This discussion meeting was truly a meeting of the minds of scientists, technologists, academicians, incubatee companies, administrators and Voluntary Organizations to brain storm how to bridge the gap between technology developed in labs and field level commercial usage.

1. Bridging innovations in academic institutions
to society –
A discussion meeting
Organized by
National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore &
Thematic Unit of Excellence, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
At
National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore
Sponsored by
Department of Science and Technology
April 28-29, 2015
Rajeev Kumar
Secretary to the Government of West Bengal

2. Approach (from Tier 4) end
• Frontline technology
• Adapted to be simple and robust
• Adaptable for usage at community level
– Time period; takers / no takers; feedback; localized..
• Saleable …political support
– Local salespersons / create jobs
• Individual focused
• Community oriented……locations / spokespersons
• Marketable……
• Handholding ?

3. Recipient end
• PROBLEMS
– No clarity in policy / no policy
– Plethora of interests
– Good intentions need double the effort and ‘n’ times
patience
• WISH LIST:
• INSTITUTIONALIZATION …Make in India / Ease of Doing Business..
– R & D B Y I N D I A
– Why researchers, entrepreneurs and users will work
together?
– Statutory framework
• national policy on ‘lab to field’
– Sharing of ownership, technology, royalties
– Integrate testing with implementation
• Thrive in diversity for implementation

4. Recipient end (contd.)
– Closed loop approach
– Hand holding for tech developers
• Data warehouse:
– Empirical analysis
– Technology – replicability – adaptability – test reports -
• ICPSR - The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social
Research (Univ of Maryland)
• Procurement policy
• Need standards for intervention / evaluation:
– Safe drinking water
– Sanitation (Latrines)
– Primary education
– Clean cook stoves
– MORE……..

5. Way forward?
 Policy on patents
 Should govt. take patent to discoveries it funded?
 Two views
Need for clear rights for private initiative
Broader goals of public research
Amendments to the Patent and Trademark Act (“Bayh-Dole” Act)
 Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980
 Ownership of exclusive patents as an incentive for
commercialization of technology within a reasonable
period.
 Government owned contractor operated facilities
 Cooperative R & D agreements (CRADAs)
 Between govt labs and industry
 Technology transfer offices in labs and universities

6. Thanks
Prof Baldev Raj, National Institute of Advanced
Studies Bangalore
Pradeep Research Group, Indian Institute of
Technology Madras
Government of West Bengal