Govt-backed S3V Vascular to manufacture India’s first indigenous stroke device

medical device

India is set to begin manufacturing its first indigenously developed mechanical thrombectomy device following financial support approved by the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology. The initiative is led by Mysuru-based S3V Vascular Technologies, which will establish an integrated production facility near Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, to manufacture critical stroke care tools.

Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove clots from large vessels in the brain and is a standard intervention for acute ischemic strokes. While globally established, access to the procedure in India remains limited due to high costs and a dependence on imported devices.

The proposed facility at the Medical Devices Park in Oragadam will produce a range of neuro-intervention equipment, including microcatheters, guidewires, aspiration catheters, and stent retrievers. S3V Vascular is also seeking CE and USFDA certifications to enable exports to global markets, including Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

The firm’s initiative has drawn investments from notable business figures such as A.M. Naik (Larsen & Toubro Group Chairman Emeritus), Madhusudan Kela (MK Ventures), and Utpal Sheth (Rare Enterprises), reflecting increased interest in healthcare manufacturing and import substitution.

S3V’s founder and managing director, Dr. N.G. Vijaya Gopal, said the company aims to reduce dependence on imported raw materials and introduce design innovations, including a proprietary clot retriever head and a braid-over-coil structure in its aspiration catheter. Several patents have already been filed.

The Indian neuro-intervention market is currently valued at an estimated USD 2 billion. However, experts note that access to advanced stroke care is still limited in Tier-II and rural regions due to gaps in both infrastructure and trained medical personnel.

To address this, the company plans to partner with hospitals and offer simulator-based training for neurologists and radiologists in the use of these devices.

Rajesh Kumar Pathak, secretary of the Technology Development Board, said the move aligns with India’s broader goals in healthcare manufacturing. “This initiative supports India’s vision of becoming a hub for affordable, high-end medical technologies,” he said.

S3V also intends to engage with government health schemes, including Ayushman Bharat, to integrate its products into the public health system. If implemented, this could make thrombectomy procedures more accessible and affordable across the country.

Industry observers say the development could mark a significant step forward for India’s medical device sector, which has historically relied heavily on imports for high-end technologies. The combination of domestic manufacturing, public funding, private investment, and export ambitions positions S3V among the first Indian firms to take on a sector traditionally dominated by multinational corporations.

The success of the project, analysts say, will depend on the company’s ability to scale up production, achieve regulatory clearances, and build trust within India’s clinical community.