There is always a disconnect between hospitals, universities, start ups investors and bio technology hubs or medical devices when it comes to Chennai. For example consider Harvard helped shape Boston’s pharmaceutical ecosystem, while Stanford became closely linked to Silicon Valley’s technology growth. Institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Anna University already produce strong engineering and research talent. For years, Chennai has quietly built its strength around healthcare. Large corporate hospitals, government institutions, NGO-led healthcare organisations and diagnostic chains have made the city one of the country’s strongest healthcare centres and capital for medical tourism. Despite this, Chennai is rarely spoken of as a hub for biotechnology or medical devices.
Chennai has the potential
A startup emerging from IIT Madras may develop a promising biotech solution or medical device. But taking it beyond the research stage becomes difficult. Accessing tissue samples, getting hospital validation, navigating ICMR regulations and commercialising research often turns into a long process. Velu acknowledged that conversations around collaboration between government, academia and industry have existed for years. “It is easier said than done,” he admitted. But he also feels Chennai still has a genuine opportunity to lead in biotech and medical devices because India does not have a clear leader in these sectors.
According to him, while pharma manufacturing advantages moved early towards Gujarat and Hyderabad, biotech and medical devices remain open spaces. Chennai and Tamil Nadu, he believes, already have many of the fundamentals required to build ahead and take leadership.
Connecting the dots
The city has hospitals, research institutions, manufacturing capability and technical talent. Velu feels that hospitals can become testing grounds for innovation, while universities can move beyond research papers into product development. Venture capital and deep-tech funding can then support startups that require longer gestation periods. Later, the discussion also moved towards the role of government. Velu expressed optimism about engaging with the current administration, pointing out that the health minister comes from a medical background. Industry bodies like the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), can play a bigger role in taking these discussions forward, he said. The larger point, however, was not about one startup or one company succeeding. It was about whether Chennai can connect its strengths better.
Quiet Entrepreneurial Culture
Velu repeatedly returned to the idea that Chennai remains one of India’s most understated entrepreneurial cities. Unlike Bengaluru or Hyderabad, Chennai rarely markets itself loudly despite having deep industrial capability and a strong talent base.The conversation was not limited to biotech or medical devices alone, it was about Chennai’s next phase of growth.
Dr G S K Velu was awarded the icon of the month for his long standing contributions to healthcare ecosystems and especially for the impact that he has had on millions of lives.