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In a significant step toward combating India’s growing diabetes burden, Sun Life Global Solutions (SLGS), the Global Capability Centre of Sun Life—a leading international insurance and asset management company—has announced a groundbreaking research collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M).
The joint initiative is focused on transforming early diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes through the identification of Pancreastatin as a novel biomarker, along with genetic testing.
The research, led by Dr Nitish R. Mahapatra, Professor, Department of Biotechnology and BJM School of Biosciences at IIT Madras, aims to establish Pancreastatin as a reliable early indicator for pre-diabetes—a crucial step in preventing disease progression. The study will also investigate 10–12 genetic markers that may help predict diabetes risk years in advance, even in children.
Dr Mahapatra has previously led international teams in identifying genetic and protein variations prevalent among South Asians that heighten risks of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. This partnership will build on that foundation, aiming for early diagnosis, personalized risk prediction, and better disease management.
IIT Madras will lead the research through its state-of-the-art biomedical labs, ensuring the science translates into real-world, scalable healthcare solutions. The findings are expected to inform public health policy, improve clinical protocols, and lead to cost-effective diagnostics for integration into India’s primary healthcare system.
