CFPs: Transfer of Technology for Microcontroller-Based Mosquito Feeder Device (India)

Deadline: 25-Aug-2026

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) invites eligible Indian organizations and manufacturers to apply for a non-exclusive license and commercialization of a microcontroller-based device for artificial diet or blood feeding of mosquitoes in laboratory settings. Developed by ICMR–National Institute for Vector Control Research (NIVCR), Puducherry, the technology is designed to support mosquito rearing, membrane-feeding assays, vector biology research, and vector-control studies without requiring live animal or human hosts. The technology has been in-house validated at Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL-4) and has been used in research projects, with results published in peer-reviewed journals. Selected licensees will be responsible for further development, manufacturing, regulatory approvals, and commercialization, while ICMR will provide technical guidance and oversight. A 2% royalty on net sales will apply under the relevant ICMR technology development guidelines. What Is the ICMR Mosquito Feeding Device? The technology is a microcontroller-based artificial feeding device developed to provide mosquitoes with an artificial diet or blood meal under controlled laboratory conditions. The device is intended to support researchers and laboratories involved in: - Mosquito rearing. - Vector biology. - Membrane-feeding assays. - Mosquito-borne disease research. - Vector-control research. - Laboratory and mass-rearing activities. By providing a controlled artificial feeding system, the technology can reduce dependence on live animal or human hosts during mosquito feeding procedures. What Problem Does the Technology Address? Laboratory mosquito rearing and vector research can require reliable feeding systems for maintaining mosquito colonies and conducting experimental studies. Traditional feeding approaches involving live hosts can create practical and operational challenges, including: - Biosafety concerns. - Ethical considerations. - Additional operational requirements. - Higher costs. - Difficulties in standardizing feeding conditions. - Limitations for large-scale mosquito rearing. The ICMR device is designed to provide an artificial and controlled feeding alternative for laboratory applications. Why Is the Device Important? The technology can support more efficient and standardized mosquito research while reducing the need to use live animals or humans as feeding hosts.

Potential benefits include:

- Reduced dependence on live hosts. - Improved laboratory safety. - Lower operational requirements. - More controlled feeding conditions. - Support for mosquito colony maintenance. - Potential application in mass-rearing environments. - Support for vector-control research. - Improved reproducibility of membrane-feeding experiments. The device may therefore be particularly useful for institutions conducting research on mosquito vectors and vector-borne diseases. How Does the Artificial Feeding System Work? The device uses a microcontroller-based system to facilitate artificial feeding of mosquito vectors. The technology is intended for use with artificial feeding or membrane-feeding approaches in laboratory environments. Its controlled design can help researchers conduct feeding experiments without directly exposing mosquitoes to human or animal hosts. The exact technical configuration, operating procedures, and specifications should be reviewed in the official technology disclosure and EoI documentation before commercialization. What Are the Main Applications? The device has potential applications across several areas of mosquito and vector research. Mosquito Rearing The system can support laboratory mosquito colonies by providing an artificial feeding mechanism. This can be useful for maintaining mosquito populations for research and experimental purposes. Membrane-Feeding Assays The technology has been validated for membrane-feeding assays, demonstrating its potential use in controlled mosquito feeding experiments. Vector Biology Research Researchers studying mosquito behavior, physiology, reproduction, feeding, or pathogen transmission may benefit from a controlled artificial feeding system. Vector-Control Research The device can support research associated with mosquito control and the development or evaluation of vector-control interventions. Mass-Rearing Facilities The technology may also have applications in laboratory or mass-rearing environments where efficient and repeatable mosquito feeding is required. What Is the Technology Readiness Level? The technology has been validated in-house at Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL-4). TRL-4 generally indicates that the technology has been validated in a laboratory environment. According to the information provided, the device has also: - Been deployed in research projects. - Demonstrated reliability and effectiveness. - Been used for membrane-feeding assays. - Generated results published in peer-reviewed journals. The selected licensee will be expected to undertake further development and commercialization activities. What Is the Purpose of the Licensing Opportunity? ICMR is seeking an Indian company or organization capable of taking the technology from its current validated stage toward broader manufacturing and commercial use.

The technology transfer covers:

- Technology licensing. - Further product development. - Manufacturing. - Validation. - Regulatory approvals. - Commercialization. - Market deployment. The license is non-exclusive, meaning ICMR may potentially license the technology to more than one eligible entity under applicable terms. What Support Will ICMR Provide? ICMR will provide expert guidance and technical support during relevant stages of technology development and commercialization.

Support may cover:

- Technology transfer. - Product development. - Technical validation. - Manufacturing-related development. - Data sharing. - Technical oversight. The exact responsibilities of ICMR and the selected lice