ICMR Licenses 9 Health Techs at MedTech Expo
New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) transferred nine medical technologies to industry partners through 17 licensing agreements during the opening session of the India MedTech Expo 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam from September 4 to 6, 2025. The agreements, facilitated under ICMR’s Medical Innovations–Patent Mitra initiative, involve innovations developed by ICMR institutes in infectious disease diagnostics, immunodiagnostics, and vaccine development, aimed at addressing public health needs across India.
The licensed technologies include a multistage malaria vaccine, transferred to Indian Immunologicals Limited, Techinvention Lifecare Private Limited, Panacea Biotec Limited, Biological E Limited, and Zydus Lifesciences. Diagnostic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for detecting immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies against Japanese encephalitis, dengue, and chikungunya viruses were licensed to Diatek Healthcare Private Limited, Medsource Ozone Biomedicals Private Limited, and Matrix Labs Private Limited. An immunodiagnostic kit, AFuPEPLISA, for detecting antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus in patient sera was licensed to Medsource Ozone Biomedicals Private Limited. Two colourimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for rapid detection of monkeypox and Nipah viruses were licensed to SmartQR Technologies Private Limited. A glycoconjugate Salmonella vaccine and an oral Shigella vaccine based on Multi-Serotype Outer Membrane Vesicles (MOMVs) were licensed to Biological E Limited.
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research & Director General, ICMR, senior officers of the Ministry and industry partners were also present at the event.
The Medical Innovations–Patent Mitra initiative, launched on March 8, 2025, during the International Symposium on Health Technology Assessment (ISHTA), was developed with guidance from the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), in collaboration with the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) and support from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The initiative focuses on streamlining patent processes, strengthening intellectual property frameworks, and facilitating the transfer of publicly funded innovations to industry for broader implementation. ICMR officials, including Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of the Department of Health Research (DHR) and Director General of ICMR, attended the licensing ceremony alongside industry representatives.
The India MedTech Expo 2025 provides a platform for collaboration among stakeholders, including participants in the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, startups, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), research and development facilities, incubators, and public and private hospitals. The event, running through September 6, showcases advancements in India’s health and medical technology sectors, highlighting efforts to expand access to innovative healthcare solutions through industry partnerships.
– global bihari bureau
