New Delhi: The fourth edition of Global Bio-India 2024 concluded successfully at Pragati Maidan, showcasing India’s growing prowess in the biotechnology sector. Organized by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), the event ran from September 12 to 14 and brought together stakeholders from both national and international biotech communities.
The three-day event was inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, marking the largest representation of biotechnology stakeholders in India. This year’s theme, “Biotech Innovation” and “Bio-manufacturing,” focused on the potential of these sectors to drive the country’s bioeconomy.
Key Highlights:
- Biotech Startups Shine: Indian biotech startups took center stage with the unveiling of 11 cutting-edge products, underscoring the country’s talent and innovation in biosciences.
- Partnerships Forged: Letters of Intent were exchanged between BIRAC, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and IPE Global, signaling new co-funding partnerships aimed at fostering biotech innovation.
- Awards and Recognitions: The event honored key contributions to the biotech industry with several awards:
- BIRAC Innovators Awards
- Best Startup Exhibitor Awards
- Best Incubator Exhibitor Awards
- BioE3 Competition Awards
The valedictory session also saw the launch of new calls for proposals under the i4 (Innovation for Industry) and PACE (Promoting Academic Collaboration and Entrepreneurship) programs, reaffirming the government’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and academic partnerships in the biotech field.
Expert Insights and Industry Focus:
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani and Former Director of IIT-Delhi, served as the Guest of Honor. He emphasized the need to develop organizational models similar to BIRAC for emerging technologies like nanotechnology and quantum technology. Prof. Rao also highlighted the importance of nurturing deep tech startups led by PhDs and academic faculty, calling on institutions to encourage entrepreneurship. In his address, he paid tribute to the late Dr. M.K. Bhan, the visionary behind BIRAC, for his significant contributions to India’s biotech sector.
A Roadmap for the Future:
Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary of DBT and Chairman of BIRAC, along with other senior officials including Dr. Alka Sharma, Senior Adviser at DBT, and Dr. Jitendra Kumar, MD of BIRAC, expressed gratitude to all participants, panelists, and partners for their contributions to the event. The discussions and innovations presented during Global Bio-India 2024 laid out a roadmap for India to leapfrog in biotech innovation and bio-manufacturing, setting the stage for future growth and global collaboration in the sector.