National Research Development Corporation (NDRC), engaged in commercialisation of intellectual properties (IPs) & technologies developed by various public-funded R&D institutions, has still miles to go. NDRC CMD Dr H Purushotham tells about its future growth and expansion plan to Madhusudan Sahoo of The Pioneer in an exclusive interview. Excerpts:
As far as commercialisation of technologies is concerned, which geographies NRDC is eyeing for its expansion in the near futureIJ What are your focus areasIJ
For the last two years, NRDC has been expanding its reach on average by 40 per cent and establishing partnerships with its stakeholders for commercialisation of technologies and we have still miles to go. We plan to spread our wings in neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Sri lanka soon for commercialisation of our own technologies. For, we have seen a lot of potentials in these counties to popularise our expertise for the betterment of their people. The roadmap is ready for this purpose and we will venture into these geographies soon. As far as our technology is concerned, our focus areas are agriculture, chemical, biotech, machinery, engineering etc.
Could you please explain about Invention Promotion Programme (IPP) and Technology Promotion Programme (TPP) which come under NRDCIJ
Programme for Inspiring Inventors and Innovators (PIII) (earlier IPP) and Programme for Development of Technologies for Commercialisation (PDTC) (earlier TPP), which come under NRDC programmes, are supported by the Ministry of Science &Technology. The PIII schemes are planned to encourage the inventors as well as innovators in developing new innovative technologies as well as products, and tap these technologies for NRDC's business activities too. And for PDTC, it is planned mainly for digitisations of all technologies available and licensed in India under 'Digital India' schemes. The major promotional activities undertaken by the Corporation under this programme are providing both technical and financial assistance for patent searching & filing patent, to protect invention of individual inventor, to conduct patent seminars throughout India etc.
How soon will India have an Intellectual Property (IP) Exchange, programme to join the league of countries like Hong Kong and UKIJ Will this exchange be developed under the Ministry of Science & Technology through NRDCIJ
NRDC as the gateway to India provides lots of opportunities in IPs, which in turn would contribute to the upgrading of our economy, and create jobs in various high-end business segments. We will have an IP exchange in India very soon. NRDC is planning to establish the country's first IPR Exchange under the Ministry of Science & Technology. It will be an online platform which will help enable, facilitate and franchise trading for buyers and sellers of IPRs. As a business, trading IPRs will help improve innovation processes by obtaining access to knowledge globally, while also gaining maximum yield from R&D by allowing other businesses to gain access to the knowledge.
How will it help small-scale businesses in IndiaIJ
The MSMEs in the country may grasp the opportunities presented by IP trading to increase their competitiveness by branding and upgrading. I think the growing demand for IP talents may create career openings for our younger generation as well as foster the development of local training and education providers.
As the Government is encouraging public sector units (PSUs) to raise funds through initial public offerings (IPOs). Do you have any plan to enter the market in the near futureIJ
NRDC is a small PSU in size as far the company's annual turnover is concerned. We need to strengthen our asset quality first and then we may think over for going public offerings. The company's turnover has increased to Rs 27 crore in 2017 from Rs 6 crore in 2015. We are growing very fast and we are hopeful that we will make our turnover to around Rs 100 crore in 2-3 years. So, we plan to enter the market at a right time when the corporation is well equipped with healthy assets.
NRDC has signed agreements with various companies, claiming state-of-the-art technology for herbal formulations like Ayush-82, formulation for rheumatoid Arthritis (tablets), anti-arthritis herbal formulation (ointment) etc. How will this technology help India in health sectorIJ
NRDC has already signed agreements with various companies for herbal formulations developed at CCRAS, New Delhi and NIEST. The benefits and key features of these technologies are Ayush-82 and Arthritis (rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis). In India overall 66.8 million are suffering from diabetes in 2014. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences has developed a new formulation from different types of indigenously available herbs named as Ayush-82 which demonstrates good control over diabetes in animals and more than 50 per cent of human patients. Similarly, we do for Arthritis (rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis), which is an autoimmune disease affecting the collagens of the stress bearing joints. Private spending of an Indian household out of total expenditure on health is 50 per cent. Therefore, keeping in account cost-effectiveness of healthcare and management in developing countries, CSIR-NEIST has developed an anti-arthritis herbal ointment for developing countries.
NRDC is contributing to the nation's building through 'Start-up' mission of the Government. What does the mission encompassIJ
NRDC is a technology aggregator and it is like an Ola and Uber for technologies. The corporation is currently providing services to 500 start-ups, SMEs and corporates in the area of IP/technology transfer and consultancy. NRDC has also partnered with DIPP - Startup India Action Plan, integrating the corporation with 'Start-up India' and 'Make-in-India' missions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Besides, NRDC is also providing consultancy services to screen the start-up proposals of DIPP for granting tax benefit under 'Start-up India'.