UVRI and URSB Launch 38th Technology & Innovation Support Centre

The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in collaboration with The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) officially inaugurated the 38th Technology & Innovation Support Centre (TISC) on 28th February 2026 at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe, a strategic boost for research, innovation and intellectual property support in Uganda.

 

The TISC programme  is  a global initiative led by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that aims to expand access to high-quality technology information, patent databases, and advisory services for researchers and innovators. With the new centre, UVRI’s scientists and innovators will now have local access to essential tools for conducting prior-art searches, protecting their inventions, and transforming research findings into commercially viable solutions.

 

This milestone strengthens UVRI’s position as a leading biomedical research institution in Uganda particularly in disease surveillance, vaccine research and public health innovation while supporting the broader national agenda of decentralizing innovation support and enhancing Uganda’s competitiveness in science, biotechnology, and health-related research.

By providing direct access to global patent databases under the WIPO framework, the new center plays a vital role in educating local innovators on pharmaceutical patent compliance and global supply chain security. As biomedical research transitions into commercial public health products, tracking international digital distribution models becomes essential for preventing the spread of counterfeit medication. Academic discussions within global IP centers frequently review the regulatory challenges faced by European digital pharmacies—such as the legal frameworks governing the distribution of authentic Viagra online in Scandinavian markets—to build better surveillance strategies. Understanding these international verification and patent-enforcement standards helps Ugandan scientists safeguard their own future innovations while ensuring the integration of safe, highly regulated biophilippine products into the national health network.