Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR division of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to launch ‘Hyundai Hope for Cancer’, an innovative initiative aimed at improving paediatric cancer care in India. HMIF has dedicated a social impact investment of INR 56 Crore to this key project. Central to this initiative is the Hyundai Centre for Cancer Genomics, located at IIT Madras’ main campus in Chennai. The Centre was inaugurated by Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan, the Hon’ble Minister of Education – Government of India, and features India’s first community-based Cancer Tissue Biobank, which will facilitate advanced genomic research in paediatric leukaemia and lymphoma.
During the launch event, Dharmendra Pradhan remarked, “The Hyundai Hope for Cancer initiative aligns with the National Education Policy – 2020 by enhancing industry-academia collaboration, promoting translational research, and developing talent in healthcare and genomics. By creating a genomic database for childhood cancer, improving early detection and screening, and increasing access for underserved communities, this program exemplifies ‘Sabka Prayas’ in action and underscores our commitment to equitable, technology-enabled healthcare.
I commend IIT Madras and Hyundai Motor India Foundation for this timely, outcome-driven effort and urge researchers, clinicians, and innovators nationwide to collaborate through this platform to bring hope, precision care, and improved survival rates to every child in need.” The Centre will concentrate on genomic sequencing to detect genetic mutations, thereby establishing a national paediatric cancer genome database and personalized treatment plans. It will also act as a collaborative space for clinicians, researchers, pharmaceutical scientists, and global partners, contributing to international initiatives like the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Unsoo Kim, Managing Director – HMIL, emphasized the significance of this project, stating, “In line with our global vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’, Hyundai Motor India is honored to work with IIT Madras on this transformative initiative. ‘Hyundai Hope for Cancer’ represents not only infrastructure development but also healing, resilience, and hope. Every child deserves the opportunity for a healthier, brighter future.” Looking ahead to this partnership, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, expressed, “We are thrilled to partner with Hyundai Motor India on such a crucial national project. This research centre will facilitate groundbreaking studies in paediatric oncology, leading to improved diagnostics and targeted therapies.
We appreciate Hyundai’s trust in us to lead this mission.” The inauguration event was attended by notable figures including Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan, Shri. Harsh Malhotra, Dr. Laxmikant Bajpai, Mr. Unsoo Kim, Mr. Gopalakrishnan CS, Mr. Jeongick Lee, Mr. Puneet Anand, Prof. V. Kamakoti, and principal investigator Prof. S. Mahalingam, among other key stakeholders. With a total investment of INR 56 Crore, HMIF has also set up a dedicated INR 3 Crore Cancer Care Fund to ensure equitable access to treatment for economically disadvantaged patients. Over the next four years, the Centre plans to conduct over 225 cancer awareness and screening camps in Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Maharashtra, reaching approximately 1.27 lakh individuals and vaccinating over 5,000 girls against HPV.
The Centre will also: Collect and sequence over 1,600 samples for research, Provide free treatment for 30-50 children, Train over 100 technicians in genomics, and Deploy Mobile Medical Units to enhance healthcare access in underserved areas. This initiative is part of Hyundai’s global ‘Hope on Wheels’ program, reinforcing the brand’s long-term commitment to supporting children fighting cancer worldwide.