IIT Kanpur Transfers Oral Cancer Detection Device 'Munh Parikshak' to Scangenie Scientific

Using special lights and a camera, 'Munh Parikshak' analyses images and categorizes them as normal, pre-cancerous, or cancerous.

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has successfully transferred its technology, 'Munh Parikshak,' a portable device designed for the early detection of oral cancer, to Scangenie Scientific.

Developed by Prof. Jayant Kumar Singh and his team from the Department of Chemical Engineering at IITK, the device employs advanced imaging technology to examine the mouth and provide instant results.

Using special lights and a camera, 'Munh Parikshak' analyzes images and categorizes them as normal, pre-cancerous, or cancerous. The results are displayed on a smartphone app and stored on cloud servers, facilitating continuous updates and enabling self-testing.

Device Features & Capabilities

'Munh Parikshak' is equipped with white and fluorescence light sources that connect wirelessly to smartphones and tablets. It features built-in power backup, stores health history, and provides instant oral health reports.

The device offers quick, painless screening with 90 percent accuracy in clinical settings, without the need for additional chemicals or processes.

Prof Tarun Gupta, Dean of Research and Development at IIT Kanpur, said, “The signing of the MoU with Scangenie Scientific marks a significant milestone in our mission to transition research and development into commercially viable products. The institute’s licensing rate has also seen an increase, which motivates us to further support research across various fields. This MoU aims to effectively market our invention within the healthcare sector, ultimately affordable and beneficial to everyone.”

Market Potential & Impact

According to market research findings, the oral cancer diagnosis market is expected to reach $2.98 billion by 2032 with a 5% CAGR, while the rapid test kit market, currently at $ 736 million, is growing at a 7% CAGR until 2027.

Oral cancer remains among the top global cancers, posing significant economic and clinical burdens on healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in India, where it constitutes up to 40% of cases.

Early detection is vital to reduce morbidity and mortality, driving the need for affordable, non-invasive, user-friendly diagnostic tools for widespread screening.

In another development, last month, the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IITK signed an MoU with Boehringer Ingelheim India to advance dementia care solutions.

Boehringer Ingelheim's grant supports Manastik Technologies, a startup at SIIC, which is developing India's first teleneurorehabilitation app for dementia care and diagnosis using DADT (Dementia Application and Diagnosis & Tracking) technology.

This app offers personalized assistance from doctors and neurohealthcare professionals. The grant will help validate the app, raise awareness, and support nationwide dementia screening campaigns.