https://biospectrumindia.com/rssfeed/pharma/biotechnology biotechnology https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28633/dst-signs-agreement-with-peptris-towards-rs-86-cr-rdi-collaboration-to-accelerate-ai-based-drug-discovery-and-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28633/dst-signs-agreement-with-peptris-towards-rs-86-cr-rdi-collaboration-to-accelerate-ai-based-drug-discovery-and-development.html Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:46:35 +0530 In a significant move towards accelerating the development of next-generation therapies through Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India has signed an agreement with Peptris Technologies, Bengaluru, for financial support of Rs 86 crore under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund. The project, called VIGOR: Moving AI-Discovered Molecules from the Lab to the Clinic, has a total project cost of Rs 172 crore (approximately $1.72 billion). The aim is to advance four experimental drugs to technology readiness levels (TRLs) 4 to 6, requiring preclinical development, validation, and preparation for clinical trials. Financial support will be provided through optionally convertible debt (OCD). The VIGOR programme includes four experimental drugs: PEPR111, which targets neuromuscular disorders and cancer; PEPRX101, which targets hair loss (alopecia); PEPR202, which targets neuropathy; and PEPR112, which targets diabetes mellitus (DMD). Each experimental drug is currently at the TRL-4 stage, and the project aims to advance it to TRL-6. The development programme envisages a structured progression over three years, including advanced preclinical and investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies, formulation development, clinical trial preparation, and initiation activities, subject to relevant scientific and regulatory requirements. By supporting the progress of multiple candidates under a coordinated program, the project seeks to strengthen the process of translating AI-based research into potential therapeutic products. Its focus on select disease areas also represents an opportunity to direct innovation toward conditions where effective treatment options are limited. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28636/herbalife-india-unveils-phyto-innovation-accelerator-to-advance-indias-plant-biotechnology-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28636/herbalife-india-unveils-phyto-innovation-accelerator-to-advance-indias-plant-biotechnology-ecosystem.html Mon, 12 Oct 2026 13:10:40 +0530 Herbalife International India, and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have launched the Herbalife–IIT Madras Phyto Innovation Accelerator Programme, an industry-academia initiative to translate plant biotechnology research into scalable solutions for health, wellness and sustainable biomanufacturing. Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Education, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy, inaugurated the programme at the IIT Madras Research Park in the presence of Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, and Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India. Building on the Herbalife–IIT Madras Centre of Excellence on Plant Cell Fermentation Technology (HL-IITM CoE PCFT) established in June 2026, the programme fuses India's traditional botanical wisdom with modern science, deep technology and entrepreneurship. It embodies the national research vision of Jai Anusandhan while advancing sustainable biomanufacturing through the BioE3 policy. Ultimately, it aims to build a nationally recognised innovation ecosystem that transforms plant biotechnology innovations into market-ready technologies while fostering research, innovation and capacity building across health, wellness, nutrition and sustainable biomanufacturing. The programme will operate through two verticals over a three-year period. Under the Phytothon vertical, innovation challenges and hackathons will be conducted every six months to identify promising innovations in plant biotechnology, nutraceuticals, functional foods, botanical ingredients and sustainable biomanufacturing. Up to three startups will be supported annually through access to shared scientific infrastructure and specialised laboratory facilities at the IIT Madras Bioincubator and HL-IITM CoE PCFT, including customised bioreactors for plant cell cultivation, analytical and computational systems, along with technical mentorship, pre-incubation support, and proof-of-concept development. The second vertical, Global University Innovation Network, will foster international collaborations through student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research, webinars, seminars, workshops, short-term courses, publications and co-organized conferences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28629/cutyx-research-and-biota-announce-strategic-oral-film-strip-collaboration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28629/cutyx-research-and-biota-announce-strategic-oral-film-strip-collaboration.html Sun, 11 Oct 2026 14:36:58 +0530 Cutyx Research LLP, an India-based contract research and formulation development organisation, and Biota, an Israel-based biotechnology company, have announced a strategic collaboration and technology license agreement to jointly develop and commercialise oral film strip formulations built on Biota’ s proprietary platform technology, which is patent-protected in India and other territories. Under the agreement, Biota will license its platform technology to Cutyx, which will lead formulation design, feasibility studies, and prototype development for a pipeline of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Oral film strips offer a fast-dissolving, water-free alternative to conventional tablets and capsules — a format particularly well suited to pediatric, geriatric, and dysphagia patient populations. The companies will pursue commercialisation jointly through partnering, licensing, and technology transfer arrangements with pharmaceutical and CDMO organizations worldwide. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28617/montanas-right-to-try-model-could-open-us-market-access-for-indian-biopharma-companies-steve-eror.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28617/montanas-right-to-try-model-could-open-us-market-access-for-indian-biopharma-companies-steve-eror.html Thu, 08 Oct 2026 18:04:50 +0530 Montana could provide Indian biotechnology and biopharma companies with an alternative pathway to reach US patients, generate clinical experience and build data while progressing towards wider regulatory approval, said Steve Eror, President, Montana Bioscience Alliance and CEO, Solo-Dex. Speaking at the CXO-level roundtable facilitated by the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) during Montana Governor Greg Gianforte’s India visit to Bengaluru on October 7, Eror outlined Montana’s experimental treatment and Right to Try framework, which he said could be particularly relevant for emerging therapies, personalised medicine and advanced treatments. Eror said the objective was to bring together India’s capabilities in pharmaceutical and medical-device manufacturing with the US market and create a faster route for companies to begin working with patients. From clinical development to patient access According to Eror, Montana’s framework allows eligible patients to access experimental treatments after Phase I data has established an appropriate safety basis, subject to review by an independent board of medical professionals. He contrasted this with the conventional compassionate-use pathway, which he said can involve significant regulatory requirements and delays. Under Montana’s model, he said, companies can potentially treat patients while collecting real-world information that can contribute to subsequent clinical development. “The idea that you can get your Phase I data in India, present it to a board of five individuals, and they agree that you can go ahead and treat them, gives you an opportunity to move forward with that patient right away,” Eror said. He stressed, however, that the model does not guarantee efficacy. The treatment must have sufficient safety data, while patients and treating institutions remain part of the decision-making process. Opportunity for Indian developers Eror said the framework could be relevant to companies developing therapies that are still progressing through the conventional regulatory pathway, particularly where patients have limited treatment options. He pointed to CAR-T and personalised medicine as areas where the model could potentially have significant applications. For Indian companies, he argued that the opportunity extends beyond patient access. Data generated through treatment could support subsequent clinical-development programmes, while companies could potentially generate revenue from treatment before achieving broader market approval. “The US is open,” he said, encouraging Indian developers to consider Montana as a potential entry point into the US market. Destination medicine model Responding to a question on how an Indian company could operationalise such a programme while retaining its core infrastructure in India, Eror said Montana could operate as a destination-medicine model. Under the approach described at the roundtable, a patient could travel to Montana, receive treatment at a participating clinic and have relevant data collected. The manufacturer would then receive the data, subject to patient privacy requirements, for use in its ongoing development programme. Eror said this could allow companies to generate clinical experience and revenue while continuing to work towards the regulatory approvals required for broader commercialisation in the US. He also indicated that Montana’s approach could have applications beyond conventional pharmaceutical products, depending on the regulatory requirements and the nature of the product. Montana Bioscience Alliance as a facilitator Eror said the Montana Bioscience Alliance, a consortium of companies, could help companies explore the opportunity and navigate the emerging ecosystem. He positioned the initiative as part of a broader effort to make Montana a destination for innovative therapies and personalised medicine, while also helping biotechnology companies access the US market. The presentation underscored a potential area of India–Montana collaboration: combining India’s biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical-device capabilities with Montana’s regulatory environment, clinical infrastructure and access to the US market.   Narayan Kulkarni narayan.kulkarni@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28618/montana-pitches-low-cost-business-friendly-ecosystem-to-indian-life-sciences-companies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28618/montana-pitches-low-cost-business-friendly-ecosystem-to-indian-life-sciences-companies.html Thu, 08 Oct 2026 18:17:00 +0530 Montana is positioning itself as a business-friendly destination for Indian companies looking to establish a US presence, with advantages spanning talent, operating costs, taxation, infrastructure and access to the Western US and Canadian markets, said Frederick Van Den Abbeel, Senior Business Attraction Advisor, Montana Department of Commerce. Speaking at the CXO-level roundtable facilitated by the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) during Montana Governor Greg Gianforte’s India visit on October 7, Van Den Abbeel highlighted Montana’s location, workforce and business environment as key advantages for Indian companies evaluating expansion into the US. He said Montana’s central location makes it particularly relevant for companies seeking to serve the Western United States and Western Canada, including California, while potentially avoiding the higher operating costs associated with some larger US states. “Capital goes where it is welcome and stays where it is well-treated,” Van Den Abbeel said, describing this as a core philosophy underpinning Montana’s approach to business. Talent and STEM strength Van Den Abbeel placed workforce capabilities at the centre of Montana’s proposition. He noted that Indian students represent the second-largest international student population in Montana’s public universities, describing this as an area with potential for further academic exchange between India and Montana. He also highlighted Montana’s strong STEM education base and apprenticeship programmes, particularly for industries that require technically trained employees. According to him, Montana has a high school graduation rate and a strong ranking in STEM education compared with several larger US states. For Indian manufacturers and life-sciences companies, he said, access to skilled employees, combined with apprenticeship-based workforce development, could support expansion and manufacturing operations. Lower operating costs Van Den Abbeel also emphasised Montana’s operating-cost advantages. He pointed to competitive industrial electricity rates, saying they are below the US average, and highlighted the state’s business tax environment and financial performance. He further cited Montana’s business survival rate and its ranking as an attractive state for establishing new companies, based on external rankings referenced during his presentation. The advisor also highlighted the availability of business and industrial parks for companies considering manufacturing or other operational facilities. Montana, he said, is increasingly attracting companies from technology-intensive sectors. He cited Applied Materials, Oracle, Aurora and Rivian among companies expanding operations in the state. Special support for Indian companies Van Den Abbeel invited Indian companies that are considering Montana to engage directly with the state’s economic-development team. He offered a state-sponsored “red carpet” programme tailored to the individual needs and objectives of companies visiting Montana, including support to understand the business environment and potential investment opportunities. He concluded by positioning Montana around four key pillars, people, place, policy and power, arguing that these factors could provide Indian companies with a competitive platform for entering the US market.   Narayan Kulkarni narayan.kulkarni@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28621/karnataka-biosciences-companies-explore-partnerships-with-montana.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28621/karnataka-biosciences-companies-explore-partnerships-with-montana.html Thu, 08 Oct 2026 19:23:15 +0530 The Bengaluru leg of the visit of Montana Governor Greg Gianforte brought together a diverse group of Indian biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, medtech, genomics, bio-manufacturing, precision medicine and digital health companies, with several expressing interest in exploring research, technology, clinical development, manufacturing and market-access opportunities with Montana, USA. The CXO-level roundtable, facilitated by the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), was held as part of Governor Gianforte’s India visit on October 7–8. The Montana delegation includes senior state officials, economic development representatives, private-sector companies and representatives from Montana State University. The interaction provided Indian companies an opportunity to understand Montana’s capabilities in bioscience research, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, academia and technology development, and identify areas for potential collaboration. The Indian participation reflected the breadth of Karnataka’s biosciences ecosystem. Immuneel Therapeutics, represented by its corporate development and scientific leadership, highlighted its work in CAR-T therapies and its interest in exploring opportunities with the Montana ecosystem. Iom Bioworks presented its work on engineered gut microbes and their potential application in cancer recovery. The company’s research could open avenues for collaboration in microbiome research, translational science and clinical development. Virion Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, is developing novel T-cell-based immunotherapies that use proprietary checkpoint modifiers to restore, enhance, broaden and sustain immune responses, with the objective of developing treatments for cancer and chronic infectious diseases. The company is looking at opportunities to advance its translational and clinical research through international collaborations. In the medical technology space, Cardiotrack highlighted its AI-powered portable electrocardiogram devices and telemedicine platform aimed at making early heart-disease detection more affordable and accessible across India. Its combination of medical devices, digital health and artificial intelligence presents potential opportunities for technology and healthcare collaborations in the US. BrainSight AI presented its functional brain-mapping technology designed to provide clinicians with additional information during neurological procedures and treatments. The company is preparing for entry into the US market and is exploring clinical research collaborations, making academic and healthcare institutions in the US a potential avenue for expansion. The genomics and life-sciences manufacturing segment was represented by Azooka Labs, a Bengaluru-based biotechnology startup incubated at the Indian Institute of Science. The company develops genomic workflow solutions, sustainable DNA/RNA sample-collection kits and non-toxic bio-reagents. Its interest in international partnerships aligns with the growing need for sustainable and accessible genomic technologies. Laurus Bio brought expertise in microbial precision fermentation and integrated bio-manufacturing. As a contract development and manufacturing organisation, the company works across sectors including biopharma, alternative proteins, personal care and food nutrition, creating potential opportunities for collaboration with Montana companies and research institutions in advanced biomanufacturing. In cell therapy and regenerative medicine, Eyestem is developing therapies for retinal diseases and is conducting Phase II clinical trials in India. The company’s interest in international clinical and research partnerships could create opportunities to connect with Montana’s academic and healthcare ecosystem. Prana Xenotransplants (Prana XT) presented its work on addressing the critical shortage of human organs through gene-edited porcine organ transplantation. Its programme integrates gene editing, cloning and surgical technologies and spans research, regulatory development and clinical readiness. Collaboration with US academic and research institutions could support the company’s efforts to advance this emerging field. The roundtable also highlighted opportunities beyond conventional healthcare. Devigere Biosolutions is developing clean-label, sustainable and functional protein concentrates from Indian pulses such as mung bean and cowpea for applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, sports nutrition and skincare. The company's work could complement Montana’s interests in agriculture, food innovation and value-added bioproducts. String Bio showcased its bio-manufacturing capabilities, including products for agriculture and bio-stimulants, highlighting the potential intersection between biotechnology, agriculture and sustainable production. The academic and incubation ecosystem was represented by the dhaRti BioNEST Incubation Centre at IIT Dharwad, a research and technology incubator focused on translating academic R&D into commercial life-science solutions. The centre provides another potential bridge between Indian research institutions and Montana’s universities and innovation ecosystem. Akshaisarathi Health Care Solutions presented its multidisciplinary approach to healthcare innovation, bringing together medical consultants, IT professionals, data analysts, pharmaceutical chemists and biotechnologists to develop solutions for personalised and precision medicine. Environmental biotechnology and climate-related applications were also part of the discussion. Aspalli Green Sustainable Ecosystem, based in Raichur, Karnataka, showcased its patented Seed Womb technology for land restoration and reforestation. The technology is designed to improve survival rates and accelerate tree growth while reducing water requirements, creating potential areas of collaboration around sustainable land restoration, afforestation and environmental innovation. The range of companies participating in the roundtable demonstrated that the potential India–Montana relationship extends well beyond conventional biotechnology. From CAR-T and cancer immunotherapy to microbiome science, precision medicine, brain mapping, genomics, cell therapy, xenotransplantation, precision fermentation, functional proteins, agricultural biotechnology and reforestation, Indian companies identified multiple areas where Montana’s academic, research and business ecosystem could support their international growth. For the participating Indian companies, Montana offers potential access to research institutions, universities, clinical networks, technology partners and the wider US innovation ecosystem. In turn, the engagement provides Montana with an opportunity to connect with one of India’s most dynamic life-sciences clusters and companies developing technologies for global markets. The Bengaluru interaction therefore marked a first step towards converting the Governor’s trade mission into specific business, research and technology partnerships. The companies expressed interest in taking discussions forward with Montana-based organisations, particularly around joint research, clinical studies, technology development, biomanufacturing, academic partnerships and entry into the US market.   Narayan Kulkarni narayan.kulkarni@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28624/able-proposes-india-montana-bio-bridge-to-drive-biotech-partnerships.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28624/able-proposes-india-montana-bio-bridge-to-drive-biotech-partnerships.html Thu, 08 Oct 2026 21:19:29 +0530 The Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) has proposed an action-oriented India-Montana biotechnology corridor, aimed at translating growing interest between the two ecosystems into concrete business, research and investment partnerships. Speaking at a CXO-level roundtable with Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and his delegation in Bengaluru, Dr P M Murali, President, Council of Presidents, ABLE, said India and Montana could build natural alliances across agriculture, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, bio-ingredients, precision fermentation, biosensors and biomanufacturing. Murali said the objective should go beyond a one-time delegation or memorandum of understanding and create a sustained mechanism through which companies and institutions from both sides could work together. “We are looking at a corridor where both countries and the states of both places, and the people and the companies, work together,” Murali said. A key focus of his proposal was to position Montana as a landing point for Indian biotechnology companies entering the US, while creating reciprocal opportunities for Montana companies seeking partnerships and markets in India. He said ABLE could provide local support and help companies navigate the respective ecosystems. Focus on bio-ingredients and precision fermentation Murali identified bio-ingredients and precision fermentation as important areas for India-Montana collaboration. Given Montana's strong agricultural base, he said there was potential to connect agricultural production with high-value biotechnology and biomanufacturing. He also pointed to opportunities in biosensors, noting that Bengaluru already has companies working in the field, while Montana could provide complementary capabilities and market access. Another significant opportunity, according to Murali, is contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) and contract manufacturing organisation (CMO) partnerships. With US companies increasingly looking for manufacturing support, he said Indian companies could play an important role in providing cost-competitive manufacturing capabilities. He also highlighted the challenge of achieving competitive costs in biological manufacturing and the need for greater collaboration around green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing. Agriculture and protein value addition Murali also drew attention to the intersection of biotechnology and agriculture. He said agricultural commodities could be converted into high-value proteins and other value-added products, creating opportunities for Montana's agricultural ecosystem and India's biotechnology and food-processing capabilities to work together. “This is one area that I am very interested in,” Murali said, referring to the potential for value addition, particularly in proteins. Creating an investment bridge Funding was another area highlighted by Murali. He noted that access to capital remains a persistent challenge for biotechnology companies and proposed developing a mechanism to connect Indian investors with US companies and vice versa. “Capital is going to be the key on whatever business that we are going to be doing here,” he said. Such a reciprocal investment network, he suggested, could complement commercial, manufacturing and research partnerships between the two regions. 10-plus-10 companies in 90 days To ensure that the engagement produces tangible outcomes, Murali proposed a 90-day action plan. The initial objective is to bring together 10 Indian companies and 10 Montana companies and encourage them to explore actual business or technology collaborations rather than allowing the engagement to remain at the level of an MoU. “Can 10 Indian companies, 10 companies from Montana, get together and start dealing with something so that it's just not consigned to an MoU, but can it flourish into some sort of a collaboration?” he asked. He also proposed establishing a small implementation working group involving ABLE and Montana representatives to drive follow-up activities, identify opportunities and address issues emerging from company-to-company engagements. Murali further suggested that the India-Montana engagement should be sustained through annual meetings, allowing companies and institutions to review progress, identify new opportunities and resolve challenges. Building a sustained India-Montana ‘bio-bridge’ Concluding his remarks, Murali proposed maintaining the engagement through what he described as a “bio-bridge” between the two ecosystems. The CXO-level roundtable, facilitated by ABLE, brought together Montana's delegation and representatives of Indian biotechnology, biopharma, medtech, genomics, bio-manufacturing and research organisations. Participants included companies working in CAR-T therapies, microbiome research, medical devices, genomics, cell and regenerative medicine, plant proteins, bio-manufacturing, oncology, precision fermentation and brain mapping. The discussions provided a platform for Indian companies to explore opportunities with Montana's industry, universities, research institutions and government agencies, with the broader objective of developing partnerships spanning R&D, clinical research, manufacturing, investment and access to the North American market. Murali's proposal positions the Bengaluru-Montana engagement as a long-term industry-led collaboration, with ABLE seeking to move the relationship from dialogue to measurable company-level partnerships within the next 90 days.   