The Product Ignition & Development Enabler (mPRiDE) programme of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has shortlisted three companies: Udyog Yantra Technologies Pvt Ltd, LVP Eye Innovations, Hyderabad, and Evelabs Technologies Pvt Ltd, Kollam. The programme aims to accelerate the commercialization of medical devices for general use. By assisting medical device firms, the mPRiDE programme will hasten the development, scaling, and commercialization of medical device products. Companies with a wealth of knowledge and proven abilities can create an enabling ecosystem to hasten the adoption of products with a positive social impact.
The ICMR-Medical Device and Diagnostics Mission Secretariat (MDMS) shall assist indigenous development, scale-up, and pilots of Make-in-India production of essential medical devices and diagnostic products, according to the terms and conditions of an agreement. The applications for manufacturing Make In India products in the following areas have been considered carefully for providing aid for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders (COPD), maternal, child healthcare and nutrition, and Remote Monitoring Devices, based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee.
The leading organisation in India for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research is the ICMR in New Delhi.
The Indian medical device market, presently valued at USD 11.2 billion, is expected to reach USD 50 billion by 2025 and is expanding at a 15% CAGR. Since roughly 80% of medical devices are imported, India is reliant on imports to meet its demands. There is an urgent need to provide comprehensive support across the medical device development and commercialization cycle, including R&D, scale-up, validation, regulatory compliance, and market access, given the significant reliance on imports and protracted technology development cycle of medical devices.
A mission mode consortia approach will be used by ICMR to assist and catalyse the research, development, and domestic production of cost-effective medical devices with the goal of strengthening the Indian healthcare industry and reducing reliance on imports. MDMS was created at ICMR headquarters. In India, MDMS would encourage local production and give all-encompassing assistance for emerging technology and goods. With this programme, medical device technologies that are in an advanced stage of development will be supported.
Technical rigour, national/societal effect, thriftiness, product development stage, applicant experience and track record, preparedness for product implementation at scale, and funding source were all factors considered in the review of submissions. Under the current plan, financial assistance is provided in the form of grants-in-aid. Depending on merit, funding amounts can reach up to Rs. 1.5 crore. The fund distribution is dependent on milestones, and it will be released in instalments after a review of the ones that have been reached.
