The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed licensing agreements for nine innovative health technologies with industry partners under its Medical Innovations – Patent Mitra program. The agreements were finalized at Bharat Mandapam during the opening session of the India MedTech Expo 2025, resulting in a total of 17 licensing deals.
These innovations, developed by various ICMR institutes, focus on infectious disease diagnostics, immunodiagnostics, and vaccine development. The move is seen as a key step toward expanding access to homegrown medical technologies, ensuring they reach communities nationwide. Senior ICMR leaders applauded the collaborative effort, highlighting it as a model of how public research and private enterprise can unite to deliver affordable, high-quality healthcare solutions.
Launched on March 8, 2025, during the International Symposium on Health Technology Assessment (ISHTA 2025), the Medical Innovations – Patent Mitra initiative is guided by NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) and supported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Its primary goals include streamlining the patenting process, providing robust IP support, and accelerating the commercialization of publicly funded innovations for large-scale implementation.
Technologies licensed at the event include:
- Multistage Malaria Vaccine – Licensed to Indian Immunologicals Limited, Techinvention Lifecare, Panacea Biotec, Biological E, and Zydus Lifesciences
- ELISA Kits for Japanese Encephalitis IgM Detection – Licensed to Diatek Healthcare and Medsource Ozone Biomedicals
- ELISA Kits for Dengue IgM Detection – Licensed to Diatek Healthcare and Medsource Ozone Biomedicals
- ELISA Kits for Chikungunya IgM Detection – Licensed to Diatek Healthcare, Medsource Ozone Biomedicals, and Matrix Labs
- AFuPEPLISA Kit for Aspergillus fumigatus Antibodies – Licensed to Medsource Ozone Biomedicals
- Colorimetric LAMP Assay for Monkeypox Detection – Licensed to SmartQR Technologies
- Colorimetric RT-LAMP Assay for Nipah Detection – Licensed to SmartQR Technologies
- Novel Glycoconjugate Salmonella Vaccine – Licensed to Biological E
- Oral Shigella Vaccine (MOMVs-based) – Licensed to Biological E
By partnering with industry, ICMR aims to ensure these critical health tools developed through years of public research can be manufactured at scale and distributed widely. This collaboration is set to accelerate India’s healthcare innovation goals and supports the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The India MedTech Expo 2025, running from September 4 to 6, is serving as a showcase of India’s growing prowess in medical technology. The event brings together key players from across the ecosystem, including PLI beneficiaries, start-ups, MSMEs, entrepreneurs, R&D centers, incubators, and both public and private healthcare institutions.