Narayan Kulkarni narayan.kulkarni@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28625/montana-governor-invites-indian-bioscience-industry-academia-to-collaborate-on-rd-and-market-access.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28625/montana-governor-invites-indian-bioscience-industry-academia-to-collaborate-on-rd-and-market-access.html Thu, 08 Oct 2026 21:22:58 +0530 Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has invited Indian bioscience companies, research institutions and academia to explore partnerships with the US state in research and development, manufacturing, clinical translation and market access, positioning Montana as a potential gateway for Indian life-sciences companies seeking entry into North America. Speaking at a Bengaluru roundtable with Indian biotechnology and life-sciences companies during his India visit on October 7, Gianforte highlighted the rapid transformation of Montana from an agriculture-led economy into an emerging hub for bioscience, advanced manufacturing, photonics and quantum technologies. “Montana is a gateway to North America for Indian companies,” Gianforte said, stressing the state's emphasis on building long-term relationships rather than transactions. He invited Indian companies to work directly with Montana's companies, universities and research institutions to develop mutually beneficial collaborations. According to Gianforte, bioscience is currently Montana's fastest-growing industry sector, with the state ranking sixth in the US for bioscience growth over the past five years. He pointed to the presence of major research and manufacturing capabilities, including GSK vaccine manufacturing operations, a National Institutes of Health infectious disease research laboratory and Rocky Mountain Labs, one of only 11 bioscience Level 4 laboratories in the US. He also highlighted Montana State University, which he described as a major research partner, with more than $300 million in annual research and development spending. Gianforte said Montana's research institutions and the state Department of Commerce were ready to facilitate introductions and partnerships for Indian companies. The Governor particularly highlighted opportunities in medical treatments and medical devices, saying Montana could help companies accelerate their path towards the North American market. He also drew attention to Montana's regulatory environment, including its “right to try” framework, which he said was designed to accelerate access to certain investigational treatments once safety requirements are met. Gianforte's invitation comes as Indian biotechnology companies increasingly look towards the US for clinical development, regulatory approvals, manufacturing and commercial expansion. Several Bengaluru companies at the roundtable are already pursuing US market opportunities across cell and gene therapy, precision fermentation, genomics, medical devices, oncology, drug development and digital health. The Governor also emphasised the importance of university-industry collaboration. Indian companies at the meeting expressed interest in working with Montana's academic and research ecosystem on areas including translational research, clinical trials, infectious diseases, cancer biology and medical technologies. Gianforte said Montana was open to hosting Indian companies and connecting them with relevant businesses, universities and institutions. “We'd love to host you and introduce you to people in several places so that you can form your own relationship directly with Montana as a gateway into the North American marketplace,” he said. The discussions also reflected opportunities beyond healthcare, including agriculture, bio-based manufacturing and value-added products. Gianforte noted the strong historical connection between Montana's agriculture economy and its emerging technology sectors, while participants from India highlighted potential collaboration in bio-ingredients, precision fermentation, plant proteins and agricultural biotechnology. The Governor endorsed the action-oriented approach proposed by the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) to convert the dialogue into concrete commercial and research partnerships. ABLE proposed developing a “bio-bridge” between Montana and India, with an initial objective of bringing together companies from both sides and creating opportunities for business collaboration within 90 days. Gianforte said he hoped the Bengaluru meeting would mark the beginning of a long-term relationship between Montana and India's bioscience ecosystem, rather than remain a one-off engagement.   Narayan Kulkarni narayan.kulkarni@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28605/bts-2026-to-offer-global-platform-for-technology-innovation-and-international-collaboration-dr-manjula.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28605/bts-2026-to-offer-global-platform-for-technology-innovation-and-international-collaboration-dr-manjula.html Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:09:28 +0530 The Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2026 is set to expand its international footprint, offering participating countries a platform to showcase cutting-edge technologies, government initiatives, industry capabilities and academic strengths to a global audience, said Dr Manjula N, Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and S&T, Government of Karnataka, at the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) Meet held in Bengaluru on October 6. Dr Manjula provided an overview of BTS 2026 and highlighted the opportunities available to international partners through the Summit’s international exhibition, conference and country delegations. She also outlined the various outreach activities being undertaken to strengthen international participation at the Summit. Scheduled from November 17 to 19, 2026, at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), BTS 2026 will be held under the theme ‘AI & Beyond’ and is expected to bring together more than 90,000 attendees, including over 1,000 technology startups, 1,000 investors, 25,000 delegates, 700 speakers and 1,800 exhibitors, with participation from more than 75 countries. The Summit is positioned as a platform for international technology ecosystems to engage with India’s rapidly expanding innovation landscape, while enabling companies, startups, investors, researchers and policymakers to explore partnerships and market opportunities. The BTS 2026 conference will feature 16 tracks covering key technology and innovation domains, including IT & DeepTech, Electro-Semicon, Digital Health & Biotech, Startup Ecosystem, Data & Cybersecurity and Global Collaboration. The Summit will also introduce new tracks such as AI Universe, Finverse, Frontier Tech and Orange Economy, reflecting the expanding application of technology across financial services, frontier technologies and creative and cultural industries. The Global Stage will feature country sessions involving more than 16 nations, providing international delegations with an opportunity to present their technology capabilities and discuss areas of collaboration. A key highlight of BTS 2026 will be the co-location of embedded world India, the maiden India edition of the global event organised by NuernbergMesse India. The event will focus on electronics, semiconductors and embedded systems, adding another major technology dimension to the Summit. The Robotics & Autonomous Systems Arena, led by Bharat 1.AI, will bring robotics companies and researchers together for live demonstrations spanning industrial automation, logistics and medical robotics. The multi-pavilion exhibition will showcase innovations across sectors, with increased international participation and industry representation. BTS 2026 will also place significant emphasis on startups and their access to capital, mentorship and international markets. The programme will include Investor Pitching, one-to-one Mentoring sessions, a dedicated Startup Pavilion and Investor Connect, along with thematic sessions addressing scaling, fundraising and international market access. The Future Makers Conclave, expected to attract more than 10,000 startup founders, will bring together entrepreneurs and changemakers from diverse fields. The Summit will also feature the Rural IT Quiz, Bio Quiz, Bio Posters, IT, Bio and Exhibitor Awards and Global Leaders Reception. With its expanded exhibition, international participation and technology-focused conference programme, BTS 2026 is expected to provide a broad platform for global technology ecosystems to connect with Karnataka and India’s startup, research, investment and industry communities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/28595/montanas-right-to-try-law-creates-novel-pathway-for-life-sciences-companies-to-commercialise-phase-1-completed-therapies-years-before-full-fda-approval.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/28595/montanas-right-to-try-law-creates-novel-pathway-for-life-sciences-companies-to-commercialise-phase-1-completed-therapies-years-before-full-fda-approval.html Mon, 05 Oct 2026 19:44:04 +0530 What is the State of Montana’s relationship with India? Montana’s relationship with India has meaningful historical foundations. Montana’s Ambassador Mike Mansfield – one of the United States’ most respected diplomatic figures – helped shape early Montana India ties based on mutual respect and long-term engagement. In recognition of this relationship, the Indian government gifted Montana a bust of Mahatma Gandhi, now displayed with honor at the University of Montana and placed this spring. Montana’s character is shaped by wide open landscapes, rugged mountains, and communities built on hard work, ingenuity, and resilience. India mirrors these qualities in its own way, through its dynamic innovation ecosystem, thriving industries, and deep cultural heritage. Both of us are building the future through agriculture, technology, education, and global engagement. What makes Montana attractive to an Indian biotechnology or life-sciences company looking at the United States? Our state is known for our stunning vistas in both Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, but we are also an unsung oasis for high tech firms and one of America’s most competitive manufacturing hubs. Indeed, since 2020 our manufacturing GDP has grown 7 percent faster than the national rate. This is in part because we boast one of the largest clusters of photonics and optics companies in the USA, with investment from around the world, as well as one of only five quantum network testbeds worldwide. Powered by more than $250 million in annual university research funding and major NIH investments, Montana offers a compelling headquarters option for life- and bioscience companies seeking lower operating costs and a collaborative research environment. This capacity makes our state a prime location for firms that want to innovate in an unparalleled biotech ecosystem – anchored by a rare BSL-4 lab, world-class genomics and infectious-disease research, and distinctive strengths in rural health innovation, neurogenetics, and extreme-environment science. Companies that choose to build here also gain direct access to top engineering talent, a collaborative statewide business ecosystem, and a regulatory environment designed to accelerate responsible growth. In short, our state offers the rare combination of breathtaking quality of life and world class technical capability – an ideal place to invest, expand, and thrive. How could Montana help an Indian biotechnology or pharmaceutical company looking to establish a presence in the United States? For Indian companies looking toward the United States, Montana offers a strategic, welcoming, and innovation driven landing place where expanding firms receive coordinated support from our Business Attraction team, access to world class university infrastructure, and entry into one of America’s most competitive advanced technology ecosystems. From photonics and quantum to bioscience and precision agriculture, we are prepared to help Indian enterprises scale in the US market, just as international partners have already done across our state. We want Montana to be a place where companies can establish a foothold in the US, build partnerships, and grow. For Indian companies, that could mean connecting with our universities and researchers, identifying manufacturing or development opportunities, finding the right workforce, and working with our state and local partners to ensure we can meet their needs as they consider an investment. What areas of collaboration would you most like to see between Indian and Montana companies? As India’s economy continues to grow and take center stage in the world, we want to position Montana as a partner of choice. We want to expand Montana’s reach overseas. We know that businesses that export innovate faster, create more jobs, and strengthen communities across our state. India companies looking to expand are vital to Montana’s economic future, and we want to support them as you grow. Where do you see the greatest potential for partnerships in areas like manufacturing, research, and technology? There are opportunities across the spectrum, from research to manufacturing and business expansion. India has tremendous expertise in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, while Montana brings strong research institutions, an established biopharmaceutical presence, and a growing innovation economy. We want to connect those strengths, whether through joint research, academic-industry collaboration, technology transfer, or companies investing directly in Montana. The goal is to identify areas where we can build partnerships that create value for both India and Montana. Montana has attracted attention for its expanded Right to Try law. What are the changes? Montana’s newly expanded Right to Try law creates a one-of-a-kind pathway for biopharma and life sciences companies to commercialise Phase 1 completed therapies years before full FDA approval, something no other state allows. For companies, this means dramatically faster time to market, early real-world evidence generation, new revenue opportunities, and a first mover advantage in a state actively building an innovation corridor. Combined with Montana’s low operating costs, pro-innovation policies, and growing biotech ecosystem, this new law positions the state as the nation’s most attractive launchpad for experimental therapeutics and frontier medical technologies.  How important are Montana’s universities and research institutions to your emerging industries? They’re essential. Montana’s universities are conducting research across biomedical sciences, agriculture, engineering, optics, infectious disease, genomics, rural health, and other fields. Montana State University and other partners develop the engineers, technicians, intellectual property, and industry partnerships that help turn research into startups and scalable products. This strategic mission also includes a focus on photonics and quantum technology. How does that fit with biotechnology? Montana offers companies a rare strategic advantage: it is home to one of only five quantum network testbeds worldwide and one of just seven organizations globally that house both photonic and superconducting quantum computers. Bozeman offers one of the nation’s most advanced, accessible quantum innovation environments thanks to Montana State University’s QCORE facility. These assets create a fully integrated quantum testbed environment supported by federal investment, workforce pipelines, and industry partnerships, making Bozeman an exceptional location for companies seeking direct access to cutting edge quantum infrastructure to accelerate development, reduce R&D timelines, and collaborate within a rapidly growing Mountain West quantum ecosystem. When we talk about biotech, photonics, quantum, and advanced manufacturing, we’re really looking at building a broader innovation ecosystem where these technologies can support one another. You came to public service from a technology and business background. How does that experience shape your approach to biotechnology and emerging technologies? We know that innovation is best supported when entrepreneurs have the freedom to solve problems, take risks, and turn good ideas into something that creates value. Government shouldn’t stand in the way of innovation, but it does have an important role in creating a predictable environment, removing unnecessary barriers, and bringing the right partners together. That’s the approach we’re taking in Montana. We want innovators and entrepreneurs to know they can come to Montana, build something, and have a state government that wants to work with them. What is your message to Indian biotechnology executives considering expansion into the United States?  Take a look at Montana. We have talented people, significant research assets, existing biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and state leaders who are willing to work directly with employers and innovators. We’re here because we want to learn about what Indian innovators are building, understand what they need to succeed, and offer Montana to be part of your next chapter in the United States. I am excited to announce that I will lead a strategic trade mission to India to recognise and strengthen our relationship with India, home to one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economics. I especially look forward to hosting a lunch with the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises during my visit. Montana is open for business, and we look forward to sharing more about all the Treasure State has to offer. During this time, we will also have many important conversations and explore new opportunities for India’s biotechnology companies in the United States. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28590/bharat-life-sciences-award-2026-distributes-rs-7-cr-worth-grants-to-promote-scientific-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28590/bharat-life-sciences-award-2026-distributes-rs-7-cr-worth-grants-to-promote-scientific-ecosystem.html Sat, 03 Oct 2026 14:13:06 +0530 The inaugural ceremony of Bharat Life Sciences Award was held on 1 October at Vigyan Bhavan, Delhi. It is a first-of-its-kind national platform for recognising excellence across the life sciences ecosystem. Organised by FICCI and powered by Eli Lilly and Company, the Bharat Life Sciences Award honoured individuals, teams, key institutions, innovators, and ecosystem builders whose work advances scientific discovery, strengthens health systems, and delivers meaningful public health impact. Six awards were distributed under two major categories, with a grant of Rs 1.5 crore for each winner in the Samman category-  A. Samman (Grant)- 1 Ramanujan Arogya Udaan Samman (Individual Excellence – Young Scientist Award)- Dr Vamsee Mallajosyula, National Centre for Biological Sciences (Bharti Bhatia of the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute named runner-up, received a grant of Rs 50 lakh) 2 Charaka Arogya Samman (Collaborative Innovation – Innovation for Unmet Patient Needs)- Pacify Medical Technologies 3 Sushruta Arogya Samman (Collaborative Innovation – Translational & Clinical Advancement)- Bharat Serums and Vaccines 4 Nalanda Arogya Vigyan Samman (Institute of Scientific Excellence)- BRIC- BRIC-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics  (LV Prasad Eye Institute named as runner-up, received Rs 50 lakh) B. Gaurav (Recognition)- 1 Jivaka Arogya Navpravartan Gaurav (Academic Institutes/Think-Tanks/Startup Innovator in Healthcare / Life Sciences)- Sciverse Solutions 2 Sarabhai Arogya Drishti Gaurav (Promoting Scientific Ecosystems in India)- @Dr Ratnesh Jain, Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai Biocluster The winners were felicitated in the presence of Manoj Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals; David A Ricks, chair and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company; Pankaj Patel, past president of FICCI and chairman of Zydus Lifesciences; Anant Swarup, Secretary General of FICCI; and Dr Gobardhan Das, member of NITI Aayog. In addition to the awards ceremony, an innovation summit was also organised with industry experts and government officials deliberating upon interesting topics such as AI Accelerating Drug Discovery; Opportunities in advancing vaccine and infectious disease platforms and development capabilities; and Advancing India's Life Sciences Manufacturing Ecosystem. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/28553/cell-and-gene-therapy-how-close-is-india-to-the-frontier.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/28553/cell-and-gene-therapy-how-close-is-india-to-the-frontier.html Thu, 01 Oct 2026 11:21:29 +0530 India’s position depends partly on how the frontier is defined. One measure is scientific novelty, reflected in advances in cell engineering, gene editing and delivery technologies. Another is translation, meaning whether a therapy can move from laboratory to regulated manufacturing and clinical use at a cost and level of complexity that a health system can absorb. India is advancing on both measures, although at different speeds. Its strongest emerging proposition may lie in translation, particularly in models that reduce manufacturing cost and logistical complexity. That is also where regulatory capability, research funding and specialised infrastructure are likely to have the greatest near-term effect. A demonstrable path to patients Developments since late 2023 show that a route from Indian research to clinical application is beginning to take shape. In October 2023, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approved NexCAR19, India’s first approved CAR-T cell therapy, developed by ImmunoACT, a company incubated at IIT Bombay, through work involving the Tata Memorial Centre. In January 2025, a second CAR-T therapy was approved in India. Manufactured in Bengaluru, it was clinically developed in India using technology licensed from Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, and its phase 2 study reported an overall response rate of 83.3 per cent at 90 days. Indian researchers have also generated early evidence in gene therapy. A first-in-human study at Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore treated five participants with severe haemophilia A using their own haematopoietic stem cells modified with a lentiviral vector. All five recorded an annualised bleeding rate of zero during the observation period. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The findings are encouraging, although the cohort was small, the study was conducted at a single centre, and longer follow-up will be important in assessing durability and safety. The GenomeIndia Project provides a complementary foundation. Whole genome sequencing of 10,000 samples has created a controlled-access resource at the Indian Biological Data Centre that could support identification of population-specific variants and more representative precision-medicine research. Read together, these developments show that the journey from Indian research institutions to regulated advanced therapies is possible. The larger question is how repeatable and how scalable that journey can become. Affordability as a field of innovation One area of Indian experimentation deserves attention: manufacturing close to the point of care. In the phase 1 VELCART study at CMC Vellore, anti-CD19 CAR-T cells were produced on a closed, automated platform sited near the treating centre. Eight of ten participants remained free of disease progression at a median follow-up of 15 months. The published analysis estimated the manufacturing cost at approximately Rs 30 lakh and the median healthcare-resource cost near Rs 11 lakh per patient.  The ten-patient study offers early evidence rather than an established economic model. Evidence across more patients and centres would help determine whether the potential logistical and economic benefits hold at scale. The question matters because the potential need is considerable. National Health Mission guidance estimates that roughly 1 - 1.5 lakh children in India have thalassemia major, alongside a substantial carrier population. Under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported more than 6.07 crore screenings as of July 31, 2025. Advanced therapies will not substitute for public health measures, but affordability and delivery capacity will shape how many eligible patients can eventually benefit. Building regulatory capability Policy direction has been increasingly attentive to the efficiency of pharmaceutical research. The New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 established defined pathways and timelines for clinical research and new drug approvals. Amendments notified in January 2026 introduced prior intimation for certain categories of non-commercial manufacture and reduced the statutory processing period for specified test licences from 90 to 45 working days. These changes strengthen the broader research environment, although the simplified route does not apply to certain specified categories and advanced therapies will continue to warrant risk-appropriate scrutiny. A further opportunity lies in deepening specialised review expertise and coordination. Cell and gene therapy products may engage CDSCO, institutional committees and, where genetically modified material is involved, biotechnology oversight mechanisms. Dedicated expert capability for this category was anticipated in the 2019 national guidelines on gene therapy products. Coordinated scientific advice could give developers greater predictability without altering safety standards. As manufacturing moves closer to the point of care, greater clarity on how existing requirements apply across hospital-based sites could support consistent implementation. Responsibility for oversight, release testing, chain of identity, comparability between sites and long-term pharmacovigilance needs to remain unambiguous in that setting. Shared foundations and specialised infrastructure India’s early outcomes have come largely from concentrated programmes involving academic centres, hospitals and biotechnology companies. The next stage calls for capabilities that support several products rather than one. These include domestic access to viral vectors, plasmids and GMP-grade pilot manufacturing, alongside quality control and release testing capacity. Shared platforms for vector design, delivery technologies and gene editing tools could reduce duplication and let later programmes build on established foundations. The BioE3 Policy offers a relevant enabling framework, with precision biotherapeutics among its thematic sectors and provision for biofoundries and biomanufacturing hubs. Their value will depend on effective links between research, regulation and manufacturing. Clinical capacity must expand in parallel. As use grows, the specialised capabilities required for delivery, including apheresis, cryogenic logistics, laboratory support, toxicity management and long-term follow-up, will need to develop beyond the present network of experienced centres. Widening that network carefully is what turns individual approvals into broader clinical capability. Reading the trajectory India is closer to the cell and gene therapy frontier than it was a few years ago, with approved products, internationally published early-stage outcomes, and a policy environment increasingly attentive to advanced biomanufacturing. The evidence base nevertheless remains early and concentrated in a small number of programmes. The immediate opportunity is not to claim leadership across every scientific dimension, but to build a credible model for translating advanced therapies within a resource-conscious health system. If scientific capability can be combined with predictable review, dependable manufacturing and trained clinical networks, India’s contribution could extend beyond individual therapies. It could help show how sophisticated treatments move closer to patients while remaining workable for large and diverse health systems.   