Bengaluru, July 29, 2025: Biocon Foundation, the CSR arm of Biocon Group, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), commemorated World Head & Neck Cancer Day by hosting the 6th Annual Meeting of the Oral Cancer Task Force (OCTF) at IISc on July 25–26. The event, themed ‘Ideate, Innovate, and Implement’, brought together experts from across disciplines to share innovations and strategies aimed at reducing India’s oral cancer burden.
The two-day conference featured the release of a synopsis of a forthcoming white paper on oral cancer elimination in India, along with the updated Indian Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines for Head & Neck Cancer (Update 2025). The OCTF, initiated by Biocon Foundation in 2018, now transitions to a secretariat led by IISc, signaling a new phase of research and technology-driven interventions for early detection.
Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson, Biocon Group, remarked, “Our deepened partnership with IISc marks a powerful convergence of scientific excellence and social commitment. With IISc leading the next phase of OCTF, we are creating an innovation ecosystem focused on AI-led diagnostics, bioinformatics, and accessible technologies tailored to India and other LMICs.”
Dr. Anupama Shetty, Mission Director, Biocon Foundation, added, “The transition of OCTF to a Secretariat led by the Indian Institute of Science will harness IISc’s scientific depth and technical capabilities to scale this mission with greater precision and impact. OCTF’s framework for oral cancer elimination is a clarion call to action—adding urgency and momentum to our collective efforts.”
A smartphone-based AI-enabled oral cancer screening tool, developed through support from the Ministry of Education, Kotak IISc AI-ML Centre, and other collaborators, was showcased during the event. Prof. Rajesh Sundaresan, Dean, Division of EECS, IISc, said, “Screening can help detect suspicious oral lesions early. IISc, in collaboration with clinical, technical, and government partners, is working to develop and implement such tools in line with the OCTF white paper.”
The updated clinical guidelines were presented by Dr. Kumar Prabhash of Tata Memorial Hospital and are being published in the Journal of Cancer Research, Statistics and Treatment. The guidelines, recognized internationally, offer evidence-based treatment protocols for head and neck cancers in India.
Experts stressed the urgent need for scaling early screening. Dr. GK Rath, Member, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, noted, “Screening regularly can aid in early detection that can downsize oral cancer, significantly reduce mortality rates and improve overall survival rates.”
Dr. Moni Abraham Kuriakose, Co-Founder and CEO, Karkinos Healthcare, emphasized a comprehensive approach: “The three-prong strategy for cancer elimination needs to be emphasized—primary prevention, early detection, and distributed care coordination.”
The event drew participation from a wide array of experts from institutions including the National Cancer Institute (USA), AIIMS, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Tata Memorial Centre, among others.
Biocon Foundation and IISc reaffirmed their commitment to addressing India’s oral cancer burden through innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based public health interventions.
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