BIRAC played crucial role in connecting research with industry
India’s bioeconomy has recorded an annual growth of around 18 percent in 2025, rising to US$195 billion from approximately US$165 billion a year ago, Minister of State for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said on 19 Mar at an industry event.
Addressing the 14th Foundation Day celebrations of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) at Civil Services Officers’ Institute, New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted the role of BIRAC as a key enabler of India’s biotechnology innovation ecosystem.
Biotechnology is now central to India’s future growth story, driving advancements in healthcare, agriculture, climate solutions, and sustainable manufacturing, said the Minister, pointing out that industry is steadily moving towards its target of a US$300 billion bioeconomy by 2030. “This is supported by a strong base of scientists, entrepreneurs, and startups,” he added.
BIRAC has played a crucial role in connecting research with industry and enabling the transition of ideas from laboratories into market-ready solutions, underlined Dr Jitendra Singh.
Highlighting the government’s policy direction, Dr Jitendra Singh spoke about the BioE3 Policy, Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment, as a major step towards strengthening bio-based industries and sustainable biomanufacturing.
He said the policy will promote innovation in areas such as precision biotherapeutics, smart proteins, climate-resilient agriculture, bio-based chemicals, and carbon capture technologies. He added that BIRAC is facilitating this transformation by building shared infrastructure such as bio foundries, Bio-AI hubs and advanced biomanufacturing platforms.
Referring to financial support mechanisms, the Minister spoke about the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund with an outlay of Rs.1 lakh crore, under which BIRAC has been assigned a key role in supporting biotechnology ventures. He said this initiative will help channel long-term investment into projects ready for scale-up and technology translation, strengthening India’s deep-tech ecosystem.
During the event, the India Bioeconomy Report (IBER) 2026 and the BIRAC Impact Report were also released. The reports highlight that India’s bioeconomy, valued at US$195.3 billion in 2025, contributed around 4.8 percent to the national GDP, with a strong CAGR of nearly 18 percent. The sector has more than doubled in size since 2020 and is supported by over 11,800 biotech startups across the country.
The BIRAC Impact Report showcases how targeted funding, incubation and mentorship have enabled industry-academia collaboration and led to the development of affordable healthcare solutions, sustainable technologies, and job creation. It reflects measurable outcomes including commercialization of products, expansion of startups and wider societal impact.
Dr Jitendra Singh emphasized the importance of nurturing young scientific talent, especially from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and said that initiatives supporting students, researchers and women entrepreneurs are helping build a nationwide culture of innovation.
Congratulating BIRAC on its 14th Foundation Day, he called for continued collaboration between science, industry, and policymakers to transform innovation into large-scale impact and contribute to building a self-reliant and developed India. Fiinews.com