Srikanth Mahadevan, Director, Strategy, Risk & Transactions, Monitor Deloitte ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/28584/dextran-in-freeze-drying-faster-processing-and-improved-protein-stability.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/28584/dextran-in-freeze-drying-faster-processing-and-improved-protein-stability.html Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Yet the process presents a familiar challenge for formulation and process development teams: how can drying time be reduced without compromising product quality and stability? The choice of excipient can play an important role. Sucrose and trehalose are widely used as cryo- and lyoprotectants in freeze-dried protein formulations. However, their relatively low glass transition temperatures can restrict the temperatures that can be applied during primary drying, contributing to longer drying cycles. Selected dextran molecular weights offer an interesting alternative because they provide higher glass transition temperatures than sucrose, which may allow higher primary-drying temperatures while maintaining protein activity under suitable formulation and process conditions. Exploring Dextran 1 and Dextran 40 A study by Strøm Larsen et al. investigated dextrans of different molecular weights as cryo- and lyoprotectants, using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as a model protein. Nine dextran molecular weights were characterised for relevant glass transition properties, with Dextran 1 and Dextran 40 subsequently evaluated in freeze-drying experiments, both individually and in mixtures, and compared with sucrose. The results demonstrated a clear processing advantage under the conditions of the study. Primary drying was completed after approximately 5 hours for dextran-containing formulations compared with 16.5 hours for sucrose. The higher glass transition temperature of the maximally freeze-concentrated dextran solutions allowed a higher primary-drying temperature, resulting in a more than 60% reduction in primary drying time compared with sucrose in the applied freeze-drying cycle. Importantly, faster processing did not come at the expense of LDH activity in the best-performing dextran formulation. Among the formulations investigated, Dextran 40 provided the highest retained LDH activity following freeze-drying and during accelerated storage. The Dextran 40 formulation retained approximately 97% activity immediately after freeze-drying and 94% after seven weeks at 40°C, compared with approximately 86% and 27%, respectively, for sucrose. Dextran 1 retained approximately 82% immediately after freeze-drying and 54% after seven weeks at 40°C.  These findings illustrate how dextran selection may help address two important formulation-development objectives in lyophilised protein systems: shortening primary drying while supporting protein stability. However, the results should be interpreted as protein- and process-specific rather than as a universal ranking of excipient performance. Molecular Weight Matters The study also demonstrated that the physicochemical properties of dextran vary with molecular weight. Glass transition temperatures generally increased with increasing molecular weight, with the effect most pronounced at lower molecular weights and reaching a plateau around 40 kDa.  This was reflected in the LDH activity results. While both Dextran 1 and Dextran 40 enabled faster primary drying compared with sucrose, Dextran 40 provided the strongest protection of LDH during the applied freeze-drying process and under elevated storage conditions. The study also found no additional benefit from combining Dextran 1 and Dextran 40 compared with using pure Dextran 40. The findings highlight an important consideration for formulation scientists: dextran is not simply one excipient. Its molecular weight can be a formulation parameter in its own right. A Broad Dextran Toolbox from Pharmacosmos Pharmacosmos offers a broad dextran portfolio spanning molecular weights from approximately 500 to over 5,000,000 Da, including pharmaceutical and technical grades, standards, derivatives and customised solutions. Manufactured in a dedicated cGMP facility using a water-based process without organic solvents, our dextrans support major pharmacopoeial requirements including Ph. Eur., USP and JP. We combine carbohydrate expertise, pharmaceutical quality and manufacturing flexibility from development through scale-up. Explore our portfolio at dextran.com or contact dextran@pharmacosmos.com. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28580/shilpa-biologicals-unveils-new-gene-to-gmp-manufacturing-platform-sb-himax-for-biotechs-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28580/shilpa-biologicals-unveils-new-gene-to-gmp-manufacturing-platform-sb-himax-for-biotechs-.html Wed, 30 Sep 2026 17:45:53 +0530 Shilpa Biologicals, a subsidiary of Shilpa Medicare, has launched its new gene to GMP manufacturing platform, SB HiMax which will empower biotechs to take suitable monoclonal-antibody programmes from gene to GMP clinical supply in as little as nine months, and complex bispecific and trispecific antibodies in approximately 11 months.   The new service – being launched at CPHI Milan, 6–8 October 2026 – has been specifically created for biotechs seeking accelerated development timelines but struggling to find partners able to offer the necessary speed and flexibility.   Unlike conventional cell-line development platforms, SB HiMax provides an integrated pathway from clone development and cell-bank creation through upstream and downstream process development, analytical-method development, GMP drug-substance manufacturing and drug-product filling.   CMC development and regulatory support are embedded throughout, enabling customers to progress towards clinical studies without repeatedly transferring their programme between different providers.   Significantly, SB HiMax, not only helps clients improve timelines but also improves yield, with the platform typically achieving >5 g/L, which is significantly above the industry average for 1–3 g/L for CHO fed-batch processes.  The service is available not just across monoclonal targets but is available to customers with ADCs, bioconjugates, microbial-expressed products and recombinant proteins.   SB HiMax accelerates development by running clone screening, process development and key CMC activities in parallel, supported by established platform processes and single-use GMP manufacturing. The platform scales to 2,000 L while maintaining critical quality attributes and less than 10% titre variation, helping customers establish a commercially viable process from the outset. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28570/techinvention-lifecare-partners-with-institute-of-life-sciences-iit-bhubaneswar-to-expedite-development-of-indigenous-tb-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28570/techinvention-lifecare-partners-with-institute-of-life-sciences-iit-bhubaneswar-to-expedite-development-of-indigenous-tb-vaccine.html Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:05:15 +0530 According to the Global TB Report 2025, India has the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the world, accounting for 25% of all global TB cases. Further, the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) situation is critical, as we have recorded 32% of the world's drug-resistant TB cases. Thus, an effective and affordable vaccine is the need of the hour in our armamentarium to achieve the ‘TB Mukt Bharat Status’.While there are vaccine candidates in various stages of development globally, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) and IIT Bhubaneswar have developed Bharat’s 100% indigenous NexGen vaccine KochVac, which is taking shape via a Public-Private Partnership model, along with TechInvention Lifecare.BioSpectrum India recently attended a round-table discussion with policy experts, scientists and industry leaders to advance the conversation around India’s indigenous TB vaccine and its pathway from research to public health impact. To take things forward, TechInvention plans to initiate the regulatory process in the next few months, with human trials to begin in second half of 2027. "The pathogen complexity being immense is resulting TB in being the No 1 infectious killer coupled with AMR. This made the forum so critical with the discussion encompassing: antigen design, epitope selection, adjuvant strategy, animal models, formulation and also a possible Quality Target Product Profile (QTTP) for programmatic suitability contributing to TB Mukt Bharat", said Dr Syed S Ahmed, Founder, TechInvention Lifecare.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28561/dbt-is-supporting-210-rd-projects-worth-rs-174-cr-in-nanomedicine-dr-jitendra-singh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28561/dbt-is-supporting-210-rd-projects-worth-rs-174-cr-in-nanomedicine-dr-jitendra-singh.html Mon, 28 Sep 2026 16:50:05 +0530 Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the World Congress on Nanomedicine 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, said that nanomedicine will drive the next generation of preventive medicine and personalised healthcare. The World Congress on Nanomedicine 2026, being held from Sept 27 to 30, organised by the Institute of Nano Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Delhi, attracted over 2,000 participants. These include eminent scientists and young researchers who are discussing emerging advances and applications in the field of nanomedicine. Detailing the government's support for nanomedicine research, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is providing financial assistance of Rs 174 crore to 210 research and development (R&D) projects in the field of nanomedicine. These projects include targeted drug delivery, cancer nanomedicine, nanomedicine for infectious diseases, nucleic acid and vaccine delivery, nanodiagnostics and imaging, regenerative medicine and wound healing, as well as nanotoxicology and regulatory science. Among promising research areas, the Minister mentioned precision nano-injections and targeted breast cancer nanomedicines, in addition to oral insulin nanoparticles and nanobots for breast cancer. He recalled that earlier attempts at oral insulin had encountered challenges related to absorption and digestive enzymes. He said that advances in nanotechnology could offer new possibilities to address these challenges. He said that India has established a regulatory framework for nanopharmaceuticals through guidelines jointly developed by the DBT, ICMR, and CDSCO. This framework provides the basis for evaluating the safety , quality, and efficacy of nanopharmaceutical products. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28497/government-issues-advisory-on-regulation-of-stem-cell-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28497/government-issues-advisory-on-regulation-of-stem-cell-therapy.html Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:07:58 +0530 The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories that have adopted the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 regarding the regulation of stem cell therapy. The advisory reiterates the existing regulations on stem cell research and therapy and seeks to ensure that stem cell therapy is allowed as standard care in routine clinical practice only for diseases/conditions on the list approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In the advisory, with regard to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it has been clarified that the therapeutic use of any stem cell in autism is prohibited as per the 'National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research, 2017' issued jointly by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and other applicable Government instructions issued by the Government of India from time to time. To be restricted to only duly approved clinical trials. The Ministry has requested the States and UTs to give wide publicity to all concerned State and District Regulatory Authorities and government and private clinical establishments involved in stem cell research, treatment, promotion or administration to ensure strict adherence to the applicable regulations. The consultation also draws attention to the consequences of not following the rules associated with stem cell therapy.  Accordingly, the Ministry has requested the concerned State and District Regulatory Authorities and Clinical Establishments to ensure strict compliance of the Regulations on Stem Cell Research and Therapy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28354/gic-2026-unveils-distinguished-speaker-lineup-for-indias-largest-genomics-conference.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28354/gic-2026-unveils-distinguished-speaker-lineup-for-indias-largest-genomics-conference.html Fri, 21 Aug 2026 18:02:13 +0530 Genomics India Conference (GIC) 2026 has unveiled its distinguished speaker lineup for the sixth edition of India’s largest genomics conference, scheduled to take place on 2–3 September 2026 at the Dr Babu Rajendra Prasad International Convention Centre, GKVK Campus, Bengaluru. The conference is being jointly organised by Genotypic Technology, the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS). Centred on the theme “Genome to Bioeconomy: Innovation, Impact and Economic Transformation,” GIC 2026 will convene global genomics pioneers, senior policymakers, industry leaders and some of India’s foremost researchers to examine how genomic science can generate measurable healthcare, agricultural, environmental and economic impact. A major focus of the conference will be the proposed Human Genome Project II (HGP2) and the opportunities surrounding India’s participation in this international initiative. Discussions will also explore the need for a next-generation, large-scale sequencing programme representing the diversity of the Indian population and its potential to strengthen precision medicine, public health, research infrastructure and the country’s emerging genomics-driven bioeconomy. Dr Beena Pillai to deliver inaugural lecture Dr Beena Pillai, Director, BRIC–Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, will deliver the inaugural lecture at GIC 2026. Her address will formally open the sixth edition of the conference and set the stage for two days of scientific and strategic discussions on translating genomic discoveries into applications that benefit society and the economy. Global genomics luminaries to deliver keynote addresses GIC 2026 will welcome three internationally recognised leaders whose work spans the foundational science of genome analysis, multi-omics and personalised medicine, and the development of global genomic infrastructure. Prof Charles R. Cantor, Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, USA Prof Charles R. Cantor is one of the founding architects of human genome science. His pioneering research encompasses biophysical tools for human genome analysis, methods for separating large DNA molecules, sensitive detection of proteins and nucleic acids, faster DNA-sequencing technologies and novel variations of the polymerase chain reaction. He has also investigated the application of biological molecules in nanoengineering and single-molecule detection. His contributions have helped establish many of the foundational methodologies that continue to underpin modern genomics and molecular diagnostics. Prof Michael P. Snyder, PhD, Stanford W. Ascherman Professor and Chair of Genetics; Director, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University, USA Prof Michael P. Snyder is a global leader in functional genomics, multi-omics and personalised medicine. His laboratory conducted the first large-scale functional genomics project in any organism and has developed transformative technologies including RNA sequencing, proteome chips, high-resolution tiling arrays and ChIP-seq. A major contributor to the ENCODE project, Prof Snyder pioneered longitudinal multi-omics health profiling. His research involving wearable technologies, artificial intelligence-driven health monitoring and exposomics is helping move healthcare towards continuous, predictive and preventive models. Dr Weibin Liu, Vice President and Special Assistant to the Chairman, BGI Group, China Dr Weibin Liu is Vice President of BGI Group and a co-initiator of Human Genome Project II, a proposed global initiative that aims to sequence at least one per cent of the world’s population and apply genomic knowledge to advance precision public health. At the 30th Anniversary Meeting of the Bermuda Principles in February 2026, Dr Liu outlined the strategic vision for HGP2 and BGI’s commitment to open science, including the release of Genos, an open-source, human-centric genomic foundation model with 10 billion parameters. His keynote at GIC 2026 will address the transition from large-scale genomic data generation to public-health applications, global scientific collaboration and bioeconomic value creation. “We are honoured to welcome Prof Charles Cantor, Prof Michael Snyder and Dr Weibin Liu to GIC 2026. Together, they represent the full arc of genomics—from the foundational science that made the genome readable and the multi-omics revolution transforming medicine to the global infrastructure now scaling genomics into a true bioeconomy. That arc is exactly what GIC 2026 is about,” said Dr Raja Mugasimangalam, Founder and CEO, Genotypic Technology. “Human Genome Project II presents an important opportunity to build a more inclusive global understanding of human genomic diversity. GIC 2026 will provide a timely platform to examine how India can contribute to this effort and shape a large-scale sequencing programme that represents the extraordinary genetic diversity of its population,” he added. More than 60 experts to participate GIC 2026 will bring together more than 60 speakers, session chairs and panellists from leading research institutions, universities, hospitals and genomics organisations in India and overseas. The participating institutions include CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, BRIC–Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, IIT Roorkee, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata and several other prominent centres of research and innovation. The conference programme will cover human health and precision medicine, population genomics, multi-omics, artificial intelligence, agriculture, metagenomics, diagnostics, bioinformatics and the wider genomics bioeconomy. Seven pre-conference workshops announced Seven specialised pre-conference workshops will be conducted on 1 September 2026: Statistical Genomics — National Centre for Biological Sciences Metagenomics for Clinical and Environmental Applications — Tata Institute for Genetics and Society AI Driven Multi-Omics— Indian Institute of Science Phenomics and Hologenomics in Modern Agriculture — University of Agricultural Sciences AI-Driven NGS Data Analysis — Genotypic Technology Long-Read Sequencing Using Agilent Target Enrichment — Agilent Technologies From FASTQ to Actionable Insight: Demonstration of the Meril Genomics Multi-Omics Bioinformatics Workbench — Meril Genomics More information about the conference and its speaker faculty is available at www.genomicsindia.co.in. GIC 2026 is not just an event—it is the “Home of Genomics”: a place where genomes meet growth, data meets destiny and science quietly becomes economy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28310/birac-showcases-indias-biotech-innovation-and-startup-ecosystem-at-bharatiya-vyapar-mahotsav-2026.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28310/birac-showcases-indias-biotech-innovation-and-startup-ecosystem-at-bharatiya-vyapar-mahotsav-2026.html Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:56:16 +0530 The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Public Sector Enterprise of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, is showcasing its innovation and start-up ecosystem at a dedicated pavilion during the Bharatiya Vyapar Mahotsav (BVM) 2026, being held from August 12–15 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Organised jointly by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), BVM 2026 is one of the country's largest platforms celebrating "Made in India, Made for India, Made for the World," bringing together traders, MSMEs, manufacturers, institutions, investors and policymakers from across the country. The BIRAC pavilion offers visitors, investors, industry leaders and the public an opportunity to engage directly with some of India's most promising biotech and medtech innovators, and to understand how BIRAC's ecosystem of schemes, funding instruments and enabling infrastructure is helping translate laboratory research into affordable, market-ready products. A significant share of the startups featured at the BIRAC pavilion this year work at the intersection of medical technology and social impact — developing affordable prosthetics, robotic rehabilitation systems, and assistive devices for persons with disabilities. This reflects BIRAC's continued emphasis on social innovation as a core component of its mandate: ensuring that advanced biotechnology and medtech innovation also serves India's most vulnerable populations. "BIRAC's role has always gone beyond funding — to de-risk the innovation journey for India's biotech entrepreneurs, connecting them to capital, infrastructure, mentorship and markets at every stage. The start-ups showcased at our pavilion this year, many of them working on assistive technologies and rehabilitation solutions, are a powerful example of how Indian innovation can be both cutting-edge and deeply inclusive. Platforms like the Bharatiya Vyapar Mahotsav allow us to bring these home-grown solutions closer to industry, investors and the public, and to reaffirm BIRAC's commitment to building a self-reliant, globally competitive Indian bio-economy", said Dr Dhananjay Kumar Tiwary, Managing Director, BIRAC Start-ups at the BIRAC Pavilion Reconstructive Healthcare Solutions (RHS)- Founded in 2018 by maxillofacial surgeon, RHS is an ISO 13485-certified medtech company specialising in virtual surgical planning and 3D-printed anatomical models, surgical guides, splints, and dental and orthopaedic implants. Operating out of a newly commissioned GMP facility at IMT Faridabad, Haryana, RHS combines advanced imaging, software integration and precision manufacturing to enable patient-specific surgical care and healthcare education. GenElek Technologies- An IIT Delhi-incubated deep-tech medical robotics company, GenElek develops intelligent robotic exoskeletons for gait training and mobility rehabilitation. Its flagship product, the Sencibel Robotic Gait Trainer, is a lower-limb robotic exoskeleton offering multiple training modes, real-time monitoring and detailed analytics for individuals with neurological and musculoskeletal impairments. Exobot Dynamics- Incubated at IIT Delhi and backed by BIRAC, AIC, IHFC, SACC, NCPEDP, DST and FICCI-Mercedes Benz, Exobot builds advanced upper-limb prosthetics and wearable robotic systems. Its flagship product, GripX, is a lightweight myoelectric prosthetic hand built for Indian clinical workflows, with a next-generation bionic hand, X1, currently under development as part of the company's long-term "Human Physical AI" vision. Rymo Technologies- Founded in 2020, Rymo has built a connected neuro-rehabilitation ecosystem combining robotics, VR, AI and electrical stimulation. Its product suite — Mobi-L, Mend, Nudge, Aura XR and Pulse FES — has been installed at 779 sites across 612 clinics and hospitals, including AIIMS, Apollo, Sakra and Manipal. Translead Medtech- A Bengaluru-based medical device company, Translead has developed Stand at Eaze, an unpowered assistive chair that helps users sit and stand using a compliant hinge mechanism licensed exclusively from over a decade of biomechanics research at the Indian Institute of Science. The device is CDSCO-registered as a Class A medical device, with clinical evaluation underway at partner hospitals. Torchit- An award-winning social technology company, Torchit designs and deploys assistive technologies including the Saarthi Smart Mobility Aid, the Jyoti AI ecosystem (AI Vision Glasses and AI Reader), braille technologies and the Saksharta Inclusive Education Kit. Working with government bodies, NGOs, hospitals and CSR partners, Torchit has impacted over 2 million lives across India and other emerging markets. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28315/stempeutics-receives-us-patent-for-treatment-of-osteoarthritis-using-stempeucel-oa.