Government Doctors can earn from startup now: New Government policy

The objectives of this policy are-

(i) to encourage medical institutes for creating enabling policies and ecosystem for the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship development by its faculty/students/staff

(ii) to promote Biomedical innovations and Entrepreneurship by Medical Professionals, Scientists and Technologists to foster development of unmet need driven, socially impactful Technologies/ Products for societal benefit.

Also Read: COVID driven Omicron wave saw a surge in younger patients, deaths due to co-morbidities: ICMR

Scopes of the Policy:

The scope of the policy is as follows:

1. The Policy is applicable to Medical/ Paramedical Colleges/Institutes, Biomedical Research and Academic Institutions;(Collectively referred to as Institutes and Institute singularly) and;

2. All Medical Professionals and Scientists at Medical, Dental, Paramedical Institutes/ Colleges and other Biomedical Research Institutions which includes: (i) Academic staff (professors, lecturers, assistant lecturers) (ii) Medical residents, Doctoral trainees and research/ technical assistants (iii) paramedical staff (iv) incubator or support staff or (v) any other short term or long term trainee or employee of the said institutions who may be engaged in biomedical innovations, technology access and utilization, entrepreneurship, health-tech startups/ spin-offs or related activities (Collectively referred to as Innovators and Innovator singularly).

As per the policy-

• The doctors will also be permitted to undertake inter-institutional and industry projects alone or through companies, license technologies to business entities leading to commercialisation, revenue generation for self-sustenance and societal benefit.

• The medical professionals will also be permitted to take-up sabbatical for translational and commercialisation of their innovation through their start-up company set-up following institute's permission.

• The Policy will promote interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, technology development, skill development and foster entrepreneurship development & Make-in-India product development for societal benefit.

Duration:

"The start-up company established by the faculty or staff of the institute may be allowed to operate up to the duration of ~ 3 years within the Institute. After 3 years, it may be spinned off from the OLIVE premises. However, the faculty may be allowed to maintain equity in the company functioning outside the premises also. An extension beyond the initial housing period (further up to three years) may be granted to the company upon request to the OLIVE, based on the merits of the business opportunity it holds," mentioned the policy document.

Directions to the Institutes:

This new ICMR policy has also outlines certain duties and responsibilities assigned to the medical institutes.

(1) The Institutes shall establish a holistic innovation promoting system that (a) recognises what motivates each of the relevant stakeholders and (b) enables the stakeholders to receive the specific benefit they expect in exchange for their contribution to the innovation process.

(2) Investment in Research & Development and Entrepreneurship from private sector shall be encouraged through established Public- Private Partnership (PPP) process such as Collaboration/ contract research mechanism.

(3) The Institutes shall create an ecosystem for innovation including incubation centre and other initiatives for creation and transfer of knowledge.

(4) The Head of the Institute shall develop a suitable mechanism or a platform to utilise various schemes of the Government of India like Start up India, Start-Ups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) schemes by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), Skill India etc. implemented by various agencies. The Head of the institute shall endeavour to enable the faculty members to balance the academic and patient care responsibilities along with research and innovation activities.

(5) Institute shall improve utilisation of Government and Private Sector schemes that support greater, better and purposeful protection, use and leveraging of IP created by faculty, scientists, researchers and trainees in academic medical institutions and bio-medical research institutions in India. The process for grant application and grant utilisation shall be simplified and standardized.

(6) The institute shall encourage and prioritise participation and involvement of its personnel in entrepreneurship and enable formation of a legal entity at the institute, if required.

(7) The Institutes shall be encouraged to create suitable mechanisms and also set-aside dedicated funds to reward their Faculty/Student/Staff Innovators.

(8) The Institutes shall be encouraged to develop and implement inter-disciplinary course curriculum (for e.g. MD-PhD or MEPhD or MBBS-MTech etc.) to foster interdisciplinary innovations.

(9) The Institutes shall be encouraged to create suitable policy and earmark funds for facilitating pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of Technologies/biomedical products.

(10) The medical colleges and institutes shall be encouraged for setting up Office of Licensing of Innovation Ventureship & Enterprise (OLIVE).

Acknowledging research and innovation as primary pillars that propel any country towards growth and development in a competitive global canvas, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said, "It is time that India also demonstrates its strength and mettle through research, entrepreneurship and innovative initiatives in the health sector, including medical devices. Under the leadership and guidance of Hon'ble Prime Minister, India has taken several notable steps towards self reliance and self-sustenance, especially in vaccine development during the pandemic period. I am very hopeful that this Policy of DHR-ICMR unveiled today will motivate, incentivise and give a fillip to all the stakeholders. It will ensure multi-disciplinary collaboration, promote start-up culture and develop an innovation led ecosystem at the medical institutes across the country by promoting Make-in India, Start-Up-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of the Government of India."

"Our medical workforce comprising of doctors, paramedical staff, technicians have a wealth of knowledge based on their experience of working with fundamental problems at the cutting edge level. They also have ideas for innovations. Till now, these could not get a policy framework and platform for further growth. This Policy will connect the industry, technical institutions and promote commercial translation of these ideas and innovations in the health sector. When our philosophy of Seva Bhaav is clubbed with medical expertise and entrepreneurship, I am confident that this will develop a vibrant ecosystem in India, which will not only benefit our citizens but the society and India as a whole," further stated the Union Minister.

Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare appreciated the initiative and congratulated DHR and ICMR for bringing out this very important policy document and stated "I strongly believe that this Policy will create innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem at Medical Colleges/Institutes and will create a pipeline of healthcare innovations including medical device and diagnostic products in India. Wider dissemination and implementation of this policy will catalyze biomedical innovation & entrepreneurship in the country in line with Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision of New India." She added that doctors and medical professionals are ideally positioned to be on the forefront of innovation and research.

Prof. Balram Bharagava, Secretary, DHR and Director General, ICMR said "The ICMR/DHR policy on Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Medical Professionals is a game changer. It will enable medical institutions to actively support their personnel in contributing towards the innovation and entrepreneurial ventures with the ultimate goal of positively impacting human-health & well-being. It resonates with the motto of our Hon'ble Prime Minister to "Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper" I am very hopeful that this policy will bring about a paradigm shift in the innovation and entrepreneurship culture in the country and will have far reaching impact on all the medical colleges and institutes across the country."

Click here to view the ICMR/DHR policy.

Also Read: Define Requisite Standards of COVID testing by Online health Aggregators: HC tells ICMR, Govt