The Department of Biotechnology's (DBT) Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI), an innovative scheme to promote research and development (R&D) in small and medium sizes biotech companies in the country, has received tremendous response from the industries during the last more than two years since its launch. The department has assisted more than 50 companies under the scheme so far.

SBIRI was launched by the government for funding early stage, pre-proof of concept research in the field of biotech under the National Biotechnology Development Strategy. The scheme provides early stage funding to enable scientists in private industries for high risk, innovative and ready-to commercialisation product proposals.

The scheme aims to strengthen existing private units with in-house innovative R&D and to create opportunities for starting up technology-based or knowledge-based businesses in biotechnology and to stimulate technological innovation and product commercialization. The department also uses the scheme to support public-private partnership model between industry and public funded institutions.

The companies which have availed the scheme successfully included ABL Biotechnologies Private Limited, Chennai; Actis Biologics Private India Limited, Mumbai; Ara Healthcare Private Limited, Gurgaon; Bejo Sheetal Seeds Private Limited, Jalna; Bharat Biotech International Limited, Hyderabad; Bharat Serum and Vaccines Limited, Mumbai; Bharavi Laboratoires (P) Limited, Bangalore; Bhat Bio-Tech India (P) Limited, Bangalore in collaboration with National Institute of Malaria Research New Delhi, Bigtec Private Limited, Bangalore; Bioseed Research India Private Limited, Hyderabad in collaboration with Shriram Bioseed Genetic India Limited, Hyderabad and International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, Bioseed Research India Private Limited, Hyderabad in collaboration with Shriram Bioseed Genetic India Limited, Hyderabad and International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, and Bisen Biotech & Biopharma Pvt. Ltd, Gwalior in collaboration with Jiwaji University Gwalior.

Other companies which have availed the scheme successfully are Customised Technologies (P) Limited, Bangalore; Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Ahmedabad; Excel Matrix Biological Devices Private Limited, Hyderabad in collaboration with National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi; Frontier Lifeline Private Limited, Chennai; Healthline Private Limited, Bangalore; Hydrolina Biotech Private Limited, Chennai; IMGENEX India Private Limited, Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Institute of life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Labland Biotech Private Limited, Mysore; Lead Invent Technologies Private Limited, New Delhi in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, Lifecare Innovations Private Limited, Gurgaon; Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Limited, Jalna in collaboration with Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Maps (India) Limited, Ahmedabad,

Mediclone Biotech Private Limited, Chennai; Millennium Exports, Chennai in collaboration with Aquaculture Foundation of India, Chennai; Multiplex Bio-Tech Private Limited, Bangalore; Myko Tech Private Limited, Goa in collaboration with Asthagiri Herbal Foundation, Chennai; Navya Biologicals Private Limited, Bangalore; Nuziveedu Seeds Limited, Hyderabad in collaboration with International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi; Oriental Aquamarine Biotech India Private Limited, Coimbatore, in collaboration with National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kochi; Oxygen Healthcare Research Pvt Ltd Ahmedabad; Pelican Biotech and Chemical Labs, Alapuzha, Kerala; Poseidon Biotech, Chennai; Privi Organics Private Limited, Navi Mumbai; Proalgen Biotech Ltd, Chennai; Rasi Seeds Private Limited, Attur, Tamil Nadu, in collaboration with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore; Relisys Medical Devices Limited, Hyderabad; Scigenics Biotech (P) Limited, Chennai; Span Diagnostics Limited, Ahmedabad; Sri Surya Anjaneya Industries, Vishakhapatnam; Sri Biotech Laboratories Private Limited, Hyderabad, in collaboration with University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad; T. Stanes & Co. Private Limited, Coimbatore, in collaboration with PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore; USV Limited, Mumbai, Virchow Biotech (P) Limited, Hyderabad; Yashraj Biotechnology Limited, Navi Mumbai and Zenotech Laboratories Limited., Hyderabad.