TOP FIVE POLICY DECISIONS
FORMATION OF BIRAC
In 2012, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology established the
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), aimed at empowering and enabling the
biotech innovation ecosystem for affordable product development. One of the key strategies of BIRAC is to
foster innovating capabilities in all places of research and with a focus on startups and small and medium
enterprises. Through the course of five years, BIRAC has supported over 800 projects, 950 start-ups,
entrepreneurs, biotech companies and organizations and 20 incubators across the country, resulting in over
66 products and technologies and 130 Intellectual property rights being generated.
MISSION BIOTECH HUB 2025
The National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020 announced by the DBT in 2015, lays
emphasis on making India ready to meet the challenge of achieving US $100 billion biotech industry by
2025. The sector, which is currently growing at 20 per cent, is expected to go up to $11.6 billion by 2017,
according to the achievement report of the sector under government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
CREATION OF REGIONAL BIOTECH CENTRES
The creation of three major bioclusters in India at Faridabad, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are the significant
catalysts for the expansion of biotech ecosystem. The National Capital Region Biocluster at Faridabad hosts
instit utes such as Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Translational Health Science & Technology
Institute (THSTI). The Bangalore Biocluster campus houses a cluster of institutions such as India’s first Stem
Cell Institute, inStem; laboratory based science lab, TIFR-NCBS and C-CAMP. In Hyderabad, the Genome
Valley, IKP Knowledge Park and Alexandria Knowledge Park form the cluster of new startups and academic
institutes.
BRAI BILL
The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) is a proposed regulatory body in India for uses of
biotechnology products including genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The institute was first suggested
under the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) draft bill prepared by the Department of
Biotechnology in 2008. Since then, it has undergone several revisions. The bill has faced opposition from
farmer groups and anti-GMO activists.
INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA RESEARCH FUND
Recently the government has given its approval for Industry-Academia Collaborative Mission for accelerating
discovery research to early development for biopharmaceuticals – “Innovate in India- empowering biotech
entrepreneurs and accelerating inclusive innovation.” Total project cost to be funded by Government of
India is US $ 250 million (Rs 1500 crore) for five years. The 50 percent cost (US$ 125 million) for the
Mission Programme will be arranged through the World Bank loan.
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