CSIR outlines healthcare research, technology transfer initiatives in Rajya Sabha

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is promoting research, innovation and technology development in healthcare through collaborations with industry and academia, technology transfer, consultancy services, testing facilities, skill development programmes, biological screening, genomics research, sequencing infrastructure and specialised training for clinicians and medical professionals. Through its dedicated Healthcare Theme, CSIR also supports basic, translational and mission-mode research across its constituent laboratories.

CSIR is also facilitating the translation of research into industrial and societal applications through technology licensing, collaborative research and development, intellectual property management, industry partnerships and digital platforms. According to the government, these initiatives are expected to support indigenous development and manufacturing of diagnostics, biologics and medical technologies, improve access to healthcare, strengthen disease surveillance and precision medicine, and support the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The information was shared by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Among the technologies developed by CSIR-CDRI are indigenous fluorescent dyes and quenchers for RT-PCR-based COVID-19 diagnostic kits, licensed to Biotech Desk Private Limited; a corneal-targeted ophthalmic formulation of Amphotericin B for fungal keratitis being jointly developed with Cipla Limited; Picroliv, a candidate drug for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease licensed to Themis Medicare Limited; a TaqMan-like RT-PCR kit for simultaneous detection of dengue, chikungunya and Zika licensed to Mylab Discovery Solutions; and a standardised fraction of Terminalia chebula for benign prostatic hyperplasia licensed to Himalaya Wellness.

CSIR-IMTECH highlighted its work on tuberculosis therapeutics and diagnostics, including a rapid fluorescence-based probe for detecting live Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The institute has also developed gram-scale production technology for the CRM197 carrier protein used in conjugate vaccines, peptide delivery technology for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, metallo-beta-lactamase inhibitors to address antimicrobial resistance, and peptide-based therapeutics targeting Parkinson’s disease.

CSIR-IGIB reported progress in pharmacogenomics, genome sequencing, rare disease diagnostics and population genomics through programmes including GenomeIndia, IndiGen, GUaRDIAN and GOMED. The institute has also licensed its indigenous CRISPR-based technologies, including the BIRSA-101 gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease, the FELUDA COVID-19 diagnostic platform, the FnCas9 gene-editing platform and the IndiGenome Allele Frequency Database to industry partners for further development and commercialisation. It has also established a GMP-compliant facility for CRISPR-based gene therapy.

CSIR-IICT highlighted developments in manufacturing processes and therapeutic candidates, including Bempedoic Acid, Nicergoline intermediates, Tapentadol, lipoic acid, a TLR 7/8 agonist molecule used as a vaccine adjuvant in COVAXIN, and Favipiravir.