To mark the fifth anniversary of the establishment of Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRDTH) next month, a two-day conclave organised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) concluded on Saturday. It was held at CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) at Habsiguda.
The agenda of the conclave was to share successes and learnings from the 12 CRDTHs. Coordinators and representatives of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) which benefited from the centres participated in the conclave inaugurated by Shekhar C. Mande, secretary, DSIR, and Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Addressing a press conference on the occasion, he said that MSMEs provide 60% jobs across all sectors in the country and it is important to connect them to deep science and technology. The CRTDHs provide access to the technology and infrastructure in labs at public-funded institutions such as the CCMB and Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur.
It helps in translation of scientific knowledge, ideas and inventions into products and services. Apart from MSMEs, startups and innovators also incubate ideas in the hubs. The CRTDHs operate on a cost plus non-commercial basis and are evolving a business model for self-sustainability.
Besides, CCMB Director Rakesh Mishra said they help the MSMEs and startups to meet consultants and investors. Earlier, only findings of research at the CCMB were developed into products. Now, the ideas are incubated in the hubs.
Giving examples of a few products being developed at the CRTDH in CCMB, Dr Mishra said a small company which was working on developing quality water used in dialysis is ready to launch the product. Another company is developing antibodies for treatment of certain forms of cancer. Currently, an injection for the treatment costs ₹2-3 lakh. The product would bring down the cost by 10 times.
