SSSRIF

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) is pleased to announce the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Virchow Biotech Pvt. Ltd., a leading biopharmaceutical company known for its global presence in the healthcare sector.

This collaboration aims to build a strong bridge between academia and industry in the domains of biosciences, biotechnology, and translational research, with an emphasis on real-world applications, student development, and societal impact.

Key Areas of Collaboration:

• Industry-Sponsored Student Training & Research: Hands-on industrial exposure and skill development through Virchow Foundation initiatives.
• Collaborative Research Projects: Joint research in cutting-edge areas of biosciences and biotechnology.
• Sponsored PhD Programs: Industry-supported fellowships to empower future research leaders.
• Shared Research Infrastructure:  Access to SSSIHL’s advanced Central Research Instruments Facility (CRIF) for joint R&D.
• Technology Development & Commercialization: Support for translating research outcomes into real-world innovations.
• Student Recruitment: Enhancing career opportunities for students through active placement support.

The MoU was signed on 13 June 2025 at Virchow Biotech Pvt. Ltd. between Dr. Srikanth Khanna, Registrar, SSSIHL and Dr. Murali Tummuru, Managing Director of Virchow Biotech Pvt. Ltd.

The event was graced by:

• Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad – Vice Chancellor, SSSIHL
• Prof. Pallav Kumar Baruah– Dean of Innovation & Entrepreneurship and President, Institution’s Innovation Council, SSSIHL
• Dr. B. E. Pradeep– Department of Biosciences, SSSIHL
• Prof. Pallu Reddanna, Executive President, FABA, whose continued guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in advancing academia-industry engagement in the life sciences sector.

This partnership marks a significant step in SSSIHL’s mission to foster values-based research, innovation, and entrepreneurship that meaningfully contributes to both scientific progress and societal welfare.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Promea Therapeutics Pvt. Ltd., a rapidly expanding healthcare and biopharmaceutical company. This partnership marks a significant milestone in strengthening the institute’s industry-academia interface and advancing translational research, skill development, and innovation in the healthcare and life sciences sectors.

Key Areas of Collaboration

This MoU will facilitate a range of collaborative activities designed to bridge academic excellence with industrial relevance:

• Industry-Integrated Training and Research: Promea will provide SSSIHL students with hands-on industrial training, project internships, and exposure to real-time challenges in pharmaceutical and medical device development.
• Joint Research Initiatives: Faculty and researchers from both institutions will co-develop projects in diagnostics, therapeutics, and biosimilars, translating scientific discoveries into real-world solutions.
• Sponsored Doctoral Programs: Promea will support industry-aligned PhD fellowships to promote cutting-edge research addressing national healthcare priorities.
• Shared Research Infrastructure: The collaboration includes access to SSSIHL’s Central Research Instruments Facility (CRIF) to support advanced R&D initiatives.
• Innovation to Commercialization: A joint focus on transforming research into tangible healthcare technologies with direct patient impact.
• Recruitment and Career Development: Promea will explore career and mentorship opportunities for SSSIHL students through placements and collaborative engagement.

MoU Signing Ceremony

The MoU was formally signed on 13 June 2025 at Promea Therapeutics Pvt. Ltd., in Hyderabad, between:

• Dr. Srikanth Khanna, Registrar, SSSIHL
• Mr. Gopi Lekkala, Director, Promea Therapeutics Pvt. Ltd.

The event was graced by:

• Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad – Vice Chancellor, SSSIHL
• Prof. Pallav Kumar Baruah – Dean, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and President, Institution’s Innovation Council, SSSIHL
• Dr. B.E. Pradeep – Faculty Member, Department of Biosciences, SSSIHL
• Prof. Reddanna Pallu, Executive President, FABA, whose continued guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in advancing academia-industry engagement in the life sciences sector.

This collaboration is a reflection of SSSIHL’s commitment to values-based, research-driven education that not only fosters academic excellence but also cultivates socially relevant innovation. Through this partnership, both institutions aim to empower the next generation of scientists, researchers, and professionals to solve real-world healthcare challenges with compassion, competence, and creativity.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) is pleased to announce the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ASPIRE – the Section-8 company of the University of Hyderabad that oversees the University’s leading incubation centres:

• TIDE (Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs)
• TBI (Technology Business Incubator)
• BioNEST (Biotech Incubation Centre)

The MoU was formally signed on 13 June 2025 at ASPIRE BioNEST, University of Hyderabad.

