IIT Kanpur establishes new milestones in Research & Innovation by filing record-breaking 122 IPRs in 2023

In a remarkable display of innovation, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has achieved a remarkable milestone by filing a total of 122 Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and achieving an exceptional licensing rate of around 14% to industry partners in 2023.

This accomplishment highlights IIT Kanpur’s strength in cutting-edge research and innovation and marks its third straight year of securing the most IPRs in its history, taking the overall achievement to 1039 IPRs to date.

The 122 IPRs filed include 108 patents, 4 design registrations, 3 copyrights, and 1 trademark application, along with 4 US and 2 China patents. The year also saw 167 IPRs being granted with 15 technologies licensed.

The patents for inventions from varied domains such as MedTech and Nano Technology include innovative healthcare solutions like a portable medical suction device and a continuous lung health monitoring system. Other notable patents include solid-state sodium-ion batteries and an affordable Braille learning device for the blind and visually impaired.

The Institute also saw a substantial increase in the number of IPRs granted in the calendar year. The 167 patents include innovations such as a gas sensor for detecting ammonia at room temperature, a method and apparatus for treating industrial wastewater, a tactile watch for the visually impaired, and a lateral flow immunoassay strip for detecting mastitis in bovines.

IIT Kanpur’s success extends beyond intellectual property, securing the top position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings 2023 in the ‘Innovation’ category’. Additionally, the institute has been honoured with the Best Assisted Technology Initiatives by Educational Institutes’ Award at the ATF (Assistive Technology Foundation) Awards 2023 for its outstanding contributions to assistive technology activities.

The IP and Technology Transfer Office at IIT Kanpur plays a pivotal role in disseminating technologies from academia and research to the commercial sector. The Office, in addition to filing the highest number of IPRs also facilitates increased technology transfer transactions.

The institute’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the nation’s research and development landscape and a focus on delivering impactful inventions at the grassroots level have been key contributors to the overall increase in IPR filings for IIT Kanpur.