Technology Transfer Office
About IPCD: Connecting BITS Pilani to the World
BITS Pilani came into existence as a Deemed-to-be University under Section 3 of the UGC Act in the year 1964. In its formative years, the Institute partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, USA. It adopted a semester system, a modular structure of courses, continuous and internal evaluation, letter grading, and the like. It also created linkages with the industries, which yielded structured “Practice Schools” as an integral component of education. To further expand collaborative participation in research and teaching, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) have been signed with various universities and industries both domestically and internationally. This would strengthen educational and research linkages, as well as the exchange of faculty and students, to achieve state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities in various fields of Engineering and Science.
The Role and Scope of the Technology Transfer Office at BITS Pilani
- Identify potential Technology Transfer Activities and Intellectual Property issues relating to innovations, scientific discoveries and inventions.
- Capitalise on the Innovations made, having potential for a commercial ventures.
- Advise and facilitate the Faculty in understanding relevant intellectual property and technology transfer issues, including developing and interpreting policy.
- Represent the Institute's interest in intellectual property and technology transfer to external organisations.
Technologies Ready for Transfer
Description:
The invention relates to the development of a polymeric micellar system for glutathione-mediated intracellular delivery of the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) by synthesising an amphiphilic polymer, methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D, L-lactide) disulfide-Ce6 (mPEG-PLA-S-S-Ce6), which self-assembles in aqueous media to form micelles. The nanocarrier system for faster drug release and enhanced therapeutic effect. The GSH-mediated intracellular drug delivery was studied in mouse mammary carcinoma cells (4T1) and human alveolar adenocarcinoma cells (A549) by pretreating the cells with either buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) or glutathione monoester (GSH-OEt), thereby increasing or decreasing cytoplasmic GSH levels.
Key Features & Benefits:
- The micellar form of Ce6 improves solubility, stability, and cellular uptake, as well as passive tumour-targeted delivery, thereby reducing non-specific side effects.
- mPEG-PLA-S-S-Ce6 polymeric micelles are a surprisingly effective redox-responsive system for Ce6-mediated photodynamic therapy.
Innovator(s):
Swati Biswas, Balaram Ghosh, Preeti Kumari, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Potential Application& Industries:
We would promote the application of this drug delivery system to pharmaceutical companies developing nanoformulations for cancer therapy. However, given the pharmaceutical industry/customer interest in certain cancers and chemotherapeutic agents, our drug delivery system will be validated in additional animal models or advanced to the next stage.
Patent Status: Granted
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:3
Technology Description:
- This invention is an amalgam of hardware and software systems. The developed hardware will be used to acquire quality images, whereas the developed software will process the captured images to get the desired output.
- The hardware features two 4MP industrial cameras, mounted on an opal-frosted white acrylic sheet supported by backlit LEDs with adjustable light intensity, with silver foil on the enclosed side.
- From a software perspective, the overall processing is divided into two broad categories based on the techniques used. One category is based on image processing, and the other is based on the application of a deep learning algorithm.
Key Features & Benefits:
- It will help identify assembly fastening elements with greater accuracy and in less time.
- It will also be useful for determining the dimensions (length, width/diameter, and pitch) of fastening components.
- It will also be useful for approving and maintaining a record of all fastening elements entering different levels of assembly integration.
Innovators: Faisal Mushtaq, Kaki Ramesh, Sandip Shridharrao Deshmukh, Chandu Parimi, Tathagata Ray, Praveen Tandon, Pramod Jha (Jointly filed by DRDO and Mechanical Engineering, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus)
Potential Application & Industries: Mechanical and Manufacturing industries
Patent Status: Filed in India
Patent #: 202111054493
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? Yes
Current TRL Level: TRL-
Description:
The present invention relates to a biodegradable ocular patch for treating eye infections and a method of preparing the same.
