Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh has called for enhancing private sector participation in India's biotechnology ecosystem. According to reports from Business Standard, the minister emphasized the need to strengthen the industry outreach to promote indigenous products and technologies in biotechnology and life sciences, while encouraging greater private investment in the sector. The minister made these remarks during a meeting with senior officials of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in New Delhi, where measures to expand investment, industry participation and market opportunities in biotechnology and life sciences were discussed. As per News On AIR, Singh stressed the need to build stronger linkages between India's indigenous biotechnology capabilities, industry and investors such that innovations can move from research and development to commercialisation at a faster pace. The initiatives discussed during the meeting seek to strengthen the bridge between India's scientific capabilities, indigenous biotechnology products, industry and investment, while creating greater opportunities for public and private sector participation.
The meeting focused on implementation of the BIRAC Research, Development and Innovation Fund (BIRAC-RDIF), which has been allocated ₹5,200 crore as a key component of the government's ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 3, 2025, the RDI Fund is managed by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and the Department of Science and Technology, with BIRAC designated as a second-level fund manager for the biotechnology sector. The BIRAC-RDIF is designed to support the development and commercialisation of indigenous biotechnology innovations, particularly high-risk and technology-intensive projects spanning Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 to 9. Eligible technology entities, including start-ups and industry, can receive assistance ranging from ₹5 crore to ₹200 crore, covering up to 50 per cent of the total project cost. The assistance can be provided through collateral-free long-term loans, equity and hybrid financial instruments, with a strategic co-investment framework aimed at catalysing greater private-sector participation in biotechnology.
BIRAC has established a dedicated BIRAC-RDIF division to ensure ring-fenced implementation of the Fund, with its first national call for proposals 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 screening and evaluation of the first 50 applications has been completed, with eight eligible technology entities selected so far on the recommendations of an investment committee comprising external experts. These entities are currently undergoing detailed due diligence before entering into loan or equity agreements. The minister's call focuses on several key areas of biotechnology development, including enhancing private sector participation, strengthening industry outreach, promoting indigenous products and technologies in biotechnology and life sciences, and encouraging greater private investment in the sector. As per News On AIR, the meeting also aimed to enhance BIRAC's outreach and international visibility, and create stronger investor linkages for biotechnology startups and enterprises.
Singh also stressed the need to leverage India's growing Life Sciences Global Capability Centres (GCCs) ecosystem, which currently hosts more than 1,700 GCCs employing around 1.9 million professionals. Life sciences and healthcare GCCs are emerging as important centres for research and development in areas such as biopharmaceuticals, medical devices and digital health. BIRAC plans to facilitate greater integration between these GCCs and India's domestic biotechnology ecosystem by mapping their requirements in infrastructure, pilot-scale manufacturing and research and development, and connecting them with BioE3 bio-foundries, bio-incubators and start-ups. The broader objective is to develop a globally competitive biotechnology ecosystem and strengthen India's capabilities in emerging technologies in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The meeting also addressed the need to strengthen India's biotechnology investment ecosystem, particularly access to growth-stage capital, with BIRAC proposing the BIRAC Startup Investor Connect platform to bring investment-ready biotechnology start-ups and investors together.
The meeting also discussed the role of corporate social responsibility in supporting biotechnology-led social innovation, with BIRAC proposing to leverage its scientific due-diligence capabilities, nationwide network and transparent grant-management framework to channel CSR investments into biotechnology-led social innovation. Areas identified include affordable healthcare, diagnostics, maternal and child health, nutrition, climate-resilient agriculture and skill development. BIRAC has already established a CSR-implementing agency framework and undertaken pilot corporate CSR initiatives. To address the shortage of growth-stage capital for biotechnology companies, BIRAC has proposed the BIRAC Startup Investor Connect platform to bring investment-ready biotechnology start-ups and investors together. The platform is envisaged to create greater awareness of biotechnology opportunities, facilitate strategic partnerships, strengthen investment networks and accelerate the commercialisation of innovative technologies. Additionally, BIRAC has proposed branding initiatives at Jammu and Vadodara airports to showcase DBT-BIRAC achievements and create greater awareness among corporates, investors and global partners about opportunities to collaborate with India's biotechnology ecosystem.
