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The strategic integration of bio-manufacturing capabilities with a well-curated microbial bio-repository can position India as a global leader in the bio-economy. Enhanced funding, regulatory support, and technology-driven interventions will be key to realizing this vision, stated experts.
At the 7th edition of the ABLE (Association of Biotech Led Enterprises) Conclave 2025, with the theme: ‘Focusing on Emerging Technology Shaping the World’, experts noted that sustainable bio manufacturing, and AI driven drug discovery are essential to unlock the potential of biotechnology-driven industries.
Noting that the focus for India is bio manufacturing, bio-services, med-tech, start-up incubation, biosecurity and regulatory, GS Krishnan, Hon. president, ABLE said the sector was gearing up to touch $300 billion in 2030 from the current $150 billion turnover. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi among others are part of the Indian biotech growth story.
Dr PM Murali, president, ABLE Council of Presidents & CMD, Jananom, said that the future of biotech is towards personalised medicine, synthetic biology, precision agriculture, bio manufacturing and tech-driven low cost high quality medicines. Investing in research and development is the need of the hour lest innovation will take back seat.
There is a bio manufacturing facilities and the Union government has extended considerable support. Fostering collaboration will also help to accelerate market entry and strengthen human capital, added Dr Murali.
Karnataka minister for Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, IT & BT, Priyank M Kharge said that the state government would work to come out with agile policies, even consider a State Biodiversity Bill on similar lines that of the central government and call for a round table of all biotech industry chiefs prior to the state budget next month. Karnataka is already a research destination, manufacturing hub and an innovation capital. The government will chip in all support to the biotech sector’s growth.
Stating that India has great opportunity in biotech, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Hon. non-executive chairperson, ABLE and founder, chairperson Biocon Group said, “India has been recognised as the biggest vaccine manufacturer of the world and the largest producer of generic drugs. Biocon is the third largest producer of insulin and among the largest for biosimilars globally. Yet the narrative is that India is the supplier of low cost and affordable medicines. But the reality is that India is providing health security to the world. This is the most important dimension that we need to project about India. Beyond this, India needs to create an eco-system to develop newer and innovative products.
We need to look at trends in the healthcare space which are predictive, precision and personalised. In predictive, diagnostics is the way forward. Precision medicine is also important with biomarkers gaining ground and of course personalised medicine is going to be a big opportunity especially in cell and gene therapy which has enormous potential world over, more from a maintenance and curative in cancer care. Here the cost of therapy should be disruptive. India can do that. Here the government has a key role to play, said Shaw.
“Biotech industry in India is now contributing to the progress and innovation in biofuels, energy and sustainability. With increasing demand for clean energy, biotech companies will work to reduce carbon emissions and enhancing energy security”, Krishna Mohan Puvvada, regional president, MEIA, Novonesis, erstwhile Novozymes told Pharmabiz on the side-lines of the event.
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