Tech Transfer 2012- hundreds of Life Science technologies on offer

As a part of `Innovation Cluster' project, Foundation for MSME cluster is organising two tech transfer events, one in Hyderabad and second in Ahmedabad. This is continuation of tech transfer shows held in 2011.
For the 2012 events, Entrepreneur ready technologies are globally scouted and  accessed by IKP Knowledge Park.
The Hyderabad event is scheduled on 9th February at Hotel Katriya .
Contact person; Sourabh, 9347345392, sourabh.gargav@msmefoundation.org

Mosquito Repellent Wet Wipe from India

A product developed for Army now protects millions of babies . Mosquito Repellent Wet wipe is introduced in the civilian market by Jyothy laboratories Limited based on technology (Diethyl Phenylacetamide technology) developed in DRDE Gwalior lab. The tech transfer is facilitated by FICCI.

Product is priced at Rs 3/-.

iAccelerator (CIIE-IIMA) 2011 start-ups making investment pitch on 25th January 2012

Start-ups enrolled under CIIE iAccelerator program are making their pitch for investment and investors can see the demo physically at Ahmedabad or virtually, from anywhere in the world. 
contact; pranayg@iimahd.ernet.in . 
The line-up includes;
Croak.it created by Srinivasa Teja and Protik Roychowdhury, facilitating social net workers to croak on any web site like Facebbook. Mangoreder enables publishing interactive e books.There is TV Buddy for social networking of TV viewers, alma connect for colleges, colored.by giving a choice of 16.7 million colors, Framebench idea management software for architects & designers,mobile application provider ideophone , online advertising platform CAPTCHA, social media advertising platform  Zuvvuu etc.

Innovation awards for MSMEs: Drugs/Pharmaceuticals/Bio-pharmaceuticals- Hyderabad cluster

Several interesting innovations were shortlisted for this competition. Few given here;

1.Dr C Suresh Reddy of Nippy Chemicals developed AKG (Alpha Keto Glutoric Acid disodium salt) in partnership with DRDO. The product protects soldiers when they inhale cyanide.

2.Grace Drugs & Pharmaceuticals introduced in Indian market Liquid Filled two piece hard (Gelatin/ HPMC) capsules an alternative to Soft Gelatin technology.

3. Ocean Pharmacoat pvt ltd specializes in development of modified release pellets ( Ready to fill in capsules).

4.Herbochem developed process for extraction of Anti malarial drug-Artemesinin and farming practice for cultivation on over 1500 acres.

5.Nakoda Chemicals developed anti ulcer drug (Ecabet Sodium) and introduced the generic version in Japan.

6.Yegna Manojayam Drugs & Chemicals developed a process to reduce effluents by 50% cutting cost of production of Antibacterial formulations.

7. JC Biotech Pvt Ltd developed a commercially viable and eco friendly fermentation technology for manufacture of DHA, isolating microorganism from fallen mangrove leaves of Coringa river in East Godavari.

8. Symed labs limited invented a novel crystalline form of antibacterial API Linezolid.

9.Sigachi Chloro Chemicals developed a novel filtration technique for manufacture of Micro crystalline cellulose (MCC).

10.IMIS Pharmaceuticals developed  in-house a Capsule polishing devices at a fraction of brush type machine available in market.

Indian Innovators Association (IIA)-new year (2012) wish list

Time for new year wishes. IIA wish list for 2012:


1. Start local chapters: IIA is present in virtual world providing information and mentoring support to paid members and other innovators. Many innovators desired physical meetings and value added services for members. In the year 2012, IIA plans to start local chapters, starting with Ahmedabad & Hyderabad.


2. Promote Technology Management Professionals: Technology Management at firm level needs services of several professionals and IIA plans to develop market for their services in the commercial market.


3. Support regional entrepreneurial  networks: Initiatives on foot by stakeholders to build local entrepreneurial networks. IIA plans to support the local initiatives to form local networks with global/ national connectivity. 


Welcome your suggestions... 

