A diagnostic kit for the detection of Omicron variant of coronavirus has been designed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and it has also invited Expression of Interest from in vitro diagnostics (IVD) kit manufacturers for undertaking assignment of technology for its development and commercialisation.
The ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, NE, Dibrugarh which is one of the institutes of the ICMR, New Delhi, has developed a novel technology — real-time RT-PCR examination for detection of Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV2 and equipment for the same.
“ICMR is the owner of the said technology, including any underlying intellectual property(ies) and commercialisation rights. ICMR is lawfully entitled to enter into any form of non-exclusive license agreements with selected manufacturer/manufacturers, including transfer of technology through suitable agreement to any other interested manufacturers,” the invitation of Expression of Interest document said.
“ICMR, New Delhi, invites Expression of Interest (EOI) through email from experienced IVD kit manufacturers for undertaking transfer of technology for development and commercialisation of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) Real time RT-PCR assay (RT-PCR) through a novel diagnostic kit, developed by ICMR,” the invitation of EoI said.
Subject to the terms and conditions of an agreement, more particularly a license agreement, ICMR shall grant anon-exclusive license to the manufacturer, a kingliness bearing right and license to use and exercise the technology and process (” certified technology”) to manufacture, vend and commercialise the product, including anon-exclusive right to manufacture, vend and vend products worldwide and the right to use licensed technology for manufacturing products worldwide.
The agreement, following EoI, is proposed to be executed on”non-exclusive” base with multiple manufacturers due to the expansive demand of SARS-CoV2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) real- time RT-PCR assay that’s being imaged, the document said.