BRIC Research Advisory Board Holds Inaugural Meeting

31 Mar 2026 CW Team

Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology and Director General of BRIC, set out a framework for co-creating the next phase of the country's biotech transformation and urged the board to act as co-architects of BRIC's evolution. Professor K VijayRaghavan emphasised the value of multidisciplinary teams and advocated for open knowledge sharing, shared infrastructure and iterative ideation aligned with technological advances. Discussions underlined the need to design mission-focused objectives to support a growing bioeconomy and to foster sustainability alongside scientific excellence.

Directors of the BRIC Institutes including the Regional Centre for Biotechnology and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) presented a map of institutional capacity, niche research domains and strategic infrastructure. Participants outlined a network of biomanufacturing hubs and biofoundries being developed to position BRIC at the forefront of the emerging bio-based economy, and emphasised linkages with industry to accelerate technology translation. Delegates also discussed a performance framework matrix to help BRIC faculty align their work with institutional mandates and national development goals.

The conclave concluded with an open webinar and panel discussion that enabled iBRIC faculty to engage with the Research Advisory Board and to exchange ideas on priorities and collaborations. Follow-up work will focus on utilising core budgets strategically and on fostering frugal innovations that leverage local materials and design intelligence.

The Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) held the inaugural meeting of its Research Advisory Board (RAB) on 27 and 28 March 2026 at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) in Faridabad. BRIC is an apex autonomous body formed by subsuming 14 autonomous institutes of the Department of Biotechnology, and the board was constituted to guide, review and monitor research activities across BRIC Institutes (iBRIC). The two-day meeting brought together senior scientists, institutional leaders and expert members to deliberate on ambitious national initiatives and governance reforms aimed at transforming BRIC into a decentralised national biotechnology laboratory. Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology and Director General of BRIC, set out a framework for co-creating the next phase of the country's biotech transformation and urged the board to act as co-architects of BRIC's evolution. Professor K VijayRaghavan emphasised the value of multidisciplinary teams and advocated for open knowledge sharing, shared infrastructure and iterative ideation aligned with technological advances. Discussions underlined the need to design mission-focused objectives to support a growing bioeconomy and to foster sustainability alongside scientific excellence. Directors of the BRIC Institutes including the Regional Centre for Biotechnology and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) presented a map of institutional capacity, niche research domains and strategic infrastructure. Participants outlined a network of biomanufacturing hubs and biofoundries being developed to position BRIC at the forefront of the emerging bio-based economy, and emphasised linkages with industry to accelerate technology translation. Delegates also discussed a performance framework matrix to help BRIC faculty align their work with institutional mandates and national development goals. The conclave concluded with an open webinar and panel discussion that enabled iBRIC faculty to engage with the Research Advisory Board and to exchange ideas on priorities and collaborations. Follow-up work will focus on utilising core budgets strategically and on fostering frugal innovations that leverage local materials and design intelligence.

Real Estate

11 May 2026

Casagrand Launches 41-Acre Highcity Project in Chennai

Casagrand has launched Casagrand Highcity, a 41-acre integrated residential development on Chennai’s Outer Ring Road (ORR), marking the company’s largest residential project to date.The project will comprise over 4,000 two and three BHK apartments across four G+22 towers and is positioned as one of the largest organised residential developments in the ORR corridor.Located along Chennai’s emerging residential and infrastructure growth belt, the project benefits from connectivity to IT hubs including Navalur, Siruseri SIPCOT and Porur, as well as industrial clusters such as Sriperumbudur, ..

Real Estate

11 May 2026

Brigade, Marriott Open Courtyard Kochi Infopark

Brigade Hotel Ventures (BHVL) and Marriott International have opened Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Infopark, a rebranded and upgraded hotel formerly operating as Four Points by Sheraton Kochi Infopark.Located in Kakkanad adjoining Infopark Kochi, the 218-room property strengthens Brigade’s hospitality portfolio in one of the city’s key IT and commercial corridors. The hotel is positioned to cater to corporate, MICE and leisure travellers visiting Infopark, SmartCity and other business hubs in Kochi.The property offers flexible workspaces, smart TVs and high-speed WiFi across rooms and suites..

Real Estate

11 May 2026

WorkEZ Expands South India Portfolio to 1.7 Mn Sq Ft

Work Easy Space Solutions (WorkEZ) has expanded its managed workspace portfolio to approximately 1.7 million sq. ft. across 12 operational buildings and two upcoming developments, strengthening its footprint across South India.The expansion includes the addition of 65,000 sq. ft. at Phoenix One National Park in Chennai and the company’s entry into Kochi through a partnership with Lulu Developers, adding another 70,000 sq. ft.WorkEZ has also signed a 0.4 million sq. ft. development in Coimbatore with Veeras Infra following the successful leasing of 0.1 million sq. ft. in the first phase. The ..