The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has officially invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from eligible organizations, companies, and manufacturers for the development of advanced real-time multiplex molecular diagnostic assays capable of detecting multiple priority pathogens that cause critical infectious syndromes in India.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by ICMR to support indigenous development of high-quality diagnostic tools that can improve disease surveillance and clinical decision-making, particularly for conditions where rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens is crucial.
What the EoI Covers
According to the official EoI document released by ICMR, the scope includes:
- Development of real-time multiplex molecular assays capable of testing for several priority pathogens using a single test, which can significantly reduce diagnostic time and cost compared with traditional one-pathogen testing.
- Targeted infectious syndromes may include respiratory diseases, febrile illnesses, gastrointestinal infections, and other syndromic presentations caused by a range of bacteria, viruses, or co-infecting agents — all of which place a heavy burden on public health in India.
The EoI is open to indigenous manufacturers and R&D organizations, including firms with active research facilities as well as academic institutions collaborating with industry partners.
ICMR has also stated that it may enter into exclusive or non-exclusive arrangements with selected applicants to support the development process.
Support and Next Steps from ICMR
ICMR will provide a range of technical and regulatory support to accelerate product development and readiness, including:
- Assistance in obtaining Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification for the assays.
- Facilitating performance evaluation and regulatory approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) once the assays are developed.
- Offering milestone-based financial assistance to applicants to help defray development costs leading up to test licensing and regulatory clearance.
This support aims to strengthen India’s capacity for homegrown diagnostic technologies, particularly as pathogen detection becomes more complex with emerging infectious diseases.
Why It Matters
Multiplex molecular assays enable simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens in a single reaction. This means clinicians and public health teams can rapidly identify the cause of complex infections — for example, distinguishing between different respiratory viruses or bacterial agents — and make informed treatment decisions without multiple separate tests.
Such capabilities are especially important for addressing:
- Syndromic infections, where symptoms overlap and rapid diagnosis can guide quarantine and treatment.
- Antibiotic stewardship, by reducing unnecessary antibiotic use when viral infections (not bacterial) are responsible.
- Public health surveillance, allowing health systems to monitor outbreaks more effectively with faster, scalable testing tools.
Overall, this push aligns with India’s goals to boost local diagnostic innovation, reduce dependence on imported technologies, and improve readiness for future epidemics or infectious disease challenges.
Submission Details & Deadline
- The EoI was published with Document No. ICMR/EoI/Multiplex/2026 on 9 January 2026.
- Interested parties were asked to submit proposals in a sealed envelope addressed to the Communicable Disease Division at the ICMR headquarters in New Delhi.
- The last date for submission was specified as 25 January 2026.
ICMR reserves the right to amend, cancel, or reissue the EoI as required, and further details are available on the official ICMR website.
What Comes Next
Selected applicants may be invited to enter agreements with ICMR for structured development timelines and evaluation pathways, integrating collaborative R&D, product testing, and regulatory navigation aimed at driving these multiplex assays from concept to clinical use.
ICMR’s initiative reflects growing emphasis on syndromic diagnostics, where rapid, multiplex testing is a critical enabler for timely patient care and infectious disease control in both urban and rural Indian healthcare settings.