Key Features & Benefits:
- The product of the present invention overcomes the stability issues of amphotericin
- It enables sustained drug release to reduce the frequency of administration
- Increase patient compliance
Innovator(s):
Nirmal Jayabalan, Velmurugan Kailasam, Prashant Garg, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Potential Application& Industries:
- The formulation can be used for ocular diseases
- Scalable for industries
Patent Status: Filed
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:3
Description:
A nanomicellar formulation loaded with natamycin to treat ocular fungal infection. Nanomicelles enhance the solubility and permeation of natamycin across the cornea.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Improving the corneal permeation and solubility of natamycin.
- Reducing dose and dosing frequency.
- Hence, improving patient compliance.
Innovator(s):
Nirmal, Jayabalan, Priyadarshini Sathe, Velmurugan Kailasam, Prashant Garg
Department & Campus:
Pharmacy, Hyderabad
Potential Application& Industries:
- The method of preparation has potential for large-scale production.
- The formulation can be used to treat ocular fungal infections.
Patent Status: Provisional patent filed
Patent #:IN202111058586
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:3
Description:
The present invention relates to a system and method for determining the viscosity of a fluid and, more particularly, to a microfluidic-based system and method for determining the viscosity of a fluid.
Key Features & Benefits:
Analytical tools for the biological and chemical sciences
Innovator(s):
Sanket Goel and Puneeth S B, Department & Campus: EEE, Hyderabad Campus
Potential Application:
- Handheld and portable with miniaturised electronics
- For monitoring the adulteration of various fluids
Potential Industries:
- Automobiles industry
- Healthcare sector
- Food / Milk industry
Validation & Trials Conducted: Trials conducted on milk and automobile fuel Samples
Patent Status: Filed (India)
Patent #:201711031122
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:4
Description:
Microfluidic electro-viscometer to determine the relative viscosity of a fluid. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the microfluidic electro-viscometer to determine the relative viscosity of a fluid, as well as a method of determining the relative viscosity of a sample fluid.
Key Features & Benefits:
Analytical tools for the biological and chemical sciences
Innovator(s):
Sanket Goel and Puneeth S B, Department & Campus: EEE, Hyderabad Campus
Potential Application:
- Handheld and portable with miniaturised electronics
- For monitoring the adulteration of various fluids
Potential Industries:
- Automobiles industry
- Healthcare sector
- Food / Milk industry
Validation & Trials Conducted: Trials conducted on milk and automobile fuel Samples
Patent Status: Filed (India)
Patent #:201711031122
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:5
Description:
To develop an IoT-driven portable microthermofluidic system for synthesising MnO2 nanoparticles with a microfluidic platform. This thermal management system can be used as a universal device for biochemical and biomedical POCT applications.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Temperature sensitivity of ±0.2°C
- Low Power ~12V
- Smartphone-enabled IoT system
- POCT device
Innovator(s):
Sanket Goel, Madhusudan B Kulkarni and Yashas, Department & Campus: EE, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus
Potential Application:
- Nanomaterial Synthesis
- DNA Amplification – PCR, LAMP RPA
- Protein Denaturation
- Biochemical Process
Potential Industries:
- Pharmaceutical
- Healthcare
- Agriculture and Food
- Chemical\Clinical laboratories
- Diagnostic laboratories
Any relevant data for marketing: Fully integrated, automated, and miniaturised microthermofluidic system validated and compared to a benchtop instrument
Patent Status: Filed in India
Patent #:202011017181
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:5
Description:
The present invention relates to a device for making designs on a substrate.
Key Features & Benefits:
Reduction in errors caused by manual pencil graphite deposition and improvement in the repeatability of fabricated paper-based devices
Innovator(s):
Lanka Tata Rao, Arshad Javed, Satish Kumar Dubey and Sanket Goel, Department of Mechanical Engineering & Department of Electronics & Electrical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Potential Application:
- Medical Diagnostics
- Miniaturised fuel cell
- LIF sensors
Potential Industries:
Point-of-care systems industry
Patent Status: Filed (India)
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:5
Any other relevant information :
Fully developed and trials conducted.
