Against the backdrop of India’s continuing battle with malaria—particularly in endemic and hard-to-reach regions—the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has invited expressions of interest (EoI) from eligible companies and manufacturers for the transfer of technology and commercialisation of a process to detect species-specific malaria parasites.
Despite sustained control efforts, malaria remains a public health concern in several states, with periodic outbreaks and a persistent burden in tribal and rural areas. Challenges such as delayed diagnosis, mixed infections, and variability in parasite species have often complicated treatment outcomes and disease management.
The technology, developed by the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), is designed to differentiate species of Plasmodium based on mitochondrial regions. It enables precise identification of key malaria-causing species, including Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium ovale.
Malaria is a vector-borne disease transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Among the species infecting humans, P. falciparum is the most severe and accounts for the majority of malaria-related deaths, while P. vivax is more widespread and often associated with recurrent infections.
Public health experts note that one of the key challenges in malaria control in India is the accurate and timely identification of parasite species. In many settings, diagnosis is limited to rapid tests that may not distinguish between species or detect mixed infections. This can lead to inappropriate treatment, relapse, and increased transmission, particularly in regions with a high disease burden.
The newly developed technology is expected to address these gaps by enabling reliable, species-level detection, thereby supporting more targeted and effective treatment strategies. Accurate differentiation is crucial, as treatment protocols vary between species, and misdiagnosis can result in complications or drug resistance.
The EoI seeks to identify industry partners willing to undertake technology transfer, further development, validation, and large-scale commercial production of the diagnostic process. Selected companies will be granted rights to manufacture, market, and commercialise the technology, subject to regulatory approvals.
Officials said the agreement would allow multiple companies to adopt and scale the technology. This is expected to ensure wider accessibility, particularly in malaria-endemic regions where improved diagnostics are most needed.
As per the ICMR, it will provide technical expertise and institutional support to collaborating organisations. This includes assistance in study design, product development, protocol formulation, data analysis, and evaluation of safety and efficacy, based on mutually agreed terms.
In addition, ICMR may facilitate research and clinical validation through its network of institutes, enabling companies to test the technology under field conditions. Such collaborations are expected to accelerate the translation of laboratory innovations into deployable healthcare solutions.
Participating companies will be required to ensure the necessary infrastructure, manpower, and resources for product development, validation, and scale-up. They will also be responsible for obtaining regulatory approvals for commercialisation while adhering to agreed data-sharing and quality standards.
The last date for submission is 6 April 2026. “By improving diagnostic precision, the technology is expected to enhance malaria surveillance, enable timely intervention, and contribute to India’s ongoing efforts towards malaria elimination,” said the officials.
