Tag: biotechnology

Department of Biotechnology Hosts the Ninth Webinar in its Webinar Series on Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Initiative on the Theme “Biomanufacturing of Biopolymers

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The Department of Biotechnology, Government of India hosted the ninth Webinar in its Biofoundry and Bio manufacturing Initiative series on March 7, 2025. The session centered on “Bio manufacturing of Biopolymers,” a crucial area under the BioE3 Policy, which was approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024. The BioE3 Policy is designed to establish India as a global leader in bio-based innovations, emphasizing sustainable biomanufacturing across various thematic areas, including biopolymers. This Webinar served as a platform for academia, industry leaders, startups, and researchers to engage in discussions about advancements and opportunities in biopolymer biomanufacturing.

Dr. Vaishali Panjabi, Scientist ‘F’, DBT, highlighted the BioE3 Policy’s vision to foster high-performance biomanufacturing. She informed that the ninth Webinar in this series focuses on ‘Biomanufacturing of Biopolymers’. India, given its academic and industrial strength, is poised to create a vibrant ecosystem for cost-effective biopolymer production. She mentioned the potential gaps, challenges in this sectors followed by strengths and opportunities to address the same.

Dr. Binod Parameswaran, CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram mentioned the major differences between biopolymers, process involved along with challenges and limitations in biomanufacturing. Finally he also shared the key trends shaping the future of biopolymer R&D in India.

Dr. Ashvini Shete, Praj Industries Ltd. mentioned in detail the process involved in the production of Biopolymers and the challenges associated with its production. She emphasized on the importance of strain and feed stock selection, process optimization and downstream processing for biopolymer production. She mentioned that a Vibrant Ecosystem for Cost-Effective Biopolymer Production can be created in India based on the rich availability of feedstock and technology with in the country.

The session concluded with a vibrant Q&A segment moderated by DBT and BIRAC officials. Participants actively engaged with the experts, discussing challenges and opportunities in bio manufacturing of biopolymers.

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Vibrant Gujarat Pre-Summit on ‘Biotechnology: The Path of Innovation & Wellness for Viksit Bharat’

 “India’s ‘Bio Economy’ has grown eight times in the last eight years from $10 billion to $80 billion. In the coming times, biotechnology will become the biggest foundation for health treatment.” This was stated by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare as he virtually addressed the pre-event summit “Biotechnology: The Path of Innovation & Wellness for Viksit Bharat” in the presence of Shri. Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister, Gujarat at Vigyan Bhavan, Science City, Ahmedabad, Gujarat today. The summit is a preliminary event leading up to the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit that will take place on January 2024 at the Mahatma Gandhi Mandir, Gandhinagar under the theme of ‘Gateway to the Future’. 

Dr. Mandaviya noted that Indian Biotech Industry aiming to grow to $150 Billion by 2025 and $300 Billion by 2030, and India is currently among the top 12 destinations for Biotechnology in the world with approximately 3% share in the Global Biotechnology Industry. He stated “This industry will become a medium for finding solutions for complex problems in various spheres such as agriculture, environment, industrial production and many more. In light of this, in the future, the economy will become biotechnology based.” Quoting the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, Dr. Mandaviya stated “in the global biotechnology ecosystem, India will soon feature as one of the top ten nations.” Reiterating the Prime Minister’s vision of India achieving the status of a developed nation by 2047, Dr. Mandaviya cited that “this sector’s contribution will be instrumental in making India a developed nation.” 

Highlighting the growth and prowess of the industry, Dr. Mandaviya stated that the vaccination produced by India during the pandemic showcased India’s power in the field of biotechnology to the world. Underscoring the importance of this sector, the Union Minister stated “the National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2020-25 provides the government a platform to strengthen skill development, resource and innovation converging into one strong ecosystem for knowledge sharing.” He stated it further facilitates commercialization and market linkages by encouraging private-public partnership models in these sectors. 

Commending the progress of the nation and industry in this sphere, the Dr. Mandaviya praised the participation of startups, industries and industry associations, researchers and academicians across the nation for contributing to the development of this sector. The Union Health Minister lauded the efforts and contribution of Gujarat in their dedicated focus on biotechnology over two decades and its strong contribution in making India a healthcare and innovation ready country. The Union Health Minister reflected that Gujarat was the first state in the country to establish Biotech Mission 15-20 years ago. Dr. Mandaviya recalled that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he had established Biotech Mission and Biotech Park in the state. 