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28315/stempeutics-receives-us-patent-for-treatment-of-osteoarthritis-using-stempeucel-oa.html Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:08:34 +0530 Bengaluru-based Stempeutics Research, a group company of Manipal Education and Medical Group, has announced that the United States (US) Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted US Patent No. 12,661,377 for a treatment approach using its stem cell-based drug Stempeucel®-OA for osteoarthritis. The patent covers an ultrasound-guided, intra-articular treatment involving a single dose of 25 million ex vivo expanded, pooled and cultured adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (Stempeucel®-OA), administered before a single injection of mid-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. The therapy is intended to act at the cellular level, helping reduce inflammation and pain, improve joint function and support the preservation of cartilage quality in patients with Grade II and III knee osteoarthritis. The patented invention also covers methods associated with increasing levels of anti-inflammatory markers and decreasing levels of disease-progression markers in individuals with osteoarthritis. The development addresses a significant and growing clinical need, with an estimated 48.4 million people in India living with knee osteoarthritis in 2021. As the condition can progressively affect mobility, physical function and quality of life, treatment approaches aimed at addressing the underlying disease process remain an important area of clinical research. The company has filed more than 100+ patents and received over 60+ granted patents globally including US, Japan and EU.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28286/birac-startup-investor-connect-to-support-biotechnology-opportunities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28286/birac-startup-investor-connect-to-support-biotechnology-opportunities.html Mon, 10 Aug 2026 19:39:40 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh recently held a meeting with senior officials of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in New Delhi, where a series of measures to expand investment, industry participation and market opportunities for India's biotechnology ecosystem were discussed. BIRAC proposes BIRAC Startup Investor Connect, a dedicated platform to bring together investor ready biotech startups and investors. The platform aims to raise awareness of biotechnology opportunities, facilitate strategic partnerships, strengthen investment networks, and accelerate the commercialisation of innovative technologies. Strengthening the reach and visibility of BIRAC was another important area of focus. BIRAC has proposed branding initiatives at Jammu and Vadodara airports to showcase the achievements of DBT-BIRAC and create awareness among corporates, investors and global partners about opportunities to collaborate with India's biotechnology ecosystem. Jammu is emerging as a major hub for biotechnology, healthcare, and agricultural innovation, while Vadodara has an established base of pharma-biotech manufacturing. The meeting also focused on leveraging the growing Life Sciences Global Capability Centre (GCC) ecosystem to increase industry participation in India's biotechnology sector. India currently has over 1,700 GCCs employing around 1.9 million professionals, while the Life Sciences and Healthcare GCC has emerged as important centres of R&D in areas including biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and digital health. BIRAC will help in better integrating the current and potential GCC with the domestic biotechnology ecosystem by assessing their requirements in infrastructure, pilot-scale manufacturing, and R&D and linking them to India's BioE3 bio-foundries, bio-incubators and startups. BIRAC has set up a dedicated BIRAC-RDIF division to ensure smooth implementation of the Fund. A total of 198 applications have been received and are being evaluated as per the guidelines of the scheme. The first 50 applications have been screened and evaluated, with eight eligible Technology Entities selected so far on the recommendations of the Investment Committee consisting of external experts. These entities are currently undergoing a detailed vetting process before entering into debt or equity agreements. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28254/karnataka-to-lead-not-only-in-digital-technologies-but-also-in-nanotechnology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28254/karnataka-to-lead-not-only-in-digital-technologies-but-also-in-nanotechnology.html Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:53:53 +0530 “We want Karnataka to lead not only in digital technologies, but also in nanotechnology, advanced materials, semiconductors and deep-tech innovation,” said D K Shivakumar, Chief Minister of Karnataka. Speaking after the 14th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO, India's flagship international nanotechnology conference and exhibition, 3-day summit organised by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Shivakumar said “Karnataka has established itself as India’s technology capital, and today we are laying the foundation for the next era of scientific leadership. The future belongs to those who can translate research into real-world impact, and Bengaluru INDIA NANO demonstrates our commitment to building an ecosystem where science, industry and innovation come together to solve global challenges.” In his address Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, IT, BT and e-Governance, government of Karnataka said “The next wave of innovation will be driven by the convergence of AI, nanotechnology, biotechnology and semiconductors. Karnataka is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation because of its strong research institutions, thriving startup ecosystem and progressive policy environment. Through platforms like Bengaluru INDIA NANO, we are accelerating the journey from scientific discovery to commercial innovation, creating technologies that are globally competitive while delivering meaningful impact for society.” Dr N. Manjula, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and Science & Technology, government of Karnataka   said “Bengaluru INDIA NANO continues to strengthen its position as India’s premier nanotechnology platform by bringing together researchers, industry, startups and policymakers under one roof. This year’s theme, ‘Nanotech’s Next Frontier: AI & Beyond – Conceive, Converge, Commercialise,’ reflects our focus on fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerating the commercialisation of breakthrough research. Our objective is to build partnerships that translate scientific excellence into scalable technologies and sustainable economic growth.” The event brings together leading scientists, researchers, industry leaders, startups, policymakers and students to accelerate research, innovation and commercialisation in nanotechnology.   Image caption- (From L-R) Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, IT, BT and e-Governance, Government of Karnataka   and D K Shivakumar, Chief Minister of Karnataka releasing the Event Compendium of 14th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO on August 4, in Bengaluru ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28230/karnataka-strengthens-strategic-partnership-with-takeda-to-accelerate-life-sciences-innovation-and-global-capability-centre-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28230/karnataka-strengthens-strategic-partnership-with-takeda-to-accelerate-life-sciences-innovation-and-global-capability-centre-growth.html Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology (ITBT), Government of Karnataka, today hosted a senior leadership delegation from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited to explore opportunities for expanding the company's Global Capability Centre (GCC) operations in Bengaluru and deepening collaboration with Karnataka's world-class life sciences and innovation ecosystem. The high-level meeting was chaired by Dr. Manjula N, IAS, Secretary, Department of ITBT & S&T, and attended by Dr. Avinash Menon Rajendran, IAS, Director, Department of ITBT, alongside senior officials from the Department, representatives from the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), and the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC). The Takeda delegation was led by Lauren Duprey, Chief Transformation Officer, and included Malti George, Head of Global Capability Management; Tuba Erduran Ertek, Head of HR – Global Data, Digital & Technology and Finance; Tilak Banerjee, Site Lead – India Global Capability Center; Reshma Suresh, Talent Acquisition Partner; and Nara Jayaraman, India Site Coordinator – Data, Digital & Technology. The discussions focused on Karnataka's continued leadership as India's premier destination for Global Capability Centres and its growing role in enabling multinational organisations to transform GCCs into strategic centres for innovation, research and development, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and product engineering. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Manjula N, IAS, Secretary, Department of ITBT & S&T, Government of Karnataka, said: "Karnataka has built a globally competitive ecosystem where Global Capability Centres are increasingly driving innovation, research, and digital transformation for enterprises across sectors. Our collaborative ecosystem, supported by strong policy frameworks, world-class talent, and leading research institutions, enables global companies like Takeda to accelerate innovation and create high-value capabilities from Bengaluru." Takeda's Bengaluru Innovation Capability Center, the company's first innovation capability centre in Asia, plays a pivotal role in supporting its global operations through advanced capabilities in artificial intelligence-driven drug discovery, digital health technologies, data science, and research and development. The interaction also highlighted opportunities for closer engagement with Karnataka's thriving biotechnology ecosystem, including partnerships in talent development, translational research, innovation programmes, and digital health initiatives through organisations such as C-CAMP and the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre. The meeting underscores Karnataka's commitment to strengthening long-term partnerships with global innovation-led enterprises and reinforcing Bengaluru's position as one of the world's leading destinations for life sciences, biotechnology, healthcare technology, and Global Capability Centres. As global pharmaceutical and healthcare companies continue to expand their innovation footprint, Karnataka remains focused on providing an enabling ecosystem that fosters research excellence, technological advancement, and sustainable economic growth through collaborative public-private partnerships. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28214/immuneel-therapeutics-and-thsti-advance-car-t-cell-therapy-and-lentiviral-vector-manufacturing-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28214/immuneel-therapeutics-and-thsti-advance-car-t-cell-therapy-and-lentiviral-vector-manufacturing-.html Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:50:12 +0530 Bengaluru-based Immuneel Therapeutics and the BRIC Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), in Faridabad, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to establish a collaboration to qualify, establish, and manage a cutting-edge facility for the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP)-compliant manufacturing of CAR-T cell therapies and Lentiviral Vectors (LVVs). The primary goal of this collaboration is to operationalise the facility, obtain necessary regulatory approvals from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), and successfully translate academic and industrial research pipelines into clinical realities. The partnership synergises THSTI’s newly established cleanroom facility with Immuneel’s validated commercial-grade cell therapy ecosystem. By uniting academic research capabilities with industrial operational expertise, the collaboration seeks to accelerate the translation of early-phase clinical pipelines into viable treatments for patients. "Industry and academia collaborations are the need of the hour to bring out the best of India's scientific and translational capabilities. This partnership represents a vital step in operationalising clinical pipelines, and it begins as one of the many such collaborations needed in India to ensure we can compete and lead on a global scale." said Dr Lakshmikanth Gandikota, Chief Scientific Officer, Immuneel Therapeutics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28219/karnataka-to-host-29th-edition-of-bengaluru-tech-summit-2026-on-nov-17-19-at-biec.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28219/karnataka-to-host-29th-edition-of-bengaluru-tech-summit-2026-on-nov-17-19-at-biec.html Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:34:00 +0530 Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has announced that the 29th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS 2026) will be held from 17–19 November 2026 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), with the theme "AI & Beyond." Positioned as Asia's largest technology event, BTS 2026 will build on nearly three decades of bringing together the global innovation ecosystem and is expected to attract technology leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers and policymakers from across the world. Announcing the event, Shivakumar said the summit will reinforce Karnataka's leadership in technology and innovation while creating new opportunities for collaboration across emerging sectors including artificial intelligence, deeptech, electronics and semiconductors, biotechnology, startups, animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC), and other frontier technologies. One of the biggest additions to this year's summit is the co-location of the inaugural edition of embedded world India, organised in association with NuernbergMesse India. The event will feature a dedicated conference track and exhibition pavilion focused on electronics and semiconductors, reflecting India's growing ambition to become a global manufacturing and chip-design hub. The initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration between international technology companies and India's expanding semiconductor ecosystem while further enhancing Karnataka's position as a leading destination for advanced electronics manufacturing. Another new feature at BTS 2026 is the India edition of ChangeNOW, a globally recognised platform dedicated to environmental and social innovation. The co-located event will bring together innovators, startups, investors and policymakers working on sustainable technologies and climate solutions, expanding the summit's focus beyond digital transformation to include green innovation and impact-driven entrepreneurship. The summit is expected to host more than 1,800 exhibitors, 25,000 delegates, over 1,000 technology startups and more than 60,000 business visitors from 75-plus countries and 30-plus States and Union Territories, making it one of the world's largest platforms for technology, innovation and business collaboration. The three-day conference will feature multiple thematic tracks covering AI & DeepTech, FinTech, Health & Biotechnology, SpaceTech, the India–USA Tech Conclave and Global Collaboration, alongside emerging areas such as Digital Infrastructure & Data Centres, Circular Economy, Orange Economy and Electric Mobility. BTS 2026 will also showcase a large-scale multi-sector exhibition highlighting cutting-edge innovations, complemented by investor networking sessions, international business meetings and strategic partnership programmes. A major attraction for the startup ecosystem will be the Future Makers programme, designed to help high-potential startups connect with investors, mentors and global markets. The initiative will include investor pitching sessions, one-on-one mentoring clinics, startup showcases and the Future Makers Conclave, providing founders with opportunities to scale their businesses and access international networks. With artificial intelligence taking centre stage under the theme "AI & Beyond," the 2026 edition aims to strengthen Bengaluru's position as India's technology capital while showcasing Karnataka's expanding role in shaping the future of AI, semiconductors, biotechnology and sustainable innovation.   Photo caption - (L-R) Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson, Vision Group on Biotech, Govt. of Karnataka; Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology and e-Governance, Government of Karnataka; D.K. Shivakumar, Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka; Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, MLA, Hosakote Constituency and Chairman, KEONICS; and Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairperson, Vision Group on IT, Govt. of Karnataka, during the CEO Breakfast Meet hosted by the Government of Karnataka ahead of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28220/karnataka-hosts-ceo-breakfast-meet-industry-backs-stronger-collaboration-to-drive-states-next-tech-growth-phase.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28220/karnataka-hosts-ceo-breakfast-meet-industry-backs-stronger-collaboration-to-drive-states-next-tech-growth-phase.html Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:51:07 +0530 The Karnataka Government recently brought together more than 200 technology industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers for its annual CEO Breakfast Meet, using the platform to engage directly with industry stakeholders on strengthening the State's innovation ecosystem and shaping the next phase of technology-led growth. The high-level interaction, was held in the presence of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and e-Governance. The meeting reinforced the Government's collaborative approach to policymaking by seeking industry inputs on key priorities across emerging technology sectors. During the meeting, Dr Manjula N., Secretary, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, presented the Karnataka IT & DeepTech Landscape Progress Report 2025–26, highlighting the State's progress in technology, innovation and startup development. She outlined Karnataka's recent achievements, policy interventions and the roadmap for sustaining its leadership in the country's technology ecosystem. Industry leaders welcomed the Government's continued engagement with the private sector and acknowledged Karnataka's efforts to build a supportive innovation ecosystem. Discussions focused on maintaining the State's competitiveness in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, deeptech, biotechnology, electronics and semiconductors, defence and space technologies, fintech, and AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics). The programme featured strategic perspectives from S. Gopalakrishnan (Kris), Chairperson of the Vision Group on IT, who shared his vision for strengthening Karnataka's leadership in IT and deep technologies. Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson of the Vision Group on Biotechnology, highlighted the State's growing opportunities in biotechnology, life sciences and innovation-driven healthcare, emphasising the importance of research, entrepreneurship and industry-academia collaboration. Representatives from leading industry bodies including NASSCOM, IESA, TiE Bangalore, ABLE, IVCA and ABAI participated in an open-house discussion, bringing together CEOs, founders and innovators from IT & DeepTech, Biotech & HealthTech, Electronics & Semiconductors, Defence & Space Tech, FinTech and AVGC. Participants shared recommendations on policy reforms, talent development, infrastructure, research collaboration, startup funding and global market access to accelerate Karnataka's technology-led growth. A key outcome of the meeting was the industry's endorsement of the Government's consultative approach to policymaking. Business leaders appreciated the State's willingness to engage regularly with industry and offered recommendations to strengthen innovation, attract investments, support startups, expand research capabilities and enhance Karnataka's global competitiveness. The CEO Breakfast Meet reaffirmed Karnataka's commitment to maintaining close collaboration with industry, ensuring that future policies are aligned with evolving technology trends, business needs and the State's long-term ambition of remaining India's leading hub for innovation and advanced technologies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28180/premas-biotech-secures-governments-support-to-advance-axtex-4d-for-personalised-breast-cancer-care-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28180/premas-biotech-secures-governments-support-to-advance-axtex-4d-for-personalised-breast-cancer-care-.html Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:35:29 +0530 Gurugram-based Premas Biotech has received funding support under the Scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP), an initiative of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, for its AXTEX-4DTM technology. The supported project, titled “AXTEX-4DTM: Development of Patient-Derived Breast Cancer Organoids for Personalised Chemotherapy Screening,” aims to advance an indigenous 3D tumour organoid system designed to support more personalised and evidence-based chemotherapy selection for breast cancer. Under PRIP support, Premas Biotech will work toward advancing AXTEX-4DTM from proof of-concept to a stronger translational stage. The project will focus on patient-derived organoid development, molecular and functional characterisation, chemotherapy response testing, and generation of data that can support future clinical validation and broader adoption. AXTEX-4DTM uses a scaffold-based 3D culture approach, where biopsy-derived cells are grown on a non-woven polymer fibre matrix to form tumour tissueoids. These tissueoids are designed to recreate key features of the native tumour microenvironment, including tumour architecture, cell–cell interactions, oxygen gradients, and drug-penetration barriers. By offering a more physiologically relevant model than conventional 2D culture systems, AXTEX-4DTM has the potential to generate more clinically meaningful drug response insights. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28133/translational-health-science-and-technology-institute-hosts-3rd-industry-meet-synchn-2026.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28133/translational-health-science-and-technology-institute-hosts-3rd-industry-meet-synchn-2026.html Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:41:28 +0530 The Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) successfully organised its 3rd Annual Conference – SYNCHN 2026 at the NCR Biotech Science Cluster Campus in Faridabad on 14 July. The event brought together key global leaders in the healthcare sector, biotechnology experts, venture capitalists, startups, and policymakers to create a solid platform to address coordination gaps and translate lab-grown scientific research into commercially scale patient solutions. Chief Guest of the event, Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon, addressed virtually, outlining the profound technological changes that are reshaping global healthcare. Prof. Ganesan Karthikeyan, Executive Director, THSTI highlighted the institute’s strong capacity, fully operational Medical Research Centre (MRC), and accelerated product manufacturing and epidemic preparedness (APEX) initiative. MRC has an early-stage clinical trial unit, an advanced CAR-T cell research unit, and India's first controlled human infection study (CHIS) facility. “APEX utilises a national-level flagship production platform, designed to rapidly bridge the gap that exists between proven research findings and manufacturable, organic products”, he said. Dr Rajiv Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General India, CDSCO said that CDSCO is actively shaping a new regulatory system for biological drugs that involves non-governmental industry experts to transform national policy and operational procedures.  Dr Manish Diwan, while discussing the deep-tech financial landscape, mentioned the recently established BIRAC Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund as a key catalyst in bridging the lifecycle financing gaps for startups, industry, and national labs. Several important panel sessions were held during this major annual industry conference highlighting India's growing influence in addressing global health challenges by strengthening international scientific collaborations and integrated research ecosystems. Discussions were held to highlight the need to remove barriers to commercialisation by bringing together innovators, investors, and accelerators to scale up biotechnology startups; and streamlining processes to rapidly deliver on significant advances made in academia to human testing and using integrated clinical research platforms as critical adjuncts for real-world validation. The event concluded with open, interactive forums, with delegates having the opportunity to interact directly with the scientists of THSTI. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28134/bric-thsti-announces-new-partnerships-on-17th-foundation-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28134/bric-thsti-announces-new-partnerships-on-17th-foundation-day.html Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:18:53 +0530 The Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, celebrated its 17th Foundation Day on 15 July 2026 in a ceremony with the august presence of distinguished guests and significant achievements. Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, DBT and Director General, BRIC, in his virtual address, appreciated the stupendous achievements of THSTI in its journey of 17 years. He appreciated the institute's robust translation ecosystem and impressive scientific outputs and underlined its pivotal role in promoting innovation and self-reliance in India's rapidly growing bio-economy. Prof. Roger Fu, 'Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Professor in Medicine' and Deputy Dean of Research at NUS Yong Lu Lin School of Medicine delivered the Foundation Day lecture. Dr Fu advocated an approach that prioritises disease prevention at the population-level rather than cure. He urged the adoption of 'deep metabolic phenotyping' to detect hidden conditions such as visceral adiposity (excessive deposition of fat around the internal organs) long before clinical symptoms appear. The Foundation Day event saw the exchange of several strategic agreements with key industry partners from different sectors- Developing a regulatory science programme to support the development of regulatory guidance with Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)- Designation of THSTI as the ‘WHO-regional biomanufacturing training centre’ for South East Asia region Creating an ecosystem at THSTI for cGMP compliant manufacturing for CAR-T cell therapies and lentiviral vectors, in collaboration with Immuneel Therapeutics First in human phase-I translational medicine and early phase trials in collaboration with Syngene International Collaboration with Netherlands-based Infecta on controlled human infection studies Collaboration with the Bio-Assay Lab and the clinical development services agency for product development with Cipla Collaboration with Biocon on early drug development Commissioning and operating a certified GMP facility for therapeutics at THSTI and to establish a lab to validation scale synbio microbial fermentation facility, with Fermbox Bio For studies on effect of botanical extracts on human gut microbiome, with Gramen Botanicals Collaboration with Oxford University on clinical assays For IP assignment with Arundhati Healthcare and Astraeus Innovus, made through the School of Innovation in Biodesign Programme Clinical collaboration with Medanta Group on CAR-T research and early phase clinical trials Translational cancer research and AI innovation in collaboration with Biodesign Innovation Labs Testing formulations from North East for the management of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), in collaboration with Prolivent India For Translational innovation research with Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre Advancing indigenous Betacoronavirus vaccine to first in human study with Panacea Biotech Continuing collaboration with Miltenyi Biotec for India’s first hands-on CAR-T Cell and Gene Therapy training curriculum For progressing with development of AI-powered pregnancy care platform with Doto Health For progressing with development of AI-powered pregnancy ultrasound reporting system with Qure AI ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28143/fischer-medical-ventures-introduces-vecura-in-india-to-advance-ai-enabled-molecular-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28143/fischer-medical-ventures-introduces-vecura-in-india-to-advance-ai-enabled-molecular-research.html Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:49:45 +0530 Fischer Medical Ventures Limited (FMVL) has strengthened its strategic collaboration to bring Vecura, an advanced AI-enabled molecular research platform, to India. This initiative is designed to support Indian pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology innovators, academic institutions, and research organisations in accelerating drug discovery, improving research productivity, and unlocking new therapeutic opportunities. Through this collaboration, FMVL aims to make advanced computational biology and AI-driven molecular analysis more accessible to India's life sciences ecosystem. Vecura's capabilities can help researchers simulate molecular behaviour, identify promising targets, evaluate compound interactions, and reduce the time and cost associated with early-stage discovery. For the wider healthcare and life sciences community, this partnership represents a strategic step toward building a scalable platform-led healthcare and life sciences business. By enabling faster discovery cycles, stronger research collaboration, and potential commercialisation pathways, Vecura can create long-term value across India's pharma and biotech landscape. For Indian pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, Vecura offers a practical pathway to accelerate discovery programs and improve decision-making in the earliest stages of research. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28126/immuneel-therapeutics-partners-with-tata-memorial-centre-to-advance-cell-and-gene-therapy-research-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28126/immuneel-therapeutics-partners-with-tata-memorial-centre-to-advance-cell-and-gene-therapy-research-in-india-.html Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:06:22 +0530 Bengaluru-based Immuneel Therapeutics has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), an aided institute under the Department of Atomic Energy and India’s leading comprehensive cancer treatment and research institutions, to accelerate clinical and translational research in advanced cell and gene therapies. The collaboration marks a significant step toward strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem in oncology and improving access to next-generation therapies for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. Through this partnership, Immuneel and TMC aim to combine their respective expertise in clinical research, product development, manufacturing, and cancer care to drive meaningful advancements in immunotherapy and precision medicine. The partnership also exemplifies the growing synergy between government-supported research institutions and Indian industry, reinforcing a collaborative approach to advancing innovation and building a technologically self-reliant and stronger nation. Under the MoU, the two organisations will work together on a broad range of collaborative initiatives in cell and gene therapy, including clinical studies, translational research, manufacturing expansion, policy engagement, and educational programmes. The partnership is designed to create a strategic framework for future projects focused on accelerating innovation and enhancing patient outcomes in India. Another important area of collaboration will include policy engagement efforts to help shape frameworks for first-in-human clinical trials and support the broader development of India’s regenerative medicine and advanced therapeutics ecosystem. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28106/bharat-life-sciences-award-2026-opens-applications-backed-by-rs-7-cr-grant-support-across-categories.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28106/bharat-life-sciences-award-2026-opens-applications-backed-by-rs-7-cr-grant-support-across-categories.html Sat, 11 Jul 2026 14:03:37 +0530 Applications are now open for the ‘Bharat Life Sciences Award’ (BLSA)—a first-of-its-kind national platform to recognise excellence across India’s life sciences ecosystem. Backed by a total grant support of Rs 7 crore, the Award aims to not only honour outstanding contributions but also enable the advancement of impactful research and innovation in the country. The Bharat Life Sciences Award is convened by FICCI in partnership with Eli Lilly and Company (India) and aims to celebrate and strengthen India’s rich tradition of scientific inquiry and discovery. The platform honours individuals, teams, institutions, and enterprises whose contributions are advancing life sciences and improving health outcomes. The Awards will recognise excellence across the following categories: Samman (Grants) Ramanujan Arogya Udaan Samman (Individual Excellence – Young Scientist Award) Charaka Arogya Samman (Collaborative Innovation – Innovation for Unmet Patient Needs) Sushruta Arogya Samman (Collaborative Innovation – Translational and Clinical Advancement) Nalanda Arogya Vigyan Samman (Institute of Scientific Excellence)   Gaurav (Recognition) Jivaka Arogya Navpravartan Gaurav (Startups Innovator in Healthcare/Life Sciences) Sarabhai Arogya Drishti Gaurav (Promoting Scientific Ecosystem in India)   The inaugural edition of the Bharat Life Sciences Award ceremony will be held on 1 October 2026 in New Delhi, bringing together leaders from science, healthcare, academia, government, and industry to celebrate achievements shaping the future of life sciences in India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28024/india-opens-first-dedicated-facility-for-translational-research-and-innovation-in-plant-cell-fermentation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/28024/india-opens-first-dedicated-facility-for-translational-research-and-innovation-in-plant-cell-fermentation.html Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:29:36 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), in collaboration with Herbalife International India, recently inaugurated the Herbalife–IIT Madras Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Plant Cell Fermentation Technology, which is India's first dedicated facility for translational research and innovation in plant cell fermentation. This landmark initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening India's capabilities in sustainable biomanufacturing and developing next-generation plant-derived health and wellness products. The Herbalife–IIT Madras CoE is envisioned as a national hub for sustainable innovation, R&D and translational research in plant cell fermentation technology. The Centre aims to enable sustainable and scalable production of herbal biomass, develop enriched herbal extracts and high-value phytochemicals, and bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and industrial applications. By integrating advanced upstream cultivation systems with state-of-the-art downstream processing and metabolomics platforms, the Centre seeks to promote technology transfer, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and build skilled manpower in this emerging domain. Through industry partnerships, blue-sky research, training programmes and entrepreneurial spin-offs, the initiative aspires to position India prominently on the global map of commercial plant cell fermentation while contributing to the national visions of BioE3, Atmanirbhar Bharat and environmentally sustainable bio-manufacturing. The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) & Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, as Chief Guests. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27994/dbt-birac-shines-at-bharat-innovates-2026-in-france.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27994/dbt-birac-shines-at-bharat-innovates-2026-in-france.html Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:29:23 +0530 Bharat Innovates 2026, a global accelerator event held from 14–16 June 2026 in Nice, France, showcased 120 Indian deep‑tech startups, 15 premier institutions, and major India–France innovation partnerships, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron. Department of Biotechnology (DBT)- Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) booth was prominently located near the entrance of exhibition area, emphasising on the following: India’s BioEconomy growth, DBT’s championed BioE3 national policy, BIRAC-RDI Fund support for deep-tech innovations, BioSaarthi- mentoring platform to integrate European mentor pool, BRIC’s R&D ecosystem, BIRAC’s translational ecosystem – Bioincubation centres, Biofoundries, Biotech Startups, and others. A panel discussion explored how India can build on its success as the “Pharmacy of the World” and evolve into a globally recognised leader in bio-innovation and bio manufacturing through the convergence of science, entrepreneurship, policy, capital, artificial intelligence, and international collaboration. There were 15 startups nominees of DBT-BIRAC out of 120 startup who were selected for Bharat Innovates 2026. In all, there were 36 out of 120 startups who were BIRAC beneficiaries. This represented a lion’s share contribution of DBT-BIRAC in building high quality national innovation ecosystem. DBT-BIRAC was represented by Dr Manish Diwan, Head, BIRAC-RDIF; Dr Sonali Tandon, Chief Manager & In charge Investment; and Dr Rashi Aggarwal, Programme Officer, BIRAC-RDIF. Three term sheets worth Rs 450 Cr + from BIRAC-RDI Fund were announced for Fermbox Bio, Sea6 Energy, and Revelations Biotech, following first set of beneficiaries in the presence of Sudhir Sethi, Founder and Chairman, Chiratae Ventures; Strategic Advisory Committee member, BIRAC-RDIF. MoU/ agreements between Startup and Industry from the Biotechnology theme were exchanged in the presence of Principal Scientific Advisor, Prof. Ajay K Sood- ATGC Biotech (participating Startup Company under Biotechnology theme) with Albaugh Europe (a division of US based agrochemical company, Swiss Headquartered MNC specializing in crop-protection with formulation plants in Slovenia, Spain) ATGC Biotech and Luxembourg Industries Ltd (Israel based Agrochemical, speciality chemicals & advanced materials company with subsidiaries and manufacturing plants in USA and Brazil) announced a Joint Venture called SEMIOPHORE       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27984/birac-announces-three-rdi-fund-beneficiaries-for-rs-450-cr-at-bharat-innovates-2026.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27984/birac-announces-three-rdi-fund-beneficiaries-for-rs-450-cr-at-bharat-innovates-2026.html Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:03:04 +0530 Three termsheets worth Rs 450 crore + from BIRAC-RDI Fund were announced for the following first set of beneficiaries in the presence of Sudhir Sethi, Founder and Chairman, Chiratae Ventures; Strategic Advisory Committee member, BIRAC-RDIF, at Bharat Innovates 2026, held in France, from 14th to 16th June 2026-Fermbox Bio- for establishment of a Large-Scale Precision Fermentation Biomanufacturing Facility with 400 KL fermenter capacity to produce Made-in-India Cellulosic Enzymes for 2G ethanol production and Active Dried Distiller’s Yeast for 1G ethanol.Sea6 Energy- for Seaweed Feedstock Production using Advanced Ocean AgriTechRevelations Biotech- for Synthetic Biology driven metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis for mass production of vitamin MK-7 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27974/porosome-therapeutics-announces-global-drug-development-partnership-with-csir.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27974/porosome-therapeutics-announces-global-drug-development-partnership-with-csir.html Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:06:14 +0530 US-based biotech startup Porosome Therapeutics has entered into a drug development partnership with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The goals of the partnership include collaboration, co-development and licensing of new and novel drugs. The CSIR announcement highlighted priority domains for collaboration with Porosome: viral infections, Alzheimer's disease, neurological diseases, cystic fibrosis, Type 1 and 2 diabetes, COPD, and lung cancer.  Porosome Therapeutics has developed a wide range of therapies ranging from small molecules and peptides to biologics that introduce functional porosomes into diseased cells to overcome secretory defects and treat diseases, even reversing them. In 2025, Porosome Therapeutics announced the determination, for the first time, of the porosome-mediated secretory dysfunction responsible for Alzheimer's Disease.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27909/dst-supports-bioneemtec-india-for-commercialisation-of-green-chemistry-based-pharma-manufacturing-technologies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27909/dst-supports-bioneemtec-india-for-commercialisation-of-green-chemistry-based-pharma-manufacturing-technologies.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:05:00 +0530 The Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, has extended support to Bioneemtec India, based in Chennai, for the project titled “Manufacturing of Minoxidil, Tranexamic Acid, Dequalinium Chloride, their Intermediates and Drug Liposomes.” The project seeks to commercialise indigenous green chemistry technologies for the production of critical pharmaceutical ingredients and advanced drug delivery systems, contributing to import substitution, sustainable manufacturing, and healthcare security. The project focuses on establishing advanced manufacturing capabilities for pharmaceutical intermediates, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and novel drug delivery systems through a combination of batch and continuous-flow chemistry technologies. By adopting modern process technologies, the initiative aims to improve production efficiency, product quality, operational safety, and environmental sustainability while reducing dependence on imported pharmaceutical intermediates. A key component of the project is the commercialisation of an indigenous process for manufacturing Tranexamic Acid, an important therapeutic molecule used in the management of bleeding disorders. Developed using a cost-effective and environmentally responsible synthesis route, the technology is designed to deliver high-purity products while minimizing waste generation and process complexity. The project will also support the domestic production of Minoxidil and Dequalinium Chloride along with their key intermediates, strengthening local manufacturing capabilities in pharmaceutical value chains that presently depend substantially on imports. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27902/ficci-lilly-launch-bharat-life-sciences-awards-to-recognise-indias-scientific-excellence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27902/ficci-lilly-launch-bharat-life-sciences-awards-to-recognise-indias-scientific-excellence.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:58:24 +0530 In line with the Prime Minister’s vision, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) has announced the launch of the ‘Bharat Life Sciences Awards, a first-of-its-kind national institutional platform to recognise excellence in life sciences research, capability, and public health impact in India, in partnership with Eli Lilly and Company (India). Conceived as a rigorous, independent, and enduring platform, the awards are anchored in a shared national vision for Viksit Bharat, recognising that sustained progress in health is driven by a sustained commitment to innovation. The initiative, convened in consultation with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India and the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and Invest India, will bring together a unique ecosystem of innovators, researchers, and institutions across the life sciences sector. The inaugural Bharat Life Sciences Awards ceremony will be held on 1st October 2026, marking a defining moment in recognising and celebrating India’s scientific excellence. The ‘Bharat Life Sciences Awards’ will be governed by an eminent Advisory Council and adjudicated by an independent jury of experts in Life Sciences, innovation, and public health. Grant Thornton Bharat will serve as the independent Process Advisor, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to transparency, credibility, and integrity at every stage. The awards seek to recognise contributions across the life sciences value chain, spanning academia, public research institutions, industry innovators, and ecosystem builders whose work bridges discovery and delivery, strengthens health systems, and advances public health outcomes at scale. Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC said, “India's biotechnology ecosystem continues to advance through a strong focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and translational research, with increasing collaboration across academia, industry, and start-ups. Platforms such as the Bharat Life Sciences Awards can play a valuable role in bringing together stakeholders across this ecosystem, recognising excellence and supporting the translation of science into solutions for public health.” Jyoti Vij, Director General, FICCI said, “India’s life sciences sector stands at a defining moment, driven by scientific innovation, entrepreneurial energy, and stronger collaboration across academia, industry, startups, and government institutions. The Bharat Life Sciences Awards aim to create a credible and enduring national platform that recognises excellence across the ecosystem and celebrates the individuals and institutions advancing healthcare innovation and public health impact." Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager, Eli Lilly and Company (India) said, “India’s life sciences ecosystem is reaching a new level of scientific maturity, with the talent, institutions, and ambition to contribute meaningfully to global health. As Lilly marks 150 years globally in 2026, we remain guided by our purpose of uniting caring with discovery to improve health for people around the world."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/27863/can-rdi-fund-lead-bioeconomy-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/27863/can-rdi-fund-lead-bioeconomy-growth.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:45:04 +0530 As highlighted in the India BioEconomy Report (IBER) 2026, India’s BioEconomy has grown to over $195 billion, reflecting the increasing integration of biotechnology across healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and sustainable industrial systems. As the BioEconomy grows, its contribution to the national GDP has touched a high of 4.8 per cent, from 4.2 to 4.3 per cent share in the last few years. Also, the emergence of more than 11,855 biotechnology startups and a rapidly expanding network of incubators and research facilities demonstrates how India is steadily moving towards a bio-driven economy.  Key Policy Initiatives Initiatives such as the BioE3 Policy - Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment, new investments in research infrastructure and programmes supporting deep-tech innovation are further strengthening the foundations of India’s biotechnology ecosystem. Central to this transformation is the government’s strategic push toward strengthening research, development, and innovation through structured funding mechanisms. The launch of the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund represents a watershed moment in India’s innovation policy. Approved by the Cabinet in July 2025 with an outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore, the RDI initiative is designed to catalyse private sector investment in high-impact research and innovation across strategic sectors, including biotechnology, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and clean energy. This initiative marks India’s largest-ever investment in research-led innovation and reflects a shift toward long-term, patient capital that is essential for deep-tech sectors. BIRAC-RDI Fund Details Within this broader framework, the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)–RDI Fund has emerged as a focused instrument to accelerate biotech innovation. With an initial allocation of Rs 2,000 crore, the fund aims to support high-impact biotechnology projects and bridge the critical gap between laboratory research and industrial-scale manufacturing. According to BIRAC, this fund is a key enabler of India’s bioeconomy. Projects with strong import substitution and global market leadership relevance will receive support for pushing Indian biotech on the world stage.  Further, through its blended finance model and co-funding requirements, the fund is structured to crowd in private capital and de-risk high-innovation projects, thereby strengthening the financing ecosystem for Series A and Series B investments in the scale-up and early manufacturing phases. According to Dr Manish Diwan, Head, BIRAC-RDIF, “Traditional financing mechanisms, whether venture capital or commercial lending, are poorly calibrated for biotechnology’s timelines, technical risks, and regulatory requirements. Startups with proven concepts at the lab PoC stage have often struggled to raise the next round of missing capital needed for technology validation, scale-up, infrastructure build-out, and early-stage manufacturing. This opportunity cost reduces the probability of success for innovation and potential impact. The BIRAC-RDI Fund directly addresses this gap. Its collateral-free, flexible funding instruments, structured as loans, equity, or hybrids depending on the nature and stage of the project, are purpose-built for this phase. The fund’s emphasis on co-investment and blended finance further de-risks participation for private investors, catalysing the ecosystem maturation.” He further added that individual projects may receive between Rs 5 crore and Rs 200 crore through collateral-free loans, equity, or blended instruments, to fund up to 50 per cent of the project cost, enabling Indian startups and large industry alike to catalyse co-investments from private capital sources. “The first national call was launched on February 13, 2026, and the response from India’s biotechnology community has been encouraging. By the close of the call on March 31, 2026, 198 applications had been received from startups, SMEs, and industry players, reflecting strong interest from across the innovation spectrum. Screening and evaluation are already underway on a rolling, first-come-first-served basis. Early review of the first 50 applications reveals a rich and diverse pipeline of proposals spanning from genomics, first-in-class drug discovery, clinical trials, agri-tech, synthetic biology, industrial bio-manufacturing platforms, medical devices, and environmentally sustainable solutions. The first cohort of selected beneficiaries will be announced shortly”, said Dr Diwan. Investor Perspectives Banking on the thought that the RDI scheme can emerge as a cornerstone of India’s transition from a manufacturing hub to an innovation leader, Dr Vedha Sampathkumar, Partner, Endiya Partners, said, “It provides the heavy-duty scale-up capital needed to move a lab-validated prototype (TRL 4) through clinical trials and pilot manufacturing to full commercial launch (TRL 9). It specifically addresses the valley of death (TRL 4 to TRL 9) where many startups wither due to a lack of late-stage capital.” Highlighting some of the challenges associated with the RDI Fund, Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder & President of Indian Angel Network (IAN), said, “The scheme requires companies to bring private money to match the RDI funding. Hence, they will need to dip into their reserves, which startups usually don’t have, or raise equity money. In India, raising funding for these research-based propositions is not easy. However, what does help is that an approval from RDI will help the startup to evince interest from private investors and close the funding requirement quickly. Also, most startups need access to infrastructure along with expensive equipment. With RDI nominating BIRAC as a Second Level Fund Manager to deploy RDI funds, these companies can access BIRAC’s 10 lakh + sq foot infrastructure through its 94 incubators spread across the country. This is a huge value add that startups can leverage.” While the initiative targets the most critical gap in India’s innovation ecosystem, i.e. translation of deep-tech research into commercially viable products, a key challenge that could affect the success of this initiative is the strategic management of intellectual property (IP). Despite the growth of the deep-tech innovation ecosystem in the biotech sector over the last decade, a substantial volume of high-quality innovation continues to reside within academic laboratories. While RDIF is not designed to fund academic entities directly, it is creating a pathway for innovations to reach the market through technology licensing or spin-out formation. In this context, IP becomes the central bridge between academia and industry. Sharing his views on this aspect, Dr Chetan Chandola, Industry Liaison & Technology Transfer Specialist, Office of Technology Transfer, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) said, “BIRAC-RDI Fund has identified ‘high-value IP generation and standard setting’ as one of the strategic pillars, underscoring the importance of global IP.  