Private sector participation key to biotech growth: Dr Jitendra Singh
New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh on Monday called for enhancing private sector participation in India’s biotechnology ecosystem, strengthening industry outreach to promote indigenous products and technologies.
He also stressed increasing private investment in this sector during a meeting with senior officials of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) here.
The meeting discussed measures to expand investment, industry participation and market opportunities for the biotechnology sector. It focused on implementing the BIRAC Research, Development and Innovation Fund (BIRAC‑RDIF), integrating Life Sciences Global Capability Centres with the domestic ecosystem, leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility for biotech initiatives, enhancing BIRAC’s outreach and creating stronger investor linkages for startups and enterprises.
The BIRAC‑RDIF is a key component of the Central government’s Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund to advance deep‑tech innovations and indigenous manufacturing under Viksit Bharat 2047.
It acts as a Second Level Fund Manager, to support projects at Technology Readiness Levels 4 to 9 with assistance from Rs 5 crore to Rs 200 crore covering up to 50 per cent of project costs through collateral‑free loans, equity and hybrid instruments.
BIRAC has established a dedicated BIRAC-RDIF division to ensure ring-fenced implementation of the Fund. The first National Call for Proposals was launched on February 13, 2026, along with the BIRAC-RDIF website and an integrated e-portal for receiving applications from eligible startups and industry.
A total of 198 applications has been received and are being appraised in accordance with the scheme guidelines, the statement noted.
Screening and evaluation of the first 50 applications has been completed, with eight Eligible Technology Entities selected so far. These entities are currently undergoing detailed due diligence before entering into loan or equity agreements.
The meeting also focused on tapping the growing Life Sciences Global Capability Centre (GCC) ecosystem to deepen industry participation in India’s biotechnology sector. India currently hosts over 1,700 GCCs employing around 1.9 million professionals.
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 India’s BioE3 bio-foundries, bio-incubators and startups, the ministry said.
—IANS
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