Ten teams selected for finals; Metamorphosis 2012

The competition to develop matching innovative business plans ( by B school students) for innovative technologies ( in health care, mostly by independent innovators) enters the final phase- ten teams were invited to make presentation at ISB on 25th Feb 2012.The innovations selected include, Sritailam herbal oil, Cosmetic Formulation for Lipsticks/ Eye Shadow/Rouges with Natural ingredients, Mechanism to check counterfeiting of drugs, Spherical swabs for medical application,Vigor-herbal drug for erectile dysfunction, Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer , Water based spermicidal contraceptive.

Vote for the most Innovative Indian company

Creativity and Innovation need to be celebrated on large scale and by society. In this first of its kind, Innovaccer, launched `I Love Innovations' on Valentines Day. No need to send gifts to the company/ institute you love for their innovations, just vote on line, before 21st Feb. 

Commercialization of major agro innovations-Slow-Release Micronutrient Fertilizer and Liquid Feriliser

Attended NIABI 2012 and made a brief presentation on Design for Diffusion. While I talked about diffusion theory, my co-speakers Ms Gupta (FICCI) and Dr Vyas (AAU) gave practical examples of diffusion by way of  licensing to LARGE Indian firms. 

First is on Slow Release Micronutrient Fertiliser , result of 2 decades of passion & effort by Scientist Dr Chandrika Varadachari, one of the few Young Scientists whose potential was recognized early by DST and the scientist delivered. Great work by FICCI, Nirankar & his team connecting innovators to Indian firms. Second is Liquid Fertiliser  ( Anubhav Liquid Bio-fertilizers) developed by Anand Agricultural University and technology licensed to GSFC. Again a great achievement by Dr RV Vyas and his team.

Many more opportunities for in-licensing by Indian firms: Agribusiness Knowledge Centre (AKC), NAARM campus, Hyderabad has prepared report `Technology Assessment and Commercialisation Evaluation' of selected agribusiness innovations as a follow of Technology Commercialisation workshop held at NAARM (Sept 29th to 1st october 2011). For copies contact: DSK Rao, Director, Agribusiness Knowledge Centre, NAARM Campus, Rajendra Nagar,Hyderabad - 500 407, Tel:   +91-40-24581380, Cell:  +91-9440051847

Antiviral polysaccharides: technology on offer

The Herpes Simplex virus is presently treated with Acyclovir. Many strains are developing resistance to this drug. Extracellular Polysaccharides (EPS) from marine organisms are now being increasingly found to be effective against a variety of viruses, particularly HSV. The present marine microbial source from Myko Tech is novel and a patent has been filed.

Summary of work carried out so far: A 100 % neutralization of the cytopathic effect caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 in animal cell lines has been achieved using just about 20 μg per ml of the EPS. No cytotoxic effects were noticed at this dosage. The effects were comparable to Acyclovir and the EPS is expected to be active even against Acyclovir-resistant strains of HSV.

Contact person : Dr Raghukumar (9098904 50007),Goa, India

The 2012 edition of the R&D 100 Awards

The 2012 edition of the R&D 100 Awards marks a milestone: The 50^th anniversary of the technology awards known as “The Oscars of Innovation".The editors are now accepting entries for the 2012 edition of the R&D 100 Awards. Each year, the editors and judges review hundreds of entries representing a broad range of technology innovations. Last year, winners included a differential scanning calorimeter, a phased array radar panel, and a bridge constructed from recycled plastic. If you introduced an innovative product in 2011, it could be a candidate for an R&D 100 Award.
The competition is open to any new technical product or process that was launched—first available for purchase or licensing—between Jan. 1, 2011, and Dec. 31, 2011. Proof-of-concept prototypes do not qualify; the submitted entry must be in working, marketable condition. Products requiring regulatory approval, such as drugs and medical devices, must have completed all trials and received approval for marketing by a governing regulatory authority such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or international counterparts. The awards are open to industry, academia, and government-sponsored research from any geographic area.
Companies must complete and submit an entry form, pay the entry fee, and submit all documentation electronically by March 16, 2012