The recently concluded Global Bio-India 2024 Summit reinforced India’s growing prominence in biotechnology, with a strong focus on innovation and bio-manufacturing. Organized by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), the fourth edition of this premier event took place from September 12-14 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The summit brought together key players from the global biotech industry, celebrating advancements and forging new partnerships.
Event Overview
The summit was inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology. Over the three-day event, national and international stakeholders, including biotech experts, entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers, gathered to exchange insights, showcase cutting-edge innovations, and discuss the future of biotechnology.
Themes and Highlights
This year’s summit revolved around the themes of ‘Biotech Innovation’ and ‘Bio-manufacturing’, underlining their significance in accelerating India’s bioeconomy. One of the key highlights was the introduction of 11 new products developed by Indian biotech startups, demonstrating the country’s burgeoning talent and innovation capacity.
In addition to showcasing biotech innovations, the event became a platform for key partnerships. One of the notable collaborations announced was between the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and IPE Global, aimed at supporting projects that will foster growth in India’s biotech sector.
Awards and Recognitions
Several awards were presented during the summit, recognizing excellence and innovation in the biotech space:
- BIRAC Innovators Awards – Celebrating innovative contributions to the biotech industry.
- Best Startup Exhibitor Awards – Acknowledging startups that demonstrated exceptional talent and creativity in their exhibits.
- Best Incubator Exhibitor Awards – Highlighting outstanding incubators fostering biotech innovation.
- BioE3 Competition Awards – Honoring promising biotech entrepreneurs and innovators.
Government Initiatives
As part of India’s ongoing efforts to promote biotech innovation, the government unveiled several new programs at the summit. Notably, the i4 (Innovation for Industry) program was introduced to encourage industry-academia collaboration, along with the PACE (Promoting Academic Collaboration and Entrepreneurship) program, which aims to stimulate entrepreneurial ventures within academic settings.
These initiatives are part of India’s broader strategy to position itself as a global leader in biotechnology by creating synergies between academia, industry, and government to accelerate innovation and commercialization.
Keynotes and Insights
The summit featured several high-profile speakers, including Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, who emphasized the need to replicate models like BIRAC for emerging fields such as nanotechnology and quantum technology. Prof. Rao called for increased support for deep tech startups and paid tribute to the late Dr. M.K. Bhan, a visionary in India’s biotech sector.
In the closing session, Dr. Rajesh S Gokhale and Ms. Shilpy Kochhar thanked the participants, partners, and organizers for their contributions, acknowledging the summit’s role in advancing India’s biotech industry.
Impact of Global Bio-India 2024
The Global Bio-India 2024 Summit highlighted India’s growing influence in the biotechnology sector, with a clear focus on fostering innovation, bio-manufacturing, and global partnerships. With over 500 exhibitors and 20,000 attendees, the event emphasized India’s commitment to leveraging biotechnology for advancements in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
The summit also attracted significant interest from investors, reflecting the potential for biotech-driven economic growth and positioning India as a key player in global biotech advancements.
About Global Bio-India 2024
The Global Bio-India Summit has become one of the country’s most important biotech gatherings, aimed at building global partnerships and fostering innovation in the sector. The 2024 edition successfully showcased India’s achievements in biotechnology, offering a roadmap to accelerate innovation and bio-manufacturing in the coming years.
With a strong emphasis on driving forward India’s bioeconomy, the summit reinforced the country’s position as a leader in biotechnology, while setting the stage for future growth and collaboration in the global biotech industry.