Description:
A wearable Electronic Nasal Air Filter for daily protection from air pollution and pollutants
Key Features & Benefits:
- An inexpensive process for monitoring and detecting pollutants
- A wearable Electronic Nasal Air Filter for daily protection from air pollution and pollutants
- Easy to plug and handle for the quantification
Innovator(s):
Avinash Kothuru and Sanket Goel, Department of Electronics & Electrical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Potential Application & Industries:
- Economical and scalable fabrication of wearable fuel cells and sensors
- Capable of use for wearable sensing applications, along with fuel cell applications
Patent Status: Pending/India
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:4
Any other relevant information :
- Fully integrated and miniaturised device,
- Lab validated
Description:
Low-cost, ultraportable, microfluidic colourimetric device for point-of-care applications to quantify and monitor environmental and biological analytes.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Plug and Play for Multiplexed Detection
- Integrated microfluidic chip for enhanced and highly repeatable colourimetric detection
- Portable Colourimetric Sensor
Innovator(s):
Abhishesh Pal, Madhudusan B. Kulkarni, Ponnalagu R. N., Satish K Dubey & Sanket Goel, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Potential Application:
- Soil and Water Parameter Quantification
- Biological Chromophores
Potential Industries:
- Soil Testing and Analysis
- Point of Care Bioanalysis Testing Kits
Patent Status: Filled in India
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:5
Any other relevant information :
- The device was tested to quantify Phosphate and Nitrite using colourimetric detection
- Validation was carried out using a standard spectrophotometer at the peak absorption wavelength
Description:
Enzymatic biofuel cells have attracted significant interest due to their simplicity and the recent key advances in point-of-sale (POS) and point-of-care (POC) device development. This invention involves the fabrication of accurate electrodes on paper for sensing, energy harvesting, and flexible electronics applications.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Creating automated pencil strokes for bioelectrodes, which can be used for instant energy harvesting from biofuels.
- Economic and disposable paper-based electrodes
- Developed bioelectrodes can be used as both a sensing and a powering source.
Innovator(s):
Jayapiriya U S and Sanket Goel, Department & Campus: EEE & BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus
Department & Campus:
Pharmacy, Hyderabad
Potential Application & Industries:
- Economical and scalable fabrication of wearable fuel cells and sensors.
- Capable of use for wearable sensing applications, along with fuel cell applications.
Any other relevant information/data: Fully integrated, automated, and miniaturised device lab validated.
Patent Status: Filed in India
Patent #:202111017427
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:4
Description:
Useful for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other disorders for which dopamine monitoring is therapeutically useful. A reusable, 3D-printed, leak-proof sample chamber with a slot for inserting a disposable mini cartridge, manufactured using an easy, quick technique, has been developed. It shows a low detection limit, good reproducibility, and fast response.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Point of care (POC)
- Rapidity, simplicity
- Performing diagnostics near the healthcare facility
Innovator(s):
Sanket Goel, S K Sahoo, and Mrunali Wagh, Department & Campus: EEE, Hyderabad Campus
Department & Campus:
Pharmacy, Hyderabad
Potential Application:
- Sensing of multiple analytes in biological fluids
- Simultaneously, biological Sample Analysis
Potential Industries:
Medical Diagnostics
Validation & Trials Conducted:
- Trials conducted on biological Samples
- LoD —> 0.47 µM
Patent Status: Filed (India)
Patent #:202111059663
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:4
Description:
A novel liposomal formulation of the Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib has been developed, with the potential to enhance its effectiveness for the intended clinical application. The developed surface-modified liposomal formulation is based on the encapsulation of the drug (Ibrutinib) within lipid vesicles. Moreover, the stability of this formulation would be further improved by developing a suitable, robust lyophilisation recipe.
Key Features & Benefits:
Development of a stable liposomal formulation of Ibrutinib for increased bioavailability and reduced off-target toxicity. Additionally, modifying the liposome surface with a polymer would further enhance the drug's activity and longevity.
