Biotechnology sector has witnessed unprecedented growth in India in recent times, transforming education, research and the industrial ecosystem as a whole
Nilambar Rath, Sriram Singh Rattan & Prachi Tanaya Behera with field input from Global Bio-India 2024 by Biswajit Sahoo
Biotechnology sector has witnessed unprecedented growth in the country in recent times, transforming education, research and the industrial ecosystem as a whole. Odisha, a fast-developing state in the eastern seaboard of India, stands at the forefront of this bio-revolution.
With its rich biodiversity and vast natural resources coupled with a dynamic state biotechnology policy, Odisha is fast becoming a hub for biotech innovation, poised to contribute significantly to the Indian Bio-economy.
The recently concluded Global Bio-India (GBI 2024), an internationally acclaimed event in the biotechnology sector, was an exalted stage to showcase the current trends and futuristic outlook of Odisha Biotechnology sector.
The program provided exposure to budding biotech startups of the participating states where the young enterprises showcased their pioneering ideas and products. During the event, the startups also got a chance to network with peer startups, attract investments and forge national & international connections. Thus, 10 innovative biotech startups from Odisha were the key attractions in Odisha Pavilion at GBI 2024.
Hosted by Department of Biotechnology, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, GBI was held from September 12-14, 2024 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This 4th edition of the event attracted a huge footfall from the sector including a good number of exhibitors including state governments, reputed research institutions, startup incubators and leading bio-manufacturing companies.
“I’m delighted to inaugurate Global Bio-India 2024, celebrating DBT-BIRAC’s role in growing India’s bio economy from $10 billion in 2014 to $151 billion in 2023, with a vision to reach $300 billion by 2030. The BioE3 Policy of Government of India is a timely intervention, focusing on bio-based chemicals, smart proteins, precision bio therapeutics and climate-resilient agriculture, to create a cleaner, greener and prosperous India,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister for Science & Technology, Government of India, while inaugurating the flagship event.
“The BioE3 Policy is expected to create significant employment opportunities, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, promoting regional economic development and a more inclusive growth model,” the minister added. The BioE3 policy which promotes biotechnology for economy, environment and employment has become the new buzz-word for the industry after it was launched recently.
“Over the past four years, this conference has experienced exponential growth, culminating in a record-breaking attendance of ten thousand delegates and six hundred exhibitors this year. It’s a testament to the industry’s momentum, with all leading stakeholders present. The recent introduction of the BioE3 policy by the Department of Biotechnology has been a game-changer, propelling the biotech sector forward. This visionary policy prioritizes employment, economic growth and ecological sustainability, paving the way for a brighter future,” remarked Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a key driver and facilitator of the sector formed under DBT.
“Odisha is advantageously positioned to harness biotechnology applications owing to its rich natural & bio-resources. Various industry friendly incentives have been laid down by the Government of Odisha under Odisha Biotechnology Policy 2024. With abundant bioresources, growing research & development activities, a dynamic startup ecosystem, Odisha Biotech Park & an active industry engagement in biotech space, the state envisions on developing Odisha as an emerging biotechnology hub of India,” says Chithra Arumugam, Principal Secretary, Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha.
Smt. Arumugam represented the potential and prospects of biotechnology sector in Odisha at the ‘State Roundtable’, hosted by GBI. “Odisha is preparing to harness the bioeconomy in the coming days,” she added.
The ‘Odisha Biotechnology Policy’ prioritizes development in several segments, including agriculture and food processing, animal and plant biotechnology, aquatic and marine biotechnology, biomedical and biopharmaceutical research, biomedical devices and biosensors, molecular and genetic diagnostics, biomanufacturing, biofuel and bioenergy, among others. Led by Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister, Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha, the state exhibited its biotech opportunities at the flagship international event ‘Global Bio-India’.
“Odisha is poised to emerge as a frontrunner in India’s Blue Economy, leveraging its vast coastal resources to drive growth and development. As a state with an extensive coastline, Odisha’s economic future is intricately linked to the ocean and its riches. With the government taking proactive steps, Odisha is well-positioned to spearhead this initiative, transforming not just its own economy but also contributing significantly to the nation’s bioeconomy,” said, Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC, at the occasion.
Global Bio-India (GBI) 2024 had a technical session titled ‘Tapping the Blue Economy’, which focused on India’s maritime resources. Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister Science and Technology Department, Government of Odisha delivered the keynote address at the session highlighting the roadmap of the state to harness the opportunities.
“Odisha has amazing strength in biotechnology that should be leveraged. With a vast coastline and myriad marine resources, Blue Economy will be pivotal for the state. In the next 10 years, Odisha should aim to become one of the best biotech hubs of India,” said Dr. Satya Prakash Das, Former Head of Strategy, BIRAC, while speaking to OdishaPlus team.
