New Delhi, Mar 10 (KNN) Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Saturday launched the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) flagship initiative ‘Medical Innovations Patent Mitra,’ designed to enhance India’s healthcare innovation ecosystem.
The program provides comprehensive support to innovators throughout the patent filing process and facilitates technology transfer of medical innovations to industry partners.
The initiative was unveiled during the International Symposium on Health Technology Assessment (ISHTA).
Developed under NITI Aayog’s guidance and in partnership with the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), the program receives additional support from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Following the launch, a panel discussion convened bureaucrats, industry leaders, investors, and public health experts to examine challenges, opportunities, and strategies for improving patent filing and technology transfer in translational research and medical innovation.
In his address, Union Minister Nadda emphasised the significance of the initiative, stating, “Medical Innovation Patent Mitra is a testament of ICMR’s commitment to advancing medical innovation.
With the launch of this initiative, our country is taking significant lead towards supporting our innovators.” He added that the platform would ensure protection of groundbreaking work through patents while making innovations accessible to the public through efficient technology transfer, ultimately contributing to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation.
Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health) NITI Aayog, highlighted the initiative’s direct contribution to Ayushman Bharat objectives by ensuring that innovative technologies developed in India reach all parts of the country.
Underscoring the importance of a self-reliant innovation ecosystem, Dr. Paul stated, “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, Director General of ICMR, explained that the initiative would address a critical gap in the patenting process for medical innovations by providing expert assistance throughout the entire process—from patentability assessments to filing, prosecution, and maintenance of patents.
“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,” he said.
Amit Agrawal, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with ICMR on this flagship initiative.
He emphasised that the program would significantly benefit innovators, start-ups, and industries, complementing the DoP’s PRIP scheme and contributing to the transformation of India’s Pharma and MedTech sector from a cost-driven model to one centered on innovation-based growth.
The Medical Innovations Patent Mitra will provide support to ICMR Institutes, ICMR Extramural Grantees, medical colleges, and institutes. Its comprehensive services include patentability assessment, patent filing in India, and assistance with patent prosecution.
Additionally, the initiative facilitates technology transfer by providing guidance for the transfer of innovations to industry partners through mechanisms such as the Med Tech “Mela” and paperless Expression of Interest processes.
(KNN Bureau)
