CHANDIGARH, 31.07.25-The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Indian Patent Office, successfully hosted the inaugural Medical Innovations Patent Mitra: Awareness Creation & Experiential Learning Workshop on July 31, 2025, at PGIMER, Chandigarh.

This pioneering event marked a significant milestone in fostering innovation and intellectual property awareness among medical researchers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs. The workshop aimed to demystify the patenting process, address challenges faced by medical innovators, and promote the Medical Innovations Patent Mitra initiative—a strategic effort to streamline patent facilitation and technology transfer in the biomedical domain.

The workshop was spearheaded by PGIMER, a premier medical and research institution, which provided the venue and intellectual leadership. ICMR, through its Innovation & Translational Research Unit, played a central role in conceptualizing and executing the event. Dr. Suchita Markan, Scientist-E and Mission In-Charge of MDMS at ICMR, led the initiative with insightful presentations and coordination. The Indian Patent Office contributed its expertise by guiding participants through the intricacies of intellectual property rights and best practices in patent filing.

Highlights from the Sessions

Dr. Vivek Lal, Director of PGIMER, delivered the welcome address and emphasized the importance of innovation in healthcare.

Dr. Suchita Markan introduced the workshop’s objectives and elaborated on the Medical Innovations Patent Mitra and MedTech Mitra initiatives, which aim to bridge the gap between medical innovation and commercialization.

Experts from PGIMER discussed the barriers faced by medical innovators, including regulatory, financial, and procedural challenges.

Officials from the Indian Patent Office provided a comprehensive overview of IPR procedures, offering practical insights into patent filing and protection strategies.

Innovators such as Dr. Arnab Ghosh (AFMC, Pune) shared compelling case studies, illustrating real-world applications and the transformative potential of medical patents.

The event featured an ICMR Pavilion that facilitated interactive engagement through dedicated booths offering IP query resolution, on-the-spot Patent Mitra registrations, and technical support for patent facilitation and technology transfer. These booths remained active throughout the day, offering hands-on assistance and personalized guidance to attendees.

The Medical Innovations Patent Mitra initiative is designed to empower bio-medical professionals and researchers by:

Simplifying the patenting process
Providing expert mentorship and legal support
Facilitating technology transfer and commercialization
Enhancing India’s global competitiveness in medical innovation

The workshop concluded with an open quiz and discussion session and closing remarks from the organizers as the initiative is a contribution towards the vision of Viksit Bharat. The organisers reiterated their commitment to nurturing a robust ecosystem for biomedical innovation.