Acknowledging the crucial contribution of the Biotechnology sector will provide to the nation and economy Shri. Bhupendra Patel stated “aligning with the theme of ‘Gateway to the Future’ we will provide additional focus to futuristic sectors of which Biotechnology features as most important.” He further cited that “Biotechnology sector is known as the sector of hope. With its rapid growth, it will provide significant contributions to the world.” The Gujarat Chief Minister also inaugurated the ‘Start-Up Product Launch’.

 

The event was attended by Shri Raj Kumar, Chief Secretary, Gujarat, Ms. Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, senior government officials, mission directors, as well as eminent dignitaries. 

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Department of Biotechnology

 The Department of Biotechnology is committed to reducing pendency of matters like VIP references, public grievances, record management, disposal of scrap and freeing up and beautifying office and outdoor spaces. With a view to this the Department and its autonomous bodies and PSUs (total locations 17) have started the work in full swing.

Under the Campaign the Department and its ABs and PSUs have identified more than 23,000 physical files and 700 e-files for review. Of the identified physical files more than 14,000 file have been reviewed and more than 13,000 files have been identified for weeding during the 1st week of the Campaign. Out of 700 e-files, 134 files have been closed. About 25,000 sq.ft of space has been freed and is being utilized as children-park and recreational area. 70% of VIP references have been disposed off so far. More than 50% of pending public grievances have been replied to.

 

 

The Department is actively utilizing social media for posting various activities under the Campaign across all its institutions. So far more than 60 tweets have been issued by the Deptt. and its ABs.

The Campaign activities and progress is being reviewed regularly by the Nodal Officer of the Deptt. and Secretary, Department of Biotechnology to ensure that all the pending matters are disposed expeditiously.

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Department of Biotechnology Mission COVID Suraksha COVID-19 vaccine – CORBEVAX

 India’s first indigenously developed Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) protein sub-unit vaccine for COVID-19, CORBEVAXTM, developed by Biological E Limited, has received the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) approval for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and its Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), have supported Biological E’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate from pre-clinical stage through Phase III clinical studies. The vaccine candidate was provided financial support under COVID-19 Research Consortium, through the National Biopharma Mission, for pre-clinical toxicology studies. Later support was provided under Mission COVID Suraksha for clinical development. CORBEVAXTM is a 2-dose vaccine administered intramuscularly and can be stored at 2ºC to 8ºC.

The recombinant protein sub-unit vaccine developed from the Receptor Biding Domain (RBD) of the spike protein on the viral surface is adjuvanted with Dynavax’s CpG 1018 and alum. Comprehensive Phase III clinical trials involving more than 3000 subjects between the ages of 18 and 80 at 33 study sites across India, demonstrated the vaccine to be safe, well tolerated and highly immunogenic. The Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), an Autonmous Institute of DBT, provided key immunogenicity data for the Phase II/ III studies.

Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India said, “The EUA to CORBEVAXTM is yet another example of a successful academia-industry collaboration. This vaccine will sharpen the country’s efforts in ending the pandemic. The development of indigenous vaccines to fight the pandemic will also inspire the country’s scientists and manufacturers to resolve the problems of the country.”

Ms. Mahima Datla, Managing Director, Biological E. Limited, said, “We would like to take the opportunity to specially thank our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for making vaccination a national mission. His vision and the advance commitments we received towards CORBEVAXTM were instrumental in our ability to scale-up and manufacture at such huge capacities. While COVID Suraksha Program’s endeavour to accelerate vaccine development played a crucial role in the initial development, the mechanism that was setup with the support of Department of Biotechnology and DBT-Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) allowed us to scale up to a capacity of about 1.2 billion doses per annum making the dream of accessibility – affordability and supply – a reality.”

About DBT

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, promotes and accelerates the development of biotechnology in India, including growth and application of biotechnology in the areas of agriculture, healthcare, animal sciences, environment and industry.

About BIRAC: 

Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit Section 8, Schedule B, Public Sector Enterprise, set up by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India as an Interface Agency to strengthen and empower the emerging Biotech enterprise to undertake strategic research and innovation, addressing nationally relevant product development needs. 

ABOUT BIOLOGICAL E. LIMITED

Biological E. Limited (BE), a Hyderabad-based Pharmaceuticals & Biologics Company founded in 1953, is the first private sector biological products company in India and the first pharmaceutical company in Southern India. BE develops, manufactures and supplies vaccines and therapeutics. BE supplies its vaccines to over 100 countries and its therapeutic products are sold in India and the USA. BE currently has 8 WHO-prequalified vaccines in its portfolio.

In recent years, BE has embarked on new initiatives for organisational expansion such as developing generic injectable products for the regulated markets, exploring synthetic biology and metabolic engineering as a means to manufacture APIs sustainably and developing novel vaccines for the global market.