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 

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.