The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, (MoCF) on March 10, 2025, issued Frequently Asked Questions on Scheme for Promotion of Research & Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector.
The PRIP (Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector) scheme, initiated by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, aims to enhance research and innovation in the Pharmaceutical and MedTech sectors. It focuses on rapid discovery, development, and commercialization of drugs, innovation in medical devices, promoting industry-academia collaboration, and transforming the sectors from cost-based to innovation-based models. The scheme comprises two components: Component A, which focuses on establishing Centers of Excellence (CoEs) at existing NIPERs, and Component B, which provides financial assistance to promote R&D in six priority areas, including New Chemical Entities, Complex Generics, Precision Medicine, Medical Devices, Orphan Drugs, and Drug Development for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
Under Component B, eligible applicants include pharmaceutical or MedTech companies, MSMEs, and startups meeting specific criteria. The component is divided into three categories: B-I, B-II, and B-III, with funding varying according to project size and type. B-I targets large companies collaborating with government institutions, B-II supports entities working on projects at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 5 or 6, and B-III focuses on startups and MSMEs working at TRL 1 to 4. The funding support ranges from up to ₹125 crores for large projects to ₹1 crore for startups, with a structured disbursement process based on milestone completion.
The PRIP scheme also outlines benefit-sharing models for successful commercialization of technologies/products, including revenue-sharing on net sales or equity options. The selection process for projects is expected to be completed within 90 days of application closure, with funding to be used for various project-related expenses such as manpower, clinical trials, regulatory processes, and equipment. Applicants are encouraged to complete their registration with the Entity Locker platform to streamline the authentication process during the application phase.
