian Smart Cities Research Innovation Network (ASCRIN).

Founded by La Trobe University in 2019, ASCRIN brings together a network of Researchers, Global Industry Partners, Government Collaborators and start-ups to conduct research to solve real world problems – aiming to improve sustainability, livability and efficiency of cities and towns in the region.

TISS is joining two other prestigious Indian-based academic partners in ASCRIN – the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-Kanpur), and Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani).

ASCRIN conducts Impactful Research and Collaborates with Industry Partners on issues of global significance – including infrastructure and technology; economic development; mobility and transport; health and well-being; education; urban planning; governance and engagement; security and safety; culture and heritage; and energy, water and waste.

La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar AO, is in Delhi this week to host a major Roundtable of Industry and Government stakeholders, and Partner Universities to discuss ASCRIN.

Professor Dewar said he was delighted that TISS would be partnering with La Trobe and other high-profile organisations in India to help solve global issues.

“Being one of India’s top institutions to study non-engineering, technology disciplines makes TISS a strong partner of choice for the ASCRIN – perfectly complementing the focus and expertise of our two other academic partners in India,” Professor Dewar said.

“Like La Trobe, TISS has a deep commitment to creating research impact, as well as social justice and inclusion, and we look forward to working together to make a difference to communities across the world.”

Mr Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary and Mission Director (Smart Cities Mission) at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India has been a supporter of ASCRIN since its launch in 2019.

“The Government of India’s Smart City Mission is one of the largest initiatives of its kind, aiming to transform 100 diverse cities across the country – however, we cannot do this alone.

“Initiatives such as ASCRIN can bring novel solutions with the potential to impact community and industry problems in the context of rapid urbanisation,” Mr Kumar said.

Professor Shalini Bharat, Director and Vice-Chancellor at TISS, said TISS is committed to fostering partnerships aimed at meeting educational goals of a diverse set of students and supporting social research and extension work with potential to benefit people across the globe.

“This agreement with La Trobe will create new international education opportunities, as well as bridge both our organisations’ connection to global research and strengthen industry collaborations,” Professor Bharat said.

Last month, Professor Dewar met with Australian Education Minister, The Hon. Jason Clare MP, in New Delhi to cement strategically important partnerships with universities and research centres in India.

La Trobe has a long and proud history of close ties with many of India’s leading research, educational and cultural institutions – including Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, Lady Shri Ram College, and Jindal Global Law School.

About Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) is one of India’s top social science institutions to study non-engineering, technology disciplines that include post graduate degrees in Public Health, Labour, Development, Urban and Public Policy, Cities and Governance, Social Work, Climate Change, Media Studies, and Rural Development among others. Many of their graduates are first generation learners from less wealthy communities and have been active participants in revitalising local communities post disasters.

With TISS’ unique study offerings combined with their students’ lived experience of environmental and social issues in the region, this partnership will further contribute to La Trobe’s ASCRIN goals. La Trobe’s humanities and social sciences academics will now have connections to their counterpart researchers at TISS, with opportunities for collaboration with local government and industries in India and Sri Lanka.

Asian Smart Cities Research Innovation Network

ASCRIN, an initiative led by La Trobe, works with research focused groups, government, global industry partners and start-ups to develop solutions and evaluate implementation strategies, to improve the sustainability, livability and efficiency of Asian regions. This also includes a dedicated IIT Kanpur-La Trobe University Research Academy (ASCRIN’s node in India).

The Network currently has over 230 individual members, around 95 of which are involved in the joint research projects and supervision of PhD students across the institutions. There are 70 plus Joint PhD scholarships under ASCRIN and several externally funded research collaborations between the institutions, exploring issues like the socio-economic costs of road crashes in India, and how to make data driven quality management accessible to small dairy cooperatives in India.

La Trobe University strengthens partnerships in India

La Trobe University strengthens partnerships in India

New Delhi [India], March 6: La Trobe University‘s Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar AO, is in New Delhi this week with Australian Education Minister, The Hon. Jason Clare MP, to cement strategically important partnerships with universities, research centres, and industry partners in India.

Official agreements signed at ceremonies over the three-day visit will strengthen global research and industry collaborations and create new international learning opportunities for staff and students at La Trobe, and its partner organisations in India.

Professor Dewar will meet with representatives from some of India’s leading educational and research institutions, including the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, Lady Shri Ram College and Jindal Global Law School.

Professor Dewar said he was excited that these newly established partnerships with leading research and teaching institutions and industries would further deepen La Trobe’s already established relationship with India.

“We have a long and proud history of close ties with many of India’s leading research, educational and cultural institutions, and deeply value the contribution they make to our campuses and communities,” Professor Dewar said.

“Whether offering Shah Rukh Khan scholarships for aspiring female researchers, partnering with the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, or graduating thousands of students with Indian heritage who now hold senior positions across the globe, our partnerships in India are critical to our success as a university.”

Professor Dewar said the ceremonial signings during his trip to India would reap many benefits for staff, students and communities in both countries.

“As a global University, we are always seeking new ways to foster and enhance international collaborations that not only benefit our own students and staff, but create new and exciting opportunities for those institutions with whom we build partnerships,” Professor Dewar said.

“This is exactly what these exciting agreements signed today will do, and I very much look forward to us working productively with these four institutions over the coming years, as well as with our many other valued partners in India.”

La Trobe took part in the following signing ceremonies on 2 March, 2023, in New Delhi:

Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre – Signing of Memorandum of Understanding

Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) is the largest Biotech start-up hub in India – a state-of-the-art translational research and entrepreneurship centre catering to all the needs of start-ups in life science. With investment from the Victorian Government, La Trobe will open a new Bio Innovation Hub and Digital Innovation Hub in 2023, connecting researchers and early-stage companies within this ecosystem to build their product development pipeline both in Australia and in India. This new collaboration between La Trobe and BBC will create a pipeline of innovations as start-ups. BBC has a very strong mandate to create global linkages to facilitate the scale up for its start-ups and to provide soft landing pads for foreign start-ups.

Lady Shri Ram College – Signing of Letter of Support and renewal of Student Mobility Agreement

This Letter of Support extends a long-standing arrangement between Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) and La Trobe for LSR Students Mobility as well as staff exchange to undertake professional development activities at La Trobe each year. This arrangement supports LSR’s mission to “empower women to assume leadership roles in a globalised, rapidly changing, technology-based nation and world”, and sits alongside a student mobility agreement that has seen an exchange of about 60 students between the two institutions since 2011. Since its inception in 1995, the La Trobe-LSR partnership has gone from strength to strength and has led to cultural exchanges, and activities supported by the New Colombo Plan. Lady Shri Ram College for Women is committed to extending horizons, creating new metaphors that will highlight all that is special and of virtue in India, while nurturing multiculturalism.

Jindal Global Law School – Signing of Articulation Agreement Juris Doctor

This agreement will enable undergraduate law graduates from Jindal Global Law School to complete years two and three of the Juris Doctor at La Trobe University. JGLS, as a highly regarded law school in India, fosters curriculum, research, and collaborations of the highest standards, and with a global perspective, through a faculty drawn from, and educated throughout, the world. This agreement will give JGLS undergraduate law graduates the opportunity to study abroad and attain a graduate law degree from La Trobe Law School, one of Australia’s most progressive law schools. It is envisaged that this collaboration will lead to cross-institutional research projects, workshops and seminars.

For enquiries about La Trobe University, please visit: www.Latrobe.edu.au/international