The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), through its Medical Innovations Patent Mitra initiative, has licensed three indigenous biomedical technologies to Indian pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturers for further development, manufacturing and commercialization.
The technologies include SHetA2, a novel anti-human papillomavirus (HPV) therapeutic candidate for the treatment of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN), which has been licensed to Emcure Pharmaceuticals. The other two technologies, both next-generation vaccine candidates targeting enteric bacterial infections, have been developed by the ICMR–National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI), Kolkata, and licensed to Biological E Ltd.
According to ICMR, the technology transfers mark a significant step towards translating publicly funded research into affordable healthcare solutions and strengthening India’s biomedical innovation ecosystem.
SHetA2 was developed through a collaboration between Dr Showket Hussain of the ICMR–National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR) and Dr Doris M. Benbrook of the Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, USA. The first-in-class targeted therapy is designed to selectively eliminate HPV-induced precancerous and cervical cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, offering the potential for a safer, more affordable and minimally invasive treatment for cervical cancer.
The two vaccine technologies developed by Dr Santasabuj Das and his team at ICMR-NIRBI include a fusion construct containing Salmonella typhi outer membrane protein as a next-generation typhoid vaccine candidate, and a recombinant vaccine composition targeting Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi and Shigella infections to provide broader protection against major enteric bacterial diseases.
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR) and Director General, ICMR, said, “ICMR is committed to ensuring that publicly funded research translates into products that improve health outcomes. Through initiatives such as Medical Innovations Patent Mitra, we are strengthening the pathway from scientific discovery to commercialization by fostering partnerships between researchers and industry.”
“These technology transfers demonstrate the growing maturity of India’s biomedical innovation ecosystem and represent another step towards achieving self-reliance in healthcare innovation,” he added.
ICMR said its Medical Innovations Patent Mitra programme provides innovators with support for patent filing, technology transfer and licensing, while MedTech Mitra facilitates regulatory guidance, clinical evaluation and market access for indigenous medical technologies.
