Panjab University looks to industry for commercialising patents

Akashdeep Virk

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Chandigarh, July 29

Panjab University (PU) was granted 47 patents from January 2023 to April this year. During the year 2022, 12 patents were granted to the university. The highest number of patents came in the field of pharmaceutical science.

“Efforts are being made to connect researchers with industrial sector so that technologies developed can be commercialised,” said Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig. She added that during the assessment period 2017-22 for NAAC accreditation, the university had published 55 researches and was granted patents for nearly 30.

“Earlier, faculty members published papers in journals rather than filing patents,” said the VC when asked about the rise in the number patents granted to the university.

Giving an insight on university’s plans to boost research and commercialise final products, Prof Manu Sharma, Director, Centre for Industry Institute Partnership Programme, said, “We are organising a transfer of technology conference in association with Punjab State Council for Science and Technology on November 22 and 23 this year. Each scientist will be given 10 minutes for articulation of his/her patent before people from industries. The aim is to transfer the invention from academia to industry.”

Dr Indu Pal Kaur, professor, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, was granted five patents as the primary inventor of the product. On November 9 last year, she was granted the patent in association with Atin Kalra for orally dispersible taste masked formulations of bitter drugs. “Most antiviral drugs are very bitter with poor bioavailability. There is hardly any organised research happening in the area to design child-friendly dosages that can ensure delivery of efficient and correct dose to kids. This technology describes fast dissolving mini tablets and films for bitter antiviral drugs,” said Prof Kaur.

Prof Dr Maninder Karan, Prof Dr Karan Vasisht and junior research fellow Meenakshi Verma of the department were granted patent for ‘Novel polyherbal composition for prevention and treatment of inflammation and arthritis’.

“Arthritis is a painful, chronic and inflammatory disease of both old and young. It requires long-term treatment. Sometimes, the treatment has to be taken throughout life. Most treatments have serious side-effects, most common being gastric effects. This invention is based on an innovative and unique natural remedy which is as effective as synthetic drugs but without any gastric side-effect, rather it provides additional gastric protection and can be taken orally or applied locally,” said Dr Karan.

Prof Seema Kapoor of Dr SS Bhatnagar University Institute of Chemical Engineering amp; Technology, PU, in association with Professor Uma Batra of the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Punjab Engineering College, was granted a patent for ‘Multi-substituted calcium phosphate for biomedical applications and the method of synthesis thereof’ in February this year. Prof Kapoor said the patented product offers significant benefits for treating various bone and dental-related issues and can be commercially manufactured.

Investors’ Summit next year

Panjab University is organising an Investors’ Summit from March 3 to March 5 next year, registrations for which would close on August 31. Entrepreneurs will pitch their business plans before investors. For participation in the summit, business plan has to be around some patented technology. The Department of Science amp; Technology-sponsored Technology Enabling Centre of the PU will conduct 10 training sessions and give as many assignments so as to prepare budding entrepreneurs for the summit.