Innovator(s):
Dr. Akash Chaurasiya, Ms. Kanan Panchal, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Potential Application & Industries:
Development of an effective, robust and stable formulation with high reproducibility.
Patent Status: Filled in India
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:
Any other relevant information :
Approvals/Compliances met / Validation/trials conducted.
Description:
The proposed novel formulation consists of a mixture of oil(s) (e.g., Clove oil, Cinnamon oil), surfactant(s), and co-surfactant(s), which facilitate the solubilization/dissolution and absorption of posaconazole in the gastrointestinal tract upon oral administration. This isotropic mixture of oil, surfactant, and co-surfactant enhances the bioavailability of the loaded drug in several ways, including stimulating lymphatic transport, prolonging its GI residence time, increasing intestinal wall permeability, reducing its efflux in the GIT, stimulating body secretion, etc.
Key Features & Benefits:
Application of a suitable combination of surfactant and co-surfactant in optimised amounts stabilises the formulation, facilitates drug solubilisation, thereby enhancing bioavailability, and possesses suitable therapeutic applications in fungal infections. The manufacturing technique is simple, easy to scale up, and cost-effective.
Innovator(s):
Dr. Akash Chaurasiya, Mr. Sumeet Katke, Ms.Kanan Panchal, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Patent Status: Filled in India
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:
Description:
The present invention relates to a device with double-sided herringbone structures for enrichment of CAR-T cells using a continuous-flow microfluidic device.
Key Features & Benefits:
The final design provides a microfluidic device comprising
- 2 pairs of hexagonal channels connected via 1 inlet and 2 outlets
- The herring-bone structure is being utilised to optimise cell capture and retention within the individual channels.
Benefits include:
- They require fewer reagents and samples as inputs, reducing significant costs in device maintenance and operations.
- They are easily portable and can be used in the field.
- Easier to handle.
- They are made of a polymer, so they function as a throughput device and can be reused multiple times.
- Being smaller, they require less storage space.
- User-friendly.
- Being small in size and made of relatively inexpensive materials, these devices have a low production cost.
Innovator(s):
Jegatha Nambi Krishnan, Prasanna Gururaj Joshi, Arya Agarwal, Rai Divakar, Hegde Ritvik, Singh Sarthak, Department of Chemical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus
Potential Application & Industries:
The primary application of the invention will be ‘Monitoring the CAR-T cells in a Clinical Setting’. This is a necessary function to ensure the viability of the cells before transfusing them into the patient’s body for treatment
Patent Status: Filled in India
Patent#: 202111058598
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:3
Any other relevant information :
The profiles for pressure, velocity, and the particle trajectory within blood for the device have been obtained using COMSOL Multiphysics.
Description:
A treatment process for cellulose-based geotextile process
Key Features & Benefits:
- Over existing technology solutions
- A process for treating a cellulose-based geotextile fibre comprising the steps of:
- Preparing an aqueous alkaline solution;
- Reacting coal combustion byproduct with the solution of
- to obtain a polymerised blend, and apply the blend obtained in
- to the geotextile fibre.
Innovator(s):
Anasua GuhaRay, Arkamitra Kar and Shashank Gupta, Department of Civil Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Potential Application & Industries:
Improvement in the durability of natural geotextiles for the sustainable construction of reinforced foundation beds, slope stability, etc.
Patent Status: Filled in India
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:8
Any other relevant information :
Successful trials conducted at the laboratory level
Description:
A novel material which can be used as an alternative to existing biomaterials in the field of orthopaedic and dental implants, and the manufacturing method for the same.
Key Features & Benefits:
Among existing implant biomaterials, our novel material possesses properties closer to those of natural bone, in addition to being biocompatible and bioactive. Young's modulus of natural bone is 10.4 GPa (standard deviation: 3.5), whereas it is 7GPa (standard deviation: 0.5) for our biomimetic composite. Hydroxyapatite (HA), as one of the constituents of the material, renders the material bioactive, while all other constituents are biocompatible.
