Latest news with #ICMRGuidelinesforTechnologyDevelopmentCollaboration
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Business Standard
20-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
ICMR invites EoIs to undertake tech transfer, commercialise malaria vaccine
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has invited expressions of interest (EoIs) from eligible companies and manufacturers for the transfer of technology to commercialise an indigenous recombinant multi-stage malaria vaccine candidate, AdFalciVax. Developed by ICMR's Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar (ICMR-RMRCBB), AdFalciVax aims to prevent plasmodium falciparum infections in humans and reduce community transmission of the parasite, which causes severe and potentially fatal malaria. Non-exclusive tech transfer model proposed The EoI outlines a non-exclusive agreement to be executed with one or more companies, enabling broader outreach and public health access. ICMR-RMRCBB will offer expert guidance and technical support across all stages of production to facilitate development and commercialisation. The development process is expected to span at least seven years, divided into four stages, with a six-month buffer built into each stage. While ICMR will provide scientific and technical support, the selected companies will be responsible for securing all regulatory approvals—from research and development to final commercialisation. ICMR to retain IP and commercial rights The Council clarified that it would bear no financial liability unless otherwise specified. Its institutes will, however, facilitate R&D and clinical studies within India. In case of technology transfer, ICMR will retain sole ownership of the technology, including all underlying intellectual properties and commercial rights. For joint development projects, any Background Intellectual Property (BGIP) will remain the exclusive property of the party that generated it. Firms to pay royalty on net sales Participating companies must share technical data with ICMR and engage in all discussions professionally and in mutual agreement. 'Subsequent to the execution of the agreement, such companies/manufacturers shall be responsible to pay the royalty at the rate of 2 per cent on net sales, according to the ICMR Guidelines for Technology Development Collaboration,' the Council stated. India among top contributors to regional malaria cases According to the World Health Organisation's World Malaria Report 2024, India accounts for half of the estimated malaria cases in the South-East Asia Region, which contributes 1.5 per cent of the global malaria burden. India currently has access to two WHO-recommended malaria vaccines—Mosquirix, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and R21/Matrix-M, made by the Serum Institute of India (SII). Both are primarily intended for children in regions with moderate to high malaria transmission. Broader protection potential cited An official familiar with the matter said AdFalciVax may offer broader protection and a lower risk of immune evasion compared to existing single-stage vaccines, based on preclinical data. Pre-clinical validation of AdFalciVax was carried out in collaboration with ICMR's National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), other ICMR institutes, and the National Institute of Immunology in Delhi, an autonomous institute under the Department of Biotechnology.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
ICMR invites firms to make Nipah detection units
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed technology for rapid detection of Nipah Virus and invited expression of interest for its commercial production. The letter of invitation, issued on WHEN, said, 'Indian Council of Medical Research ((ICMR), New Delhi invites Expression of Interest (EoI) from the eligible organizations, companies, manufacturers for undertaking 'Transfer of Technology' for commercialization of 'A colorimetric RT-LAMP assay (isothermal) for rapid detection of Nipah virus' useful in Detection of Nipah.' The Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic disease that spreads between animals and people. Fruit bats are the host for the virus. The virus can cause mild-to-severe disease, rapidly progressing from respiratory infection symptoms to encephalitis (brain swelling) that leads to coma or death. An estimated 40-75% of people infected with Nipah virus die. Although most cases are transmitted via animals, person-to-person transmission can also occur. The technology, A colorimetric RT-LAMP assay (isothermal), was developed at ICMR's National Institute of Virolgy in Pune. The EoI will help in the commercialization and marketing of the test kit. According to ICMR, it is willing to collaborate with eligible organizations, companies, and manufacturers for undertaking transfer of technology, or further joint development and commercialization. According to the ICMR invitation, the company will be given rights to undertake further development, manufacture, sale, and commercialization of the technology or product, or undertake further research and development and commercialize the end product. 'An Agreement (in case of joint development or licensing) following EoI is proposed to be executed on a 'Exclusive/Non-Exclusive' basis with single/multiple companies to enable wider outreach of the 'A colorimetric RT-LAMP assay (isothermal) for rapid detection of Nipah virus' (Technology/Product) for societal benefit and public health use. All the related issues shall be governed by ICMR IP Policy…,' the letter said. ICMR would provide technical support through its team of experienced scientists in study planning, product development, development of study protocol, results/data analysis, outcome assessment, safety and efficacy assessment, product improvement, etc, the letter said. The company, on the other hand, will be expected to provide necessary infrastructure, material, and manpower required for product development, validation, and scale-up. Also, it will undertake the scale-up as required, manufacturing, and commercialization of the product, the ICMR letter said. The manufacturer will also have to pay royalty on net sales to ICMR. 'Subsequent to the execution of the Agreement such companies/manufacturers shall be responsible to pay the Royalty at 2% on Net sales, as applicable, according to the ICMR Guidelines for Technology Development Collaboration,' the EoI said. India records occasional outbreaks of the viral infection in the southern state of Kerala. Last year, a 14-year-old boy from Malappuram district of the state died of Nipah Virus Disease after reportedly consuming wild hog plum from a tree in an area in Pandikkad panchayat. The area is known to host fruit-eating bats that are the primary carriers of the disease.
