Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is now set to propel biotech innovation ecosystem of India and create a bio-economy.

The Council recently organized a two-day 6th Innovators Conclave & Bio-Innovation Fair at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on September 21 and 22, 2017. The theme ‘BIRAC Bio-Innovations: Propelling the Bio-economy’ brought together nearly 300 innovators and start-ups, scientists from industry and academia, public and private sector, policy makers, and national and international organisations.

“We are now effectively leveraging the research and entrepreneurial capabilities of this sector to address the needs of our people by creating affordable products that have the potential to change lives and catapult India in to a brighter future. Our Government is focused on making India a global hub for innovation and BIRAC is playing a crucial role in shaping the biotech innovation ecosystem of India,” said Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan at the inauguration.

According to Minister of State Science & Technology and Earth Sciences YS Chowdary, over the last 5 years, a foundation has been laid for making India a global leader in biotechnology research and development. We are ensuring that our innovators and indigenous products receive the encouragement and support to make their mark on the international biotech stage.

The Council has provided financial and mentoring support to over 500 companies, and nearly 500 young entrepreneurs and start-ups. Its partnership network includes more than 15 implementing agencies both national and international along with 700 l experts from academia, industry, research laboratories, donor agencies and other government departments.

Prof. VijayRaghavan, Secretary, DBT and Chairman, BIRAC said that the country’s biotech start-up landscape has shown immense growth over the last five years. BIRAC was created to bridge the space between policy, industry and academia. Our impact on the biotech innovation landscape is clearly visible.”

The conclave featured several panel discussions including ‘The Start-up Conversation: Gaps, Opportunities and the way forward” featuring venture capitalists and angel investors and a discussion on ‘Pathways to create impact through Biotech Innovations to the power of Infinity’ featuring decision-makers and experts. There were bio-innovation fair awards and over 65 innovations were supported under various initiatives of DBT and BIRAC.

Dr. Renu Swarup, Senior Advisor, DBT and Managing Director, BIRAC said, “Our investments in the Indian innovation ecosystem are bearing fruit and our innovations are now showing real impact and producing tangible benefits for society. This Innovation Fair is the perfect occasion for us to showcase what we are working on and how it could transform India.”

BIRAC plays an important role in the Startup India Action Plan, which is the government’s flagship program to boost entrepreneurship. Innovations backed by the DBT and BIRAC contributed to Make in India and Swachh Bharat initiatives of the government. It supported 25 Bio-incubators and 2 Regional Centres for Entrepreneurship development which has resulted in over 100 technologies and products at different stages of  commercialisation.