MoU with BARD Bharathidasan University Vice-chancellor M.Ponnavaiko (right), exchanging the MoU with SIMPRA Founder and Chairman Mr.R.J.A.Raj, second from left, in the presence of the Registrar BARD Dr.Radhakrishnan (middle), Prof Dr. M.B.Vishwanathan, Dept. of Plant Science, BARD (left) on the 5th December 2007. Under this MoU, the responsibilities are detailed as follows:

From Left to Right Mr. R.J.A. Raj – Chairman SIMPRA Former Dr. Radhakrishnan - Registrar BARD Dr. Ponnavaiko - Vice chancellor BARD

RESPONSIBILITIES OF BARD

BARD shall extend research expertise for standardizing drugs to promote the export of the two existing IPR products, i.e. (1.) The herbal products advocated for the prevention and management of Type II Diabetes Mellitus, and, (2.) The herbal products advocated for the management of Dysfunction Uterine Bleeding (DUB) of Sharmila Pharma of the SIMPRA and agree to receive 10% royalty for this purpose. The University shall take 4% and give 6% to the inventor, Prof. Dr. M. B. Vishwanathan, at the ratio of 40:60.

The expenses to be incurred for patenting in U.S.A. and Europe and Sharing of royalty / benefits shall be 50:50.

In addition to the academic / research interest, BARD shall also take research on taxonomical, pharmacognostical, phytochemical, antimicrobial and pharmacological studies in the collaborative venture, which are required for drug testing and standardization of drugs including ancient formula.

BARD shall share laboratory facility, equipments, library resources, databases, and other infrastructure facility with SIMPRA.

BARD shall permit Professor Dr. M. B. Vishwanathan to act as Advisor in the Advisory Board of the SIMPRA and as Visiting Professor of the SIMPRA and honor Mr. R. J. A.Raj, chairman, as advisor in the Advisory Board of the BARD.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF SIMPRA

SIMPRA shall share the patent rights of the two existing IPR products, i.e.(1.)The herbal products advocated for the prevention and management of Type II Diabetes Mellitus, and, (2.) The herbal products advocated for the management of Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB) of Sharmila Pharma of the SIMPRA and agree to pay 10% royalty for extending research expertise. The Chairman of SIMPRA, having paid the fees for Indian Patenting of the above products, agrees to modify the patent document for including Bharathidasan University and its inventor, Prof. Dr. M.B. Vishwanathan.

SIMPRA shall share expertise in conducting clinical trials, drug development requirements which are required by Europe and American FDA in the collaborative venture.

JOINT RESPONSIBILITIES

BARD and SIMPRA shall collaborate for discovering and developing new products jointly under collaborative programme and share the profits equally. The expenses to be incurred for patenting within the country and in abroad shall be borne equally. It is further agreed to utilize the expertise of other scientists whenever needed on cost basis.

BARD and SIMPRA shall utilize the expertise of Professor Dr. G. P. Dubey as consultant.

BARD and SIMPRA shall prepare joint projects for collaborative research.

BARD and SIMPRA shall share laboratory facility, equipments, library resources, databases, and other infrastructure facility in all its activities.

BARD and SIMPRA shall undertake cultivation of medicinal plants in the University lands and lands of the SIMPRA and sell the produce in the form of crude drugs/extracts/biomolecules through Sharmila Pharma of the SIMPRA on contract basis. BARD and SIMPRA shall undertake fund raising jointly, bear the expenses equally and share the benefits equally.

BARD and SIMPRA shall host conferences/seminars/symposia/ workshops in collaboration with BARD. They shall apply for fund raising jointly and bear cost of expenses equally. Whether the amount is excess or deficit they shall share equally. In case of training programmes, any profit that will accrue after spent for conducting training programmes shall be shared equally by them.

BARD shall do collaborative research in the formulation of new products and marketing shall be done through Sharmila Pharma of the SIMPRA. Both the institutions agree to share the profit/benefit equally.

BARD and SIMPRA shall agree to sign tripartite agreement on the basis of mutual consent both the parties with the foreign universities/agencies/ /research institutes for promoting their collaborative research and agree to exchange scientists, scholars and students from the three institutions.

BARD and SIMPRA agree to share all kind of profits/benefits that will culminate based on their research equally.

BARD and SIMPRA agree to submit joint proposals in India and abroad and work together in the upliftment of tribal and rural populations by creating job opportunities in rural and tribal areas all over the country.

BARD and SIMPRA are empowered to undertake collaborative venture that is related to broaden the scope of collaborative research as and when required.

• Any legal implication will be confined to Tiruchirapalli Jurisdiction only.
• All the terms and conditions of this MOU are subject to the approval of the various bodies of the University and the provisions of the Rules and Regulations of the University.
• In witness whereof the parties have signed this Memorandum of Understanding of the day, month and year first hereinabove written.

This Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 5th December 2007 at Bharathidasan University by Registrar, BARD, and Chairman, SIMPRA.