Achievements of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in 2025 - Capability Advances and Sectoral Impact

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India’s Bio-Economy Expansion and Global Positioning

India’s bio-economy has expanded nearly sixteen times over the past decade, reaching over $165 billion in 2024, with a clear trajectory toward $300 billion by 2030. The country now ranks among the leading global biotechnology hubs, supported by a strong startup base and the world’s largest vaccine manufacturing capacity.

This growth reflects a transition from isolated research successes to a more integrated biotechnology ecosystem spanning research, manufacturing, and commercial deployment.

Read More: Biomanufacturing Capacity at Concordia University

Biomanufacturing, Biofoundries, and the BioE3 Framework

A major milestone in 2025 was the launch of India’s first National Biofoundry Network, comprising six biofoundries and a high-performance biomanufacturing platform. Implemented under the BioE3 Policy, this initiative prioritises:

• Bio-based chemicals, APIs, and enzymes.
• Smart proteins and functional foods.
• Precision biotherapeutics, including cell and gene therapies.
• Climate-resilient agriculture and carbon utilisation.
• Marine and space biotechnology.

Together, these platforms aim to strengthen indigenous biomanufacturing and reduce reliance on import-intensive value chains.

World-Class Research Infrastructure and Shared Access

In 2025, India strengthened its biotechnology research backbone by commissioning advanced national facilities.

• A dedicated Animal BSL-3 Facility for Non-Human Primates was established to enable high-containment preclinical research on vaccines and therapeutics.
• Advanced Cryo-EM, stem-cell, and imaging facilities were commissioned, expanding capabilities in structural biology, regenerative medicine, and translational research.
• Nationwide access to these high-end resources is being enabled through DBT-SAHAJ shared research platforms.

This model lowers entry barriers for cutting-edge research and accelerates high-quality, multi-institutional collaboration.

Genomics, Data Infrastructure, and AI Integration

The GenomeIndia programme reached a critical inflexion point with the release of 10,000 whole genome sequences, supported by the launch of the FeED framework and the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC).

These platforms enable secure data sharing, large-scale analytics, and AI-driven research across health, agriculture, and environmental biotechnology, strengthening India’s position in data-intensive life sciences.

Startup, Incubation, and Commercialisation Momentum

India’s biotechnology innovation pipeline continued to scale in 2025 through an expanded national incubation network.

• 75 BioNEST Centres and 19 E-YUVA Centres now operate across the country, together providing over 9,00,000 sq. ft. of incubation space.
• The E-YUVA programme expanded from 10 to 19 pre-incubation centres, covering 15 States and Union Territories, strengthening early-stage innovation beyond major metros.
• Collectively, these incubators have supported 3,000+ biotech entrepreneurs and startups, enabled 1,300+ IP filings, and helped 800+ products progress toward market deployment.

This infrastructure links academic research, early innovation, and commercial pathways, reducing the translation gap in India’s biotechnology ecosystem.

Read More: Draft Seeds Bill 2025

Translational Research and Societal Applications

Biotechnology translation advanced across health, space, and agriculture:

• Space biotechnology experiments on the Axiom-4 mission, under the BioE3 policy, validated microalgae and cyanobacteria growth in microgravity and revealed impaired human muscle regeneration, informing both space missions and ageing research.
• In health and biopharma, indigenous vaccines, diagnostics, biosimilars, bioreactors, and AI-enabled tuberculosis drug-resistance mapping strengthened public health preparedness under the TB-Mukt Bharat mission.
• Agricultural biotechnology (such as the development of drought-resistant rice variety ‘Arun’ by Assam Agricultural University and Assam Rice Research Institute) has delivered gene-edited, climate-resilient crops, reinforcing food security amid increasing climate stress.

DhruvStar Industry Insights: What It Means for the Biotechnology Sector

1) Biomanufacturing Is Becoming a Core National Capability

The shift from research funding to platform-led biomanufacturing signals long-term intent to anchor high-value biotech production domestically.

2) Data Platforms Are Now Strategic Infrastructure

Genome-scale datasets and interoperable portals position genomics and AI as foundational tools rather than standalone research projects.

3) Translation Is Outpacing Discovery Alone

The emphasis on deployable vaccines, diagnostics, devices, and climate-resilient crops reflects a maturing innovation pipeline focused on outcomes.

4) Talent and Startups Are Being Systematically Linked

Fellowship continuity, incubation networks, and youth challenges indicate tighter coupling between human capital, startups, and national missions.

Sources

[1] PIB

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