Pitch your biotechnology business idea

There are several platforms to pitch in your idea in IT sector but few in BT. One such opportunity is here.
Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM), Gujarat Venture Finance Limited (GVFL) & Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC) along with SkyQuest Technology Consulting Pvt. Ltd are organising `Biotechnopreenur camps' in different parts of Gujarat- Ahmedabad , Mehsana, Rajkot,| Surat,| Vadodara and innovators get an opportunity to present their ideas in these camps. contact:. Neha Jhala on neha.jhala@skyquestt.com

last date:  10th January 2012.

WHERE GOOD IDEAS COME FROM by Steven Johnson

Next Wave of Technology Partnering

India has not adopted the import-innovate-export paradigm of ASEAN countries, yet the
gains in absorption capacity of Indian firms seem impressive. As India has not followed the
trajectory of ASEAN neighbors, it is interesting to examine the future scenarios of technology
partnering. 


Would large Indian firms form strategic alliances or scale-up sponsored research
projects? 
Will there be more joint ventures with European SMEs? 


This paper looks at the work of several authors on Indian technological capabilities and state of university Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs). Taking into account the move away from joint ventures to specialists for disembodied knowledge and need for TTOs to capitalize long tail of low revenue technologies, a scenario is projected for next wave of technology partnering. 
Scenario:
It is envisaged there would be a pipe, choke full of technologies, connecting knowledge clusters with production clusters, cutting across nations. IT tools reducing transaction costs and national
measures enforcing IP rights could be the key enablers.


Read the paper at: ASCI Journal of Management 41(1): 46–52
or write for complementary copy.

Opportunity for professionals to work on world bank funded Technology Commercialization Project in Kazakahstan

A global consortium led Skyquest has been shortlisted in phase-1 of  this TCO project (RFP № KZ/TCP/QCBS-01) and is in the process of identifying professionals.
For professionals willing to spend 3 years (2012-2015) in beautiful Kazakhstan, here is the opportunity to join the team at this bidding stage. Check your suitability for the following positions:
1.IP Analyst: Minimum 5 years experience in a TTO of university or corporation.
2.Business Information Officer: MBA with 5 years experience working in an incubator or investors.
3.Licensing officer: MBA or PhD with 5 years experience in negotiating licensing and skilled in using technology transfer software.
4.Business Development Officer: MBA or PhD with 5 years experience in business development projects in university like entrepreneurship, mentoring.
5.Marketing .& Industry partnership officer: MBA or PhD with experience in licensing to large commercial firms locally and globally.


Interested- send your brief resume to Neha Jhala, neha.jhala@skyquestt.com
Last date: 12/11/2011

Lab for Assistive Technologies at BVRIT

Dr.B.V.Raju hails from an agricultural family of Kumudavalli Village near Bhimavaram, West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. He graduated in Chemical Engineering from Benaras Hindu University.Started in Cement industry, rose to become CMD of Cement Corporation of India. He became entrepreneur after retirement, promoted Raasi Cement in 1978. It soon emerged as low cost producer with capacity of 1.60mptpa and sold its 32% stake to Indian Cement Ltd in a negotiated deal in 1998.An ailing company Shez  cement was taken over in 1999 and renamed as Anjani Portland cement,followed by Powder Research Centre and BV Raju Institute of Cement Technology.


The entrepreneurial journey changed track with focus on education, several educational institutes were founded in Bheemavaram, Hyderabad. A lab for assistive technologies is in operation in the BV Raju Institute of Technology supported by Prof Alan Rux of UMASS Assistive Technology team. Visited this center on 3rd and the was impressed with zeal and energy of students working on various projects.

WIPO Re:Search database on Intellectual property

 WIPO Re:Search, is a new consortium where public and private sector organizations share valuable intellectual property and expertise with the global health research community to promote development of new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics to treat neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and tuberculosis. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, MSD1, Novartis, Pfizer, and Sanofi are collaborating with WIPO, BVGH, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), and multiple non-profit research organizations. These include the California Institute of Technology, the Center for World Health & Medicine, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Medicines for Malaria Venture, PATH, the South African Medical Research Council, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Dundee (UK).

