Regional BIRAC Centres to Boost Biotech Startups Across India

29 Mar 2025 CW Team

The Minister emphasized the importance of mapping states based on their biotech capabilities and directed the department to work with state governments to establish Bio E3 (Economy, Environment, and Employment) Cells. Assam has become the first state to set up a dedicated Bio E3 Cell. These units will support innovation, entrepreneurship, and the scaling up of biotech ventures at the regional level.

To advance biomanufacturing, the Minister called for stronger support systems for StartUps, including enhanced incubator services. He also underlined the need to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in biomanufacturing and bio foundries to drive growth in the sector and position India as a global biotech hub.

Highlighting the importance of a tripartite synergy between research infrastructure, StartUps, and industrial R&D, Dr Singh directed the department to prioritise the creation of Core R&D Facilities. These facilities will offer advanced biomanufacturing capabilities to enable pilot validation, upscaling, and commercialization of biotech innovations.

He also referred to the Centre-State Partnership Summit held in Delhi, reaffirming the government's commitment to fostering a nationwide biotech ecosystem through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and technical assistance. Several states have shown interest in developing Biotechnology Parks, further strengthening India's bio-economy.

Additionally, the Minister stressed the importance of regenerative technologies in the future of biomanufacturing and encouraged collaboration with industry leaders to replicate the success of India’s space sector in the biotech domain.

At a high-level meeting of the Department of Biotechnology, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh announced the establishment of Regional BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) Centres across India. These centres will be set up in collaboration with state governments to boost StartUps and biomanufacturing, aiming to unlock the biotechnology potential of various regions. The Minister emphasized the importance of mapping states based on their biotech capabilities and directed the department to work with state governments to establish Bio E3 (Economy, Environment, and Employment) Cells. Assam has become the first state to set up a dedicated Bio E3 Cell. These units will support innovation, entrepreneurship, and the scaling up of biotech ventures at the regional level. To advance biomanufacturing, the Minister called for stronger support systems for StartUps, including enhanced incubator services. He also underlined the need to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in biomanufacturing and bio foundries to drive growth in the sector and position India as a global biotech hub. Highlighting the importance of a tripartite synergy between research infrastructure, StartUps, and industrial R&D, Dr Singh directed the department to prioritise the creation of Core R&D Facilities. These facilities will offer advanced biomanufacturing capabilities to enable pilot validation, upscaling, and commercialization of biotech innovations. He also referred to the Centre-State Partnership Summit held in Delhi, reaffirming the government's commitment to fostering a nationwide biotech ecosystem through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and technical assistance. Several states have shown interest in developing Biotechnology Parks, further strengthening India's bio-economy. Additionally, the Minister stressed the importance of regenerative technologies in the future of biomanufacturing and encouraged collaboration with industry leaders to replicate the success of India’s space sector in the biotech domain.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Infrastructure Energy

06 Apr 2026

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

Real Estate

06 Apr 2026

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..