Breaking: MIDAS HUB Launched At MAHE Manipal – India’s First Self-Financed University Translational Medical Devices Center
Manipal, Karnataka. Manipal Academy Of Higher Education And The Department of Science And Technology Announced The Launch Of The MIDAS HUB On December 5, 2025, Creating A Dedicated Translational Platform For Medical Devices And Allied services.
What Happened
MIDAS HUB Debuted On The Manipal Campus As A Joint Initiative Between MAHE And The Government Of India’s Department Of Science And Technology.
The Hub Is The First Facility Of Its Kind Within A Self-Financed University Setting, Focused On Translational Innovation That Bridges Research And Deployable Medical Technology.
Key Voices At The Inauguration
Dr. Praveen Roy, Head Of Scientific Divisions, Technology, Translation, And Innovation At The Department Of Science and Technology, Highlighted The Hub’s Role In Strengthening India’s Scientific Ecosystem.
Dr.H. S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor Of MAHE, Emphasized The Institution’s Role In fostering Cross-Sector Partnerships.
Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor Of MAHE, Spoke About The Hub’s Potential To Nurture High-Impact Collaborations And Future Scientific Leaders.
what The MIDAS HUB Will Do
The Hub Will Support Medical Device Product Development, Industry-Academia Partnerships, And Translational Research That Moves Concepts Toward Market-Ready Solutions.
MAHE Launched An Advanced Certificate Program In Medical device Technology, Innovation And Leadership During The Event.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | MAHE Manipal Campus, Karnataka |
| Partners | Department Of science And Technology; MAHE; Regional Universities And Industry Players |
| Purpose | Translational medical Device Development And Industry-Academia Collaboration |
| Programs Launched | Advanced Certificate In Medical Device Technology, Innovation And Leadership |
| Showcased Prototypes | Laser Shoe, Mbilimeter, Armable Mini, WeCare, fluroaura, RevoCord, Wearable electrolarynx, Adrenaline Autoinjector |
Regional Reach And Strategic Partners
MIDAS HUB Intends To Serve The West Coast Innovation Corridor From Goa To Trivandrum Through Partnerships With Regional Institutes And industry.
Notable Academic Partners include IIT Dharwad, IIT Palakkad, NITK Surathkal, Kannur University, Mahatma Gandhi University, And BITS Goa.
Industry Participation Includes Names Such As BPL, Philips, InBody, And Sparsh Technologies.
For Context On Government Support Programs, See The Department Of Science And Technology: dst.gov.in.
For Data About MAHE,Visit: manipal.edu.
Evergreen Insights: Why The MIDAS HUB Matters Long Term
Translational Hubs Accelerate The Journey From Laboratory Proof-Of-Concept To Market Deployment by Combining Regulatory Guidance, Prototyping Facilities, And Industry Feedback Under One Roof.
Institutions That Host Such Hubs Typically See Faster Commercialization Cycles, Improved Student Training Outcomes, And Stronger Regional Innovation Ecosystems.
Practical Takeaways For Innovators
Engage Early With Clinical Partners to Validate Use cases.
Leverage Incubation Services to Bridge Manufacturing And Quality Systems Gaps.
Showcase: Prototypes On Display
The launch Included A Display Of Market-ready Prototypes That Illustrate The Hub’s Focus On Practical, Deployable Solutions.
Featured Devices Include Assistive Technologies, Wearable Solutions, And Emergency Medical Tools.
Please Note: Device Names were presented By The Hub As Prototypes; Clinical Validation And Regulatory Approval Are Essential Steps Before Patient Use.
Health Disclaimer: This Article Is Informational And Not Medical Advice. Consult Qualified Professionals For Clinical Or Regulatory Guidance.
Voices From The Event
Dr. G. Arun Maiya, Principal Coordinator Of MIDAS HUB, Outlined The Hub’s Progress In Medical Device Product development.
