The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) have entered into a strategic partnership to strengthen innovation, intellectual property (IP) management and technology commercialisation in the field of Indian Systems of Medicine. The collaboration aims to transform research outcomes from Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa into impactful products, technologies and healthcare solutions.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between NRDC and NCISM, a statutory body under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. The agreement was exchanged by Cmde. Amit Rastogi (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director of NRDC, and Dr. Maneesha Kothekar, Chairperson of NCISM, in the presence of senior officials and representatives from both organisations.
The partnership is designed to create a structured framework for identifying, protecting, developing and commercialising innovative ideas and intellectual property emerging from institutions regulated by NCISM and registered practitioners of Indian Systems of Medicine.
Strengthening Research-to-Market Linkages
The MoU focuses on bridging the gap between academic research and commercial application by creating an ecosystem that supports innovation-led growth in traditional healthcare systems. Through this collaboration, promising research findings can be developed into validated technologies, products and services that address contemporary healthcare requirements.
NRDC will bring its expertise in intellectual property protection, patent and trademark support, technology evaluation, valuation, licensing and commercialisation. The organisation will also assist innovators and institutions in establishing effective IP management practices and developing strategies for technology transfer.
The collaboration will further enable industry partnerships, promote sponsored research initiatives and provide mentoring support to innovators working in the Indian Systems of Medicine.
Support for Institutions and Innovators
NCISM will facilitate coordination between NRDC and its network of regulated institutions, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (RIED) Cells and registered practitioners across the country. This engagement will help institutions access professional guidance for protecting their innovations and bringing research-based solutions to the market.
Individual projects involving technical, commercial or financial partnerships will be developed directly between NRDC and concerned institutions or innovators.
The initiative will encourage activities such as patent and trademark filing, innovation mentoring, entrepreneurship development programmes, formulation of institutional IP policies, awareness campaigns, ideathons, hackathons, technology exhibitions and industry engagement programmes.
By promoting collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals and industry stakeholders, the partnership aims to accelerate the development of evidence-based solutions based on India’s traditional medical knowledge.
Focus on Innovation-Driven Growth in Ayush Sector
The collaboration is expected to provide a major boost to the Ayush sector by encouraging researchers, faculty members and practitioners to focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. It will help create pathways for converting clinical and academic research into commercially viable solutions.
The initiative also aligns with the broader vision of promoting self-reliance and strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem by leveraging the country’s rich heritage of traditional medicine along with modern scientific approaches.
Speaking at the event, Cmde. Amit Rastogi (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director, NRDC, said that the partnership would establish a strong support system for researchers and innovators working in Indian Systems of Medicine. He highlighted that NRDC’s experience in intellectual property management and technology commercialisation would help convert innovative research into deployable technologies with greater societal benefits.
He added that the collaboration would contribute towards building an innovation-driven and self-reliant India by ensuring that valuable research reaches end users effectively.
Dr. Maneesha Kothekar, Chairperson of NCISM, said that the MoU represents a significant milestone in strengthening the research and innovation framework among NCISM-regulated institutions. She noted that combining scientific research capabilities with innovation management and commercialisation expertise would encourage the development of evidence-based healthcare technologies rooted in India’s traditional medical systems.
The partnership between NRDC and NCISM is expected to open new opportunities for researchers, entrepreneurs and practitioners while strengthening India’s position in the global traditional medicine and healthcare innovation landscape.
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
