In a significant breakthrough for India’s medical technology sector, a customised Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) implant procedure was successfully performed for four patients by the clinical team at Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), New Delhi.

MAIDS — a Centre for Advanced Research (CAR) under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and coordinated by the Medical Device and Diagnostics Mission Secretariat (MDMS) within the Division of Development Research — achieved this milestone as the country’s ongoing efforts to promote indigenous innovation in healthcare technology.

The TMJ implant was indigenously developed at the ICMR-DHR-MedTech Product Development Acceleration Gateway of India (mPRAGATI) — a state-of-the-art facility coordinated by MDMS at IIT Delhi. This innovation marks a major step towards reducing reliance on costly imported implants and enhancing access to affordable, high-quality medical devices for Indian patients.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda hailed the achievement, stating, “The successful implantation of customised TMJ implant at MAIDS, supported by ICMR and mPRAGATI-IIT Delhi, reflects the growing strength of India’s MedTech sector. This achievement shows how homegrown innovation, backed by strong research and policy support, can lead to affordable and impactful advances in healthcare.”  

ICMR Director General Dr. Rajiv Bahl noted that it highlights the power of collaboration between clinical experts, engineers, and researchers to deliver real-world health solutions.

“ICMR is proud to support innovations that not only reduce costs but also improve patient outcomes, advancing India’s leadership in affordable healthcare technologies,” he added.

The indigenous TMJ implant offers several advantages over imported options, including improved functionality, better patient outcomes, affordability, and reduced waiting times.

Developed under the Make in India initiative, the implant costs nearly one-fifth of Indian industry-made versions and one-eighth to one-tenth of imported ones.