India to Establish Regional BIRAC Centers to Boost Biotech Startups and Biomanufacturing

New Delhi: In a significant move to harness India’s biotechnology potential, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the creation of Regional BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) Centers across the country in collaboration with state governments. The initiative aims to accelerate biotech startups and biomanufacturing, driving India’s leadership in the global biotech sector.

Presiding over a high-level meeting of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, emphasized the importance of comprehensive mapping of states based on their biotech potential. He directed the department to collaborate with states in establishing Bio E3 (Economy, Environment, and Employment) Cells, with Assam being the first state to launch a dedicated BIO E3 cell. These specialized units will provide essential support for fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and biotech venture growth.

Recognizing the crucial role of startups in advancing biomanufacturing, Dr. Singh called for enhanced incubator support and emphasized the need to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in biomanufacturing and bio foundries. He underscored that a tripartite collaboration between research infrastructure, startups, and industrial R&D is key to India’s biotech revolution. The department has been tasked with setting up Core R&D Facilities equipped with state-of-the-art biomanufacturing capabilities to aid pilot validation, upscaling, and commercialization of biotech innovations.

Reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to fostering a biotech revolution, Dr. Singh highlighted the success of the Centre-State Partnership Summit in Delhi and noted that several states have shown interest in establishing Biotechnology Parks to strengthen India’s bio-economy. He also directed the department to prioritize regenerative technologies and urged collaboration with industry leaders to replicate India’s Space Sector success in biotech.

To accelerate biotech growth, Dr. Singh instructed DBT to establish early industry linkages and adopt a 4P Model (Public-Private-People Partnership). He welcomed proposals to create global BIRAC Centers to attract cutting-edge biomanufacturing technologies and foreign investments.

Praising India’s global standing in biotechnology, Dr. Singh noted that India ranks third in biotech research publications worldwide, with nearly two-thirds of these research papers emerging from the Department of Biotechnology. “This reflects India’s growing influence and leadership in the international biotech arena,” he remarked.

With these strategic directives, the Government aims to position India as a global leader in biotechnology, ensuring that biomanufacturing, research, and innovation drive economic and scientific progress in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.