The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched a call for proposals as part of its Centre for Advanced Research (CAR) initiative, aimed at supporting clinical studies focused on novel medical device and diagnostic technologies developed through the ICMR-DHR-Centre of Excellence (CoEs) collaboration across various Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
This initiative is a segment of the extensive ICMR-Medical Device & Diagnostics Mission Secretariat (MDMS), which aims to propel the progress of high-priority medical devices and diagnostics that are vital for public health advancements in India.
The CAR program is inviting submissions from both governmental and non-governmental entities that possess the requisite infrastructure and competence to undertake clinical evaluation studies for technologies that have attained a stage necessitating validation through clinical trials. These technologies, under the guidance of ICMR’s Medical Device & Diagnostics Mission, are geared to tackle prominent healthcare challenges and facilitate the development of secure and efficacious products for broad societal benefit.
The call highlights an array of pioneering medical devices and diagnostic inventions, including rehabilitation tools, cancer treatment devices, disease detection innovations, and more. Noteworthy technologies include ArmAble – a game-enhanced upper limb rehabilitative device for stroke survivors, an AI-driven platform for cervical cancer screening designed to aid pathologists in early detection through digital imaging, electrochemotherapy apparatus for cancer care, an AI-centric portable platform for cervical cancer screening intended for primary healthcare environments, and Point-of-Care devices for diagnosing dengue, malaria, and sickle cell anemia, all engineered to deliver immediate diagnostic outcomes.
Eligible proposals will encompass diverse clinical evaluation studies aimed at validating these innovations and ensuring their compliance with regulatory standards as outlined by the Medical Device Rules, 2017.
The primary goals of the CAR program are to forge a dependable network for the validation of medical devices and diagnostics within India, encourage innovation and safety, and cultivate technologies that are safe, effective, and adhere to regulatory standards.
The CAR framework presents a distinctive chance to propel the clinical assessment of breakthrough medical technologies, aiding the creation of solutions that could revolutionize healthcare service delivery across India.
Funding for each CAR project can reach up to Rs. 15 crore, with an expected project duration of five years. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to conduct clinical research at state-of-the-art facilities, advancing the validation and enhancement of these technologies for broader application.