Hyderabad, India – In a decisive step to tackle one of the world’s most pressing public health threats, SCIINV Biosciences, a Hyderabad-based biotech startup incubated at ASPIRE BioNEST, University of Hyderabad (UoH), has announced a strategic partnership with Microbira Ltd, a UK-based biotechnology firm. The collaboration aims to develop and deploy next-generation digital diagnostic solutions to strengthen India’s fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
At the heart of this Indo-UK alliance lies a shared commitment to revolutionize microbial diagnostics by building a rapid, accurate, and affordable detection platform. The joint innovation AMRx and MAAP IR is focused on early and precise pathogen identification, thereby minimizing the misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics—a major driver of AMR, particularly in high-disease-burden regions like India.
From Left to Right: Dr Anil Kondreddy, CEO Aspire BIONEST, Prof Pallu Reddanna, Retired Professor, UoH, Marianne Ismail, CEO Microbira, Krishna Reddy, COO SCIINV Biosciences, Dr Ratnakar Palakodeti, President-Innominds, Dr Rangareddy Burri, President-IFCAI
Prof. Pallu Reddanna, Senior Professor (Retd.), School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, underscored the clinical importance of this initiative: “This initiative is a crucial step in curbing inappropriate antibiotic use through timely pathogen detection. Such targeted interventions are fundamental in our fight against drug resistance.”
Bringing a global health perspective, Dr. Ranga Reddy Burri, internationally renowned infectious diseases specialist and AMR policy advocate, remarked:
“Combating AMR requires affordable, accessible, and reliable diagnostics. Digital technologies are healthcare equalizers—bridging gaps between the Global North and South. We need solutions that address the full spectrum of WHO-priority pathogens to truly contain AMR worldwide.”
Marianne Ismail, CEO of Microbira Ltd, emphasized the global relevance of the partnership: “This alliance underscores our shared commitment to tackling one of the most important global health challenges. It’s a meaningful example of innovation-driven collaboration between the UK and India.”
Reflecting on the larger mission, Dr. Ratnakar Palakodeti, stated: “This is more than a scientific partnership—it’s a mission to drive global health equity. The diagnostics we co-develop will not only empower clinical decisions in India and the UK but will also serve as scalable solutions for global AMR containment.”
The announcement event was attended by Dr. Anil Konda Reddy, CEO of ASPIRE BioNEST, and Mr. Krishna Burri, Chief Operating Officer at SCIINV Biosciences.