National Biofoundry Network
India’s Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh launched the National Biofoundry Network in August 2025. This initiative aims to accelerate biotechnology innovation, scale up biomanufacturing, and create jobs. The move supports India’s growing bioeconomy, which expanded from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024. The government targets $300 billion by 2030.
National Biofoundry Network
The National Biofoundry Network includes six institutions. Its purpose is to transform early-stage biotechnological ideas into scalable products. It supports indigenous biomanufacturing and employment generation. The network is a key part of the BioE3 Policy, which promotes biotechnology for economic growth, environment, and health.
BioE3 Policy and Its Goals
- BioE3 stands for Bioeconomy, Bioenergy, and Bioenvironment.
- The policy focuses on developing bio-based products and their commercialisation.
- It plans to establish BioEnablers such as Bio-Artificial Intelligence hubs, biofoundries, and biomanufacturing hubs.
- Six priority sectors include bio-based chemicals, functional foods, precision biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, carbon capture, and marine and space research.
Achievements in the First Year
Key milestones include the inauguration of India’s first Biomanufacturing Institute in Mohali, Punjab. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) launched over a dozen joint research projects in areas like cell and gene therapy, climate-smart agriculture, and carbon capture. DBT also signed a memorandum of understanding with Assam to establish a BioE3 Cell, encouraging state-level partnerships.
India’s Bioeconomy Growth
Bioeconomy utilises renewable biological resources to produce food, energy, and industrial goods. It supports sustainable development and economic growth. India’s bioeconomy contributed 4.25% to GDP in 2024. Key sectors include biopharmaceuticals, biomedicine, bioagriculture, bioindustrial products, and bioscience research.
Talent and Skill Development
Talent development is central to technology diffusion. The DBT invests in building a skilled workforce through funding and institutional support. This ecosystem enables innovation and strengthens India’s position in global biotechnology.
Global and State-Level Collaboration
India has engaged with 52 countries to share inputs on the BioE3 Policy. The Ministry of External Affairs and DBT coordinate follow-up actions. At the state level, partnerships like the Assam MoU aim to localise bioeconomy benefits and encourage regional innovation hubs.
| Related | |
|---|---|
