BENGALURU: In a major boost to India’s medical technology ecosystem, Bengaluru-based startup VoxelGrids has developed an indigenously built MRI scanner that has reached clinical deployment in India, now operational at the Chandrapur Cancer Care Foundation in Maharashtra.
Backed by Zoho Corporation and supported by the Government of India, the development marks a significant step towards reducing India’s heavy dependence on imported medical imaging equipment.
A Break from Import Dependence
India currently relies largely on imported MRI machines from global manufacturers, making advanced diagnostic imaging expensive and difficult to deploy beyond major urban centres. VoxelGrids’ MRI system aims to change that by offering around 40% cost savings compared to conventional imported scanners, along with lower power consumption.
The scanner installed at Chandrapur is a 1.5-tesla MRI, the global clinical standard used for a wide range of diagnostic applications, including cancer detection, neurological imaging, and musculoskeletal scans.
Technology Designed for Indian Conditions
A key innovation in the VoxelGrids system is its helium-free magnet design. Traditional MRI machines rely on liquid helium for cooling, which increases both cost and operational complexity. By eliminating this requirement, the startup has reduced not only manufacturing expenses but also long-term maintenance challenges, a crucial factor for hospitals in smaller cities and semi-urban regions.
The machine is also lighter and more energy-efficient, making installation easier in facilities that may lack the infrastructure required for conventional MRI systems.
First Clinical Deployment
The Chandrapur installation marks the first reported clinical use of the indigenous MRI, with the scanner now actively being used for patient diagnostics. Chandrapur, located in eastern Maharashtra, serves as a key healthcare hub for surrounding districts, making the deployment particularly significant for improving access to advanced cancer diagnostics outside metropolitan areas.
VoxelGrids’ development effort has received support through government-backed innovation programmes, including grants under India’s biotechnology and medical devices initiatives. Investment and backing from Zoho Corporation have further strengthened the startup’s ability to move from research to real-world deployment.
India has fewer MRI scanners per million people compared to many developed countries, largely due to high costs and infrastructure requirements. An affordable, domestically produced MRI could help expand diagnostic coverage across district hospitals, cancer centres, and smaller private facilities.
While other indigenous MRI development efforts have existed in research and pilot stages, VoxelGrids’ system stands out for achieving commercial-scale clinical deployment, a milestone for India’s med-tech sector.
The Road Ahead
VoxelGrids is expected to scale production gradually, with plans to deploy more units across India. If adopted widely, the technology could play a critical role in strengthening healthcare infrastructure, lowering diagnostic costs, and advancing the government’s push for self-reliance in critical medical technologies.
For India’s healthcare system, the successful deployment of a homegrown MRI scanner signals not just technological progress, but the possibility of more accessible and affordable diagnostics for millions.
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