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 Mukesh Agarwal, CEO, Invati Creations Pvt Ltd, formally appended their signatures digitally to the commercialization 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 commercialization. Earlier, Dr Vinita Jindal, DGM & Head of Intellectual Property and Technology Management at the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), highlighted 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.’ Prof Haroon R Naik, Director Research, SKUAST-K, in his remarks, underscored the significance of this technology transfer for the food industry. Prof Syed Mudasir Andrabi, Head of Animal Biotechnology at SKUAST-K and the lead innovator, provided a 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.
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.