By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : September 07, 2026 10:40 pm
The jury assessed the entries based on originality, practicality, strategic insight and their potential to improve patient outcomes
Roche Pharma India has announced the winners of the third edition of its Leading Engagements to Advance Patient Care (LEAP) programme, recognising five oncology students for developing innovative solutions to challenges in cancer care.
The third edition of LEAP invited final-year DM, DNB and MCh oncology students from across India to develop solutions spanning clinical care, patient care, innovation and access.
The programme received more than 355 submissions from students representing over 60 leading medical colleges and hospitals across the country.
The five winners included Dr. Himaprathyusha Parupalli from MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, who developed a rapid Default Risk Score to identify patients at risk of treatment interruption and enable targeted navigation to improve chemotherapy adherence and outcomes.
Dr. Rajdeep Bose from Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, proposed combining risk-based cancer screening with community-based support interventions and streamlined referrals to improve screening uptake and enable earlier and more equitable cancer detection.
Dr. Reshma Abraham from Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, developed a multilingual, AI-enabled cancer navigation platform aimed at addressing rural-urban disparities in access to cancer care.
Dr. Shah Abhinav Sanjiv from Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, proposed integrating clinical milestones, multidisciplinary team decision-making and AI-assisted documentation into hospital systems to improve equity and accessibility in cancer treatment.
Dr. Krishna Khushiram Ratanchandani from Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, developed an automated CARG risk assessment approach aimed at enabling safer and more personalised cancer care for older adults, with a focus on the potential of AI to improve clinical decision-making.
Each winner received a scholarship of Rs. 3 lakh, along with a certificate and medal, in recognition of their contribution to advancing innovation and academic excellence in oncology. The felicitation ceremony was attended by deans of medical colleges and leading oncologists.
LEAP is designed to provide final-year DM, DNB and MCh oncology students with a platform to learn, collaborate and develop practical solutions to real-world challenges in cancer care. The programme aims to encourage innovative thinking among young oncologists while creating opportunities for them to engage with experienced clinicians and peers as they prepare to enter clinical practice.
Rajwinder Mehdwan, CEO and Managing Director, Roche Pharma India, “Addressing India's growing cancer burden requires bridging the critical gap in skilled oncology resources beyond metro cities and fostering experts who can develop new, unique solutions to meet this demand. LEAP provides young oncologists with the opportunity to reimagine how cancer care can be delivered across India.”
The submissions were evaluated by a jury comprising Dr. Amit Rauthan, Head of Department and Consultant, Medical Oncology, Manipal Hospital; Dr. Surinder Kher, Industry Expert and Consultant, Aster Hospitals; Dr. Geeta Kadayaprath, Senior Consultant, Breast Surgical Oncology and Oncoplastic Surgery Lead, Apollo Women’s Cancer Centre, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals; and Dr. Aju Mathew, Consultant, Ernakulam Medical Centre.
The jury assessed the entries based on originality, practicality, strategic insight and their potential to improve patient outcomes.