ICAR Institute Patents Fish-Parasite Treatment Already Sold as CIFRI ARGCURE

The ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) in Barrackpore has been granted Indian Patent No. 600617 for "A Process for Nanoemulsifiable Concentrate Formulation of Hydrophobic Bioactive Molecules," the institute announced on August 27, 2026. The patented technology has already been developed into a commercial product called CIFRI ARGCURE, used to manage Argulus and other external parasites that affect fish, a significant challenge for fish health and aquaculture productivity.

CIFRI ARGCURE had already been commercialised twice on a non-exclusive basis through Agrinnovate India Limited before the patent was granted, and the institute says the patent now gives the underlying formulation technology stronger intellectual-property protection. "The grant of Patent No. 600617 is a moment of pride for ICAR-CIFRI and, more importantly, reflects our commitment to taking research beyond the laboratory," said Dr. Pradeep De, Director of ICAR-CIFRI. "Successful commercialization of CIFRI ARGCURE demonstrates that when scientific innovation is tailored to fisheries sector needs, it can lead to technologies with significant regional and commercial potential."

De said the institute would continue encouraging research that creates intellectual property, facilitates technology transfer, and contributes to the productivity, sustainability and profitability of fisheries and aquaculture systems, while congratulating the team behind the invention. He also stressed the need to strengthen ties between research institutions, industry and end-users to speed up adoption of indigenous technologies.