IIT Bombay will be shortly filing patents for two of its Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) molecules at the Patent Controller's office. The IIT is also evaluating the scope for filing international patents for the same.

Out of the two molecules, one is for neo-natal application, whereas the other is for adults. These molecules are plant-based surfactants, which effectively contain adjuvants and essential oils.

"Very soon, we expect to receive patents for our molecules. IITB's committee on patents is also evaluating the scope for filing international patents," said prof Jayesh Bellare, head, School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay.

The neonatal ARDS molecule has already entered phase I clinical trials in India. The adult version has entered pre-clinical studies. "The molecule is promising and Sree Chitira Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram will be conducting pre-clinical studies of the molecule," said Bellare.

IIT-B has filed Indian patents on its anti-malarial molecule and an IT tool for new designing methods of molecules.

IIT-B has already set up an incubator within its campus with an initial corpus of Rs 20 crore. The incubator is meant to fund projects of students with promising innovative ideas mainly in the areas of biotechnology and nanotechnology. The incubator will also fund start-up biotech and pharmaceutical companies in India and abroad.

IIT-B has set up an Industrial Research & Consultancy Centre (IRCC). IRCC coordinates the research and development activities at IIT Bombay. IRCC will collaborate with industry and government organizations to foster research and development. The institute has also set up a Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, which would work on assisting young discoverers at the institute develop entrepreneurial skills.