The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) invites Expression of Interest (EoI) from eligible organizations, companies, and manufacturers for the transfer of technology and commercialization of a dipstick-based test kit for the detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi and method of detection thereof, a diagnostic tool for scrub typhus.

Overview

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, the apex body for biomedical research in India, has developed a technology entitled “A Dipstick-based Test Kit for the Detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi and Method of Detection Thereof”. This technology, developed by ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre Gorakhpur, is a rapid diagnostic test for the early detection of scrub typhus, a febrile illness caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi (OT).

The technology is a molecular diagnostic platform that differs from conventional PCR or real-time PCR by using isothermal nucleic acid amplification combined with lateral flow strip end-point detection. It utilizes CRISPR/Cas12a or Endonuclease IV based reactions for detection. The test is designed for rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnosis, with results interpretable in 2 to 5 minutes.

Funding and Benefits

The selected company will be granted rights to undertake further development, manufacture, sell, and commercialize the technology. The agreement will be executed on a non-exclusive basis with single or multiple companies to enable wider outreach for societal and public health benefit.

Subsequent to the execution of an agreement, the company shall be responsible to pay a royalty of 2% on net sales, as per the ICMR Guidelines for Technology Development Collaboration.

Eligibility

Eligible candidates include legal entities 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.

• Pre-Qualification Criteria (PQC): Proponents must meet the following minimum criteria:
  • Be a legal entity registered in India.
  • Be registered with taxation and other administrative authorities (GST/PAN).
  • Have proven prior experience in manufacturing and/or R&D with manufacturing during the last three years.
  • Be profitable and not have incurred overall loss in the past three years.
  • Have a good track record and not be blacklisted or barred by any Central/State Government or Public Sector Undertaking.
  • Have a manufacturing unit in India.
  • Have a functional laboratory for R&D.
  • Possess GMP/quality certification (ISO or approved Indian certification) for the manufacturing facility.

For MSMEs and Start-ups, the Start-Up India, Make-in-India, and other relevant guidelines of the Government of India shall be applicable.

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit their Expression of Interest (EoI) through the Medical Innovation Patent Mitra portal. Applicants must first register by providing requisite company information, including details of the authorized representative. Upon successful registration, applicants must complete and submit the e-EoI form available on the portal.

Required documents include:

• 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)
• 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)

ICMR reserves the right to call for any clarifications or to cancel the EoI and/or invite afresh without liability or obligation.

Deadline and Timeline

• Date of Publication: June 17, 2026
• Last Date of Submission: July 08, 2026

Contact Information

For scientific issues: Dr. Rajeev Singh, Email: rajeevbt22@gmail.com, Mobile No.: 8924936067

For technical issues: Medical Innovations Patent Mitra Team, Email: patentmitra.hq@icmr.gov.in