NEW DELHI, Aug 10: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has called for greater private-sector participation and investment in India’s biotechnology ecosystem to accelerate the development and commercialisation of indigenous technologies.
Dr Singh stressed the need to strengthen linkages between India’s biotechnology capabilities, industry and investors so that promising innovations can move more rapidly from research and development to commercialisation.
He made the remarks during a meeting with senior officials of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in New Delhi, where various measures to expand investment, industry participation and market opportunities in the biotechnology and life sciences sectors were discussed.
The meeting focused on implementation of the BIRAC Research, Development and Innovation Fund (BIRAC-RDIF), strengthening industry engagement, integrating Life Sciences Global Capability Centres (GCCs) with the domestic biotechnology ecosystem, leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for biotech-led initiatives, enhancing BIRAC’s outreach and international visibility, and creating stronger investor linkages for biotechnology startups and enterprises.
Dr Dhananjay Tiwary, Managing Director, BIRAC and Senior Adviser/Scientist ‘H’, DBT; Dr Manish Diwan, Group General Manager and Head, BIRAC-RDIF; CS Kavita Anandani, General Manager and Head, Corporate & Legal Affairs, along with senior officials attended the meeting.
The BIRAC-RDIF is a key component of the Government’s ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, aimed at advancing deep-tech innovations and high-impact indigenous manufacturing under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 3, 2025, the RDI Fund is managed by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), with BIRAC designated as a Second Level Fund Manager for the biotechnology sector.
The BIRAC-RDIF is designed to support the development and commercialisation of indigenous biotechnology innovations, particularly high-risk and technology-intensive projects covering Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 to 9.
Eligible technology entities, including startups and industry, can receive assistance ranging from ₹5 crore to ₹200 crore, covering up to 50 per cent of the total project cost. The Fund provides support through collateral-free long-term loans, equity and hybrid instruments, with a strategic co-investment framework aimed at attracting greater private investment.
BIRAC has established a dedicated division for the implementation of the Fund. Its first National Call for Proposals was launched on February 13, 2026, along with the BIRAC-RDIF website and an integrated e-portal for applications from eligible startups and industry.
A total of 198 applications have been received and are being appraised in accordance with the scheme guidelines. Screening and evaluation of the first 50 applications have been completed, with eight Eligible Technology Entities selected so far on the recommendations of an Investment Committee comprising external experts. The selected entities are currently undergoing detailed due diligence before entering into loan or equity agreements.
The meeting also discussed leveraging India’s growing Life Sciences Global Capability Centre ecosystem to deepen industry participation in biotechnology. India currently hosts more than 1,700 GCCs employing around 1.9 million professionals, with life sciences and healthcare GCCs emerging as important centres of research and development in areas such as biopharmaceuticals, medical devices and digital health.
BIRAC will facilitate greater integration of existing and prospective GCCs with the domestic biotechnology ecosystem by mapping their requirements in infrastructure, pilot-scale manufacturing and R&D, and connecting them with BioE3 bio-foundries, bio-incubators and startups.
The role of CSR in expanding the biotechnology ecosystem was also discussed. BIRAC proposes to leverage its scientific due-diligence capabilities, nationwide network and grant-management framework to channel CSR investments into biotechnology-led social innovation.
Potential areas include affordable healthcare, diagnostics, maternal and child health, nutrition, climate-resilient agriculture and skill development. BIRAC already has a CSR-implementing-agency framework and has undertaken pilot corporate CSR initiatives.
Strengthening BIRAC’s outreach and visibility was another key area of discussion. BIRAC has proposed branding initiatives at Jammu and Vadodara airports to showcase DBT-BIRAC achievements and create greater awareness among corporates, investors and global partners about opportunities in India’s biotechnology ecosystem.
Jammu is emerging as a destination for biotechnology, healthcare and agri-innovation, while Vadodara has an established pharmaceutical, biotechnology and manufacturing base.
The meeting also highlighted the need to improve access to growth-stage capital for biotechnology enterprises. BIRAC has proposed a BIRAC Startup Investor Connect, a dedicated platform to bring investment-ready biotechnology startups and investors together.
The platform is expected to create greater awareness of biotechnology opportunities, facilitate strategic partnerships, strengthen investment networks and accelerate the commercialisation of innovative technologies.
The initiatives discussed during the meeting are aimed at strengthening the bridge between India’s scientific capabilities, indigenous biotechnology products, industry and investment, while creating greater opportunities for public and private-sector participation.
The approach seeks to accelerate the journey of Indian biotechnology innovations from laboratory validation to commercialisation and strengthen the foundation for a globally competitive biotechnology ecosystem in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047
