The foundation, which has been set up to identify and nurture innovators offering replicable solutions in healthcare sector, has also decided to segregate entries into medical devices, service delivery plans and ideas.
"We have received some overwhelming response through innovative entries, even from international universities like Stanford University and UK-based institutions. Although the corpus would remain same at Rs 10 lakh for the Piramal Prize, we are planning to offer more seed funds for interesting innovations in the health sector. Also, next year we plan to promote the prize further to attract over 500 entries," said Dr. Swati Piramal, vice chairperson of Piramal Life Sciences Ltd.
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This year, V Vijaya Kumar, project manager and A Mohammad Gowth, assistant manager at Tamil Nadu-based Aravinda Eye Care received the Piramal Prize 2008 for their innovation in blending information technology (IT) with primary eye care centers facilitating online consultation for each patient with the opthalmologist at secondary or tertiary hospitals that is based on low cost telemedicine approach.
The duo had conducted a pilot test at 25 such centres catering to almost 50,000 patients each since 2004.
Prize winners will also be provided incubation support at IIM-A's CIIE, it was announced.