Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation To Collaborate With India On Advance Biotech And Vaccine Innovation

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Mar 21 (KNN) In a major boost to technology-driven collaboration, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates met with Union Minister Jitendra Singh during his visit to India.

The two leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions on expanding private sector and startup participation in India's growing innovation landscape and biomanufacturing sector.

The meeting, attended by delegations from both sides, covered advancements in gene therapy, vaccine innovation, biotechnology manufacturing, and the rapidly evolving Indian startup ecosystem.

Jitendra Singh highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has witnessed remarkable growth in biotech innovations, supported by policies like Bio E3-biotechnology for economy, employment, and environment.

He emphasised the crucial role of private players and startups in India's bio-revolution, facilitated by initiatives such as the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

Bill Gates lauded India's biotech achievements, particularly in vaccine development, citing its contributions to the HPV and COVID-19 vaccines.

He also expressed a keen interest in supporting India's initiatives to combat diseases like tuberculosis and malaria, acknowledging India's research potential in delivering global health breakthroughs.

A key highlight of the discussion was India's burgeoning biotechnology startup ecosystem, which now boasts over 10,000 startups.

Jitendra Singh noted that 70 per cent of these focus on medical and health biotech, while others contribute to agriculture, environmental sustainability, and industrial biotechnology.

He reiterated the government's commitment to scaling up innovations through increased funding and policy reforms for faster commercialisation.

Additionally, Gates and Jitendra Singh explored investment opportunities through Gift City, a financial hub facilitating global investments.

Gates indicated that while the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation primarily operates in philanthropy, new financial structures could enable direct investments in promising Indian biotech startups.

As India accelerates its biotechnology advancements, Jitendra Singh reaffirmed the government's dedication to fostering public-private partnerships to ensure the sector's continued growth.

With increased R&D investments and global collaborations, India is on track to becoming a leading hub for biotechnology innovation.

(KNN Bureau)

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