Touch Bionics, Scottish developer of the world's first commercially available bionic hand, has announced its market entry into India. The company's Indian distributor, Innovative Prosthetics & Orthotics Pvt Ltd., officially launched i-LIMB hand, the world's most advanced upper limb prosthetic device, in the country recently.

Innovative Prosthetics & Orthotics, leader in the prosthetics and orthotic industry in India, has pioneered several innovative services to clinics and hospitals. Announcing the launch, Touch Bionics director of international sales Gaurav Mishra said, "Our market entry into India demonstrates the rapid expansion of Touch Bionics globally. Within less than two years from launch the company has sold over 700 hands and is now shipping to over 30 countries. Besides the i-LIMB Hand, we also see great potential in India for our LIVINGSKIN products, which are used for aesthetic restoration. Early market entry into India is a strong indicator of future plans as Touch Bionics addresses emerging markets like India. With the government's efforts towards health reforms, we hope that advanced devices like the i-LIMB Hand will become easily available to all citizens in India."

"We receive many patient enquires from India for Touch Bionics products and are extremely pleased to have successfully concluded a partnership arrangement with Innovative Prosthetics & Orthotics to represent us and promote our products in India," he added.

Scottish Development International country manager for India Mark Hallan said Scotland is a world leader in innovation in medical devices and this latest venture into the Indian market by Touch Bionics reinforces that reputation.

Since its debut, the i-LIMB Hand's cutting-edge technology has already been recognised with numerous awards and accolades, including the MacRobert Award by the UK Royal Academy of Engineering, DaVinci Award by the US National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Best Prosthetic or Orthotic Product Innovation Award by the UK Limbless Association, and an inclusion in Time Magazine's Top 50 Inventions of 2008.