India-Denmark Partnership Targets IP Capacity Gaps, Commercialisation Challenges For MSMEs

New Delhi, Sep 24 (KNN) India’s record growth in patent filings is shifting the focus of its intellectual property (IP) ecosystem towards commercialising innovation, with Denmark identifying the conversion of intellectual property into viable products and businesses as a key next challenge.

India recorded around 1.43 lakh patent filings in 2025-26, over 30 per cent higher than the previous year, making it the world’s sixth-largest patent filer. Its position in the Global Innovation Index has also improved from 81st in 2015 to 38th.

Focus On R&D, Private Sector Participation

The Danish assessment noted that India spends around 0.65 per cent of GDP on research and development, compared with 3.18 per cent in Denmark, where industry funds nearly two-thirds of R&D spending, reported Business Standard.

It said stronger commercialisation mechanisms and greater private-sector participation could help translate more Indian innovation into technologies, businesses, jobs and investment.

“India has built remarkable momentum as an innovation economy. Our shared task is to ensure that more of those ideas become technologies, businesses, jobs and investment,” Denmark’s Ambassador to India Rasmus Abildgaard Christensen said.

MSMEs Face IP Capacity Gaps

The cooperation has identified challenges for MSMEs in navigating IP procedures, using intellectual property as a business asset and accessing effective enforcement mechanisms.

Denmark is working with the Ministry of MSME to strengthen Intellectual Property Facilitation Centres (IPFCs) through competency standards and training material. 

An IP Awareness Manual for MSMEs is also being finalised to help smaller businesses use IP for raising capital, licensing technology, forming international partnerships and entering new markets.

“Intellectual property should be a business tool, not an administrative burden,” said Denmark’s IPR Counsellor Louise Boisen.

Greater Predictability In IP Regime

The partnership is also examining predictability in India's IP regime, including the application of Section 3(d) of the Patents Act, which requires enhanced efficacy for patents covering improvements to known medicines.

The Danish assessment recognised the provision's public-health objective while noting that clarity and consistency in its application could provide greater certainty to domestic innovators and international investors.

Commercialisation To Drive Next Phase

Under the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership, cooperation covers IP administration, enforcement, awareness and commercialisation.

The next phase will focus on IP valuation, strategic use of intellectual property and attracting investment. 

A commercialisation conference with DPIIT and the launch of the MSME IP Awareness Manual are tentatively planned for November 2026, while an all-India judges' colloquium on IP and commercial laws is planned for January 2027.

(KNN Bureau)