PRIP Scheme: Boosting Research & Innovation in Pharma-MedTech

PROMOTION OF Research & Innovation IN Pharma-MedTech (PRIP) SCHEME

Overview

The Promotion of Research & Innovation in Pharma-MedTech (PRIP) Scheme is a ₹5,000-crore initiative launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to strengthen India’s capabilities in pharmaceutical and medical technology research. It aims to support around 300 R&D projects with a combined investment of nearly ₹11,000 crore, focusing on new medicines, biosimilars, complex generics, and novel medical devices.

1. Objective

The primary goal of the PRIP Scheme is to transform India’s drug manufacturing from a generic-driven industry into an innovation-led sector. It seeks to promote the creation of intellectual property (IP)-based products rather than mere replication of existing formulations.

2. How the Scheme Works

For Early-Stage Projects:

Startups and MSMEs can receive financial assistance of up to ₹5 crore for projects with a total cost of up to ₹9 crore.
Example: A biotech startup developing a new insulin formulation can get around 55% of its project cost funded through PRIP support.

For Advanced-Stage Projects:

Established pharmaceutical companies can obtain up to ₹25 crore (or 35% of the project cost), with a maximum cap of ₹100 crore per firm.
Example: A firm working on an indigenous cancer drug may receive financial assistance for research infrastructure, clinical trials, and technology validation.

3. Are These Incentives Enough?

The incentives offered under PRIP represent a strong beginning for India’s transition towards complex generics and biosimilars. However, creating breakthrough drugs requires:

- Long gestation periods
- Highly skilled researchers
- Advanced testing infrastructure
- Sustained funding and collaboration

While PRIP can help startups and MSMEs innovate, long-term success will depend on factors like regulatory efficiency, strong patent protection, and private sector participation.

4. Challenges

- High costs of clinical trials and limited testing infrastructure.
- Regulatory delays and inconsistent funding.
- Difficulty for smaller firms to meet eligibility requirements.
- Weak coordination between academia and industry.

5. What Else Is Needed

To ensure the scheme’s effectiveness, India needs:

- Stronger academia-industry linkages through dedicated research hubs and incubators.
- Digital health platforms for faster clinical trials and data sharing.
- Public-private partnerships (PPP) to improve R&D productivity.
- Stable, long-term funding for biosimilar and novel drug testing.

6. Expected Outcomes

- Significant boost in R&D activity and indigenous drug discovery.
- Creation of an IP-rich pharma ecosystem.
- Enhanced global competitiveness of Indian pharmaceutical and MedTech firms.
- Growth of startups and MSMEs in biotechnology and medical devices.
- Establishment of India as a drug innovation hub, not merely a low-cost producer.

Example in Context:
If an Indian company develops an anti-malarial drug using PRIP funding, it could reduce dependence on imported formulations and build a patent-owned product line — similar to how India successfully developed its own COVID-19 vaccines through domestic R&D.