However, a persistent challenge lies in the limited understanding of IP strategy among academic innovators and first-time founders. Regarding IP, instead of ‘file-and-maintain’, a common pattern of ‘file-and-forget’ emerges where patents are filed without a long-term plan for international protection. This is important since IP rights are territorial, and global commercialisation often requires protection across multiple jurisdictions, particularly for (bio)pharma products. IP strategy must be embedded early in the innovation lifecycle, strengthening technology transfer offices as deal-making entities, and providing structured guidance on when, where, and how to file IP in alignment with commercialisation pathways. If implemented effectively, the RDI Fund can catalyse a shift from a research-centric to an IP-driven innovation ecosystem, thereby enabling scalable commercialisation and attracting global partnerships.” Nonetheless, RDI funding is critical, and the speed of deploying capital and attracting co-investment will be the decisive variable, whether India hits the 2030 milestone of the $300 billion bioeconomy target or slips by a few years.   Vrushti Kothari (vrushti.kothari@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27849/us-biotech-regeneron-to-launch-global-capability-centre-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27849/us-biotech-regeneron-to-launch-global-capability-centre-in-hyderabad.html Tue, 26 May 2026 12:38:26 +0530 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced plans to establish the Regeneron Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Hyderabad, a strategic investment that deepens its global operations and scales business functions to advance its mission of using the power of science to bring new medicines to patients in need. The Regeneron GCC is expected to grow to hundreds of jobs in the coming years as it expands capabilities across key global functions. Founded and led by physician-scientists, Regeneron is a global biotechnology leader headquartered in the United States (US) with 15 approved or authorised medicines and nearly 50 pipeline candidates spanning multiple therapeutic areas. The Regeneron GCC is expected to further strengthen Hyderabad’s position as a leading life sciences and GCC destination. With over 450 GCCs, Hyderabad offers access to a strong talent pool across biotechnology, life sciences, AI, digital technologies and analytics, supported by a mature innovation ecosystem, robust infrastructure and strong research capabilities. Expected to be operational in the second half of 2026, the site is planned to scale to hundreds of new roles in the coming years. Regeneron established its Bengaluru presence in 2022. The Regeneron GCC builds on that foundation by expanding the company’s global operations and reinforcing India’s role as a long-term strategic partner for its growth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27831/strand-life-sciences-launches-south-asias-first-olink-explore-ht-proteomics-service.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27831/strand-life-sciences-launches-south-asias-first-olink-explore-ht-proteomics-service.html Mon, 18 May 2026 22:04:12 +0530 Bengaluru-based Strand Life Sciences, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, has announced the launch of its advanced proteomics capabilities powered by Olink™ Explore HT, marking a key milestone in expanding large-scale multi-omics research in South Asia. Next-generation proteomics enables the simultaneous analysis of thousands of proteins from a single sample, supporting deeper insights into disease biology, biomarker discovery, and precision medicine. As part of this milestone, Strand has successfully completed a proteomics project for a biopharma partner involving patients with chronic kidney disease, demonstrating the platform’s potential in translational research and clinical studies. Olink Explore HT enables the measurement of over 5,400 protein biomarkers from just 2 µL of sample, allowing Strand to deliver integrated proteomics, genomics, and clinical insights for advanced research and drug discovery. Strand can now support the generation of large, multi-modal datasets across diverse and clinically relevant populations in India, broader South Asia, and the Middle East. Through its extensive network of clinical partners, the company enables studies across multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, nephrology, metabolic diseases, and rare disorders.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27826/indias-largest-genomics-conference-gic-returns-for-its-sixth-edition-in-sept-2026.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27826/indias-largest-genomics-conference-gic-returns-for-its-sixth-edition-in-sept-2026.html Fri, 15 May 2026 21:34:21 +0530 Marking continued progress in India’s Multiomics and AI landscape, Genotypic Technology, in collaboration with the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bengaluru, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), and the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), has announced the 6th Edition of the Genomics India Conference (GIC 2026). Scheduled for September 2–3, 2026, with pre-conference workshops on September 1, 2026, the conference will be held at the Dr. Babu Rajendra Prasad International Convention Centre, GKVK Campus, Bengaluru —a venue set to witness the convergence of science, innovation, and the future of biology. Centred around the theme “Genome to Bioeconomy: Innovation, Impact and Economic Transformation,” GIC 2026 reflects the accelerating movement of genomic science from the laboratory into real-world application. From healthcare and diagnostics to agriculture, industrial biotechnology, and public health infrastructure, genomics is increasingly shaping India’s bioeconomy. GIC 2026 is designed to serve as the national platform where this transition is examined, debated, and accelerated by the very community driving it. A platform for researchers across all career stages, from emerging scholars to senior experts in academia and industry, the conference facilitates the exchange of ideas, provides opportunities to learn from leaders in the field, and supports the development of impactful collaborations. The three-day conference will feature an extensive scientific programme comprising 20+ speakers and 10+ sessions spanning four focus areas: Agri-Genomics, AI/ML in Genomics, Health Tech and Genome Biology. In addition to keynote addresses and technical sessions, GIC 2026 will feature fireside chats with industry leaders, live demonstrations of cutting-edge Next Generation Sequencing technologies from 20+ exhibitors. Registrations for GIC 2026 are now open. Early Bird pricing is available until May 31, 2026, after which standard prices apply.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27816/telangana-propels-to-become-145-b-life-sciences-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27816/telangana-propels-to-become-145-b-life-sciences-ecosystem.html Thu, 14 May 2026 19:26:04 +0530 Telangana’s life sciences ecosystem has achieved a landmark milestone, reaching an estimated valuation of $145 billion, fuelled by over Rs 84,000 crore in investments over the past two years—the fastest expansion in the state’s history. This transformative progress was highlighted during the 7th Board Meeting of the Telangana Life Sciences Foundation (TLSF), chaired by Industries & Commerce Minister D. Sridhar Babu. Shakthi M. Nagappan, CEO of TLSF, delivered a detailed presentation on the sector’s growth during his decade-long tenure, underscoring the last two years as a pivotal inflexion point under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Minister (Industries and Commerce) D. Sridhar Babu. The life sciences sector has expanded nearly threefold since 2016, establishing Hyderabad as one of the world’s premier life sciences clusters across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology, and health tech innovation. A standout achievement: Hyderabad now hosts technology and innovation centres from nine of the world’s top ten life sciences companies—the only region outside the United States with this distinction.  Key drivers include robust policy frameworks, strategic global partnerships, and targeted institution-building, cementing Telangana’s status as a highly integrated global ecosystem. The Board unanimously commended CEO Shakthi M. Nagappan for his leadership in shaping and scaling the ecosystem during this transformational phase. The Board further noted with appreciation that, in recognition of his contributions, the Government has appointed him as Advisor (Lifesciences), and that he will continue to serve on the Board of the Telangana Lifesciences Foundation. "Telangana’s life sciences sector has witnessed unprecedented growth over the past two years", the Minister stated. While the majority of the committed investments have been grounded, the Minister suggested that the investment MoUs executed for Green Pharma City, cumulatively amounting to about Rs 20,000 crore, should be grounded at the earliest. The meeting also introduced TLSF’s new CEO, Sarvesh Singh, who outlined the 2026-27 priorities. The Board emphasised the need to sustain the momentum of ecosystem growth and that accelerating the implementation of the Life Sciences Policy that has received overwhelming response, advancing initiatives such as the Telangana School of Life Sciences, etc. should be top priorities for the foundation.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27810/vyome-holdings-inks-agreement-with-impetis-biosciences-to-in-license-two-selective-jak-inhibitor-assets.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27810/vyome-holdings-inks-agreement-with-impetis-biosciences-to-in-license-two-selective-jak-inhibitor-assets.html Wed, 13 May 2026 21:00:50 +0530 Vyome Holdings, Inc. has announced the signing of an agreement with Mumbai-based Impetis Biosciences, a TATA Enterprise, that gives it exclusive license to develop and commercialise a selective JAK 1/3 inhibitor and a selective JAK1 inhibitor. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are immunomodulatory drugs that treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions by blocking JAK enzymes. Several JAK inhibitors are US FDA-approved to treat a wide range of disease conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, alopecia areata (baldness), atopic dermatitis (eczema), etc. However, the FDA has previously issued warnings that certain of these older-generation JAK inhibitors are associated with risks, as they are not selective. Selective JAK inhibitors are designed to overcome these risks. The JAK inhibitors market size has grown rapidly in recent years, and is expected to grow from $23.56 billion in 2025 to $56.78 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.5%. “We are building Vyome with focus and discipline in one of the most attractive segments in biotech, the immuno-inflammatory market, expected to exceed $430 billion by 2034, with the JAK inhibitor segment alone representing a significant ~$57 billion opportunity,” said Venkat Nelabhotla, CEO of Vyome. “This transaction highlights the strength of the US–India innovation corridor in sourcing high-quality assets efficiently. The transaction is structured to be very capital-efficient, with consideration tied to commercialization. Any future development will be driven through non-dilutive pathways, allowing us to remain fully focused on executing our core strategy around VT-1953.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27781/niper-rae-bareli-inks-technology-transfer-agreement-with-lofty-lab-to-boost-biotech-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27781/niper-rae-bareli-inks-technology-transfer-agreement-with-lofty-lab-to-boost-biotech-sector.html Fri, 08 May 2026 17:07:37 +0530 National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Rae Bareli has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Confidentiality Non-Disclosure Agreement (CDA) and Technology Transfer Agreement with Lofty Laboratories, Hyderabad to enhance multi-directional cooperation in research, innovation and technology commercialisation. The MoU is an important step towards strengthening Academia-Industry partnerships for advancing pharmaceutical and biotechnology research. During the MoU signing, both the organisations agreed to adopt industry-tailored technology developed at NIPER Rae Bareli for commercialisation and development. The cooperation will also include joint participation in research and development activities in areas of mutual interest. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Shubhi A. Saraf, Director, NIPER-Rae Bareli said that the MoU and the Technology Transfer Agreement will enable both the institutes to complement each other's research programmes in various ways, including collaborative participation in the activities of the Institute's Centre of Excellence in Innovative Drug Delivery Systems (CoE-NDDS). The innovative drug delivery system is the approach, formulation, technologies and systems to safely deliver a medicinal compound as required so as to achieve its desired therapeutic effects. Head of the Center for Excellence in New Drug Delivery Systems, Prof. Nihar Ranjan pointed out that the commercialisation of the current technology will significantly reduce the cost of gel-staining agents, which are used extensively across the globe in biology-related research, especially those involving genes, cancer, and other nucleic acid-related diseases.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27750/c-camp-launches-national-bio-entrepreneurship-competition-2026-worth-rs-20-cr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27750/c-camp-launches-national-bio-entrepreneurship-competition-2026-worth-rs-20-cr.html Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has officially launched the 9th edition of the India wide competition — the National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition- NBEC 2026. Started in 2017, this India-wide competition has been held annually  for startups, entrepreneurs, innovators, and students in the life sciences sector, with over 130 business ideas winning cash prizes and investment opportunities of a cumulative over Rs 40 crore+ across its eight editions. This year, NBEC 2026 has in store of up to Rs 20 crore in cash prizes and investment opportunities for winning startups, innovators and student teams, making it one of the biggest and most high-stakes platforms, in India’s bio startup domain. The call for applications for NBEC 2026 has been officially launched and will be accepting applications from startups, individual innovators and students till 31st May 2026. On the NBEC 2026 launch, Minister for Electronics, IT/BT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka, Priyank Kharge mentioned, “Over the past 8 editions, NBEC has seen 21,000+ applications from across the country and supported 130+ winning ideas with over Rs 40 crore in prizes and investment opportunities. Karnataka stands at the forefront of biotechnology and with focused bio-entrepreneurship programmes we are ensuring cutting-edge innovations translate into solutions that change lives and create real impact.” C-CAMP Director-CEO, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed said, “Over the past eight years, NBEC has evolved into a powerful platform amplifying early-stage biotech entrepreneurship and innovation, with many ventures now gaining global recognition. With a growing network of partners and increased funding support, this year’s edition aims to attract innovative ideas from across India." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/27727/rethinking-indias-industrial-biotechnology-beyond-manufacturing-and-startups.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/27727/rethinking-indias-industrial-biotechnology-beyond-manufacturing-and-startups.html Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0530 India’s bioeconomy has grown from approximately $10 billion in 2014 to over $195 billion in 2025, contributing nearly 4.8 per cent to GDP. Industrial biotechnology now accounts for 46 per cent of the bioeconomy, followed by biopharma (33 per cent), bioservices (13 per cent) and bioagri (8 per cent).  There is a surge in biotechnology startups, rising from about 460 to more than 11,850 over the same period. Economic progress has been driven mainly by contract development and manufacturing, with core technologies and production platforms still largely imported. Indigenous, Research and Development (R&D)-led product innovation remains limited, and short-term capital-based startups often prioritise near-term returns over the long development cycles required for breakthrough innovation. India’s academic research ecosystem, meanwhile, remains strong in discovery but weak in translation. To evolve into a technology-originating industrial biotechnology ecosystem, India must adopt a mission-mode approach that translates its unique and rich biodiversity into commercially viable innovations.   Global Context of Innovation to Commercialisation Industrial biotechnology refers to the use of living cells - primarily microorganisms, and to a lesser extent plants or animal cells - or their components to produce value-added products and processes. These include enzymes, fine and specialty chemicals, biomaterials, vitamins, nutraceuticals, animal nutrition ingredients, flavours, biosurfactants, and biofuels, bioremediation, crop-protection and soil fertility, as well as traditional fermentation products such as alcoholic beverages. Innovation driven product development in this sector typically progresses through the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework. Early stages (TRL 1-3) of development establish biological feasibility and laboratory proof-of-concept. TRL 4-5 marks a critical transition stage at which techno-economic modelling must establish clear cost competitiveness. TRL 6-7 involves pilot and demonstration plants to validate scale-up and integrate full process flows. TRL 8-9 led to the commissioning of commercial facilities and the establishment of stable operations. The subsequent stage is of taking a product to customers.  However, the commercial success of industrial biotechnology products depends primarily on cost of goods, which is largely determined by the robustness of microbial production platforms, enzyme efficiency, and overall bioprocess performance.  Global leadership in industrial biotechnology has been driven largely by multinational corporations (MNCs) rather than startups. Companies such as Novozymes, DuPont, DSM-Firmenich, BASF, ADM, Ajinomoto, Evonik, Cargill, Clariant, and Corbion have invested decades to establish themselves as global leaders. Their success is rooted in sustained innovation and technological advancement across microbial production platforms, enzyme engineering, novel products, and large-scale bioprocessing.   Evolution of Industrial Biotechnology Ecosystem in India India’s industrial biotechnology sector began to take shape in the early 1990s with bulk microbial fermentation for enzymes, antibiotics, organic acids, vitamins, and amino acids - distinct from traditional alcoholic beverage production. A significant shift occurred in the mid-2000s, when several MNCs established advanced R&D centres in India. Over the following decade, these centres attracted top-tier scientists and built specialised expertise in industrial biotechnology, creating a strong pool of domain talent. However, around the mid-2010s, most MNCs had wound down their R&D operations, even as this talent pool remained available to support the growth of domestic industrial biotechnology R&D. In the 2010s, a few Indian companies invested in acquiring startups from advanced economies. These acquisitions were expected to seed domestic R&D capabilities and lead to commercially viable ventures. In practice, however, most projects struggled to progress beyond the mid-TRL stages due to techno-economic constraints and many of those efforts were eventually discontinued.  Consequently, the focus has shifted toward the Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) model, which offers more predictable, short-term returns. This segment is expanding rapidly and its strengths lie in cost-efficient, large-scale fermentation and process engineering.  Government initiatives- especially through the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) - have successfully catalysed a vibrant startup ecosystem via schemes such as BIG/ETA, PACE/PCP, BioNEST and biotech parks. It is unclear how many of the 11,850+ startups are in the industrial biotechnology sector, how is their TRL progression, turnover, or level of success. Moreover, most startups struggle to progress beyond mid-TRL stages due to techno-economic hurdles and the necessary long-term investment.  In 2024, DBT-BIRAC, in collaboration with the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), proposed the Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment (BioE3) strategy to foster high-performance biomanufacturing. Its impact on driving innovation will hopefully be evident in a few more years.     Pathways to Innovation-Driven Industrial Biotechnology The central question is how to build an ecosystem for product development comparable to MNCs, given that they control proprietary technologies, engineered strains and enzymes - making it difficult for new entrants in India to compete and deliver equal or superior products in the short term. Therefore, India should focus on its unique biodiversity to develop foundational strains, enzymes, and novel products. This effort can be structured in two phases. First, systematically explore indigenous biodiversity to identify novel strains, enzyme sources, and product opportunities, thereby reducing dependence on intellectual property controlled by MNCs. Second, translate these discoveries into commercially viable solutions by building deep domain expertise and innovation capability to cross the “valley of death” at mid-TRL stages. Regulation complicates the landscape of easy access and usage of biodiversity. Stringencies of the Biological Diversity Act continue to impede indigenous product development through approval requirements and regulatory ambiguities. For companies considering high-risk, long-term investments with uncertain commercial outcomes, such regulatory liabilities can be a significant deterrent, leaving much of India’s biodiversity underutilised. While biosafety-related approvals remain both necessary and appropriate, a more enabling and differentiated interpretation of these provisions could unlock substantial innovation potential.  India faces a shortage of industry-experienced skilled talent at all levels of industrial biotechnology. With the closure of many MNC R&D centres, opportunities for hands-on learning in innovation-driven product development have largely diminished. Therefore, India needs to offer competitive compensation and a strong professional work environment for innovation, to attract industry-trained talent from advanced economies, who may be looking for an opportunity to return to their home country.   A Mission-Mode Strategy As India seeks to become an innovation-driven, technology-originating industrial bioeconomy, it must establish a mission-driven institutional framework with clear accountability, on the lines of the Indian Space Research Organisation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, or the Joint BioEnergy Institute. Such a framework should support established industries in advancing indigenously developed innovations while reducing uncertainty at mid-TRL stages. India should attract experienced talent at multiple levels from MNCs abroad to help drive these initiatives. Such an initiative should establish a professional R&D institution to systematically harness biodiversity; enable responsible but less stringent regulatory access to biodiversity; build indigenous microbial and plant cell industrial production platforms; foster innovations through a structured pathway to mid-TRL levels; generate novel product opportunities to enable industries to adopt, scale up, and commercialise. Establishing such foundational capabilities will enable India to drive innovation and capture long-term value through ownership of technologies and products.   Dr Sudip K Samanta, Former Director- Biotechnology R&D, PI Industries ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27716/karnataka-govt-approves-rs-20-cr-coe-for-ai-in-biotechnology-at-electronics-city-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27716/karnataka-govt-approves-rs-20-cr-coe-for-ai-in-biotechnology-at-electronics-city-bengaluru.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The IT BT Department, Karnataka Government, continues to strengthen the state’s deep-tech ecosystem with the approval of a Rs 20 crore Centre of Excellence (CoE) for artificial intelligence (AI) in Biotechnology at Electronics City, Bengaluru.Implemented over 4 years in collaboration with Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB) and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), the initiative will accelerate innovation at the intersection of AI and life sciences. The AI Centre will offer labs, tools and expertise to help startups and researchers grow faster and build better products. This initative will strengthen the state's research ecosystem, accelerate innovation, and enable Karnataka to lead in high-impact, next-generation technologies.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27701/c-camp-imperial-college-london-to-launch-indo-uk-life-sciences-innovation-corridor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27701/c-camp-imperial-college-london-to-launch-indo-uk-life-sciences-innovation-corridor.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Imperial College London, to institute a cross-border innovation collaboration between India and the United Kingdom (UK) that will leverage mutual research and entrepreneurial ecosystems and deepen India-UK ties in the life sciences sector.   The Corridor aims to create and foster a long-term vision for greater bilateral innovation and a shared scope for exchange of talent such as researchers, innovators and startups. It will also be a medium for a formalised two-way knowledge and evidence sharing system with respect to priority challenge areas, innovation readiness and ecosystem initiatives that enable more problem-solving in mutually beneficial biology questions.   The partnership between Imperial and C-CAMP was signed by Professor Hugh Brady, President, Imperial College London and Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Director-CEO, C-CAMP and announced at the C-CAMP premises in Bengaluru. One of the novel initiatives of the Corridor on the cards is a bi-directional exchange mechanism for UK based teams to assess deployment-readiness in India and India-based teams to seek deployment avenues in UK and potentially Europe, due to contextual similarities.    