Global Bio India 2024 kickstarts in New Delhi: Spotlight on new startups, global partnerships & cutting-edge innovations

New Delhi: Global Bio-India 2024, a mega international event for national and international biotech stakeholders, was inaugurated virtually by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh on September 12, 2024, in New Delhi.

The event is being held from 12th to 14th September 2024 at Hall No. 5, Pragati Maidan.

A strategic initiative by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and its public sector unit, Biotechnology Industry Assistance Research Council (BIRAC), the event is aimed to propel and position India’s biotechnology sector into the global spotlight.

The three-day event is packed with 9 Technical Sessions, CEO Roundtable, multiple other sessions on various topics of importance that will run parallelly.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Dr Jitendra Singh congratulated DBT and BIRAC for enabling the phenomenal growth and said India’s bio economy has experienced remarkable growth, skyrocketing from $10 billion in 2014 to over $130 billion in 2024, with projections to reach $300 billion by 2030.

The Indian Bio Economy Report 2024 was also launched at the Global Bio India 2024 along with BIRAC Compendium of Products and Technologies 2024. In addition to this the event also witnessed the launch of GBI Exhibitor Directory coupled with Insights into BIRAC Equity Fund and Amrit Grand Challenge JanCARE Innovations Report.

Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted the ‘India Bio Economy Report 2024’ brought out by Department of Biotechnology and BIRAC that captures the phenomenal progress made by the Indian Biotech industry.

Tracing the journey, he lauded the DBT – BIRAC for successfully organizing three editions of Global Bio-India. He also recalled that the first Startup Expo for the Biotech Sector was also organized in June 2022 which was inaugurated by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

BioVoice News is one of the leading official media partners of the Global Bio-India 2024.

Dr. Jitendra Singh called the Global Bio-India 2024 a much bigger event as compared to 2023 with participation from 30+ countries, 500+ exhibitors, 5000+ delegates, 1000+ startups, B2B, B2G, G2G meetings and much more. Dr. Singh said “There are a billion reasons to invest in India, the reasons being India has 60% share of global vaccine production, it has the second highest number of USFDA approved manufacturing plants outside the USA. Opportunities for investments are available in Bio-Pharma, Bio-Agri, Bio-Industrial, Bio-energy, Bio-Services and Med-Tech.”

Underscoring that “Bio-revolution” in India synonymous to the IT Revolution driven by the western world, Dr. Jitendra categorically mentioned the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Employment, and Environment) Policy recently approved by the union cabinet,

Sharing details on the BioE3 Policy, he called this policy as the timely intervention at this crucial juncture for our country in the backdrop of global climate change to enable creation of a cleaner, greener, and prosperous India. He expressed confidence that the new policy would contribute significantly to the global economy while protecting our environment.

He also reiterated the key areas of focus such as bio-based chemicals and enzymes, smart proteins, precision biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, carbon capture and utilization, and advanced marine and space research.

The BioE3 Policy will support this transformation by establishing cutting-edge biomanufacturing facilities, bio foundry clusters, and Bio-AI hubs. The biotech hubs will bridge the gap between research and commercial manufacturing, fostering collaboration between startups, SMEs, and established companies, thereby, boosting High performance Biomanufacturing and Bioeconomy. Integration of AI to analyze large-scale biological data, will pave the way for advancements in gene therapies, food processing added the minister.

Emphasizing on the employment opportunities being created, particularly in tier-II and tier-III cities he stated that biomanufacturing hubs will use local resources and contribute to regional economic development, promoting more inclusive growth.

Dr Jitendra Singh gave a clarion call to raise the bar, break barriers, and reach new heights.  He said “With the momentum, we have gained and with the convergence of talent, India@ 2047 will be a biotechnology leader.

Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw Executive Chairperson, Biocon Limited called for enhanced cooperation and collaboration to increase market share and volume of India’s Pharmaceutical sector. He also said “Biology will drive the economic growth in future economy with leveraging innovation, investment, in intellectual property and sustainable growth.

Dr Tina Sejersgard Fano Executive Vice President, Planetary Health BioSolutions, Novonesis thanked India for the Bio E3 policy and said “We need solutions for economy as well as environment.”

Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India quoted the ‘Australian Strategic Pacific Institute ASPI’ report and said India is among the top countries in 45 out of 64 technologies as per the report and on 2^nd position in Bio-tech manufacturing.

BIRAC collaborates with 9 global organizations

Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) signed Letter of Intent with 9 leading international organisations in Biotechnology namely United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP); UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), UK; DHR Holding India Pvt. Ltd. (Danaher); Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology Ltd (MIBL); La Trobe University; Blockchain for Impact (BFI); US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF); IBioM (Indian Biotech MSME and Startup Foundation); and Bharat Startup and Innovation Society (BSIS)- Bharat Startup Festival.

Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Chairman, BIRAC and DG-iBRIC highlighted the pivotal role of such international conference. Dr (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi DG, CSIR called this as the decade of Innovation and research; G S Krishnan President, Association of Biotech Led Enterprises; Dr Jitendra Kumar Managing Director, BIRAC were also present at the inaugural ceremony.

Over the period of next two days, Global Bio-India 2024 will deliberate on the opportunities and key challenges in the areas of bio-manufacturing, capacity-building, clinical trials, drug discovery, regulation & policies creating global supply chains for achieving a growth-oriented roadmap for the biotechnology sector in the country.