India’s emergence as a global biotechnology hub was underscored at the 31st Board Meeting of Governors of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) held in New Delhi, attended by representatives from over 60 countries. The event witnessed the dedication of India’s first publicly funded DST-ICGEB ‘Bio-Foundry’, a facility that will serve as a platform for scaling bio-based innovations through partnerships with startups and researchers.
India’s bioeconomy sees exponential growth under BioE3 policy
India’s biotechnology sector has grown significantly in the last decade. The country’s bioeconomy, which stood at $10 billion in 2014, has expanded to $165.7 billion in 2024 and is on track to reach $300 billion by 2030. This surge is attributed to a series of targeted initiatives, including the BioE3 policy — Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment — approved in 2024 to support resilient bio-manufacturing ecosystems.
The new Bio-Foundry aligns with this national vision, supporting the creation of high-performance biomanufacturing solutions and sustainable industrial practices.
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Global biotech partnerships and space research gain traction
The ICGEB meet also showcased India’s leadership in collaborative biotech initiatives. The New Delhi centre has supported 105 PhD scholars and 112 postdoctoral researchers from 29 countries, reflecting its global academic standing. Recent collaborations include a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and IN-SPACe to advance research in space biotechnology and medicine.
India’s biotech achievements include the development of the world’s first DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, indigenous antibiotics like Nafithromycin for pneumonia treatment, and diagnostic kits for dengue and HIV. The country has also emerged as the largest vaccine producer globally and now ranks 12th in the global biotech landscape and third in the Asia-Pacific region.
India targets five sectors to lead next biotech revolution
India’s biotech roadmap is focused on five key domains: bioenergy, bio-industrial applications, bio-plantation, biomedical solutions, and biomanufacturing. The government believes these sectors are central to transforming India into a self-reliant, innovation-led bioeconomy leader.
With policy support, infrastructure investment, and a thriving startup ecosystem, India is positioning itself to lead the next phase of global biotech development, offering sustainable solutions and cutting-edge technologies to the world.