Govt Steps Up Support For Biopharma Startups, Indigenous Manufacturing: Jitendra Singh

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Dec 19 (KNN) The Government of India has taken multiple steps to promote entrepreneurship and strengthen indigenous manufacturing in the biopharmaceutical sector, the Ministry of Science and Technology informed Parliament.

This information was provided by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

BIRAC Strengthens Startup Ecosystem

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has established the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) to nurture startups and encourage entrepreneurship in healthcare.

Through flagship schemes such as Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG), and Social Innovation Programme for Products: Affordable & Relevant to Societal Health (SPARSH), BIRAC has supported nearly 1,000 startups and entrepreneurs.

BIRAC has also built a nationwide incubation network with 94 incubation and pre-incubation centres across 25 states and Union Territories, supporting over 3,000 incubates and fellows through initiatives such as BioNEST and E-YUVA.

National Biopharma Mission Delivers Key Products

DBT is implementing the National Biopharma Mission (NBM), a Cabinet-approved programme called Innovate in India (i3), through BIRAC. The mission focuses on accelerating discovery research and early development of biopharmaceuticals.

Under NBM, support has been extended to over 100 biopharma-oriented projects, involving MSMEs and startups, along with the creation of shared testing, validation and manufacturing facilities.

The programme has also strengthened the ecosystem by setting up 18 functional facilities, 7 Technology Transfer Offices, and a network of 46 Good Clinical Practice (GCP) compliant clinical trial sites.

In addition, the BioE3 Policy is being implemented to foster high-performance biomanufacturing. Biofoundries and biomanufacturing hubs are being set up nationwide, including in advanced areas such as precision biotherapeutics, cell and gene therapies, and mRNA technologies.

PLI Scheme Supports Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

The Department of Pharmaceuticals is implementing the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Pharmaceuticals, with an outlay of Rs 15,000 crore. Biopharmaceuticals are covered under the scheme, with incentives of 10 percent on incremental sales.

As of September 2025, 46 biopharmaceutical products, including vaccines, are being manufactured under the scheme. Cumulative sales of eligible biopharmaceuticals stood at Rs 26,832 crore, including exports worth Rs 16,290 crore.

(KNN Bureau)

MENAFN19122025000155011030ID1110501892