The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, convened an Industry Dialogue in Mumbai to discuss the Promotion of Research and Innovation in the Pharma-MedTech Sector (PRIP) Scheme. The event brought together industry leaders, research institutions, and pharmaceutical associations, including representatives from the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs). Discussions focused on strengthening industry-academia linkages, fostering collaboration, and leveraging government initiatives to accelerate R&D and commercialise innovative solutions in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors.

Government Initiatives to Boost Innovation In addition to the PRIP Scheme, the dialogue highlighted key government initiatives aimed at promoting research and innovation in the sector:

ICMR’s PATENT MITRA, MEDTECH MITRA, and INTENT programs – Supporting patent filing, guiding the innovation journey, and facilitating clinical trials. CSIR’s Innovation Complex in Mumbai – Bridging the gap between research institutions and industry through translational research. Industry Leaders Call for Stronger Policy and Investment Support Prominent industry figures voiced their insights on the challenges and opportunities in Pharma-MedTech R&D:

Dr Sharvil Patel, Vice President, Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) – Stressed the importance of industry-driven innovation, regulatory support, and increased investments in emerging pharmaceutical technologies. Mr Anil Matai, Director General, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) – Highlighted the need for a conducive policy environment to encourage greater industry participation in R&D. Mr Bharat Shah, National President, Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA) – Addressed the challenges MSMEs face in adopting research-led growth strategies and welcomed the PRIP scheme’s role in catalysing innovation. Mr Veeraal Gandhi, Vice President, Association of Diagnostics Manufacturers India (ADMI) – Spoke on India’s potential to lead in diagnostic technologies, particularly in point-of-care innovations, to enhance advanced healthcare solutions. Government’s Vision for Future-Ready Healthcare Solutions Shri Amit Agrawal, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, underscored the importance of futuristic products and affordable healthcare solutions as key drivers of India’s global leadership in pharmaceuticals and MedTech. He emphasised that:

Data-driven markets will play a transformative role in shaping Pharma-MedTech R&D. India, with its highly diverse gene pool and one-sixth of the world’s population, has a unique advantage in developing personalised and precision medicines. The PRIP Scheme aims to support innovative, cost-effective, and affordable healthcare solutions that will strengthen domestic and global healthcare ecosystems. Breakout Sessions and Stakeholder Engagement The event featured breakout sessions, where industry representatives and stakeholders provided insights on emerging R&D trends, regulatory pathways, and funding opportunities. Discussions covered:

Enhancing industry-academia collaboration to drive research and innovation. Streamlining regulatory pathways to facilitate faster commercialisation of new technologies. Scaling up research initiatives to fuel sectoral growth. Stakeholders were encouraged to submit their feedback and project details via the Expression of Interest (EoI) on the Department of Pharmaceuticals website, open until April 7, 2025. This process aims to refine the PRIP Scheme’s implementation to better align with industry needs.

The Industry Dialogue in Mumbai concluded on a highly optimistic note, with participants reaffirming their commitment to fostering an innovation-driven ecosystem in the Pharma-MedTech sector. The event reinforced government-industry collaboration, paving the way for transformative advancements in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology.