Round Table on IPR and Commercialization in Ayush Systems organised
Integration of traditional wisdom with modern technologies to protect
intellectual property and foster innovation
Global Partnerships in the last decade led to tremendous Growth in the Ayush
Manufacturing Sector: Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ayush
A Round Table
Conference focusing on "Intellectual Property, Regulatory Framework, and
Commercialization Aspects in Traditional Knowledge of Ayush Systems" was
organised by the Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade
Marks (CGPDTM) in collaboration with the School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal
Nehru University (JNU), and the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur
here today. The conference gathered leading experts from academia, government,
and industry to address the critical challenges and opportunities in protecting
and advancing traditional knowledge in Ayush systems.
The event was graced by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary,
Ministry of Ayush, as the Chief Guest. Prof. (Vaidya) Kartar Singh Dhiman, Vice
Chancellor of Shri Krishna Ayush University, Haryana, Prof. Anupam Srivastava,
Head of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana at NIA, Jaipur, Prof. Rupesh
Chaturvedi from the School of Biotechnology, JNU were among other dignitaries
who graced the event.
In his address, Vaidya Kotecha emphasized the essential
role of research and teaching in Ayurveda and how these pillars drive the
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) agenda in traditional medicine.
Highlighting
the Ministry’s initiatives to strengthen Ayush systems, he said, “The evolving
digital ecosystem and the generation of scientific evidence are crucial for
advancing the Indian system of medicine. We integrate traditional wisdom with
modern technologies to protect intellectual property and foster innovation.”
Vaidya Kotecha praised the Ayurveda Biology Program at JNU for its
forward-thinking approach, which contributed to the modernisation and
internationalization of Ayurveda research.
He also elaborated on India's collaborations with the
World Health Organization (WHO), focusing on developing global standards for
traditional medicine. He credited these initiatives for contributing to India’s
burgeoning Ayush manufacturing sector, which has witnessed tremendous growth
over the past decade. Vaidya Kotecha stressed that the collaboration between
academia and industry is critical to further enhancing the global
competitiveness of Ayush products while ensuring the protection of traditional
knowledge through appropriate IPR frameworks.
Prof (Vaidya)
Kartar Singh Dhiman, Vice Chancellor of Shri Krishna Ayush University, Haryana,
was the Guest of Honor at the conference. He underscored the need for greater
cooperation among all Ayush agencies to address common challenges in research
and commercialisation. “A molecular understanding of traditional medicine and
developing research tools specific to Ayush systems are essential. Moreover, we
must include IPR as a core subject in postgraduate courses to prepare future
scholars for the challenges ahead,” he remarked.
Addressing a session, Prof Anupam Srivastava, Head of
Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana at NIA, Jaipur, traced the evolution of
Ayush systems from the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy
(ISM&H) to the establishment of the Ministry of Ayush. He emphasized the
Traditional Knowledge Digital Library’s (TKDL) critical role in protecting
India's traditional medicinal knowledge from biopiracy. He proposed a six-month
course on IPR, specifically tailored to the needs of Ayush professionals, to
address gaps in intellectual property awareness.
Prof Rupesh Chaturvedi from the School of Biotechnology,
JNU, spoke on the importance of protecting traditional knowledge in India and
globally. He stressed the need to bridge research gaps to facilitate the
commercialisation of Ayush products. “The proprietary issues surrounding Ayush
systems can only be resolved through dedicated research and innovation. We must
safeguard our traditional knowledge while ensuring its global integration,” he
said.
The conference concluded with a series of panel
discussions that brought together leaders from Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathy.
These sessions explored the creation and protection of intellectual property
for Ayush innovations, the necessary regulatory frameworks, and strategies for
commercialisation and benefit sharing.
This conference marked a pivotal moment in addressing
Ayush systems' regulatory and intellectual property challenges. The discussions
centred on crafting a shared vision to strengthen research, policy frameworks,
and educational initiatives promoting India's traditional knowledge globally.
The event also fostered collaborations to advance Ayush systems' contributions
to global healthcare.
As India continues to assert its leadership in
traditional medicine, the dialogue initiated at this conference will catalyse
further advancements in research, commercialisation, and intellectual property
protection in the Ayush sector. The Ministry of Ayush remains committed to
ensuring that Ayush systems continue to grow as an integral part of global
healthcare solutions.