The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) invites Expressions of Interest (EoI) from eligible organisations, companies, and manufacturers for the Transfer of Technology and commercialisation of "A composition for wound healing, tissue adhesive, and methods thereof," a therapeutic technology developed for trauma and burns wound care.

Overview

ICMR, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-Bombay) and Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU), New Delhi, has developed a hybrid hydrogel technology comprising fibroblast growth factor (FGF) as a bioactive agent and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The hydrogel polymerises upon UV exposure, provides antimicrobial activity, stimulates fibroblast proliferation and migration, and is bioabsorbable. The technology is intended for licensing and commercialisation on a non-exclusive basis to enable wide societal and public health benefit.

Technology Details

The technology consists of a hybrid hydrogel composed of methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) and methacrylated gellan (mGG). Silver nanoparticles and FGF are entrapped in the precursor gel solution. Gelatin provides adhesive moieties to cells, while gellan imparts mechanical strength and slower degradation. The hydrogel is designed to be polymerised in situ within one minute of UV exposure, conforming to wound shapes. Animal experiments have demonstrated safety and efficacy with robust collagen deposition and angiogenesis, outperforming Regen D in comparative studies. The technology is scalable and can be fabricated as patches of varying sizes.

• Technology Readiness Level: TRL-4 (Proof of Concept Validated)
• Patent Application Number: 202311029171 (filed 21 April 2023)
• Title of Invention: A Composition for Wound Healing, Tissue Adhesive, and Methods Thereof
• Validation: Candidate formulation designed, characterised, and tested in vitro and in rats.

Scope of Work and Collaboration

The selected company will be granted rights to undertake further development, manufacture, sell, and commercialise the technology. Agreements will be executed on a non-exclusive basis with single or multiple companies. ICMR, IIT-Bombay, and DPSRU will provide expert guidance, technical support, and facilitation for product development, study planning, protocol development, data analysis, safety and efficacy assessment, and product improvement as mutually agreed. The company shall provide all necessary infrastructure, materials, and manpower for product development, validation, scale-up, manufacturing, and commercialisation. The company is also responsible for obtaining all regulatory approvals required for commercialisation.

Eligibility and Pre-Qualification Criteria

Proponents must meet the following minimum pre-qualification criteria:

• Be a legal entity registered in India as an Institution, Company, LLP, Society, partnership firm, or proprietorship firm, with more than 51% of company stakes held by promoters from India.
• Be registered with Indian taxation and administrative authorities (GST or exemption certificate, PAN Card).
• Have proven prior experience of manufacturing and/or R&D with manufacturing during the last three years, either in-house or through agreed collaboration, and a track record of marketing same or similar products.
• Be profitable with no overall loss in the past three financial years (applicable to commercial firms).
• Not be blacklisted or barred by any Central or State Government, Public Sector Undertaking, or Government of India entity.
• Possess a manufacturing unit in India.
• Have no conviction for any offence in India by any competent court or judicial body during the past three years.
• Hold GMP or quality certification (ISO or approved Indian certification) for the manufacturing facility and GLP or necessary certifications for R&D.
• Have a functional laboratory to carry out R&D for product development.
• Demonstrate production capacity (minimum quantity per week as specified).

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit the Expression of Interest through the Medical Innovation Patent Mitra portal at https://patentmitra.icmr.org.in/companyeoiregistration/. Applicants must first register by providing requisite company information, including details of the authorised representative. Upon successful registration, applicants must complete and submit the e-EoI form available on the portal. The following documents must be furnished:

• Declaration – Expression of Interest (Format-1)
• Authorization Letter (Format-2)
• Undertaking with regard to Blacklisting (Format-3)
• Undertaking with regard to Non-Conviction (Format-4)
• EoI document with each page duly stamped and signed by the authorised signatory
• Undertaking with regard to laboratory facility (Format-5)
• Production Capacity Undertaking (Format-6)
• Supporting documents as mentioned in Format-1
• MSME Certificate (if applicable)
• Concept note on business plan (not more than 5 pages)
• Any other supporting information

Deadline and Timeline

• EoI Document Number: ICMR/EoI/PM/10/Wound Care/2026
• Date of Publication: 04th August 2026
• Last Date of Submission: 25th August 2026

Royalty and Intellectual Property

Qualified companies will be required to pay a royalty of 2% on net sales, as per ICMR Guidelines for Technology Development Collaboration. ICMR, IIT-Bombay, and DPSRU are co-owners of the technology and any underlying intellectual property. In case of joint development, any new IP generated during the collaboration shall be jointly owned by ICMR, IIT-Bombay, DPSRU, and the company. All IP-related provisions shall be governed by the ICMR IP Policy.

Contact Information

For scientific queries:

• Dr. Shamik Sen – Email: shamiks@iitb.ac.in, Phone: +91 9619787743
• Dr. Mukesh Nandave – Email: mukeshnandave@gmail.com, Mobile: +91 7208093539

For technical queries:

• Medical Innovations Patent Mitra Team – Email: patentmitra.hq@icmr.gov.in