MoU Signatories:

• Dr. Srikanth Khanna, Registrar, SSSIHL
• Prof. Samrat L. Sabat, Director, R&D Cell, University of Hyderabad

Distinguished Attendees:

From ASPIRE / University of Hyderabad:

• Prof. Reddanna, Founder Director, ASPIRE & Executive President, FABA
• Dr. P. Ratnakar, PAC Member, ASPIRE BioNEST
• Dr. Ramakrishna, CEO, TIDE & TBI

From SSSIHL:

• Prof. Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor
• Prof. Pallav Kumar Baruah, Dean – Innovation & Entrepreneurship & President, Institution’s Innovation Council
• Sri J. Lakshminarasimhiah, Finance Officer
• Dr. B.E. Pradeep, Department of Biosciences
• Mr. T.L. Pavan Kumar, CEO, Sri Sathya Sai Research and Innovation Foundation (SSSRIF)
• Mr. Kotikala Krishnamurthy, Member, Finance Committee

Purpose and Scope of the MoU

This partnership lays the groundwork for a long-term collaboration aimed at:

• Supporting the operationalization of Sri Sathya Sai Research and Innovation Foundation (SSSRIF), the Institute’s Section-8 not-for-profit entity
• Facilitating the establishment of a robust innovation and incubation ecosystem at SSSIHL
• Enabling knowledge exchange in governance, financial modelling, and startup acceleration strategies

A highlight of the event was Dr. Ramakrishna’s presentation on ASPIRE’s incubation architecture, operational models, and industry partnerships. His insights offered valuable direction for shaping SSSIHL’s innovation framework.

Towards a Values-Based Innovation Culture

With this MoU, SSSIHL takes a significant step forward in nurturing deep-tech, biotech, and health-tech innovations rooted in academic research, societal needs, and integral human values.

This partnership reflects the shared vision of both institutions to create a values-based innovation ecosystem that empowers students, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs to drive impactful change across India.

We look forward to a fruitful and purpose-driven collaboration.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) to launch a transformative initiative aimed at empowering students in biotechnology and life sciences. An MoU was formally signed on 13 June 2025 at the ASPIRE-BioNEST facility, University of Hyderabad.

The agreement was signed between Dr. Srikanth Khanna, Registrar, SSSIHL, and Dr. Ratnakar Palakodeti, Secretary, FABA.

The event was graced by:

• Prof. Reddanna, Executive President, FABA,
• Dr. Jagadeesh Gandla, Chief Operating Officer, FABA.

Representing SSSIHL were:

• Prof. Raghavendra Prasad, Vice Chancellor
• Prof. Pallav Kumar Baruah, Dean, Innovation & Entrepreneurship & President, Institution’s Innovation Council
• Dr. B.E. Pradeep, Department of Biosciences
• Sri Lakshmi Narasimhiah, Finance Officer
• Sri T.L. Pavan Kumar, CEO, Sri Sathya Sai Research and Innovation Foundation
• Sri Kotikala Krishnamurthy, Member, Finance Committee

About the Collaboration

The MoU paves the way for the establishment of Biotech Finishing School programs at the SSSIHL Prasanthi Nilayam campus. These programs aim to:

• Provide hands-on, industry-aligned training in key areas of biotechnology
• Expose students to current trends in diagnostics, therapeutics, and research
• Enhance professional readiness and career prospects in the biotech sector

This partnership aligns with the institute’s vision of integrating values-based education with cutting-edge skill development, preparing students to lead with competence, integrity, and innovation in the life sciences domain.

On 28 May 2025, the Sri Sathya Sai Research and Innovation Foundation (SSSRIF) welcomed its inaugural start-up, Saimeethya Foods Pvt Ltd, founded by SSSIHL alumna Dr Sai Dharshini S (Food & Nutrition, Anantapur campus)

What they do:

Saimeethya Foods Pvt Ltd. offers millet-based, ready-to-eat products that transform under-utilised major and minor millets into convenient, daily foods. The formulations are validated for physicochemical quality, nutrition, and shelf stability by the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, SSSIHL.

The impact:

Despite their nutritional value, millets remain underused in Indian diets. Saimeethya changes that—offering ready-to-eat options that are practical, tasty, and aligned with our Founder Chancellor’s emphasis on healthful, indigenous foods.

The moment:

The incubation agreement was formally signed and exchanged by Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor, SSSIHL and Chairman, SSSRIF, and Dr. Sai Dharshini, Founder of Saimeethya Foods Pvt. Ltd., in the divine presence of our revered Founder Chancellor on 28 May 2025 at Prasanthi Nilayam

Also present were Prof. Pallav Kumar Baruah (President, SSSIHL-IIC), Mr. Pavan Kumar T. L. (CEO, SSSRIF), Mr. N. L. S. Murthy, members of the IIC team, and several faculty mentors who helped shape the venture.

This milestone reflects our vision: to incubate ventures that nourish lives, respect natural resources, and carry Sai values into the marketplace.

Welcome, Saimeethya Foods. Let the grains—and the good—go far.