New Delhi:
The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, has launched the official PRIP Portal for its landmark ₹5,000-crore Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP) scheme. The goal: to make India a global innovation hub in pharmaceutical R&D and medical technology development.
What is PRIP?
PRIP is a government-funded initiative aimed at strengthening research and development (R&D) in India’s pharma and medtech sectors. With India already a leader in generic drug manufacturing, PRIP is designed to shift the focus toward innovative drug development, medical devices, and advanced healthcare solutions.
Why India Needs PRIP
Despite being the third-largest pharmaceutical market by volume, India spends only about $3 billion on pharma R&D, far behind global giants like the United States ($60 billion) and China ($20 billion).
“The PRIP scheme addresses this innovation gap by promoting both infrastructure and direct financial support for Indian pharmaceutical and medtech research,” said a senior government official.
PRIP’s Two Key Components
1. Strengthening Research Infrastructure
- Establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) at seven existing National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPERs).
- Focused on creating academic–industry collaboration spaces for breakthrough innovation.
2. Funding for Pharma & MedTech R&D
- Direct funding for companies and startups in six strategic areas:
- Drug discovery and development
- Medical devices
- Stem cell therapy
- Rare disease treatments
- Solutions for drug-resistant infections
- Biotech and diagnostics
Who Can Apply?
- Large companies: Up to ₹125 crore over five years.
- Startups: Up to ₹1 crore, milestone-based.
- Applications can be submitted directly through the live PRIP online portal, streamlining the entire funding process.
“With the PRIP portal now operational, pharma companies, medtech firms, and startups can easily register and access innovation grants,” said the official.
Pharma Sector Snapshot (2025)
- India’s pharma market size: $50 billion
- Domestic sales: $23.5 billion
- Exports: $26.5 billion
- India supplies 20% of the world’s generic medicines
- Over 50% of Indian drug exports go to the U.S., EU, and Japan
Industry Reactions
Sheetal Arora, CEO of Mankind Pharma, welcomed the move:
“PRIP is a game-changer for Indian pharma. It’s the right push we need to move from volume to value. With this ₹5,000 crore boost, we could unlock another ₹17,000 crore in private R&D investment by FY28. It’s a major step toward global competitiveness.”
