One-day sensitization program on IPR & GBI-2024 Roadshow

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Date: Aug 5, 2024

August 02, 2024: A BIRAC-supported one-day sensitization workshop on "Bio-Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property Rights and Technology Management in Lifesciences” along with a Roadshow for the upcoming “Global Bio-India (GBI) 2024” was jointly organised by BioNEST Facility, NEHU, Meghalaya; IPR Cell, NEHU, Shillong; BioNEST Facility, IBSD & BRDC, Shillong on August 2, 2024 at the Mini Golden Jubilee Auditorium, NEHU, Shillong with 175 participants including startups, entrepreneurs, faculties, scientists, scholars, students from Shillong and surrounding areas. PROF. PRABHA SHANKAR SHUKLA, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, North-Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya welcomed the gathering and set the tone of the workshop with a brief introduction about BioNEST NEHU and IPR Cell initiatives in mobilising the IP and entrepreneurship domain in Meghalaya. PROF. PULOK KUMAR MUKHERJEE, Director, IBSD, Manipur and the KEYNOTE SPEAKER detailed the gathering about the IBSD activities throughout NER in sustainable utilisation of Bioresources for upliftment of livelihoods in NER. The Chief Guest PROF. INDRAJIT DUBE, Hon'ble Vice-chancellor, National Law University, Meghalaya introduced the gathering about the different categories of IPR and the importance of protecting innovations, specialised local products and plant varieties under the umbrella of IPR. DR. VINITA JINDAL, DGM & Head - IP & Technology Management Division, BIRAC, New Delhi enlighten the gathering about the various funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators from BIRAC at different stages of development of products and services starting from ideation to commercialization. Dr Jindal also promoted the GBI 2024 platform and appealed the entrepreneurs of Meghalaya to participate in the upcoming event at New Delhi during September 12-14, 2024 and provide an opportunity to the global audience to know the culture, tradition and innovation in Meghalaya. In the next session Dr Jindal navigated the audience through the Basics of IPR including Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Design, Trade secrets, Geographical Indications. Dr Jindal also lead the audience through the practicalities of patent search through available free search engines and explained the necessity of prior art search to ensure the novelty in R&D. In the following technical session, Ms. Suvarna Pandey, Associate Partner at RNA Technology and IP Attorneys, thoroughly covered the process of patent filing, including patentability criteria, novelty determination, and the rights of innovators complemented with real life case studies. In the second session Ms Pandey emphasized the need of plant varity protection, farmers rights and the adequate scopes within law.

Dr S Majaw, Centre I/c, BioNEST Branch Office, & Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, NEHU Shillong moderated the program. DR. A. K. SINGH, Coordinator, IPR Cell & Associate Professor, Department of Law, NEHU, Shillong presented the concluding remarks, highlighting India's prospective innovation portfolio and the marked increase in IP registration. DR. B. K. MISHRA, Project Investigator, BioNEST Facility, NEHU, Meghalaya & Head, Department of RDAP, NEHU, Tura Campus expressed gratitude to the esteemed speakers for sharing their time and expertise with the participants Throughout the program, participants engaged in interactive sessions with speakers and invitees, fostering networking opportunities. The event concluded on a positive note, leaving participants with valuable insights and connections.