New Delhi, September 1, 2025 – In a groundbreaking move to establish India as a global biotechnology powerhouse, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have unveiled the nation’s first comprehensive Biofoundry Network. This transformative initiative, operating under the BioE3 Policy framework (Biotechnology for Environment, Economy & Employment), represents a strategic leap toward achieving India’s ambitious $300 billion bioeconomy target by 2030.
21 State-of-the-Art Facilities Reshape India’s Biotech Landscape
The pioneering network integrates 21 cutting-edge bio-enabler facilities strategically distributed across India, creating an unprecedented shared infrastructure ecosystem. This collaborative platform will serve startups, SMEs, established industries, and academic institutions by providing access to pilot-scale and pre-commercial biotechnology capabilities previously available only to large corporations.
The network’s comprehensive scope encompasses multiple high-growth sectors including microbial biomanufacturing, sustainable agriculture solutions, smart protein development, functional foods innovation, precision biotherapeutics, marine biotechnology applications, carbon capture technologies, and next-generation cell and gene therapies.
Industry-Academia Collaboration Drives Innovation
The biofoundry and biomanufacturing hub ecosystem features strategic partnerships between leading corporations, research institutions, and specialized incubators:
Advanced Manufacturing Facilities
- Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID), Bangalore partnering with Tata Chemicals Limited to establish a 100L pilot-scale facility specializing in specialty chemicals and enzyme production
- Hi Tech Biosciences India Ltd, Pune developing a 10KL fermentation facility for drug intermediate manufacturing
- Virchow Biotech Private Limited, Hyderabad creating state-of-the-art infrastructure for commercial monoclonal antibody and enzyme production
Precision Medicine and Therapeutics
- Immunoadoptive Cell Therapy Private Limited, Mumbai establishing GMP-grade facilities for gene delivery vector production
- Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Limited, Pune building specialized biomanufacturing hubs for mRNA-based precision medicine
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad collaborating with HiMedia Laboratories to create India’s first Animal Stem Cell repository
Food and Nutrition Innovation
- Laurus Bio, Visakhapatnam setting up fermentation facilities dedicated to functional foods development
- Revelations Biotech Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad establishing QMS-compliant facilities for Fructo-oligosaccharide commercial production
- Sundyota Numandis Probioceuticals Private Limited, Ahmedabad developing QMS-compliant probiotic production capabilities
Specialized Applications
- Jindal Steel, Angul pioneering CO2 sequestration facility development
- KIIT Technology Business Incubator, Bhubaneswar creating dedicated marine biotechnology product facilities
- IIT-Madras with TICEL Bio Park Ltd, Chennai establishing comprehensive support for pharmaceutical and cosmetic product development and scale-up
Government Leadership Champions Biotechnology Self-Reliance
Hon’ble Union Minister of State (IC) Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, emphasized the initiative’s transformative potential: “This is more than just infrastructure – it is a transformative ecosystem that will create jobs, promote green growth, and reinforce India’s standing as a global bioeconomy leader. By aligning with our climate commitments and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, we are laying the foundation for a multi-trillion-dollar bioeconomy by 2047.”
The Minister highlighted how these bio-enablers represent a defining milestone in India’s biotechnology self-reliance journey, positioning the nation for sustainable economic growth while addressing global environmental challenges.
Accelerating Lab-to-Market Translation
Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary DBT and Chairman BIRAC, outlined the network’s role in bridging the innovation gap: “High Performance Biomanufacturing Platforms will ensure our institutions and industries no longer work in isolation. By providing shared infrastructure and encouraging collaboration, we are enabling discoveries to move rapidly from the lab to the marketplace, shaping India’s growth story in biotechnology.”
Dr. Alka Sharma, Senior Adviser at DBT, emphasized India’s comprehensive biotech transformation spanning from microbial strain development to CAR-T therapy and mRNA platforms. She highlighted how biofoundries and biomanufacturing hubs will significantly reduce costs, enhance supply chain resilience, and unlock breakthrough innovations across food, fuel, and healthcare sectors.
Empowering Startup Ecosystem and Global Competitiveness
Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of BIRAC, stressed the initiative’s critical importance for Indian enterprise competitiveness: “Start-ups and innovators often face bottlenecks in scaling their technologies. With this network, we are providing critical access to pilot-scale and commercial-ready facilities, which will not only strengthen self-reliance but also open new avenues for exports and global partnerships.”
Multi-Sector Impact and Strategic Advantages
The Biofoundry Network’s comprehensive approach addresses multiple strategic objectives:
- Healthcare Innovation: Advanced biotherapeutics, precision medicine, and next-generation treatments
- Agricultural Revolution: Sustainable farming solutions and enhanced crop productivity
- Food Security: Functional foods, probiotics, and nutritional supplements
- Energy Transition: Sustainable biofuels and renewable energy solutions
- Environmental Protection: Carbon capture technologies and green manufacturing processes
National Economic Transformation
This landmark initiative positions India at the forefront of the global bioeconomy transition, driving clean and green technology adoption while reducing import dependence. The network will serve as a catalyst for establishing India as a preferred destination for biotechnology innovation, manufacturing, and export.
The comprehensive infrastructure will enable rapid scaling of breakthrough technologies, fostering an environment where scientific discoveries can quickly transition from laboratory research to commercial applications, ultimately contributing to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
About DBT-BIRAC
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), operating under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, along with its Public Sector Undertaking BIRAC, leads India’s biotechnology innovation ecosystem. Together, they drive entrepreneurship development, foster industry collaboration, and accelerate bioeconomy growth across the nation.
