Chennai / New Delhi: The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) reaffirmed its leadership role in promoting innovation and technology transfer at the ‘Innovate in Tamil Nadu IP Conclave’, held in Chennai. The event brought together key stakeholders from the government, industry, and research sectors under the theme: “Intellectual Powerhouse: Transforming Tamil Nadu into the Innovation Capital of India.”
The conclave was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, with participation from several senior dignitaries, including Thiru Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services; Thiru Brajendra Navnit, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu; Ms. Vanitha Venugopal, CEO of iTNT; and Commodore Amit Rastogi (Retd.), CMD of NRDC.
Key Highlight: Technology Transfer for Skincare Innovation
One of the event’s major milestones was the technology transfer facilitated by NRDC, underscoring its role as a bridge between research institutions and industry. The Corporation successfully transferred the “Recombinant Ectoine from Deep Sea Bacteria for Skin-care and Cosmetic Applications (REB)” technology—developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)—to Varee Ayustruct Ventures Pvt. Ltd., Visakhapatnam.
This collaboration signals a significant step in translating advanced biotechnology research into real-world commercial applications in the skincare and cosmetics sector.
Strategic Collaboration with Tamil Nadu Innovation Hub
Furthering its commitment to regional innovation ecosystems, NRDC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu Technology Hub (iTNT). The partnership is aimed at promoting technology transfer, capacity building, and innovation-driven entrepreneurship across Tamil Nadu.
This MoU marks the beginning of structured collaboration between NRDC and Tamil Nadu’s tech and startup communities, particularly MSMEs and academic institutions.
Technology Compendium Unveiled for Startups and MSMEs
To empower early-stage enterprises and boost industrial adoption of new technologies, CMD Commodore Amit Rastogi presented a Technology Compendium to Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin. This curated catalogue includes a portfolio of ready-to-commercialize technologies across sectors and is designed to support MSME growth, startup innovation, and self-reliant industrial development.
CMD’s Remarks: Commitment to IP-led Growth
In his address, Commodore Amit Rastogi (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director of NRDC, emphasized the organisation’s mission to connect the dots between science and enterprise.
“Through collaborative efforts with state partners like iTNT, we aim to accelerate technology deployment and make Tamil Nadu a leader in IP-led innovation,” he said.
NRDC’s active role in the conclave reflects its broader mission of unlocking the commercial potential of publicly funded R&D and helping transform India into a global innovation hub.
read also: NRDC Hosts National Workshop on IP Commercialization at IISc to Mark World IP Day 2025
About the Institutions NRDC
NRDC is a premier enterprise under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. It specializes in technology commercialization, IPR management, and fostering innovation linkages across sectors.
