Srinagar, July 10: In a significant leap for animal biotechnology and agricultural innovation, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir today officially licensed its groundbreaking technology – a genetically modified Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 construct designed as a probiotic additive in poultry feed – to Kolkata-based Invati Creations Private Limited. The innovative and patented product is set to be commercialised across the country under the brand name 'Salnil'.

The ‘Technology License Agreement Signing Ceremony’ was conducted virtually via video-conferencing. It was the first of its kind digital signing ceremony held by SKUAST-K, where Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K;  Dr Jitendra Kumar, MD, BIRAC; and Mr Mukesh Agarwal, CEO, Invati Creations Pvt Ltd, formally appended their signatures digitally to the commercialisation agreement.

Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who was the chief guest at the occasion, said this is a great day for SKUAST-K as the university is transferring a ground breaking technology to an industry partner for commercialisation. He said universities and other R&D institutions in the country develop a large number of technologies but only a few are transferred for public use.

Prof Ganai thanked DBT and BIRAC for the unwavering support and funding to SKUAST-K for its various innovative projects. He said SKUAST-K is the No.1 among the 75 SAUs in the country in innovation with 85 patents and 75 startups registered in last few years.  

Earlier, Dr Vinita Jindal, DGM & Head of Intellectual Property and Technology Management at the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), in her welcome address highlighting the strategic importance of such technology transfers in driving innovation and economic growth.

Mukesh Agarwal, Director & CEO of Invati Creations Pvt Ltd, shared his company's vision for the technology, announcing the product's brand name as 'Salnil'. He expressed Invati Creations' firm commitment to leveraging their expertise in nanotechnology bioscience to ensure the widespread production and distribution of this advanced probiotic under its new brand. The initial 20-year agreement solidifies a long-term partnership aimed at revolutionising the poultry feed industry, he said.

Prof Haroon R Naik, Director Research, SKUAST-K, in his remarks, underscored the significance of this technology transfer for food industry.

Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of BIRAC, in his address, highlighting BIRAC's vital role in bridging the gap between scientific discovery and industrial application, thereby accelerating the impact of academic research.

Prof Syed Mudasir Andrabi, Head of Animal Biotechnology at SKUAST-K and the lead innovator, provided technical overview of the technology. He detailed the intensive 7-8 year journey of research and development, underscoring the pivotal contribution of his PhD scholar, Dr Junaid Nazir, in engineering this unique Lactobacillus construct. Prof. Andrabi explained that this innovative probiotic, designed as a feed additive, targets crucial aspects of poultry health, aiming to bolster gut health, optimize nutrient absorption, and improve overall resilience in poultry.

Prof Andrabi tanked university officers and faculty members, particularly Prof Riyaz A Shah, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry; Prof Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar and Senior Scientist Poultry Sciences;  and Dr Naveed Hamid, CEO of the SKIIE Centre at SKUAST-K for their support.

This commercialisation represents a monumental stride for animal biotechnology. SKUAST-K's Lactobacillus-based probiotic, now to be known as 'Salnil', holds immense potential to transform poultry production by fostering healthier birds, potentially reducing the reliance on antibiotics, and championing sustainable agricultural practices. With an Indian patent secured and global intellectual property rights pursued, this indigenous innovation is poised to make a significant impact on food safety and economic sustainability.