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.

Prof. S Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are proud to maintain the momentum by filing 122 IPRs, achieving a record of over 100 filings in our institute for the third year in a row. The institute’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of research and technology has resulted in this record-breaking number of IPRs and positioned the institute as a leader in driving positive change through intellectual contributions. The collaborative spirit among our researchers and the support from various stakeholders have played a pivotal role in reaching this milestone.”

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.

Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean, Research & Development, IIT Kanpur, said, “Inventors are thinking beyond publications; patent filing and technology transfer have become the real accomplishments, proving reproducibility. The increase in the number of IPRs is attributed to a simple process of patent filing, an enabling policy framework by the government, and support from the IPR management committee members.”

Prof. Ankush Sharma, Professor In-charge of Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre, IIT Kanpur, said, “I am overwhelmed that IIT Kanpur has set a new record by filing 122 IPRs with an exceptional licensing rate in 2023. This accomplishment is a result of the strong research foundation that IIT Kanpur is built on and the ongoing efforts in shaping an R&D ecosystem geared towards a sustainable future.”

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.