ICMR Unveils 'Medical Innovations Patent Mitra' to Boost Biomedical Innovations

The initiative, developed under the guidance of NITI Aayog and in collaboration with the DoP, was unveiled at the International Symposium on Health Technology Assessment (ISHTA).

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has recently launched the 'Medical Innovations Patent Mitra,' a flagship initiative by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), for healthcare innovation patent filings and transfers.

The initiative, developed under the guidance of NITI Aayog and in collaboration with the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), was unveiled at the International Symposium on Health Technology Assessment (ISHTA).

The platform is expected to provide end-to-end guidance, including patentability assessments, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of patents for biomedical innovations.

It will also facilitate the transfer of medical technologies to industry partners, ensuring the practical implementation of scientific advancements in healthcare.

Impact on Healthcare Innovation

Health Minister Nadda emphasized the initiative's role in advancing medical research and safeguarding intellectual property rights in India.

"Medical Innovations Patent Mitra is a testament to ICMR's commitment to advancing medical innovation. With this initiative, our country is taking a significant step towards supporting innovators," he said.

He further stated, "This platform will ensure that the work done by our scientists and researchers is protected through patents and made available to the public through seamless technology transfer. This effort propels India towards the goal of Viksit Bharat."

Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, underscored the importance of self-reliance in healthcare innovation, linking the initiative to the broader goals of Ayushman Bharat.

"India's journey towards becoming a self-reliant nation rests on our ability to innovate within our own borders. Through Medical Innovations 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," he stated.

With this collaboration, DoP seeks to expand the initiative’s reach. Amit Agrawal, Secretary, DoP, highlighted the program's potential benefits for start-ups, research institutions, and industry stakeholders. He noted that it would complement the department's PRIP scheme, contributing to India's shift from a cost-driven to an innovation-based MedTech sector.

Further, the Medical Innovations Patent Mitra will support ICMR Institutes, extramural grantees, and medical colleges, offering services such as patentability assessment, Indian patent filing, and patent prosecution assistance.

Additionally, the initiative will aid technology transfer through structured mechanisms like the MedTech "Mela" and a paperless Expression of Interest (EoI) process to connect researchers with industry partners.

Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR, highlighted the initiative’s role in bridging gaps in India's patenting process and ensuring better access to expert assistance. "The Medical Innovations 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."