The technologies of seven biomedical products developed at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) here were transferred to industry partners by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday.
The transfer was conducted as part of the 2nd Technology Conclave and Industry Meet held at the institute.
Delivering the inaugural address on the occasion, Mr. Nadda said around 75% to 80% of the medical devices in India was imported.
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The growth of the domestic industry was hampered by the lack of regulatory compliance, testing support, availability of manpower with appropriate skill set. and the inaccessibility of imported technology, according to him.
Catalyst
He called upon public-funded institutions to take up the role of a catalyst and facilitator for increasing the share of indigenous manufacturing in the medical devices industry, estimated to be worth ₹24,000 crore.
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The Minister lauded the SCTIMST for showing the way to other institutions in this regard through its achievements.
The technologies, developed by the Biomedical Technology (BMT) wing of the institute, include a blood and intravenous (IV) fluid warming system, an infant warmer (bassinet and wrapper) for premature babies, the Fibrin Sealant (a biological glue for binding injured nerves, arteries and veins), a process for preparation of extracellular matrix scaffolds from mammalian cholecyst/jejunum/urinary-bladder, the use of egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) as anti-snake venom, and a rapid diagnostic kit with antibiogram for urinary tract infections. The industry partners who received these technologies include the Thiruvananthapuram-based HLL Lifecare Ltd. and Optimus Life Sciences Ltd., Zum Heilen Healthcare Private Ltd., Bengaluru, New Medicon Pharma Lab Private Ltd., Chennai, and Agappe Diagnostics Ltd., Mumbai.
The first product developed at SCTIMST’s Technology Business Incubator (SCTIMST-TIMed) was launched by State Health Minister K.K. Shylaja on the occasion. The product, a telemedicine cart that updates doctors about information on patients through their smart phones, was developed by the incubatee Mobilexion.
The institute has so far developed 40 technologies that have been transferred to around 20 industries, including the Sree Chitra heart valve, which has crossed over a lakh implantations across the world, and disposable blood bags, exported to around 80 countries.
Shashi Tharoor, MP, O. Rajagopal, MLA, and K.M. Chandrasekhar, president, SCTIMST, were present at the event.