Coeo Labs, Biomoneta were chosen by C-CIDA to identify, help accelerate near deployment-ready solutions that have potential to fight pandemic
C-CAMP and Applied Materials India announced financial and technical support to two biotech start-ups in order to fast-track near-to-market technologies in the battle against COVID-19.
The two start-ups, Coeo Labs and Biomoneta, incubated under the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), an initiative of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and were chosen by C-CAMP’s COVID-19 Innovations Deployment Accelerator (C-CIDA) launched on March 25, 2020 to identify and help accelerate near deployment-ready solutions that have the potential to fight the pandemic.
C-CIDA received more than 1100 innovation submissions and after a rigorous assessment, selected 31 innovations that have high potential to help battle against COVID-19 as C-CIDA Stars for Impact. With this, C-CIDA has built a diverse portfolio of innovations ranging from diagnostics and novel therapeutic approaches to air and surface sanitisation and many more categories.
Of the 31 innovations identified as ‘C-CIDA Stars for Impact,’ Applied Materials India selected two start-ups working in the following high-priority areas:
- Assisted Respiratory Technologies: Coeo Labs, for its non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) product, Saans Pro
- Air Sanitisation Technologies: Biomoneta, for its air decontamination product, ZeBox
The Applied Science & Technology Research Accelerator (ASTRA) provided an avenue for multiple start-ups incubated by C-CAMP to explore potential collaborations and /or investments with Applied Materials India. In continuation of these efforts and to help battle the COVID-19 crisis, Applied Materials India will provide technical expertise and financial assistance to C-CIDA, Coeo Labs and Biomoneta.
Speaking on the funding, Srinivas Satya, Country President and Managing Director, Applied Materials India said, “It is heartening to see the passion start-ups bring to our nation’s battle against COVID-19. Many of these entrepreneurs have brilliant solutions and need help bringing the technology to scale. As a company with deep technical expertise and a long history of supporting our communities, we believe we must do all we can to accelerate the development of innovations that can strengthen the country’s response to COVID-19. In a time when infrastructure is a challenge and access to medical relief is limited, we are pleased to collaborate with indigenous start-ups that can help pave the way to a healthier future in India.”
Speaking on the collaboration, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO and Director, C-CAMP said, “We are delighted to get this support from Applied Materials India for our C-CIDA, where our mission is to bring near deployment-ready innovations to the field. C-CIDA has had a significant impact across India and this support further fosters our efforts. We look forward to working closely with Applied Materials India to deliver impactful innovations together.”
C-CAMP is one of the flagship incubators set up under the DBT and a member of the Bangalore Life Sciences Cluster (BLiSC), with a mandate to enable cutting-edge life sciences research and innovation and promote life sciences entrepreneurship. In 2019, C-CAMP forged a close collaboration with Applied Materials India to help accelerate time-to-market of promising biotech start-ups in India. Applied Materials India has also been engaging with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, a programme under the DBT, across various levels since 2019.