AMTZ and KIHT announce SVL Biosciences and Thermoforming Technology Centre

The Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) and its research arm, the Kalam Institute of Health Technology (KIHT), marked the birth anniversary of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with the announcement of two new initiatives focused on advancing India’s medical technology manufacturing and innovation ecosystem.

SVL Bioscience, a startup based at AMTZ, inaugurated a clean-room facility dedicated to manufacturing rapid diagnostic kits for dengue. The company plans to expand production to include additional diagnostic parameters. AMTZ also initiated a Thermoforming Technology Centre to provide large enclosures and custom components to medical device manufacturers.

Both initiatives are positioned to support the development and scale-up of indigenous medical technology capabilities.

Speaking on the role of KIHT, Dr Jitendra Sharma, Founder CEO and Managing Director, AMTZ, and Founder Executive Director, KIHT, said, “The establishment of KIHT within AMTZ marked a strategic leap for India’s biomedical innovation landscape. Our goal was never just to manufacture devices — it was to build an ecosystem where science, policy, and industry evolve together. The scientific ecosystem in India is now robust; our laboratories and R&D capabilities are among the world’s best and well-established for over 25 years. The next big leap is to strengthen the commercial ecosystem — to take science from lab to market, from innovation to industry.”

He added, “We are in the process of enabling a MedTech Capital Fund to support growth-stage MedTech companies and take them towards IPO-readiness. In addition, AMTZ has acquired a World Trade Center (WTC) license, making it the only cluster in India — and the only one globally — to host both a WHO Collaborating Centre and a World Trade Center. This connects us to 392 WTCs across more than 100 countries, expanding India’s MedTech reach through global trade linkages. The aim is clear — to turn scientific success into commercial success.”

KIHT, established in 2017 under the Department of Biotechnology, has facilitated the development of more than 100 medical technology products. It aims to strengthen linkages between researchers, industry, policymakers, and knowledge networks.

Dr Kavita Kachroo, Chief Operating Officer, KIHT, said, “Our goal is to transform innovation into impact. KIHT accelerates research-to-market journeys by enabling innovators and startups with technical guidance, access to expertise, and continuous industry engagement. By merging the academic knowledge base with AMTZ’s manufacturing capabilities, we are building a pipeline of medical devices that meet both Indian and global standards.”

Around 160 companies currently operate within AMTZ, including around 30 foreign entities. KIHT’s work spans policy support, technology consultancy, testing and validation, transfer of technology, and R&D facilitation, in partnership with various academic and research institutions.

The initiatives announced reflect continued efforts to strengthen India’s MedTech manufacturing base and support the development of domestic capabilities aligned with Dr Kalam’s focus on science-led national advancement.