The growth of the biotechnology industry over the last decade has been exceptionally satisfying. It is one of the sectors which has maintained a steady growth rate and today it has recorded a turnover of $4 billion. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), since its inception in 1986, has played an important catalytic role in promoting this sector. The initial years focused on building the capacities for research in terms of both human resource and infrastructure across the country, leveraging international strengths through enriched international collaborations and creating and developing a robust regulatory system.

In 2001, DBT released its vision which emphasized on "attaining new heights in biotechnology research, shaping biotechnology into a premier precision tool of the future for creation of wealth and ensuring social justice-specially for the welfare of the poor". The intention of the department to ensure that the potential of this sector is optimally utilized was very clear from the msission statement which stated that -

1. To launch a major well directed effort with significant investment, for harnessing biotechnological tools for generation of products, processes and technologies to enhance the efficiency and productivity and cost effectiveness of agriculture, nutritional, security, molecular medicine environmentally safe technologies for pollution abatement, biodiversity conservation and bioindustrial development.

2. Creation of a strong infrastructure both for research and commercialization, ensuring a steady flow of bioproducts, bioprocesses and new biotechnologies.

In the 10th Year perspective Plan, it was emphasized that in order to realize the full potential of biotechnology as a frontline area of research and development with an overwhelming impact on society, the Indian biotechnology enterprise will be systematically nurtured at three distinct levels-

i. Enhancing the knowledge base and generating highly skilled human resource
ii. Nurturing leads of potetial utility
iii. Bringing bioproducts to the marketplace

In 2007, the National Biotechnology Development Strategy was announced which focused on "the future bioeconomy: translating life science knowledge into socially relevant, eco friendly and competitive products". Through this strategy biotechnology was recognized as sunrise sector that needed focused attention. A major emphasis was on promoting the biotech industry and the department made an important announcement that 30 percent of DBT's budget would be spent on public-private partnership programs and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) would be launched to nurture industry R&D and act as an interface between academia and private sector. In a major departure from normal funding mechanisms, it was decided to invest up to 30 percent of DBT's budget in public-private partnership schemes by the end of the 11th Plan. This was mainly to promote innovation, pre-proof-of-concept research, accelerated technology- and product development in biotechnologies related to agriculture, human health, animal productivity, biomanufacturing and environment. Major industry partnership schemes were launched to nurture and promote discovery and innovation research in biotech industry - Small Business Inno vation Research Initiative (SBIRI) and Biotechnology Industry Partnership Program (BIPP). The setting up of BIRAC as a not-for-profit, public sector company of DBT has ushered in a new revolution of innovation research.

Over last 4-5 years, the biotechnology sector has witnessed a dramatic change - The involvement of the academia with the industry has increased multiple folds, the level of innovation research has improved with this involvement; the entire sector-from early start ups to entrepreneurs to SMEs and large companies are all working to achieve a common goal of new and novel product and processes development to enable growth of the biotech sector, not only for the domestic market but to also be a global player.

The various financing options available for start-ups such as Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) and the availability of incubation space and the associated mentoring support are making this sector attractive. We now see more students and scientists from research institutes and industry setting up their own enterprises and working to convert their novel idea into a business models.

With continued efforts to improve the infrastructure, trained human resources, and research capacities and also with the appropriate ecosystem in place, the country is today well poised to achieve the ambitious target of $100 billion by 2025.