New call boosts pharma innovation
Key Highlights
- The Department of Pharmaceuticals has announced the second call under the ₹5,000-crore PRIP Scheme.
- Startups, MSMEs and large companies can apply for support in pharmaceutical and MedTech innovation.
- Early-stage projects can receive financial assistance of up to ₹5 crore.
- Later-stage projects can receive support of up to ₹100 crore.
- The scheme focuses on advancing technologies across higher Technology Readiness Levels.
- Priority areas include new medicines, biosimilars, complex generics and advanced medical devices.
- The PRIP portal is expected to open for submissions by mid-September.
New Delhi, August 29, 2026: The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers has announced the second call for applications under the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma & MedTech (PRIP) Scheme, backed by a financial outlay of ₹5,000 crore.
The scheme is aimed at strengthening India’s pharmaceutical and medical technology research and development ecosystem by supporting startups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and larger companies working on innovative products and technologies.
The PRIP Scheme is designed to help projects progress towards higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), supporting the development and commercialisation of promising pharmaceutical and MedTech innovations.
Applications will be invited under two separate tracks for early-stage and later-stage projects.
Under the early-stage track, startups and MSMEs developing products or technologies at TRL 1, 2 or 3 can seek support to advance their projects up to TRL 5. Applicants will initially submit a Concept Note, after which shortlisted projects will be invited to submit detailed applications.
Eligible startups and MSMEs, along with ecosystem enablers representing promising projects within their networks, will be able to submit Concept Notes under this category. Financial assistance of up to ₹5 crore per project will be available for eligible early-stage innovations.
The later-stage track will cover projects involving products and technologies at TRL 4, 5 or 6. Industry participants, startups and MSMEs can submit detailed applications directly under this category.
Eligible later-stage projects can receive financial assistance of up to ₹100 crore per project. The support will be capped at 35 per cent of the approved total project cost, while applicants will be required to arrange co-funding for the remaining amount.
The PRIP portal is expected to open for submissions by mid-September. Applicants who submitted projects during PRIP Round 1 have been advised not to submit the same projects again.
The priority areas identified under the scheme include new medicines, complex generics, biosimilars and novel medical devices.
Advanced MedTech areas eligible for focus include AI and machine learning-based medical devices, Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), Software in a Medical Device (SiMD), genetic technology-based diagnostic solutions, robotic surgical devices, telemedicine-enabled devices and novel in vitro diagnostic medical devices.
The scheme also highlights emerging technologies such as biomarkers that can support precision medicine and more personalised healthcare solutions.
Launched in 2023, the PRIP Scheme is part of India’s broader effort to strengthen research infrastructure, expand pharmaceutical innovation capabilities and develop skilled talent within the sector.
The programme also includes mentorship and collaboration initiatives such as MedTech Mitra and Patent Mitra, which are intended to help innovators connect with industry experts, improve commercialisation opportunities and bring viable technologies closer to the market.
With its second call for applications, the ₹5,000-crore PRIP Scheme is expected to provide another opportunity for India’s growing network of pharmaceutical and MedTech innovators to secure support for research, product development and advanced technology commercialisation.
