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MSME Ministry Partners with Denmark Patent Office to Facilitate IPR Transfer to Indian MSMEs

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In a landmark move aimed at enhancing innovation and global competitiveness among India’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has announced a strategic collaboration with the Danish Patent and Trademark Office (DKPTO). The partnership is designed to facilitate the transfer of intellectual property rights (IPR) and technological know-how to Indian MSMEs, enabling them to scale up their operations and improve product quality through the adoption of advanced foreign technologies.

The initiative comes as part of the Ministry’s broader mission to modernize the MSME sector, which contributes nearly 30% to India’s GDP and employs over 110 million people. By connecting Indian MSMEs with Danish innovators and patent holders, the partnership aims to bridge the technological gap and support the integration of global best practices in manufacturing and services.

Key Highlights of the Agreement

Under the collaboration, the DKPTO will provide access to a curated repository of patents and utility models that are available for transfer or licensing. These include innovations across green technology, renewable energy, food processing, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing — sectors that are highly relevant to the Indian MSME ecosystem.

The Ministry of MSME, through its Intellectual Property Facilitation Centres (IPFCs), will act as a conduit between Danish patent holders and Indian enterprises, helping MSMEs identify relevant patents and negotiate licensing terms. Additionally, a series of capacity-building workshops, webinars, and matchmaking events will be organized to raise awareness among Indian entrepreneurs about the commercial value of IPR and the mechanics of technology transfer.

Government Support and Incentives

Union Minister for MSMEs, Mr. Narayan Rane, lauded the partnership, stating, “This collaboration will be a game-changer for our MSMEs. By gaining access to cutting-edge technology from Denmark, Indian enterprises can accelerate innovation, improve efficiency, and expand their footprint in international markets.”

The Government of India is also expected to offer financial incentives and advisory support to MSMEs that enter into licensing agreements as part of this initiative. These incentives may include subsidies for licensing fees, support for prototype development, and assistance in adapting foreign technologies to local conditions.

Strengthening India-Denmark Ties

The partnership further strengthens the bilateral ties between India and Denmark, particularly under the Green Strategic Partnership signed in 2020. Both countries have emphasized sustainable development and clean technology as key areas of cooperation, and this initiative reflects a shared commitment to fostering innovation-led growth.

Director General Sune Stampe Sørensen said, “We believe that this knowledge exchange will not only benefit Indian enterprises but also open new markets for Danish inventors.”

Conclusion

The MSME Ministry’s agreement with the Denmark Patent Office marks a significant milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a knowledge-driven economy. By unlocking access to global IPR assets, the initiative holds the potential to catalyze innovation, enhance productivity, and strengthen the global competitiveness of Indian MSMEs — turning them into engines of sustainable economic growth.

Industry experts have hailed the move as a step in the right direction, calling for similar collaborations with other innovation-driven economies to build a robust and resilient MSME sector for the future.

Indian Pharma Stocks Tumble Amid Trump’s Drug Price Cut Order: Industry Braces for Patent Clampdown

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In a significant development that sent shockwaves across global pharmaceutical markets, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at drastically reducing prescription drug prices in the United States. The move has triggered a sharp decline in Indian pharmaceutical stocks, raising concerns about the future of generic drug exports and the potential tightening of global patent regimes.

Trump Pushes for Global Price Parity

President Trump’s executive order, signed on Monday, mandates that U.S. drug prices should align with the lowest prices paid by other developed nations. Under the proposed “Most Favoured Nation” policy, the U.S. would no longer pay more for prescription medicines than any other country. The administration has given pharmaceutical companies 30 days to propose pricing solutions. Should they fail to deliver “significant progress” within six months, further government intervention is expected.

In a social media post, Trump argued that American consumers were unfairly burdened by high drug prices, noting that medicines manufactured in the same facilities are sold for significantly less in other countries. He emphasized that the United States bears a disproportionate share of global research and development costs, indirectly subsidizing affordable drugs for the rest of the world.

Indian Pharma Sector Reacts

The announcement caused immediate ripples in Indian stock markets. Shares of major pharmaceutical firms such as Sun Pharma plunged nearly 7% during early trading, while others including Lupin, Aurobindo Pharma, Divi’s Laboratories, and Glenmark Pharma also experienced a selloff.

Although Trump’s pricing directive primarily targets patented and branded drugs, experts warn of indirect consequences for India’s generic drug industry, which is heavily reliant on the U.S. market for exports.

“The concern lies in the potential policy response from multinational pharma companies,” said P.V. Appaji, former Director General of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil).

Threat of Patent Barriers Looms

Industry analysts believe that global drugmakers may respond to the price caps by tightening intellectual property regulations to prolong their market exclusivity and recover R&D investments. Potential measures include data exclusivity, automatic patent term extensions, patent linkage mechanisms, broader patentability criteria, and evergreening tactics.

Such practices, if adopted widely, could delay the entry of generic drugs into global markets and restrict the availability of off-patent drugs for Indian manufacturers. “These moves threaten to shrink the pipeline of medicines going off-patent, directly impacting India’s generic export prospects,” warned Ravi Uday Bhaskar, another former Pharmexcil chief.

India’s Stance on Patent Flexibilities

India has historically resisted stringent patent norms in trade negotiations, advocating for access to affordable medicines as a public health priority. The country does not recognize data exclusivity and maintains that regulatory authorities can rely on existing clinical trial data to approve generics. It also rejects patent linkage, preventing unnecessary legal hurdles that could delay the launch of affordable versions.

“India blocks evergreening by disallowing patents for minor modifications to existing drugs,” said Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).

However, if global pharmaceutical giants succeed in influencing trade agreements to include such provisions, Indian generic drug manufacturers may face significant challenges. The development and export of specialty generics—high-value, complex generics—could particularly be affected.

The Road Ahead

While the immediate impact of Trump’s executive order may be limited to branded drugs, the broader implications could be far-reaching for India’s pharmaceutical industry. Any moves to fortify global patent laws or extend exclusivity periods could undermine India’s position as the “pharmacy of the world” and disrupt access to affordable medications in many countries.

As the U.S. pushes forward with its aggressive drug pricing reforms, industry stakeholders and policymakers in India will need to closely monitor international negotiations and advocate for a balanced approach that safeguards innovation without compromising global health access.