IIT Kanpur's Noccarc Bags INR 3.94 Cr TDB-DST Funding for Digital ICU Ventilator Commercialisation

Noccarc introduces the smart ventilator, Noccarc V730i, facilitating cloud connectivity through GSM, WiFi, and LAN. This enables remote patient data monitoring by medical experts and empowers hospitals to digitise ICU information and enhance workflow efficiency using Noccarc's digital platform.

The Technology Development Board (TDB), a government-established statutory body, has formed a strategic partnership with Noccarc, a startup incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.

As per the partnership, the TDB has committed INR 3.94 Cr investment out of the total project cost of INR 7.89 Cr for the Pune-based Noccarc's homegrown technological innovation.

Emerging from the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT-Kanpur, Noccarc has autonomously developed the entire ventilator technology, having secured multiple patents for each component.

The startup's entry-level ventilator, V310, played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic by being deployed across various hospitals in India, contributing significantly to saving lives.

Building upon this achievement, Noccarc is unveiling the Noccarc V730i, a smart ventilator. The V730i boasts seamless cloud connectivity through GSM, Wi-Fi, and LAN, enabling doctors and intensive care specialists to monitor patient data on Noccarc's digital platform remotely. Additionally, it empowers hospitals to digitise ICU data and streamline workflows.

This collaborative venture echoes the government's efforts to bolster self-sufficiency within the medical devices sector, aligning with the drive for a self-reliant India.

The cofounders of Noccarc, Nikhil Kurele and Harshit Rathore, lauded TDB's support, highlighting its potential to drive technological indigenisation across India's healthcare sector. They stressed that Noccarc's endeavours significantly contribute to the Government's Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiatives, establishing a benchmark for innovative medical technology within the country.

Founded in 2017 by IIT Kanpur graduates Harshit Rathore and Nikhil Kurele, Noccarc (formerly Nocca Robotics) is a medical device startup at the forefront of healthcare innovation. In September 2019, Noccarc secured INR 12.4 Cr funding from the IAN Fund and Indian Angel Network.

The fact that over 85% of medical devices in India are imported underscores the urgency for homegrown products. The government's "Make in India" initiative, coupled with a renewed emphasis on digital transformation across sectors, including healthcare, fosters an ecosystem that nurtures native innovations like Noccarc's.

Numerous Indian medical device startups have benefitted from government funding initiatives lately. Startups including MyLab, creators of affordable COVID-19 testing kits, and Axio Biosolutions, pioneering wound care solutions, have received backing, showcasing the government's commitment to fostering indigenous medical innovations.