India inaugurated its first publicly funded Bio-foundry, developed jointly by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), at the 31st session of the ICGEB Board of Governors in New Delhi. The state-of-the-art facility will act as a national platform to scale up bio-based innovations through partnerships with startups and researchers.
Key Details: DST-ICGEB Bio-foundry
| Feature | Details |
| Location | New Delhi |
| Developed by | Jointly by Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) |
| Event | Inaugurated at the 31st ICGEB Board of Governors Session |
| Purpose | Scale-up of bio-based innovations, support for startups, bio-manufacturing research |
| Definition | A bio-foundry is a research facility that supports the design, construction, testing, and scaling up of biological systems or products using synthetic biology. |
| Linked Policy | BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) – Approved August 2024 |
Objectives of Bio-foundry
- Strengthen India’s bioeconomy through scalable innovation.
- Promote public-private partnerships and collaborative research.
- Accelerate biomanufacturing capabilities aligned with sustainable development.
- Implement BioE3 Policy goals using ICGEB’s scientific expertise.
India’s Biotech Sector: Progress & Significance
| Parameter | Details |
| Bioeconomy Value (2024) | $165.7 billion (from $10 billion in 2014) |
| 2030 Target | $300 billion |
| Global Rank in Biotechnology | 12th |
| Asia-Pacific Rank | 3rd |
| Vaccine Production | Largest in the world |
| Biotech Startups | Over 10,000 in 2024 (from 50 in 2014) |
Five Key Focus Areas for India’s Biotech Growth
- Bioenergy
- Bio-industrial
- Bio-plantation
- Biomedical
- Biomanufacturing
Key Indian Biotech Breakthroughs
- Nafithromycin – India’s first indigenous monotherapy antibiotic for bacterial pneumonia (supported by DBT-BIRAC).
- Rapid diagnostic kits – For dengue and HIV detection.
- Mission COVID Suraksha – Development of the world’s first DNA-based vaccine (shared globally under Vaccine Maitri Initiative).
About ICGEB (International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology)
| Parameter | Details |
| Established | 1983 |
| Members | 69 countries (India is a founding member) |
| Mission | Biotechnology-led sustainable development through research, training, and technology transfer |
| Main Centres | New Delhi (India) – Research and biotechnology applicationsTrieste (Italy) – HeadquartersCape Town (South Africa) – Research and international collaboration hub |