India’s MedTech Startups Urged to Go Global: Leveraging FTAs, Innovation Support and Global Market Access
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Ministry of Commerce and Industry | DPIIT | NITI Aayog | Department of Pharmaceuticals
The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, has urged Indian MedTech startups to “go global” by leveraging nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) concluded in the last three years. These pacts, covering 38 countries including the EU, UK, and EFTA blocs, provide Indian innovators with zero-duty access to 70% of the world’s GDP.
Addressing the Pfizer INDovation Startup Showcase, the Minister highlighted that affordable and scalable medical technology—many of which have already secured CDSCO or are nearing FDA approvals—is critical for reaching remote parts of India and emerging markets across Africa and Latin America.
Key Pillars of the MedTech Export and Innovation Roadmap
Global Market Access (70% GDP): Utilizing FTAs with 38 countries to export high-quality, affordable medical devices at mostly zero duty.
Institutional Infrastructure Expansion: Establishing three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs), a new National Institute of Design (NID) in East India to enhance product design and pharmaceutical R&D.
IP and Financial Incentives: Providing an 80% discount on IP-related fees and 24x7 support through a dedicated Startup India team.
Strategic Industrial Zones: Exploring the establishment of MedTech zones in North India (modeled after Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) Visakhapatnam) within National Industrial Corridors.
Public-Private Partnership (Pfizer INDovation): Enabling 14 startups to transition from innovation to impact with structured grants of ₹60 lakh each along with 18 months of structured incubation and clinical validation support.
What are “NIPERs”? National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) are autonomous institutes of national importance under the Department of Pharmaceuticals. They are designed to provide leadership in pharmaceutical sciences and related technology areas. In the context of the MedTech roadmap, the establishment of three new NIPERs and the upgradation of seven existing ones aim to create a high-quality human resource base that can support startups in developing the complex diagnostics, oncology, and maternal health technologies required for both domestic and global markets.
Policy Relevance
The Minister’s call represents a transition from import-dependent MedTech to “Global Solution Provider” status, positioning India’s 200,000 startups as a reliable partner in the global healthcare supply chain.
Reducing Healthcare Costs: Scaling affordable innovations through the Pfizer INDovation program can improve health access in remote India while reducing dependency on expensive foreign medical equipment.
Capitalizing on Duty-Free Trade: Zero-duty access to the EU, UK, and ASEAN markets allows Indian MedTech firms to achieve economies of scale that were previously inaccessible.
Fostering a Failure-Resilient Culture: By reframing failure as a “stepping stone” and providing 24x7 institutional support, the government is lowering the risk barrier for deep-tech medical entrepreneurs.
Designing Globally Appealing Products: Utilizing the expertise of a new NID will help Indian startups improve product visual appeal and user experience, ensuring they meet the high standards of developed markets.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: In what ways can the ‘80% IP Fee Rebate’ data be used to identify and prioritse genuine innovation sectors like brain health and oncology for fast-tracked regulatory approvals?
Follow the full news here: PIB: Piyush Goyal Calls on MedTech Startups to Go Global