India Emerges as Global Biotech Hub: Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates Nation’s First Public Bio-foundry at ICGEB Board Meeting

New Delhi: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today declared India as the emerging global biotech destination, while addressing the 31st Board Meeting of Governors of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in New Delhi. Representatives from over 60 countries participated in the prestigious gathering that showcased India’s rapid strides in biotechnology and life sciences.

In a landmark moment during the event, the Minister inaugurated India’s first public-funded DST-ICGEB ‘Bio-foundry’, positioning it as a transformative platform for scaling bio-based innovations. The facility will play a key role in implementing the Government’s BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment), approved in 2024 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“India has the most enabling milieu today for biotechnology. The time is right, the ecosystem is ripe, and we have visionary leadership steering us toward becoming a global bioeconomy leader,” said Dr. Singh, who holds multiple portfolios including Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Space.

Dr. Singh highlighted the meteoric growth of India’s bioeconomy — from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, with an ambitious target of $300 billion by 2030. He credited the government’s proactive policies for positioning India as the 12th largest biotech economy globally, and 3rd in the Asia-Pacific.

India has also emerged as the world’s largest vaccine producer and boasts the third-largest startup ecosystem, with biotech startups growing from just 50 in 2014 to over 10,000 in 2024.

Recalling India’s achievements during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Singh praised the Mission COVID Suraksha, which led to the development of the world’s first DNA-based vaccine. Through the Vaccine Maitri initiative, India extended vaccine support to other nations, reinforcing its commitment to global health.

He also spotlighted the development of Nafithromycin, India’s first indigenous antibiotic for bacterial pneumonia, and the creation of diagnostic kits for diseases like Dengue and HIV. These efforts, he said, underscore India’s growing capacity in bio-innovation and indigenous healthcare solutions.

Dr. Singh urged a continued focus on five strategic areas — bioenergy, bio-industrial, bio-plantation, biomedical, and biomanufacturing — to drive the next phase of growth. The newly launched BioE3 Policy is designed to create a resilient ecosystem for bio-based products and foster sustainable, high-performance biomanufacturing.

He also emphasized India’s pioneering role in space biotechnology, citing a new MoU signed between DBT and IN-SPACe to advance research in space medicine.

Founded in 1983, ICGEB is a premier intergovernmental organization with centers in New Delhi (India), Trieste (Italy), and Cape Town (South Africa). India is a founding member and a key contributor to the organization’s global initiatives.

ICGEB New Delhi has trained 105 international PhD students from 29 countries and 112 postdoctoral researchers, reflecting its stature as a global academic hub.

Dr. Jelena Begovic, President of the ICGEB Board of Governors, emphasized biotechnology’s role in addressing modern global challenges. ICGEB Director General Dr. Lawrence Banks praised India’s “exceptional commitment and impressive strides,” while Marianna Maculan, Secretary of the Board, lauded the collaborative spirit of the meeting.

Senior officials including Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Alka Sharma, Senior Adviser, DBT, and Dr. Ramesh Sonti, Director, ICGEB, were also present.

The event marked a pivotal moment for India’s leadership in global biotechnology, reinforcing its position as an innovation powerhouse committed to sustainable development, scientific collaboration, and health equity.