Ant Ceramics: start-up in advanced materials

Ant Ceramics is a start-up in manufacturing with several unique elements:

• a research based start-up, continuously drawing on research done at IIT Kharagpur,
• co-incubated at two places, IIT Kharagpur and CIIE-IIMA,
• started with ceramic products for lab ware but continuously expanded products and global reach,
• technological innovation and business innovation carried out in parallel, 
• raised initial capital from family, friends and government grants.

iPhone 4S - Siri -DARPA - IIT Kanpur-Acharya Girish

The great innovation eco-system of US is evident again.One of the most talked about innovation in  iPhone 4S is voice controlled personal assistant application Siri, which was funded by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under its Perceptive Assistant that Learns (PAL) program involving . And this sponsored project brought together leading computer scientists and researchers in artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, knowledge representation, human-computer interaction, flexible planning, and behavioral studies at 22 organizations. A happy Indian connection is Engineering Director Acharya Girish a product of IIT Kanpur.

Vote for the greatest innovator of the past decade

As part of their “A Decade of Celebrating World-Changing Innovation”, The Economist is showcasing the past winners within seven categories and asking people to vote for their favorite. Business Process is dominated by Indians- Ratan Tata, Narayana Murthy and Sam Pitroda. Vote for the best of the decade.Voting closes on October 14th. 

10 Life-Altering Inventions We Now Take for Granted

Reader Jennifer Lynch shared links to this interesting post:
http://www.toponlinecolleges.com/blog/2011/10-life-altering-inventions-we-now-take-for-granted/
Thank U Jennifer.

i2i Challenge Request for Proposals

The Graduate Management Admission Council MET Fund Ideas to Innovation (i2i) Challenge is looking for thought leaders who are ready to become true agents of change by submitting a proposal to implement one or more of the 20 great ideas selected earlier this year to improve graduate management education. The ideas were chosen from entries submitted by more than 650 individuals from 60 countries in four categories — strategy, curriculum, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Your school could win a grant to put your own implementation plan into action and up to US$8 million in funds is available. Last date: December 16, 2011
Contact: Allen Brandt , Director, GMAC MET Fund ,  Graduate Management Admission Council 
Ideas to Innovation (i2i) Challenge , metfund@gmac.com

'TATA First Dot'- a platform for student start-ups

Apart from student start-ups, students with ideas yet not started a company can also apply. Mentoring support is provided by NEN network.

Ensuring Safe Transitions from Hospital to Home Challenge

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)  is challenging software developers to improve care transitions and build upon these tools by generating an intuitive and easy-to-use application to empower patients and caregivers that fits into existing ways that providers communicate. 

The ideal application will:

• Incorporate the content of the CMS Discharge Checklist
• Help patients and caregivers access the information and materials needed to answer the checklist’s questions about their condition, their medications and medical equipment, and their post-discharge plans
• Share this information with doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other professionals in their next care setting.

• Total Prizes: $40,000 Deadline: November 16,2011.   

Boot Camp and Entrepreneurship Competition for life science start-ups

The 2012 Bio-Business Plan Competition is now open. 

The six best competing teams will receive BioCity Nottingham’s Bio-Entrepreneurship and Business development training (Bootcamp) at C-CAMP, NCBS, Bangalore. Successful finalists will also receive team-mentoring and support from professional business advisors who can further help them in the development of a full business plan, before pitching their business to an influential panel of judges from the bio-business industry. The winner will be chosen at a Grand Finale, during the UK-India Innovation and Leadership Meeting, scheduled on 5-6th March 2012, in Bangalore. The winner will receive a package of benefits worth over Rs 15 Lakhs.

The closing deadline for applications is 15th October 2011.

Cleaning lakes of water hyacinth- Innovation from Hyderabad

Growth of water hyacinth has been prolific in many lakes resulting in breeding of vectors and consequently causing endemic diseases.  De-weeding/hyacinth control or removal is practiced with biological, chemical, mechanical and manual measures. Imported harvesters are used for cleaning Dal Lake. Most others either try manual methods but regeneration being faster than removal, lakes sooner than later get covered with water hyacinth. Residents at most locations gave up hope of seeing clean water or fish. 

This problem is addressed in Hyderabad by developing a mobile cutter, which can be brought upto the lake front. I had an opportunity to see this clearing during my visit to Hyderabad on 30th September. See the photographs. 

Want to clear your lake- write to Creative Minds-Innovators cooperative,    Creative Minds, 1-1-336/64, vivek nagar colony, Chikkadapally, Hyderabad 500 002, creativemindsap@gmail.com