National Biopharma Mission: Bioeconomy to spearhead India’s future growth story, says Dr Jitendra Singh

New Delhi: “Bioeconomy is going to spearhead India’s future growth story,” said the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh at the launch of ‘Impact Report 2024’ at the National Biopharma Mission Conclave in New Delhi on August 08, 2024.

Dr Singh recalled the journey of National Biopharma Mission (NBM) since its inception along with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), calling it a milestone.

“The NBM- Innovate in India (I3) is an Industry-Academia Collaborative Mission for Accelerating Discovery Research for development of Biopharmaceuticals. BIRAC has the mandate to enable and nurture an ecosystem for preparing India’s technological and product development capabilities in bio pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biosimilars, medical devices and diagnostics.  The project was sanctioned with a total cost US$ 250 million which is 50% co-funded by the World Bank. Today nearly 150 organizations and 300 MSME’s are being benefited from the programme,” said Dr Singh.

Underscoring the impact of biotechnology, Dr Singh highlighted that India’s bioeconomy has grown 13-fold in the last 10 years from $10 billion in 2014 to over $130 billion in 2024.It is projected to reach US$300 billion by 2030. He said, “India which ranked 81 in 2015, has risen to 40^th rank out of 132 economies in the Global Innovation Index”.

Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned some contributions of NBM such as India’s first MRI scanner, first DNA vaccine for Covid ZyCoV-D and India’s first Injectable Non-Insulin Antihyperglycemic Biosimilar for type 2- diabetes (liraglutide) during his speech.

The science and Technology Minister shared that NBM has established 21 shared infrastructure facilities for research services and biomanufacturing. These facilities were also leveraged for the COVID vaccine trials during the pandemic and are an important step towards India @2047, saving both cost & time. He also said the existing gaps in biopharmaceutical product development pipeline, National Biopharma Mission has supported more than 200 grantees in three main domains: Vaccines, Biotherapeutics & Medical Devices and Diagnostics while also strengthening the ecosystem. The Mission has introduced over 18 successful products to the market including vaccines, biotherapeutics, medical devices, and diagnostic kits.

According to the Minister, seven technology transfer offices across the nation to support intellectual property management frameworks, training programs and skill development have been established and over 450 Intellectual Property rights awareness campaigns were organized and over 25 technologies have been licensed to industry worth several crore.

Dr.Jitendra Singh remarked the mission as game changer and said that NBM has made the India Biopharma sector globally competitive and addressed unmet medical needs in India. “Even the World Bank has recognized NBM as a hidden jewel in its portfolio.” Dr. Singh. According to the minister two things are vital for any StartUP  to take off first is Early industry linkage and another not limiting it with government resources and leaving the skepticism that StartUP means IT.

In his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh also highlighted the Genome India Flagship Programme of 10,000 Genome Sequencing and stated that is going to determine the future healthcare strategies across the world, both therapeutically and prophylactically.

According to Dr. Singh “PM Modi’s vision empowered the Department of Biotechnology & BIRAC to Strengthen Healthcare Ecosystem”. He also said “India is recognized as a frontline nation in preventive healthcare and the Bio-pharma sector has a pivotal role in it”. He also guided the department to carry forward the initiatives with more zeal and vigour and assured support at each and every step.