ICMR Launches Medical Innovations Patent Mitra Initiative
New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) unveiled the Medical Innovations Patent Mitra initiative on Saturday during the International Symposium on Health Technology Assessment (ISHTA). This program is designed to bolster India’s healthcare innovation ecosystem by providing comprehensive guidance and support to innovators navigating the processes of patent filing and technology transfer related to medical innovations.
Developed under the guidance of NITI Aayog and in collaboration with the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), the initiative is backed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The launch was followed by a panel discussion involving government officials, industry leaders, investors, and public health specialists. The discussion explored the challenges and opportunities related to patent filing and technology transfer within the context of translational research and medical innovation, according to an official.
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda, inaugurated the initiative. “
Medical Innovation Patent Mitra is a testament to ICMR’s commitment to advancing medical innovation. With the launch of this initiative, our country is taking a significant lead towards supporting our innovators. This platform will ensure that the groundbreaking work done by our scientists and researchers is protected through patents and made available to the public through seamless technology transfer. This visionary effort propels India towards attaining the goal of Viksit Bharat.”
NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr. Paul emphasized the importance of the Patent Mitra initiative, noting its indirect contribution to the goals of Ayushman Bharat, ensuring that innovative technologies developed in India are accessible throughout the country.
Dr. Paul highlighted the urgency of creating a self-reliant innovation ecosystem within India. “
India’s journey towards becoming a self-reliant nation rests on our ability to innovate within our own borders. Through Medical Innovation Patent Mitra, we are creating an environment where indigenous innovations in the biomedical field are not only encouraged, but effectively protected, paving the way for a self-sustaining healthcare ecosystem.”
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary DHR & Director General of ICMR, explained that the initiative will fill a critical gap in the patenting process for medical innovations, offering expert assistance at every stage, from assessing patentability to filing, prosecuting, and maintaining patents.
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The Medical Innovation Patent Mitra, along with the support of Medtech Mitra, will play a critical role in strengthening the medical innovation ecosystem of the country. It will accelerate the transformation of innovative biomedical research into practical solutions for public health. We are aspiring towards a tenfold rise in life science patents filed in India in the next two years.”
Amit Agrawal, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with ICMR. He believes the initiative will greatly benefit innovators, startups, and various industries. He added that these initiatives will complement the DoP’s PRIP scheme, contributing to the transformation of India’s Pharma and MedTech sector, shifting from a cost-driven model to one that emphasizes innovation-based growth.
The Medical Innovations Patent Mitra initiative will support ICMR Institutes, ICMR Extramural Grantees, as well as Medical Colleges and Institutes. The initiative will offer a wide array of services, including patentability assessments, patent filing in India, and assistance with patent prosecution. Furthermore, it will facilitate technology transfer, providing hands-on support for transferring innovations to industry partners through mechanisms like the Med Tech “Mela” and paperless Expression of Interest (EoI) processes.