Taking the idea forward, Dr. Debasis Dash, Director, Institute of Life Sciences Bhubaneswar asserted, “Odisha’s biotechnology sector is booming. With BioE3 policy we will attract new talents who will focus on marine biotechnology. By exploring the huge marine resources Odisha can boost the bioeconomy as a major economic driver for the state”.
Odisha boasts of dense forests, diverse agro-climatic zones, mangroves, wetlands and marine areas, offering an exceptionally rich biological diversity in terms of species variety and abundance. This treasure trove of resources has caught the attention of researchers, entrepreneurs and investors, making Odisha an attractive destination for biotech investments.
“Odisha Biotechnology Policy is a dynamic instrument to drive Bioeconomy in the state. Moreover, the BioE3 policy will facilitate startups & promote bioindustries in the region,” opined Dr. Mrutyunjay Suar, CEO KIIT-TBI & Chairman Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC). Dr. Suar attended the panel at the Blue Economy session at GBI 2024.
‘Odisha Pavilion’ at GBI 2024 highlighted the state’s biotechnology potential with a focus on new age products and solutions developed by Odisha-based startups. These ventures nurtured in the state’s startup ecosystem, demonstrated the potential to drive biotech growth in the region, addressing pressing global challenges.
“I’ve developed three patented products, with a focus on revolutionizing oral biopsy procedures. The product is a user-friendly, self-cutting, and self-retrieval oral biopsy instrument, essentially a ‘pen-like’ device that simplifies the process, eliminating the need for extensive instrumentation. Now biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis and unskilled biopsy leads to erroneous diagnosis and life-threatening conditions,” says Prof. Dr. Neeta Mohanty, Founder, Orease Oral Care Solutions Pvt, a participating startup at GBI 2024.
“We’re pioneering satellite technology to produce pharmaceuticals in space, harnessing microgravity to create innovative compounds. We aim to slash this timeline and costs by 20% to 30%, making new drugs more accessible and affordable,” narrates Antariksh Parichha, a young startup founder representing his venture, Serendipity Space. Antariksh’s idea drew a good attention at the Odisha Pavilion.
“At Aurassure, we provide hyperlocal climate data insights through our innovative SAS platform and the world’s largest climate data platform, leveraging our proprietary sensing equipment to track a wide range of parameters, from air quality to extreme weather events and heat waves. The AI platform can provide you with different kind of analysis like hotspot map of any city, prediction for a few days, forecasting of any location and data of these physical extreme events of any location in the world,” highlights Akanksha Priyadarshini, Founder & CEO, Aurassure. Her company among others was invited by the Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha, to showcase their product at GBI.
“At EzeRx, we’ve developed an innovative approach to measure hemoglobin levels without a single drop of blood, making anemia detection faster, safer, and more accessible. EzeCheck is designed to be user-friendly, infection free, IoT-enabled and easily operable, bridging the gap in healthcare accessibility,” says Partha Das Mahapatra, Founder & CEO, EzeRx while speaking to OdishaPlus team at the global event.
Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology says, “GBI 2024 unites brilliant minds and visionaries in biotechnology to shape the future of this transformative field. As the world faces climate change, food security, health crises, and sustainable development challenges, biotechnology is poised to lead the change with groundbreaking solutions”.
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Ltd. asserts at the occasion, “Biology has become the new frontier, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and capabilities in unimaginable ways. Groundbreaking discoveries in bioscience are transforming every aspect of human existence, driving a healthcare revolution through advances in genetics, omics, RNA and more, enabling unprecedented precision and personalized medicine. Biotech is scripting a sustainable future and biology promises a more resilient and responsive solution to global challenges. Together, we can harness biology’s power to drive economic growth and create a sustainable future for our nation and the world”.
India’s biotechnology sector has made tremendous strides in recent years, establishing itself as a key player in the global arena. Leveraging its strengths in vaccine development, generics and more, India has become a hub for affordable healthcare solutions. With the government’s focus on bio-economy, innovation and entrepreneurship, India is set to unlock the full potential of biotechnology, addressing pressing challenges and enhancing quality of life for its citizens and globally.
(The authors are communication professionals. Views expressed are personal.)
#GlobalBioIndia2024 #Biotechnology #Bioeconomy
A good story. Progress in Biotechnology sector will definitely contribute to the Economy, Environment and Employment. Odisha is a rich state so far as biodiversity and bio resources are concerned. So initiatives must be taken for the utilisation, conservation and optimization of the resources.