Hyundai Motor India and IIT Madras launch ‘Hyundai Hope for Cancer’
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 4, 2025:
Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, launched ‘Hyundai Hope for Cancer’ to transform paediatric cancer care in India, backed by a social impact investment of INR 56 crore. At the heart of the initiative is the Hyundai Centre for Cancer Genomics at IIT Madras’ main campus in Chennai, featuring India’s first community-based Cancer Tissue Biobank, inaugurated by Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education.
The centre will focus on genomic sequencing for paediatric leukaemia and lymphoma to enable personalised treatment, and will build a national childhood cancer genome database. It will also serve as a collaborative hub for clinicians, researchers, pharmaceutical scientists, and global partners, contributing to efforts such as the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Sharing a message at the launch, Dharmendra Pradhan said, “The Hyundai Hope for Cancer initiative advances the goals of National Education Policy 2020 by fostering deep industry–academia partnership, translational research, and talent development in frontier areas of healthcare and genomics. By building an Indian childhood cancer genomic database, strengthening early detection and screening, and expanding access for underserved communities, the programme exemplifies ‘Sabka Prayas’ and reaffirms our commitment to equitable, technology-enabled healthcare.”
Highlighting the significance, Unsoo Kim, managing director, HMIL, said, “‘Hyundai Hope for Cancer’ is not just about building infrastructure — it’s about healing, resilience, and hope. Every child deserves the chance to live a healthier, brighter tomorrow.”
Looking ahead, IIT Madras director V Kamakoti said, “This research centre will catalyse breakthrough studies in paediatric oncology, resulting in improved diagnostics and targeted treatments. We are delighted to partner on a project of such national importance.”
With a total commitment of INR 56 crore, HMIF has established an INR 3 crore Cancer Care Fund to ensure equitable access to treatment for economically disadvantaged patients. Over the next four years, the centre will conduct 225+ cancer awareness and screening camps across Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Maharashtra, screening 1.27 lakh individuals and vaccinating 5,000+ girl children against HPV.
The centre also plans to collect and sequence 1,600+ samples for research, provide free treatment to 30–50 children, upskill 100+ technicians in genomics, and deploy Mobile Medical Units to expand access in underserved regions.
This initiative aligns with Hyundai’s global ‘Hope on Wheels’ programme, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to supporting children battling cancer worldwide