PRIP Scheme: Boosting Pharma and MedTech Innovation

 PRIP SCHEME: BOOSTING INDIA’S PHARMA AND MEDTECH INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

Why in the News?

The Department of Pharmaceuticals has announced the second call for applications under the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma & MedTech (PRIP) Scheme, with a total financial outlay of ₹5,000 crore. The scheme seeks to strengthen India’s domestic R&D, innovation, commercialisation and technological capabilities across priority pharmaceutical and medical-technology sectors.


PRIP SCHEME AND ITS KEY FEATURES

  •     Core Objective: PRIP seeks to strengthen India’s pharmaceutical and MedTech R&D ecosystem by helping startups, MSMEs and industries move innovative technologies towards commercialisation.
  •     Financial Outlay: The scheme has a total financial allocation of ₹5,000 crore, reflecting the government’s emphasis on strengthening domestic innovation capabilities.
  •     Dual Tracks: Applications are divided into early-stage and later-stage projects, allowing financial support according to the technology’s existing Technology Readiness Level.
  •     Early Support: Startups and MSMEs with technologies at TRL 1–3 can receive assistance up to ₹5 crore per project for development up to TRL 5.
  •     Advanced Support: Industry, startups and MSMEs with technologies at TRL 4–6 can receive assistance up to ₹100 crore, subject to the 35% funding ceiling and applicant co-financing.

PRIORITY AREAS AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

  •     New Medicines: The scheme supports development of New Chemical Entities, New Biological Entities and phyto-pharmaceuticals, strengthening India’s drug-discovery capabilities.
  •     Complex Generics: Support for complex generics and biosimilars can reduce technological dependence while improving India’s competitiveness in sophisticated pharmaceutical manufacturing.
  •     Novel Devices: Innovative medical devices not previously approved by CDSCO constitute an important priority area under the MedTech component.
  •     Digital Healthcare: AI/ML-based devices, Software as Medical Device and Software in Medical Device are specifically included within the innovation framework.
  •     Precision Medicine: Genetic diagnostics, biomarkers, innovative in-vitro diagnostics, robotics and telemedicine-enabled devices are supported to advance personalised and technology-driven healthcare.

 TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVEL AND INDIA’S PHARMA INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

  •     TRL Concept: Technology Readiness Level is a systematic framework used to assess technological maturity, progressing from fundamental concepts towards demonstrated and commercially deployable technologies.
  •     Innovation Pipeline: PRIP addresses India’s innovation-to-commercialisation gap by providing financial support at different stages of technological development.
  •     Research Infrastructure: The scheme seeks to create world-class research infrastructure and deepen India’s pool of qualified and trained pharmaceutical and MedTech researchers.
  •     Commercialisation Support: Mentorship, MedTech Mitra, Patent Mitra and digital platforms can facilitate partnerships, intellectual-property protection and translation of research into marketable products.
  •     Atmanirbhar Healthcare: By supporting indigenous medicines, biosimilars, medical devices and digital technologies, PRIP can advance Atmanirbhar Bharat and reduce dependence on imported healthcare technologies..