India is an emerging global biotech destination: Dr Jitendra Singh

New Delhi: Addressing the “International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology” (ICGEB) Board Meeting of Governors here today, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology described India as the emerging global biotech destination and said, this is the most appropriate venue for such deliberations at a time when India has much to contribute to the world community.

The Meeting was being attended by representatives from more than 60 countries of the world.

On the occasion, the Minister dedicated India’s first of its kind public funded DST-ICGEB ‘Bio-foundry’ at the 31st Board Meeting of Governors of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in New Delhi.

Founded in 1983, the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is a premier intergovernmental organization dedicated to advancing research in the life sciences. India is one of the founding members of ICGEB. The organization operates through three main centres: New Delhi (India), which focuses on research and biotechnology applications; Trieste (Italy), which serves as the headquarters and coordinates global operations; and Cape Town (South Africa), which functions as a key hub for research, development, and international collaboration.

ICGEB has 69 member countries and plays a key role in biotechnology-led sustainable global development through research, training, and technology transfer.

Addressing the Board of Governors Dr. Jitendra Singh said “This milestone aligns with the Government of India’s BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment), approved under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

Dr. Jitendra Singh reaffirmed that under the Modi Government, India’s bioeconomy has seen an exponential rise — from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, with a target to achieve $300 billion by 2030. He emphasized that India is at the right time, in the right place, with a highly enabling political ecosystem to lead the next global biotechnology revolution.

Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted India’s remarkable progress in the biotechnology sector. He noted that India now ranks 12th globally in biotechnology and holds the 3rd position in the Asia-Pacific region. The country has emerged as the largest vaccine producer in the world and is home to the 3rd largest startup ecosystem globally. A testament to this growth is the exponential rise in biotech startups, which have surged from just 50 in 2014 to over 10,000 in 2024.

Recalling the success of Mission COVID Suraksha, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted the development of the world’s first DNA-based vaccine.He proudly stated that India gifted these vaccines to the world under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, showcasing its commitment to global health equity.

Dr. Jitendra Singh mentioned the development of India’s 1st of its kind Indigenous generation antibiotic for monotherapy in bacterial pneumonia Nafithromycin, backed in part by DBT-BIRAC. He also cited the creation of diagnostic kits for Dengue and HIV.

Emphasizing the national importance of biomanufacturing he lauded the BioE3 Policy, approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024, as a game-changing step to build a resilient ecosystem for bio-based products and promote high-performance biomanufacturing. He stated that India is now poised to lead the next wave of industrial revolution with sustainable biotech-driven manufacturing practices.

Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed pride in ICGEB New Delhi’s pioneering role in implementing the BioE3 Policy, especially through the newly dedicated Bio-foundry. The facility will serve as a platform for scaling up bio-based innovations in collaboration with startups and researchers.

He shared that 105 international students from 29 countries have earned PhDs, along with 112 postdoctoral researchers, reflecting its global academic excellence. He also highlighted the signing of an MoU between DBT and IN-SPACe for advancing space biotechnology and space medicine.

Dr. Singh underscored the importance of maintaining a strong focus on five key sectors to drive the next phase of India’s biotechnology growth. These include bioenergy, bio-industrial, bio-plantation, biomedical, and biomanufacturing. He emphasized that strategic development in these areas will not only strengthen India’s bioeconomy but also contribute significantly to sustainable development and global competitiveness.

The Minister reiterated, “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.”

The ICGEB Board was represented by Dr. Jelena Begovic, President of the ICGEB Board of Governors, who underscored the critical importance of biotechnology in addressing the needs of today’s rapidly changing world.

Dr. Lawrence Banks, Director General of ICGEB (Italy), lauded India’s exceptional commitment and impressive strides in the biotech sector.

Marianna Maculan, Secretary of the ICGEB Board of Governors, was also present during the proceedings.

Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), highlighted India’s growing leadership in the biomedical and bio-industrial sectors, emphasizing recent initiatives that are shaping the future of these domains. Dr. Alka Sharma, Senior Adviser at DBT and Dr Ramesh Sonti, Director, ICGEB were also present at the 31st Board Meeting.