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India’s research and development needs more predictable approval timelines could significantly improve innovation velocity and investor confidence. This imbalance can limit the speed and scale at which innovation progresses.
According to Dr Jogin Desai, founder and CEO, Eyestem, ”India’s biotechnology sector is entering a decisive growth phase, with the potential to deliver globally competitive, breakthrough therapies moving closer to reality. But there is a structural shift from incremental innovation to transformative, disease-reversing treatments.”
In a podcast on What India Needs!, Dr Desai noted that the traditional timelines for developing new therapies are compressing significantly. Historically, breakthrough treatments have taken decades to reach patients, but advancements in science, technology, and clinical pathways are accelerating this cycle.
Here Eyestem’s long-term goal is to introduce a new therapy for an incurable disease every two to three years post-commercialisation. The company is advancing work on retinitis pigmentosa, with animal studies expected to begin next year, alongside idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, where studies are set to commence with partners in Singapore. Early-stage exploration is also underway in Parkinson’s disease, with efforts focused on identifying the most effective cell-based therapeutic approach. These efforts underscore a wider shift within India’s biotech ecosystem towards addressing complex, high-burden diseases, he added.
This momentum aligns with increased policy support for the sector. The Union Budget 2026–27 introduced the Biopharma SHAKTI programme, a Rs. 10,000 crore initiative aimed at strengthening biologics manufacturing, expanding clinical research infrastructure, and improving regulatory systems. Dr Desai observed that India’s investment push comes at a time when parts of the West are seeing reduced research funding, creating a strategic opportunity for India to build long-term leadership in biotechnology and deep science innovation, he said.
India’s R&D ecosystem continues to be largely government-driven, unlike developed markets where private capital plays a dominant role. This imbalance can limit the speed and scale at which innovation progresses. In addition, regulatory delays pose a significant hurdle, often consuming a substantial portion of a company’s funding runway.
India’s bio-economy is projected to reach $300 billion by 2030, but Dr Desai emphasised that achieving global leadership will require a shift in ambition. Beyond growth, the country must aim to develop multiple globally relevant blockbuster drugs over the next decade, transitioning from a cost-efficient manufacturing hub to an innovation-led ecosystem.
Eyestem’s work also highlights the importance of affordability in breakthrough science. While similar regenerative therapies globally are priced between $500,000 and over $2 million, the company aims to bring costs down to below $15,000, enabling wider access.
Looking ahead, Dr Desai highlighted the convergence of artificial intelligence and biology as a key driver of future innovation, while stressing the need for strong regulatory and ethical guardrails to manage emerging risks.
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