Kamal Ghorui
Bengaluru: Cipla Foundation Wednesday announced a partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to set up the Cipla Foundation Centre for Pulmonary Medicine at the Tata IISc Medical School. The facility will provide diagnostics, outpatient and inpatient care, a dedicated intensive care unit, and high-dependency services for the treatment of respiratory illnesses.The Centre for Pulmonary Medicine will strengthen India’s respiratory health ecosystem through early diagnosis and advanced research, as well as skill development, IISc said, adding that the centre will support the development of India-specific guidelines for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), and asthma, alongside research in biomarkers, pharmacogenomics, AI-based lung diagnostics, and therapeutics. It will also train pulmonologists and allied specialists, promote knowledge-sharing through workshops and global collaborations, and drive community programmes on early screening, air quality awareness, smoking cessation, and preventive lung health.“India continues to carry a significant burden of respiratory illnesses, including COPD and asthma, making lung health an important public health focus. Factors such as rising air pollution, tobacco use, occupational exposure, and limited awareness contribute to this challenge. At the same time, the availability of trained pulmonologists and specialised care facilities remains uneven, particularly outside of major cities, affecting timely access to quality respiratory care,” ,” IISc said.Stressing on the long-term impact of the collaboration, IISc director Prof Govindan Rangarajan, said respiratory diseases are among the most pressing public health challenges for the ‘next 7 billion people’, particularly in regions facing worsening air quality. “…Through our partnership with Cipla Foundation, the Tata IISc Medical School will strengthen respiratory care, interdisciplinary research, and innovative medical solutions discovered and nurtured in India for local and global benefit. This collaboration will also enable the training of healthcare professionals while ensuring equitable access for underserved populations,” he added.Anurag Mishra, Head, Cipla Foundation, said their support for the Centre for Pulmonary Medicine at IISc is rooted in their belief that ‘Caring for Life’ means standing alongside communities and strengthening the public health systems they depend on. “We will bring quality respiratory care closer to people while building the skills and capabilities needed to serve them better. As respiratory illnesses continue to affect millions, particularly the most vulnerable, this partnership builds on our work to nurture the next generation of respiratory health leaders. By linking care, training and research, we aim to ensure that innovation translates into real, lasting impact for communities that need it the most,” Mishra added.