Dr. Lazar Mathew, Senior Advisor, Unveiled The Hub Logo And Framed The Initiative Around The Concept “A Project For A product.”
Reader Engagement
Would You Like To see More Regional Hubs Focused On Translational Medical Research?
Which Prototype From The Launch Do You Think Has The Most Immediate Impact?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Is The MIDAS HUB? MIDAS HUB Is A Translational Centre At MAHE Focused On Medical instruments, Devices, And Allied Services To Move Research Toward Market-Ready Products.
- Who Is Behind the MIDAS HUB? The Hub Is A Collaborative Effort Between The Department Of Science And Technology And Manipal Academy Of Higher Education.
- Were Is The MIDAS HUB Located? The MIDAS HUB Is Located On The MAHE Campus In Manipal, Karnataka.
- What Programs Does The MIDAS HUB Offer? MAHE Launched an Advanced Certificate Program In Medical Device Technology, Innovation And Leadership Through The MIDAS HUB.
- Which Institutions Partner With The MIDAS HUB? The MIDAS HUB Partners With Regional Institutes Including IIT dharwad,IIT Palakkad,NITK Surathkal,Kannur University,Mahatma Gandhi University,And BITS Goa.
- What Types Of Prototypes Were Shown At The Launch? The launch Featured Prototypes Such As Laser Shoe, Mbilimeter, Armable Mini, WeCare, FluroAura, revocord, Wearable Electrolarynx, And An Adrenaline Autoinjector.
- How Does The MIDAS HUB Support Startups? The Hub Provides Incubation, Industry Linkages, And Translational Support To Help Move Products Toward Commercialization.
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MAHE and DST Unveil India’s First Self‑Financed MIDAS Hub for Medical Innovation
What Is the MIDAS Hub?
- MIDAS = Medical innovation, Development and Acceleration Space, a dedicated ecosystem for rapid prototyping, validation, and commercialization of healthcare solutions.
- Jointly launched by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and the Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the DST‑MAHE HUB initiative.
- First self‑financed model in India, meaning operational costs are covered through industry sponsorships, research grants, and revenue‑sharing with startups, not by government subsidies.
Core Objectives (SEO Keywords)
- Medical innovation acceleration
- Healthcare startup incubation
- Industry‑academia partnership
- International collaborations in health tech
- Translational medical research
- Innovation & entrepreneurship in medical education
| Objective | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|
| 1. Transform campus‑based research into market‑ready products | ↑ technology transfer rate by 30% within 3 years |
| 2. Foster industry partnership with biotech, pharma, and med‑tech firms | joint R&D pipelines with > 10 leading companies |
| 3.Enable international collaborations for global regulatory compliance | Access to EU/US clinical trial networks |
| 4. Promote entrepreneurship among medical students and faculty | Launch of ≥ 15 spin‑outs annually |
| 5. Build a lasting self‑financed funding cycle | 70 % of operational budget covered by revenue streams |
Funding Architecture – Self‑Financed Model Explained
- Corporate Sponsorships – Tiered sponsorship (Platinum, Gold, Silver) provides lab equipment, software licenses, and mentorship.
- Revenue‑Sharing Agreements – Startups using MIDAS facilities commit 5‑10 % of future sales to the hub.
- Research Grants – Project‑specific grants from DST, ICMR, and private foundations are allocated directly to product development phases.
- Service Fees – Access to high‑end instrumentation (e.g., micro‑CT, GMP‑grade bioreactors) is billed on a usage‑based model.
Result: A circular economy where each triumphant innovation funds the next cohort, reducing reliance on government subsidies.
Leadership & Governance
- Prof. David Gordon, President of Medical Education at MAHE, announced the hub’s launch, emphasizing “innovation & entrepreneurship” as the cornerstone of modern medical curricula.
- DST’s Innovation Division provides regulatory oversight and aligns the hub with national health‑tech priorities.
- A Steering committee comprising industry heads, senior faculty, and alumni entrepreneurs ensures strategic decision‑making and continuous stakeholder engagement.
