IIM Ahmedabad and Novo Nordisk India Join Hands to Tackle Obesity and Strengthen Healthcare in India
In a significant step toward improving public health and combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) and Novo Nordisk India Pvt. Ltd. (NNIPL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 8, 2025. The five-year strategic partnership aims to address the critical challenges of obesity, strengthen India’s healthcare systems, and promote research-driven policy changes.
The agreement was formalized by Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Director of IIM Ahmedabad, and Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, marking the beginning of a long-term collaboration that will bring together academic excellence, industry insight, and on-ground healthcare experience.
Tackling Obesity: A Growing Health Crisis
Obesity, often called the silent epidemic, is fast becoming one of the biggest health threats in India. With rising urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and changing food habits, obesity-related illnesses—such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease—are on the rise. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, IIMA and Novo Nordisk India have set obesity as the central theme of their joint efforts.
The partnership will focus on building scalable models for obesity care through the development of model frameworks for obesity clinics. These frameworks will be supported by data, driven by evidence, and tailored to India’s unique socio-economic healthcare landscape.
Three Pillars of Collaboration
The MoU outlines three core areas of collaboration:
- Health Economics:
Research will be conducted to assess the financial impact of obesity not just on individuals but also on businesses and the broader economy. This includes evaluating productivity losses due to obesity-related conditions and analyzing the cost-effectiveness of interventions. - Policy Advocacy:
With support from relevant government bodies, the alliance will advocate for the inclusion of obesity care and NCD management in mainstream healthcare policy. The collaboration intends to influence health policy through the publication of research findings and actionable recommendations. - Health System Capacity Building:
The partnership also focuses on empowering healthcare professionals and systems. This includes creating specialized training materials and conducting workshops for stakeholders, public health workers, and clinical professionals involved in managing obesity and NCDs.
Expanding the Research Agenda
In addition to these core areas, the partnership is set to explore cutting-edge topics like the role of telemedicine in managing chronic diseases, particularly in underserved and rural regions. Pilot outreach programs will be launched to test these interventions in real-world settings.
Moreover, the initiative aims to publish whitepapers, policy briefs, and academic articles in collaboration with government agencies and public health bodies. These research outcomes are expected to inform large-scale policy decisions and improve the effectiveness of healthcare delivery mechanisms across India.
Role of the IIMA Endowment Fund
A significant driving force behind this partnership is the IIMA Endowment Fund (IIMAEF), which played a pivotal role in bringing together IIM Ahmedabad and Novo Nordisk India. The Fund actively supports collaborations that align with IIMA’s mission of solving real-world challenges through academic and research-led approaches.
By facilitating this partnership, IIMAEF reinforces its commitment to driving societal change and encouraging philanthropic and corporate engagement in addressing pressing issues such as public health.
A Vision for the Future
As the burden of non-communicable diseases continues to rise, especially in low- and middle-income countries like India, collaborations like this hold great promise. By integrating academic rigor, private sector expertise, and policy engagement, the IIMA–Novo Nordisk alliance aims to design effective, scalable models that improve health outcomes over time.
This landmark partnership represents a shift toward a more integrated approach to healthcare—one that acknowledges the complexity of public health issues like obesity and responds with multifaceted, evidence-based solutions.
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