The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) is launching two major initiatives that could, in the long run, lay a strong foundation for the nation’s nascent medical devices industry.
A Technology Business Incubator for Medical Devices and Materials (SCTIMST-TIMed) and a 50,000-sq ft laboratory facility dedicated for the development of medical devices, named M.S. Valiathan Medical Devices Engineering Block at SCTIMST’s Biomedical Technology Wing at Poojappura here, for promoting the innovation and development of indigenous medical devices, are being launched on Saturday.
Both facilities will be inaugurated by Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Harsh Vardhan.
160 patents
The SCTIMST took the first steps in the development of appropriate and affordable technologies long ago and it currently holds about 160 patents.
Thirty of these have been transferred to 15 industries spread across the nation. One of its most successful products — the Chitra heart valve — has so far been implanted in over a lakh patients since 1990.
Though the annual turnover based on the commercialisation of the indigenous technologies developed by the institution is about Rs.350 crore, this makes up only a small fraction of the national market of Rs.20,000 crore. The new laboratory block, named after its legendary founder-director Dr. Valiathan, once fully functional, is expected to have all advanced facilities such as modelling and simulation, particle image velocimetry, heart simulator, prototyping and testing facilities, which will aid the development of medical devices.
Entrepreneurship
The SCTIMST-TIMed, is being set up to encourage entrepreneurs, scientists, and students to launch entrepreneurial ventures in the medical devices sector and will be open to industries that may need incubator support.
