Chennai-based biotechnology start-up, Xcode Life Sciences has received a $30,000 grant from The Grand Challenges in Tuberculosis Control (GC-TBC) programme to deliver an out-of-the-box mobile innovation to enhance TB medication adherence.

The GC-TBC programme is an initiative by IKP Knowledge Park (IKP) Hyderabad, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Foundation) to identify, fund, and nurture technology driven solutions that will assist TB control.

Xcode has been awarded the $30,000 grant to deliver their out-of-the-box innovation “health signals”, a mobile education system that aims to improve TB medication adherence, by connecting peer educators and caregivers from local communities with TB patients. Available in multiple languages, Xcode will combine specialized information on nutrition and medication to be delivered simultaneously to patients and peer educators to enhance the treatment of the disease. The service also enables caregivers to keep a track of their patient’s medication adherence.

Xcode’s mobile education system is being implemented in association with The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), the state-run tuberculosis control initiative of the Government of India. The RNTCP incorporates the principles of directly observed treatment-shortcourse (DOTS), the global TB control strategy of the World Health Organization.

Signalling an important trend, Xcode envisions that mobile technology in healthcare is likely to improve the convenience, cost and the way customers communicate with their physicians, besides increasing access to healthcare in the near future.

As a part of the grant, Xcode will also get the opportunity to work with IKP, USAID and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for two years to help establish their proof-of-concept and leverage the collective experience of global mentors, resources and their network. Additionally, IKP, USAID and the Foundation will help with access to networks and marketing channels to commercialize the innovation.

Commenting on Xcode’s innovative solution, Vikraman Venu Saranyan, VP, IKP Knowledge Park, said “IKP is currently funding 15 innovations to help address the problem of TB Treatment adherence. Most solutions use mobile media platforms, but the solution from XCode is unique in that it uses TB survivors to educate patients and instill the importance of following the treatment regimen. Their partnership with VHS and reach in the field makes them an ideal candidate. If they are successful in developing a prototype, IKP will provide an additional US$ 100,000 to further refine and deploy their solution to address this unmet need."

Commenting on the grant, Saleem Mohammed, CEO and Co-founder, Xcode Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., said “India has the highest number of TB victims, with an estimated incidence of 2.2 million cases out of a global incidence of 8.7 million cases (WHO 2011). Through this novel initiative by IKP, USAID and The Foundation, Xcode will endeavour to transform the lives of TB patients in India and leverage our strength to create a sustainable way to improve TB medication adherence in the country.”

The mission of IKP Knowledge Park (IKP) - erstwhile ICICI Knowledge Park, is to create a world -class centre for leading-edge business-driven research in India, and to encourage and nurture an environment for innovation.

Xcode Life Sciences, founded in the year 2010 by Saleem Mohammed and R Narayanan, is a biotechnology start-up with its headquarters in Chennai. The company was first incubated in VIT-TBI, Vellore in 2010 and innovates in the field of healthcare through research in life sciences.