Facility Highlights (Primary & LSI Keywords)
- Prototype lab – 3D printing, CNC machining, and rapid PCB fabrication for medical devices.
- Clinical Validation Suite – Simulated ICU, patient‑monitoring labs, and tele‑medicine testbeds.
- Regulatory Support Center – In‑house experts on CDSCO, FDA, and EMA guidelines.
- Digital Health Hub – AI/ML sandbox,big‑data analytics platform,and IoT integration lab.
Key Instruments (bullet List)
- high‑resolution micro‑CT scanner for biomaterial analysis
- GMP‑grade bioreactor for cell‑therapy scale‑up
- AI‑driven imaging platform (deep‑learning pipeline)
- Wearable sensor development kit (BLE, LoRa, 5G)
Early projects & Real‑World Impact (Case Examples)
| Project | Partner(s) | Innovation Focus | Current Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low‑Cost Pulse oximeter | MAHE Engineering Dept. + Indian MedTech Startup | Portable, battery‑efficient sensor for rural clinics | Completed clinical validation; pilot production launched |
| AI‑Based Diabetic Retinopathy Screening | DST‑Funded AI Lab + Ophthalmology Dept. | Deep‑learning algorithm for early detection | FDA‑equivalent clearance pending; integrated into tele‑ophthalmology network |
| 3D‑Printed Surgical Guides | International collaborator (Germany) + MAHE Surgical tech | patient‑specific guides for orthopedic surgery | FDA 510(k) submission filed; first batch used in Karnataka hospital |
All projects are funded through the hub’s self‑financed mechanisms, illustrating the scalability of the model.
Benefits for Researchers, Students, and Startups
- Accelerated Time‑to‑Market – End‑to‑end support from concept to regulatory filing within 12‑18 months.
- Reduced Financial Barriers – Access to high‑cost equipment at subsidized rates, eliminating capital‑intensive startup phases.
- Mentorship network – Direct interaction with industry veterans, investors, and regulatory experts.
- Intellectual Property (IP) Protection – On‑site legal counsel assists with patent filing and licensing.
- Global Exposure – Participation in international consortia, conferences, and joint publications.
Practical Tips to Leverage the MIDAS Hub
- Map Your Innovation Pathway – Draft a clear R&D timeline; match each phase with corresponding hub resources (e.g., prototype lab → clinical validation suite).
- Engage Early with the Steering Committee – Submit a brief concept note to secure sponsorship tier and mentorship allocation.
- Utilize the Digital Health Sandbox – Upload anonymized datasets to the AI platform for rapid algorithm prototyping.
- Plan for Revenue Sharing – incorporate the 5‑10 % royalty clause into your business model from the outset.
- Leverage International Partnerships – Apply for joint EU‑India funding calls advertised through the hub’s collaboration portal.
How the MIDAS Hub Aligns with National Health‑Tech Priorities
- Make in india: Promotes domestic manufacturing of medical devices, reducing import dependence.
- Digital India: Catalyzes development of AI‑driven diagnostics and tele‑health solutions.
- Skill Development: Provides hands‑on training for 5,000+ students and early‑career researchers by 2027.
- Research Commercialization: Enhances the conversion rate of MAHE’s annual research output from publications to patents (target: 20 % increase).
Future outlook (SEO‑Friendly Projections)
- Expansion Plans – Additional satellite labs in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru to create a pan‑India MIDAS network.
- Funding Milestones – Goal to achieve 100 % self‑sustainability by FY 2028 through cumulative revenue from spin‑outs and industry collaborations.
- Impact Metrics – Target of 50 + FDA/EMA‑cleared products, 200 + clinical trials, and $500 million cumulative market valuation for hub‑originated startups by 2030.
Source: MAHE – DST‑MAHE HUB official page https://www.manipal.edu/mu/important-links/centres-mahe/midas.html