The Corridor is also set to explore joint fundraising and partnership pathways to ensure sustainability and scalability of the programme for bringing positive change and lasting impact.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27591/antimicrobial-resistance-research-society-of-india-launches-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27591/antimicrobial-resistance-research-society-of-india-launches-in-bengaluru.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Antimicrobial Resistance Research Society of India (AMRRSI), a multidisciplinary national initiative dedicated to advancing research, knowledge exchange, and policy dialogue in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), was formally launched during its Inaugural Conclave on 28th March 2026 at Chanakya University, Bengaluru, as part of the Superbug Summit 2026 (26–28 March 2026). AMRRSI brings together academicians, clinicians, microbiologists, industry leaders, public health experts, and policymakers to collaboratively address one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time — antimicrobial resistance. The mission is to promote high-quality research in AMR; foster interdisciplinary collaborations; encourage innovation in diagnostics, therapeutics, and surveillance; support evidence-based policymaking; and strengthen capacity building and knowledge dissemination across India. The launch symbolises a united national effort to strengthen collaboration, accelerate innovation, and build sustainable solutions to combat AMR. "This is more than just the beginning of an organisation—it marks a moment where we come together to rewrite the narrative of antimicrobial resistance. What started as a vision two years ago, through discussions, persistence, and collaboration, has now taken shape as a national platform dedicated to tackling one of the most pressing global health challenges", said Dr Saravanan Matheshwaran, Associate Professor at the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, IIT Kanpur, and Vice President, AMRRSI. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27560/godavari-biorefineries-secures-japanese-patent-for-antiviral-compounds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27560/godavari-biorefineries-secures-japanese-patent-for-antiviral-compounds.html Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 As viral diseases continue to pose complex global health challenges, researchers are increasingly exploring therapies that target the host-cell mechanisms viruses rely on to replicate. In line with this evolving scientific approach, Mumbai-based Godavari Biorefineries has secured a patent from the Japan Patent Office (JPO) for its invention titled "Use of Compounds for Treating Viral Infections."  The grant provides protection for the second medical use of the company's lead compound MSP22 and its derivatives for antiviral applications through inhibition of VATPaseThe patent protects antiviral compounds developed by the company that inhibit Vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) activity in cells, a mechanism involved in viral infection pathways. The research is an extension of the company's broader push to strengthen its life sciences capabilities through Sathgen Therapeutics, its biotechnology initiative focused on turning scientific discoveries into new therapies.  The invention forms part of Godavari Biorefineries Limited’s expanding life sciences research programme and adds to its growing portfolio in pharmaceutical innovation. By targeting host-cell pathways linked to viral infections, the compounds may interfere with viral entry and replication. Securing this patent in Japan represents another step in the company’s efforts to protect intellectual property for this antiviral molecule class in key global markets. As these compounds act on a host-cell mechanism rather than targeting a specific virus, the research could point toward a broader antiviral strategy spanning multiple viral families.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27597/fe-pharma-summit-awards-2026-names-j-mitra-company-as-best-biotech-company-of-the-year.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27597/fe-pharma-summit-awards-2026-names-j-mitra-company-as-best-biotech-company-of-the-year.html Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 J Mitra & Company, India’s pioneer in the in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry, has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Best BioTech Company of the Year’ award at the FE Pharma Summit & Awards 2026. The ceremony, held recently in New Delhi, brought together the nation’s top pharmaceutical leaders, policymakers, and healthcare innovators to celebrate excellence in the life sciences sector. The award recognises J Mitra & Company’s nearly six decades of leadership and its relentless pursuit of indigenous innovation. Known for transforming the Indian diagnostic landscape, the company was lauded for its robust Research & Development (R&D) ecosystem, which has consistently delivered high-quality, affordable, and accessible diagnostic solutions. With over 65 patents, the highest for any company in its segment in India, J Mitra continues to lead the "Make in India" initiative for the global stage. The company’s R&D department is at the heart of its operations, focusing on "frugal medical engineering" to ensure that advanced medical technology reaches the remotest parts of the country and the world. Speaking on the achievement, Jatin Mahajan, Managing Director of J Mitra & Company, said, "This recognition as the Best BioTech Company of the Year is a testament to our team’s dedication to scientific excellence. At J Mitra, R&D is not just a department; it is our foundation. We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of biotechnology to create solutions that are not only world-class in accuracy but also tailored to the unique challenges of the Indian healthcare ecosystem." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27514/indias-bioeconomy-grows-over-195-b-in-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27514/indias-bioeconomy-grows-over-195-b-in-2025.html Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The India BioEconomy Report (IBER) 2026, developed by the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), was unveiled by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh, at the 14th Foundation Day celebration of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), in New Delhi on 19 March, 2025. In 2025, the BioIndustrial and BioServices segments significantly contributed to the growth. This is the first time such a change in phase is noticed since the formal measurement of BioEconomy began a decade ago. India’s BioEconomy added $29.6 billion in 2025 to reach $195.3 billion from $165.7 billion in 2024, with contributions from the key sectors- BioIndustrial ($90.2 billion); BioPharma ($64.5 billion); BioServices ($26 billion); BioAgri ($14.6 billion). This 18 per cent growth is the highest witnessed in the last few years. As the BioEconomy grows, its contribution to the national GDP has also touched a high of 4.8 per cent, from a just 4.2-4.3 per cent share in the last few years. As patents for several leading GLP-1 therapies begin to expire later in the decade, Indian pharmaceutical companies are expected to play an increasing role in biosimilar development, peptide manufacturing, and contract development services. This is expected to increase the BioPharma BioEconomy significantly in the next 2-3 years. In recent years, however, multinational pharmaceutical companies have increasingly distributed parts of this work across global networks. Global Capability Centres (GCCs) have emerged as a key mechanism through which companies are expanding research, analytics, and regulatory capabilities in India. Today, India hosts more than 150 healthcare and life sciences GCCs, employing over 300,000 professionals across functions such as clinical research, bioinformatics, regulatory science, data analytics, and digital health platforms. Further, India’s biotechnology startup ecosystem continued to strengthen in 2025, with the cumulative number of registered biotech startups rising to 11,855 from 10,075 in 2024.  In 2025 alone, 1,780 new biotech startups were established, compared with 1,544 in 2024, representing growth of roughly 15 percent. "As India aims towards its long-term vision of building a $1 trillion BioEconomy by 2047, sustained collaboration among government, academia, industry and startups will be essential to translate scientific knowledge into technologies that benefit society and strengthen India’s leadership in the global BioEconomy", said Dr Jitendra Singh. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27506/birac-to-commence-evaluation-for-first-set-of-bio-ai-hub-proposals-from-april-2026.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27506/birac-to-commence-evaluation-for-first-set-of-bio-ai-hub-proposals-from-april-2026.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have announced a rolling call for proposals to establish Bio-Artificial Intelligence (Bio-AI) Hubs in key areas including Biomolecular Design, Synthetic Biology, Agricultural Innovations, Genome Diagnostics, and Ayurveda.   The evaluation of the first set of proposals will commence from April 2026 onwards. To be considered in the first round of evaluation, interested applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals by 31 March 2026 (05:00 PM). Proposals received after this date will be taken up in subsequent rounds of review as per the evaluation schedule. The Bio-AI Hubs will focus on interdisciplinary and interinstitutional collaborations. These Hubs will be anchored by organisations (academia/industry) with established expertise in AI/ML, supported by robust infrastructure and advanced computational methodologies. Startup/SMEs and other academic institutions can participate as spokes, contributing to the hub's research and innovation ecosystem. Bio-AI Hubs are expected to develop AI-guided closed  loop platforms, in which predictions, experiments and analyses are integrated into the system to improve performance. All of these would be connected in a positive feedback loop leading to accelerate scientific discoveries, optimise processes and decision-making. Bio-AI hubs with state-of-art facilities in PPP mode will be established as a shared DBTL facility for scaling-up of various research activities in academia/ industrial or joint industry-academia settings. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27465/tamil-nadu-releases-biovision-2026-to-shape-future-of-bioeconomy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27465/tamil-nadu-releases-biovision-2026-to-shape-future-of-bioeconomy.html Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Tamil Nadu BioVision 2026 report was released by MK Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The report was prepared by Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) for the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission, Government of Tamil Nadu highlighting the state’s potential to emerge as a nationally and globally competitive bieconomy hub. Tamil Nadu accounts for over 10% ($9.8 Billion in 2025) of India’s BioIndustrial value. This reflects the State’s manufacturing maturity in biofuels, use of industrial enzymes, fermentation products, and bio-based materials. Hosting major pharmaceutical facilities and a mature medical devices ecosystem, Tamil Nadu captures approximately 2% ($1.3 billion in 2025) of national BioPharma value. This indicates substantial room for expansion, particularly in high value biologics and advanced therapeutics. Tamil Nadu’s BioEconomy has entered a phase of accelerated expansion, growing from $7.7 billion in 2023 to an estimated $12.4 billion by the end of 2025—representing approximately 61% growth over this period and significantly outpacing the national expansion rate. This trajectory positions Tamil Nadu as one of India’s fastest-growing BioEconomy ecosystems, with the State now contributing approximately 6.4% of India’s estimated $195 billion BioEconomy (2025), up from 5.1% in 2023. If current expansion patterns are sustained, Tamil Nadu could plausibly approach a $25–30 billion BioEconomy by 2030, potentially contributing 8–10% of India’s projected national value. “With a BioEconomy that has grown to an estimated $12.4 billion by 2025, the State has already begun integrating biological innovation across manufacturing systems, healthcare ecosystems, and knowledge-driven services. The question before us is therefore not whether the BioEconomy will shape Tamil Nadu’s future, but how decisively we can harness it to advance inclusive and future-ready development”, said Dr J. Jeyaranjan, Executive Vice-Chairman, State Planning Commission, Tamil Nadu ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27441/indias-first-translational-extracellular-vesicles-ecosystem-opens-at-apollo-hospitals-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27441/indias-first-translational-extracellular-vesicles-ecosystem-opens-at-apollo-hospitals-hyderabad.html Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The Apollo Hospitals Educational and Research Foundation (AHERF) successfully launched India’s first Translational EV Ecosystem at a landmark three-day event held March 5–7, 2026, at AIMSR Medical College Auditorium, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.   The ecosystem integrates three platforms — the EV Biofoundry (ExoWorks), EV-Connect Clinical Consortia, and EV-Qual Reference Standards (RUO) — into a deployment-ready national infrastructure for EV-based diagnostics and therapeutics.   ExoWorks EV Biofoundry: A national end-to-end platform for EV isolation, characterisation, functional cargo analysis, QC, and translational assay development for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. EV-Connect Clinical Consortia: Multi-institutional networks harmonising biospecimen protocols and enabling national-scale biomarker and therapeutic target validation across Ophthalmology (LVPEI), Neurology, and Oncology. EV-Qual Reference Standards (RUO): India’s first traceable exosome reference materials, enabling inter-laboratory reproducibility for diagnostic assay certification and therapeutic EV batch characterisation. The AHERF Translational EV Ecosystem is designed to close that gap — not for one institution, but nationally, and not for one stakeholder, but for all. For diagnostic and therapeutic companies: validated reference standards (EV-Qual), clinically annotated cohorts, and advanced characterisation platforms — NTA, nano-flow cytometry, digital PCR, and multi-omics — compress the timeline from biomarker discovery to LDT deployment and IVD regulatory filing. For therapeutic developers, GCP-aligned EV isolation, cargo loading, potency and stability assay workflows, and IND-enabling benchmarks mean faster, credible paths to clinical trials. For startups and early-stage innovators: EV-Connect’s shared clinical infrastructure eliminates the need to independently build multi-site trial networks, dramatically lowering the cost and time of clinical validation — the single largest barrier to product development for emerging companies. For academic researchers and students: harmonised, multi-site clinical data from EV-Connect enables sufficiently powered studies, strengthens grant applications, and generates IP in a domain where India can lead globally. The hands-on training delivered across the three-day workshop directly builds the next generation of translational EV scientists. For clinicians and hospitals: participation in EV-Connect consortia provides early access to next-generation diagnostic tools while contributing to national biomarker validation — a reciprocal model that improves patient care and clinical evidence simultaneously. For policymakers and funders: the ecosystem provides a replicable, standards-anchored national model directly aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat, the BioE3 policy framework, and the National Biopharma Mission — demonstrating that India’s patient diversity can be a strategic asset, not just a resource, in generating globally credible diagnostics and therapeutics.   Translational Roadmap Diagnostics — Phase 1: LDT development: analytically validated EV biomarker assays deployable within AHERF and consortium hospitals. Phase 2: Certified IVD products integrating multimodal AI/ML models trained on harmonised EV multi-omics and clinical data from EV-Connect, enabling intelligent decision-support diagnostics at scale. Therapeutics — Phase 1: Lab-scale proof-of-concept EV production, cargo loading, encapsulation, and characterisation. Phase 2: GMP-grade manufacturing for IND-enabling studies, clinical trials, and commercial scale-up. EV-Qual underpins both pathways as the traceable batch release benchmark.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27418/4basecare-signs-mou-with-bio-valley-incubation-council-and-define-bio-to-build-indias-next-gen-genomics-ecosystem-at-amtz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27418/4basecare-signs-mou-with-bio-valley-incubation-council-and-define-bio-to-build-indias-next-gen-genomics-ecosystem-at-amtz.html Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant step towards building India's Next-Generation Genomics ecosystem, Bio Valley, 4baseCare and Define Bio (Biobank) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Center of Excellence (CoE) named BioSphere dedicated to Genomics and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) at Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), Vizag.  The CoE-BioSphere shall strengthen national genomic infrastructure by enabling early and accurate diagnostics, informed therapeutic decisions, and advanced personalised treatments. By generating large-scale datasets reflecting India’s genetic diversity, along with the integration of relevant global genomic datasets, the CoE–BioSphere will support the development of diagnostics, risk prediction models, and therapies aligned with Indian genomic variations while maintaining international scientific benchmarks and interoperability. It also fosters structured research collaborations among clinicians, academic institutions, industry partners, and data-based startups while also serving as a platform to train the Next Generation of Scientists and Entrepreneurs in data-driven research and product development. At a national level, population-scale genomic insights will contribute to evidence-based public health policy and preventive strategies, enhancing accessibility, affordability, and the long-term impact on healthcare in India.  The key highlight of the initiative is the creation of a dedicated incubation center within CoE–BioSphere to nurture genomics-based startups. The center shall support emerging companies with sequencing services, access to data, and mentorship for product development. The CoE–BioSphere shall be a burgeoning hub for Genomics-driven Healthcare and Biotechnology advancements at AMTZ. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/27410/can-precision-oncology-deliver-at-scale-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/27410/can-precision-oncology-deliver-at-scale-in-india.html Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 India is gradually building a strong foundation for precision medicine through coordinated efforts in genomics, policy, research, and industry partnerships. The GenomeIndia Project is central to this effort, serving as a national reference dataset for genetics and genomics that can improve disease diagnosis, predict individual drug responses, and guide personalised therapies.  The genomics ecosystem has continued to expand in recent years. In February 2025, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras announced the launch of the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas, a landmark effort to map the genetic landscape of Indian cancer patients. The initiative addresses a long-standing gap in India-specific cancer genomic data and is expected to support more accurate diagnostics, refined treatment strategies, and drug discovery aligned with local disease biology. In June 2025, India launched its National Biobank at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in New Delhi.  The facility represents a significant step toward building a longitudinal national health database, enabling future research into disease progression and supporting personalised treatment regimens over time. Industry partnerships are also playing a growing role in expanding access. In October 2025, Gene Solutions partnered with AMPATH to launch an advanced genomics laboratory in Hyderabad, aimed at broadening the availability of precision diagnostics and genetic testing in India. On the policy front, the Department of Biotechnology has identified precision biotherapeutics as a priority area under its BioE3 policy. As part of this push, the department has supported the establishment of Centres for Advanced Genomics and Precision Medicine to accelerate translational research and clinical adoption.    From Promise to Practice Precision medicine in India may still be at a nascent stage, but experts believe the country now has the right building blocks in place for its next phase of growth. “The stage is set, but the performance is just beginning. The Indian precision medicine market is expected to grow from $2.4 billion in 2024 to over $6.5 billion by 2033. Initiatives like the Genome India Project have laid the foundation,” said Devashish Singh, Co-Founder and CEO, MrMed.  Over the past decade, the increasing adoption of multi-omics has driven a steady shift in healthcare, moving it away from reactive diagnostics toward insights-driven, proactive care. This transition has been particularly pronounced in oncology and rare diseases, where treatment decisions are increasingly shaped by molecular and genetic insights rather than symptoms alone. “From a diagnostics-led vantage point, it is believed the stage is materially set for precision medicine to take off in India—and this is no longer a ‘future-state’ conversation. India now has the building blocks: rapidly expanding next-generation sequencing (NGS) capacity, better availability of molecular profiling, stronger digital health rails, and a fast-maturing AI ecosystem that can translate complex genomic, pathology, imaging, and clinical data into decision-grade insights,” said Dr Sandip Shah, Joint Managing Director at Neuberg Diagnostics. Despite this progress, experts caution that the real inflection point will not be driven by technology alone. The next phase of growth will depend on execution discipline across the ecosystem. “The success of precision medicine in India over the next few years will depend on widespread awareness among clinicians and patients, improvement in accessibility and affordability of integrated diagnostics, and the establishment of clear national guidelines that would integrate genomics into standard-of-care pathways,” said Dr Vedam Ramprasad, CEO, MedGenome Labs Ltd.  Dr Shah, suggests several priority areas that must be addressed to unlock scale: Governance and regulation: India needs clearer, unified guardrails for biobanking and genomic data, which means consent, data ownership, secondary use, and trusted collaboration pathways because precision medicine is a data-and-sample trust model at its very core.  Interoperability and data stewardship: precision outcomes need longitudinal datasets linked to real-world clinical endpoints backed by cybersecurity-by-design rather than bolt-on compliance. Access and affordability: genetic testing and targeted therapies have to move from urban premium care to scalable mainstream adoption. This requires domestic capability-building in diagnostics, a stronger pathway for biosimilars/biobetters, and pragmatic reimbursement models that recognise downstream value for early risk prediction and therapy selection. Workforce readiness: clinicians should receive realistic training and workflow-integrated support to ensure that genomics and AI will simplify and not add to clinician cognitive loads. “Oncology is already the proof point—the shift in treatment decisions is no longer ‘where the tumour is’ but instead ‘what the tumour is’. And if we get all the above—regulation, data, accessibility, and adoption—in sync, we can easily transition to precision medicine and transform healthcare delivery from being reactive to predictive, preventive, and personalised,” said Dr Shah.  If these elements align, experts believe India is well-positioned to move from promise to practice, transforming precision medicine from an emerging concept into a standard of care.   How successful is Precision Medicine? Precision medicine remains at a nascent stage in India, even as it has been part of clinical and research practice in developed markets for more than a decade. Despite early promise, global evidence suggests its real-world impact has so far been modest. Global research shows that while precision medicine does work, it benefits only a small subset of patients. A 2023 US-based study found it to be ineffective in nearly 93 per cent of cases, citing disease pathogenesis, patient and tumor heterogeneity, specimen quality and timing, disease stage, and the lack of predictive biomarkers, along with resistance to targeted therapies and treatment-related toxicities. An earlier Frontiers in Oncology study published in 2021 highlighted the limited real-world payoff of precision medicine at scale. In the study, 1,000 patients underwent FoundationOne CDx testing, yet only 14 patients, or 1.4 per cent, ultimately benefited from targeted treatment. The authors stressed the need for larger studies to better determine which patients are most likely to benefit, particularly given the high cost of genomic testing. While the use of precision medicine is expanding, the researchers noted that future analyses would require larger cohorts to assess actionable alterations individually. More recent evidence from India, however, points to cautious optimism in resource-limited settings. A 2024 prospective observational study in Bihar reported the successful use of genomic profiling and next-generation sequencing to guide targeted cancer therapies. Among 146 advanced cancer cases, NGS identified actionable mutations across multiple tumor types. In lung cancer, around 52 per cent of cases showed actionable driver genes. The study demonstrated that even in a rural setting, precision oncology could inform clinically relevant treatment decisions. A molecular diagnostic laboratory was established locally, enabling genomic analysis across cancers, predominantly lung cancer. Of 73 lung cancer cases tested, 38 harbored actionable driver mutations.  