The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, invites Expression of Interest (EoI) from eligible organizations, companies, and manufacturers for the Transfer of Technology and commercialization of a microcontroller-based device for artificial diet/blood feeding for mosquito rearing in the laboratory.

Overview

ICMR, through its constituent institute ICMR–National Institute for Vector Control Research, Puducherry (ICMR-NIVCR, Puducherry), has developed a technology for a laboratory-grade mosquito feeding device. The device is designed for regular blood or artificial diet feeding of Aedes aegypti and other mosquito vectors, supporting vector biology research, disease transmission studies, insecticide resistance testing, and novel control strategies such as sterile and Wolbachia-based interventions. The technology addresses the need for a safe, ethical, cost-effective, and reliable artificial feeding system that eliminates the use of live animal or human hosts.

The device comprises an integrated feeding chamber with a heating component and temperature sensor, a detachable washable reservoir for blood or artificial diet, and a microcontroller-based temperature regulation unit with an embedded 8-bit microcontroller. A functional prototype has been developed and successfully validated under laboratory conditions. The technology is at Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL-4), having been validated in-house.

Technology Details and Validation

The technology has been validated through deployment in an independent research project evaluating drugs and systemic insecticides as endectocides via membrane feeding. All membrane-feeding assays in the study were conducted using this device (Indian Patent Application No. 202211016261). The device demonstrated reliable and reproducible performance in evaluating mortality, survival, fecundity, and hatchability of Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus following blood feeding with endectocide drugs. The outcomes were published in the peer-reviewed journal Pest Management Science (Impact Factor 3.8; February 2025).

IP Filing: Indian Patent Application No. 202211016261, filed on March 23, 2022.

Scope of Work and Collaboration

ICMR is willing to collaborate with eligible organizations, companies, and manufacturers for undertaking Transfer of Technology and commercialization of the device. Selected companies will be granted rights to undertake further development, manufacture, sell, and commercialize the technology. An agreement is proposed to be executed on a non-exclusive basis with single or multiple companies to enable wider outreach for societal benefit and public health use.

Role of ICMR: ICMR-NIVCR, Puducherry will provide expert guidance and technical support for production in all phases, including study planning, product development, protocol development, data analysis, safety and efficacy assessment, and product improvement. ICMR may also facilitate R&D and clinical studies through its institutes and affiliates.

Role of the Company: The company shall provide all necessary infrastructure, material, and manpower for product development, validation, and scale-up; undertake manufacturing and commercialization; share technical data with ICMR; allow ICMR personnel to visit designated facilities; and obtain all regulatory approvals required for commercialization.

Eligibility and Pre-Qualification Criteria

Applicants must meet the following minimum pre-qualification criteria:

• The proponent shall be a legal entity registered as an Institution, Company, LLP, Society, Partnership Firm, or Proprietorship Firm under respective acts in India, with more than 51% of company stakes held by promoters from India.
• The proponent must be registered in India with taxation and other administrative authorities (GST registration or exemption certificate, PAN Card).
• The proponent should 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 must have marketed same or similar products with a good track record.
• The proponent must be profitable and should not have incurred overall loss in the past three years (applicable to commercial firms and organizations only).
• The proponent should have a good track record and must not be currently blacklisted or barred by any Central or State Government, Public Sector Undertaking, or Government of India entity.
• The proponent should have a manufacturing unit in India.
• The proponent and its promoters must not have been convicted for any offence in India by any competent court or judicial body during the past three years.
• GMP or quality certification (ISO or approved Indian certification) of the manufacturing facility and GLP or necessary certifications for R&D are required.
• The proponent should have a functional laboratory to carry out R&D for product development.
• The proponent must have the capacity to produce a minimum quantity per week (to be specified in the undertaking).

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

Application Process and Submission

Interested applicants must submit their Expression of Interest through the Medical Innovation Patent Mitra portal at https://patentmita.icmr.org.in/companyeoiregistration/. 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.

The following documents must be furnished as part of the application:

• 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 Authorized 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) covering R&D, clinical studies, planning and execution, production, marketing, etc., with timeline
• Any other information the proponent may wish to provide in support of the EoI

All documents must be self-attested by the authorized person of the proponent. Applications not submitted in the prescribed format, not properly stamped and signed, received after the due date and time, or not meeting the pre-qualification criteria will be summarily rejected.

Deadline and Timeline

EoI Document Number: ICMR/EoI/PM/25/Mosquito Feeder/2026

Date of Publication: May 12, 2026

Last Date of Submission: May 21, 2026

ICMR reserves the right to cancel this EoI and/or invite afresh with or without amendments, without liability or obligation, and without assigning any reason.

Royalty and Intellectual Property

Qualified companies will be required to pay royalty at 2% on net sales, as applicable, according to ICMR Guidelines for Technology Development Collaboration. ICMR is the sole owner of the technology, including any underlying intellectual property and commercialization rights. In case of joint development, background IP shall remain the sole property of the generating party, and any IP generated during collaboration shall be jointly owned by ICMR and the company. All IP-related provisions shall be governed by ICMR IP Policy.

Contact Information

For scientific queries:

Dr. Smrutidhara Dash, Technical Officer - B
Email: smrutidash2014@gmail.com
Mobile: 9439600250

Dr. A. Daniel Reegan, Scientist - C
Email: danielreegan1985@gmail.com
Mobile: 9943247080

For technical queries:

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