Chennai: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has partnered with LSU Health New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO), USA, to accelerate global health innovation through education, research and technology-driven entrepreneurship.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed recently by senior officials of both institutions, including Dr Demetrius J Porche, Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, LSUHSC-NO; Dr Lucio Miele, Director, LSU-LCMC Cancer Center; Prof Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean (Global Engagement), IIT Madras; and Prof Himanshu Sinha, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras.

The collaboration aims to combine LSUHSC-NO's expertise in clinical and translational research with IIT-M's strengths in engineering, informatics and technology development. Joint projects will focus on genomic studies, AI-powered applications, affordable diagnostics and smart medical devices to address global health challenges.

LSU Health Chancellor Dr Steve Nelson said the partnership would aid the institution's efforts to secure a National Cancer Institute designation and “move discoveries from bench to bedside.” IIT-M Director Prof V Kamakoti said the alliance would “create a pathway for translating technology-driven ideas into global health solutions.”

The partnership will also include student and faculty exchange programmes, new research collaborations and entrepreneurship initiatives. Both institutions plan to expand into additional biomedical areas.

IIT Madras, ranked India's top university for nine consecutive years, operates one of Asia's largest deep-tech ecosystems through its Research Park. LSU Health New Orleans, the state's leading health sciences university, hosts seven Centres of Excellence and is a major hub for biosciences research in the US.