Innovator(s):
Kulkarni Dhananjay Madhukar, Iniyan Thiruselvam N, Mali Kiran Dinkar, Savio DSA Lourenco, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus
Potential Application & Industries:
Dental & Orthopaedic implants
Patent Status: Pending
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:4
Any other relevant information :
Preliminary material testing is over.
Description:
A low-cost synthetic media combination for higher biomass growth in microalgae culture, coupled with higher net lipid productivity; the high cost of microalgae-based biodiesel has constrained economic competitiveness and significantly restricted industrialisation. To commercialise a process for producing valuable products from microalgae, it is important to enhance microalgae growth rates and reduce cultivation costs.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Low-cost nutrient medium
- Increasing the lipid content
- Reducing the cost of biodiesel production
Innovator(s):
Sama Sanghamitra, Sandip Shridharrao Deshmukh, Kumar Pranav Narayan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Potential Application & Industries:
- A low-cost synthetic media combination for higher biomass growth of microalgae culture coupled with higher net lipid productivity.
- Low-cost Biodiesel production
- Commercialising the microalgae biomass production and biodiesel production.
Patent Status: Filed
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:4
Any other relevant information :
Preliminary material testing is over.
Description:
iSTAR® is an anaerobic reactor technology developed for efficient biomethanation of organic waste.
Key Features & Benefits:
STAR® has the following unique features of single-stage anaerobic digestion:
- Maintains homogeneous substrate concentration in the reactor
- Maintains uniform temperature throughout the reactor
- Continuously monitors critical parameters of the reactor
- Reduces the overall energy consumption of the system
Innovator(s):
Sankar Ganesh Palani, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Potential Application & Industries:
- Treatment of organic (solid and liquid) wastes
- Bioreactor fabricating and waste & wastewater treatment industries
Patent Status: Filed in India
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:7
Any other relevant information/data (non-proprietary) for marketing:
- Ready to launch at industry scale
- Ideal for urban & rural local bodies, restaurants, institutions and gated communities
- Subsidy on capital cost from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India
Description:
An antenna for ultrawideband (2 GHz-20 GHz), useful for both low- and high-power applications. The antenna has high gain (20 dB) and a compact structure.
Key Features & Benefits:
Over existing technology solutions:
- Highly compact antenna
- Lightweight structure
- Ultra-wideband frequency
Innovator(s):
Ashish Chittora, Swati Varun Yadav, Department of Electronics & Electrical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus
Potential Application & Industries:
- Ground penetrating radar
- Microwave imaging
- UWB systems
Patent Status: Filed in India
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:3
Any other relevant information/data (non-proprietary) for marketing:
Prototype developed, experimentally validated in the lab.
Description:
This invention relates to a chemotherapeutic composition for treating malignant tumours comprising suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) entrapped in a polymeric micelle comprising multiple copolymers of polyethene glycol (PEG) and polylactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA). The invention also relates to a method of preparing the said composition.
Key Features & Benefits:
- A chemotherapeutic composition for treating malignant tumours comprising suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) entrapped at the hydrophobic core of a polymeric micelle, encapsulation efficiency being between 70-100%, the micelle being 50 to 250 nm in size and comprising multiple copolymers of polyethene glycol (PEG) and polylactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), the copolymers clustering together at their hydrophobic PLGA ends to form polymeric micelles, each copolymer comprising one amine-terminated PEG molecule coupled to one acid-terminated PLGA molecule, resulting in an amphiphilic copolymer PEG-PLGA.
- Polymeric micelles improved aqueous solubility and enhanced anti-tumour activity and cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo when compared to the free form of SAHA.
Innovator(s):
Swati Biswas, Balaram Ghosh, Vishnu Kiran Rompicharla, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus.
Potential Application & Industries:
We would promote the application of this drug delivery system to pharmaceutical companies developing nanoformulations for cancer therapy.
Patent Status: Published
Patent #: (Application no 201711028012)
Is proof-of-concept (PoC) available? : Yes
Current TRL Level:4
Start Your Journey
Explore important dates, eligibility criteria, and
application details for BITSAT.