In the sphere of biotechnology, India is rapidly ascending the global ranks, and the inauguration of North India’s premier Biotech Industrial Park in Kathua is signaling the region’s emergence as a nerve center for startups. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, highlighted this transformation during his address at the Biotech Startups Expo on “Emerging Startup Trends in North India” held at the Biotech Park in Kathua.
Dr. Singh emphasized the nation’s burgeoning biotech ecosystem, citing over 6,500 startups and 75 bio-incubators established by the Department of Biotechnology-Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (DBT-BIRAC). He revealed a significant surge in India’s BioEconomy, surpassing $100 billion and reaching an impressive $137.2 billion in 2022, contributing $11.4 billion monthly to the national GDP.
Asserting India’s aspirations, Dr. Singh outlined goals to become a top 5 Global Bio-manufacturing Hub and a top 10 biotechnology destination globally. He emphasized the critical role of biotech startups, which burgeoned from approximately 50 in 2014 to over 6,700 in 2022, envisioning these startups as pivotal for India’s future economy.
Moreover, the minister highlighted the importance of sustainability and scaling up innovators and enterprises, stressing the need for an enabling ecosystem to generate both national and global impacts. Dr. Singh spotlighted the growing Biotech ecosystem in Jammu and emphasized its role in nurturing innovation and creating collaborations between industry and academia.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Singh reiterated the significance of collective efforts in achieving the “Amrit Kaal” goals over the next 25 years, expressing confidence in the youth of Kathua as contributors toward India’s status as a ‘Vishwa Guru’ (world leader) by its 100th year of independence in 2047.
The Biotech Startups Expo showcased more than 25 startups, focusing on biotechnology innovations tackling local challenges using indigenous resources like medicinal plants and essential oil-bearing plants for therapeutic development. The event also spotlighted the increasing participation of women entrepreneurs, with five women-led startups presenting their products and technologies.
The expo facilitated closed-door interactions between industry stakeholders, academia, scientists, entrepreneurs, and local representatives, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. Representatives from DBT, BIRAC, autonomous institutes, and the scientific community joined to witness the strides made by North India in biotechnology innovation.
The Biotech Park in Kathua signifies a monumental leap toward fostering a vibrant biotech startup ecosystem, creating an encouraging platform for collaborations between industry and academia while addressing local challenges with innovative solutions. This event underscores the potential for Kathua to become a prominent contributor to India’s biotech landscape and the country’s march toward becoming a global biotechnology powerhouse.