D.Rx, a mobile app for quick reference names, dosages and prices of drugs sold in India, Bioscoop, a safer and simple way to perform percutaneous liver biopsy, Uthishtami, an uplift device to help the elderly rise independently from a sitting position are among the 40 innovative medical devices and diagnostics launched by the Department of Biotechnology.

Highlighting that some of these innovative and ‘affordable” products had received USFDA clearances, and about 51 patents had been filed, Harsh Vardhan, the Minister of Science & Technology, said India will capture 10 per cent of the estimated $600 million global market share of medical technology by 2025.

At a press conference here on Tuesday, Vardhan said under the ‘Make in India’ initiative led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi innovation in health care and medical technology was of paramount importance.

Some of the products developed by the Department, in association with scientific institutions, industry and public health organisations, include “low-cost’ catheters, scanning devices, bandages, diagnostic devices, orthopaedic tools among others, which have been in the making for the past 9-10 years.

“This area has seen a large number of successful scientists’ entrepreneurs and young start-ups building their own enterprises,” said the Department’s Secretary Vijay Raghavan, adding that the aim was to ensure affordability, accessibility, availability and appropriateness.

“As an outcome, more than 100 innovators have been trained. Several national and international patents have been filed. About 30 prototypes have been developed and nine start-up companies have been established by the fellows and interns of this programme and 13 technologies have been licensed,” said an official statement.

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