As testing becomes more affordable and clinical integration deepens, precision medicine appears poised to move from isolated success stories toward broader clinical relevance.   Ayesha Siddiqui ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/27412/telangana-turns-catalyst-for-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/27412/telangana-turns-catalyst-for-innovation.html Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The global life sciences industry is undergoing a structural transformation. Supply chain resilience, advanced therapeutics, precision medicine, and sustainable bio-manufacturing are no longer future priorities—they are immediate imperatives. Telangana’s Next-Gen Life Sciences Policy 2026–30, unveiled at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, represents a timely and strategic response to these shifts. With clear targets for investment, high-quality job creation, frontier R&D, clinical research, and talent development, the policy signals the State’s intent to move from being a leading manufacturing base to a fully integrated global life sciences innovation ecosystem. Strong investor momentum and Hyderabad’s rising global visibility make this the perfect moment to examine how policy, infrastructure, science, and industry are converging to shape Telangana’s next phase of growth.   From Manufacturing Leadership to Ecosystem Leadership For over two decades, Telangana—anchored by Hyderabad—has been a trusted pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing powerhouse. The State today accounts for nearly 40 per cent of India’s pharmaceutical production and contributes close to one-third of global vaccine output. With more than 269 US FDA-approved manufacturing facilities, Telangana has earned deep regulatory credibility across highly regulated global markets. However, as global industry dynamics evolve, leading life sciences hubs are increasingly defined not by volume alone, but by their ability to conceive, develop, clinically validate, and scale innovation. This inflection is articulated clearly by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Limited, who observes that the global life sciences industry is transitioning from “scale-led growth to an innovation-driven, value-centric model.” Telangana’s Next-Gen Life Sciences Policy directly aligns with this shift by prioritising frontier R&D, advanced manufacturing platforms, and precision medicine—areas that demand deep scientific capability, long-term capital, and ecosystem-level coordination. Over the next five years, this strategic repositioning will elevate Telangana from being a critical manufacturing node in global supply chains to a co-creator of next-generation therapies, platforms, and healthcare solutions.   Frontier R&D as a Core Growth Driver A defining feature of the policy is its strong emphasis on frontier R&D and advanced manufacturing. By actively promoting technologies such as biologics and biosimilars, cell and gene therapy, mRNA platforms, CRISPR technologies, antibody-drug conjugates, oligonucleotides, peptides, and precision fermentation, the policy signals a decisive move toward science-led growth. These platforms represent a step change from traditional small-molecule manufacturing. They are characterised by high entry barriers, complex regulatory pathways, and strong intellectual property creation—factors that favour ecosystems with deep scientific infrastructure and skilled talent. Over the next five years, this focus is expected to drive three structural shifts within Telangana’s life sciences ecosystem: Higher value creation per investment, as advanced therapies and platforms command premium global valuations. Tighter integration between research and manufacturing, enabling faster translation from lab to market. Stronger global innovation partnerships, particularly with multinational biopharma companies seeking end-to-end capabilities in regulated markets. This direction is reinforced by Krishna Kanumuri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sai Life Sciences, who notes that the policy creates “a compelling platform for companies to continue partnering with global innovators and advancing high-quality R&D from India for the world.” Over the medium term, such innovation-led investments are likely to anchor long-term capabilities rather than short-cycle, capacity-driven expansions.   Genome Valley and  Cluster-Led Growth The expansion of Genome Valley and the planned establishment of a Bio-Innovation and Bio-Manufacturing Cluster in collaboration with the Government of India will be central to translating policy intent into on-ground outcomes. Genome Valley’s evolution—from India’s first organised life sciences park into a globally networked innovation cluster—illustrates Telangana’s ambition to compete with leading international hubs such as Boston-Cambridge, San Francisco Bay Area, and Greater Tokyo. Cluster-led development enables dense collaboration between startups, multinational companies, CROs, CDMOs, academia, and regulators. Over the next five years, this density is expected to significantly reduce time-to-market for complex therapies, lower entry barriers for startups through shared infrastructure, and encourage cross-pollination of talent and ideas. Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited, underscores the importance of such ecosystems, noting that strong research and industry integration is essential to “translate scientific advances into meaningful health and economic outcomes.” Telangana’s policy reflects this thinking by positioning infrastructure as a catalyst for innovation rather than merely a real estate intervention.   Clinical Research and Evidence-Driven Healthcare Another transformative pillar of the policy is its focus on strengthening the clinical research ecosystem. Globally, pharmaceutical and biotech companies are grappling with rising clinical trial costs, prolonged approval timelines, and patient recruitment challenges. Telangana’s proposed measures—faster approvals, disease-specific clinical registries, and the operationalisation of initiatives such as the Clinical Innovation Sandbox—directly address these constraints. Over the next five years, these interventions are likely to position Telangana as a preferred destination for clinical trials, real-world evidence generation, and precision medicine research, particularly for diseases with relevance to emerging markets. This aligns with the broader global perspective articulated by Shyam Bishen, Head of the Centre for Health & Healthcare and Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, who emphasises that the future of healthcare will be shaped by ecosystems that bring together science, technology, talent, and policy coherence. Telangana’s focus on privacy-compliant digital health records and clinical registries lays the foundation for population-scale, data-driven healthcare innovation.   Scaling the Pharma Services Opportunity The policy’s explicit focus on expanding the pharma services ecosystem—particularly Contract Research Organisations (CROs) and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs)—reflects a clear understanding of global outsourcing trends. As innovator companies seek flexibility, speed, and high-quality partners across the discovery-to-commercialisation continuum, service-led models are becoming central to global life sciences value chains. Telangana’s ambition to scale the pharma services sector from an estimated $2 billion to approximately $10 billion over the coming years represents a significant growth opportunity. Over the next five years, this expansion is expected to generate high-skill employment, strengthen global client linkages, and diversify the State’s life sciences revenue base beyond product manufacturing. This trajectory resonates with Madeleine Roach, Executive Vice President, Business Operations, Sanofi, who highlights the importance of advanced biomanufacturing, talent ecosystems, and regulatory excellence in redefining how global pharmaceutical companies serve patients worldwide.   MedTech, Diagnostics, and the Convergence of Biology and Engineering The policy’s focus on diagnostics, medical electronics, and MedTech reflects the growing convergence of biology, engineering, and data science in modern healthcare. As healthcare systems worldwide shift toward early diagnosis, minimally invasive interventions, and remote patient monitoring, MedTech innovation is becoming a critical pillar of healthcare delivery. The expansion of the Medical Devices Park and targeted support for diagnostics manufacturing are expected to strengthen Telangana’s MedTech ecosystem over the next five years—reducing import dependence while integrating domestic capabilities into global supply chains. Majid Kaddoumi, Executive Vice President, Eurasia, Medtronic, notes that forward-looking policy frameworks are essential for accelerating MedTech-led innovation. The presence of global engineering and innovation centres in Hyderabad underscores the State’s growing role in high-end medical technology development.   Talent as the Cornerstone of Long-Term Competitiveness Among the most enduring impacts of the Next-Gen Life Sciences Policy will be its emphasis on talent development. The proposed Telangana School of Life Sciences and associated skilling platforms reflect a recognition that sustainable competitiveness depends on a future-ready workforce. Over the next five years, industry-aligned curricula, structured internships, certification programmes, and lifelong learning pathways will help build talent pools in biologics, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, regulatory sciences, and health economics. This focus on employability and inclusion ensures that sectoral growth translates into broad-based socio-economic impact. Dr Satyanarayana Chava, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Laurus Labs, describes the policy as “unique and transformative,” noting that it lays out a clear roadmap for leadership in emerging areas of healthcare through innovation-driven growth.   Sustainability and Responsible Bio-Manufacturing Sustainability is increasingly becoming a decisive factor in global life sciences competitiveness. Telangana’s Green Pharma City—with its emphasis on zero liquid discharge, centralised waste management, energy efficiency, and net-zero practices—positions the State at the forefront of sustainable bio-manufacturing. Over the next five years, this focus will enhance Telangana’s attractiveness to global companies facing rising ESG expectations from regulators, investors, and customers, while also ensuring environmentally responsible industrial growth.   A Five-Year Outlook: From Participation to Global Leadership Taken together, Telangana’s Next-Gen Life Sciences Policy 2026–30 is poised to reshape the State’s life sciences industry in three fundamental ways over the next five years: Elevating Telangana’s role from a manufacturing hub to a global innovation partner. Deepening ecosystem integration, connecting science, industry, policy, and talent. Embedding sustainability, resilience, and long-term value creation into growth. As Shakthi M. Nagappan, Chief Executive Officer, Telangana Life Sciences, notes, the policy anticipated global shifts toward advanced manufacturing, deep innovation, and clinical research—trends now reinforced by national priorities and global industry movements. With strong leadership, disciplined execution, and global alignment, Telangana is positioning itself not merely to participate in the future of life sciences—but to help define it. The next five years will be critical in consolidating Hyderabad and the State at large as a globally integrated, innovation-led life sciences ecosystem that is competitive, sustainable, and future-ready.   Narayan Kulkarni (narayan.kulkarni@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27398/c-camp-hosts-2nd-india-antimicrobial-resistance-amr-innovation-workshop-in-new-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27398/c-camp-hosts-2nd-india-antimicrobial-resistance-amr-innovation-workshop-in-new-delhi.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), under the aegis of the India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH), successfully conducted the 2nd India AMR Innovation Workshop in New Delhi, on 26 February, with support from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) to the Govt. of India. The workshop convened over 100 key stakeholders across the national and global AMR innovation ecosystem in the largest such dialogue of its kind in the Asia Pacific. Over 100 academic researchers, industry leaders, clinicians, government policymakers, philanthropies, private funding organisations and public health officials gathered at the workshop held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, through day long deliberations on how to break silos, bridge gaps and consolidate efforts in the global combat of the AMR challenge. The event featured the launch of some of the breakthrough innovations supported by C-CAMP, under the IAIH, by the Principal Scientific Adviser, Prof. A. K. Sood and technology showcase of some of the innovations supported by C-CAMP, under the IAIH, including air sterilisation systems, rapid genomics-based diagnostics and surveillance, treatment of biopharmaceutical wastewater effluents, antibiotic-free aquaculture and so on, where innovators had the opportunity to interact directly with stakeholders, receiving vital feedback and avenues of collaboration. A compendium of AMR solutions supported under the IAIH umbrella was also released by the Principal Scientific Adviser, Prof. A. K. Sood in presence of Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, OPSA; Dr Renu Swarup, former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology and Vice Chair for International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS); and senior representatives from national and international organisations. The compendium consists of a cohort of 60 IAIH supported solutions in the areas of preventatives, therapeutics, diagnostics, detection, screening, monitoring, tools for surveillance etc. many of which are at advanced level of readiness or adoption. These technologies address cross sectoral challenges and advance the One Health approach harmonising human medicine, food safety and environmental health in one thread. The event also unveiled the second cohort of seven startups selected under the C-CAMP Programme on AMR in the Environment (Call #2), supported by the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF); and seven winners of the C-CAMP One Health AMR Challenge 2025, supported by the Denmark-based International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS). The GAMRIF cohort now consist of 16 startups after the two calls. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27401/govt-promotes-indigenous-car-nk-cell-therapy-platform-for-oncology-and-treatment-of-leishmaniasis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27401/govt-promotes-indigenous-car-nk-cell-therapy-platform-for-oncology-and-treatment-of-leishmaniasis.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The Technology Development Board (TBD) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has awarded the project "CAR-NK Based Cell Therapy Development and Clinical Trials for Defect-to-Treat Tumors and Leishmaniasis" to East Ocean Bio , Gurugram. Financial assistance has been provided for this. The project aims to establish the first platform-based ecosystem in India for off-the-shelf CAR-NK cell therapy targeting resistant solid tumours and negligible infectious diseases. It aims to strengthen India's capabilities in the field of Advanced Immunotherapy and Biotherapeutics manufacturing. CAR-NK (Chimeric Antigen Receptor–Natural Killer) cell therapy is emerging as an expandable and potentially safer alternative to traditional autologous (based on the patient's own cells) CAR-T therapy.  Under the project, the company proposes to develop and commercialise the following: Anti-PD-L1 CAR-NK cell therapy for the treatment of a variety of resistant solid tumors, which are able to escape the body's immune system. CAR-NK therapy targeting leishmaniasis: This represents a new immunotherapeutic strategy for tropical diseases that are extremely important and neglected from the point of view of public health in India. This technology platform is developed entirely in-house (indigenously), focusing on allogeneic and off-the-shelf CAR-NK and CAR-γδ T cell therapies derived from healthy donors. They are engineered in large quantities, cryopreserved (secured at low temperatures) under GMP-adaptable systems, and can be used directly without any patient matching—which makes its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and rapid deployment possible. The main feature of this innovation is to integrate PD-L1-targeted CAR constructs into NK cells using a gamma-retroviral platform, which ensures high expression efficiency and long-term functionality.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27376/karnatakas-bioeconomy-crosses-39-2-b-in-2025-contributing-21-to-indias-bioeconomy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27376/karnatakas-bioeconomy-crosses-39-2-b-in-2025-contributing-21-to-indias-bioeconomy.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The IT BT Department, Karnataka Government, through the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), has released the Karnataka BioEconomy Report 2025, marking a significant milestone in the State’s innovation journey. The report was unveiled by Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka, and highlights Karnataka’s BioEconomy crossing $39.2 billion, contributing 21% to India’s BioEconomy and over 10% to the State’s GSDP.The sector continues to demonstrate strong, diversified growth across BioPharma ($16.44 Billion), BioIndustrial & Biomanufacturing ($11.46 Billion, fastest-growing), and BioServices & Digital Health (25.8% share). Karnataka added 218 new biotech startups this year, taking the total to 1,451, alongside $1.14 billion in investments across 40 deals, reinforcing the State’s leadership in research, manufacturing, and commercialisation.With expanding biotech clusters beyond Bengaluru and focused investments in infrastructure, talent, and innovation ecosystems, Karnataka remains committed to enabling next-generation biomanufacturing and sustainable economic growth, further strengthening its position as India’s leading BioEconomy hub. "As Karnataka moves forward, the challenge is to retain its edge while deepening regional innovation and embedding sustainability across sectors. Our focus will stay on expanding biomanufacturing, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing human capital through training and strategic engagement. The next phase will prioritise scalable infrastructure and the integration of global best practices, so that Karnataka remains at the forefront of India’s BioEconomy transformation and a model for sustainable growth", said Dr Manjula N, Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27363/gvrp-and-yurogen-biosystems-partner-to-enhance-biologics-drug-discovery-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27363/gvrp-and-yurogen-biosystems-partner-to-enhance-biologics-drug-discovery-in-india.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based GV Research Platform (GVRP) has announced a strategic distribution partnership with US-based Yurogen Biosystems, a global life sciences company specialising in custom biologics development. The collaboration is aimed at expanding access for Indian biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, as well as academic research institutions, to advanced antibody discovery capabilities supporting early-stage drug discovery and translational research. Under this partnership, GVRP will serve as the commercial interface for Yurogen Biosystems in India, enabling streamlined market access, client engagement, and program coordination, while all scientific execution and service delivery will continue to be carried out by Yurogen Biosystems. The collaboration responds to the growing demand within India’s life sciences ecosystem for globally benchmarked antibody discovery services, particularly in areas requiring deep biological insight at early stages of research. By combining Yurogen’s scientific expertise with GVRP’s understanding of the Indian research ecosystem, the partnership enables smoother and more efficient engagement for domestic innovators. The partnership will provide access to Yurogen Biosystems’ proprietary SMab™ single B-cell technology, enabling rapid generation of high-affinity monoclonal antibodies to support early discovery and translational research programmes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27355/queensland-delegation-strengthens-india-australia-life-sciences-collaboration-at-bioasia-2026.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27355/queensland-delegation-strengthens-india-australia-life-sciences-collaboration-at-bioasia-2026.html Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), Queensland Government’s global business agency, in partnership with Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), concluded a successful mission at BioAsia 2026, held on 17 & 18 Feb, Asia’s premier life sciences and biotechnology forum, organised annually by the Government of Telangana. Aligned with the Queensland Government’s “QueensLand of Opportunity” vision, the delegation to India showcased the state’s capabilities in biotechnology drug discovery, clinical trials, and digital health. Strategic engagements across Hyderabad and Bengaluru enabled direct connections with India’s rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem, paving the way for deeper research, commercial, and investment partnerships. India presents a high-growth market opportunity for Australian organisations across vaccine research and development, cell and gene therapy innovation, clinical trials, and MedTech, enabling deeper scientific collaboration and accelerated translational outcomes. Consequently, Australia remains a highly trusted clinical trial site for Indian biopharma and medical technology companies to conduct clinical trials with fast trial start-up options and high data acceptability worldwide, especially for early-phase studies and trials. The mission involved participation of the delegates at the BioAsia conference and exhibition, and a dedicated Clinical Trials Roundtable, along with B2B meetings to facilitate commercial partnerships and enhance mutual market awareness. Commenting on the visit, Abhinav Bhatia, Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner – South Asia, Trade and Investment Queensland, said, “India is the 'Pharmacy of the World,' but the next era of medicine is about moving from volume to value. At BioAsia 2026, we’ve demonstrated that Queensland is the 'Strategic Lab' for India’s 'Global Factory.' By combining our world-class research and 43.5% R&D tax incentives with India's manufacturing scale, we aren't just cutting costs—we are cutting the time it takes to save lives.” Reflecting on the depth of engagement at BioAsia 2026, Ms Mary Overington, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Australian Trade and Investment Commission said, "Through focused roundtables and stakeholder meetings, the Australian delegation explored practical collaboration opportunities across clinical trials, biotech R&D and life sciences manufacturing. The strong industry response signals clear momentum towards deeper partnerships and commercial engagement between Australia and India in the health and life sciences sector."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27360/preferco-and-glatt-to-open-coe-for-precision-fermentation-bioprocess-scale-up-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27360/preferco-and-glatt-to-open-coe-for-precision-fermentation-bioprocess-scale-up-in-hyderabad.html Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 In a major boost to Government of India’s BioE3 push, German major Glatt and Hyderabad-based startup PreferCo have announced the launch of “PreferCo-Glatt Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Bioprocess Scale-Up” in Hyderabad’s Genome Valley during BioAsia 2026. The Centre of Excellence, unveiled in the presence of Rashmi Pimpale-CEO, Research and Innovation Circles of Hyderabad (RICH), is dedicated to microbial precision fermentation and is designed to support reliable scale-up of technologies from laboratory to pilot and pre-commercial manufacturing. The initiative strengthens India’s bioprocessing infrastructure at a critical inflection point as the country seeks to translate innovation into globally competitive biomanufacturing outcomes. The facility enables a broader range of bioproduct development pathways, extending beyond biopharmaceuticals into emerging areas such as industrial biotechnology, personal care, wellness and longevity, sustainable materials, functional foods and bio-based chemicals. By expanding access to scale up infrastructure for microbial precision fermentation, the facility addresses a long-standing gap faced by established industry players, academic researchers and established startups and alike. Designed to support scale-up to 1,500-litre bioreactor capacity, the Centre of Excellence is being built with automation, advanced instrumentation, and AI-enabled process support embedded into the facility architecture from day one. This approach enables deeper process understanding, improved reproducibility, and faster decision-making during scale-up-reducing technical risk while accelerating the path from proof-of-concept to commercial readiness. By expanding access to high-quality, globally benchmarked scale-up infrastructure at accessible price points, the Centre of Excellence aims to reduce barriers for not just Indian but global innovators seeking to commercialise breakthrough technologies.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27346/bio-asia-2026-records-highest-number-of-delegates-and-discussions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27346/bio-asia-2026-records-highest-number-of-delegates-and-discussions.html Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 BioAsia 2026, the 23rd edition of Asia’s premier life sciences and health-tech forum, concluded successfully on 18 February, reaffirming its position as a catalyst for global collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships in the life sciences and TechBio ecosystem. This year’s event witnessed participation from over 4500 delegates and visitors (Highest Ever), including global delegates, speakers, all exploring the latest advancements and forging transformative partnerships. This edition facilitated 4000 + high impact B2B meetings, unlocking new collaborations and investment opportunities.   D. Sridhar Babu, Minister for Industries and Commerce, Government of Telangana, said, “By far, this has been the most successful edition of Bio Asia to date, creating pathways to global partnerships, fostering innovation in AI, automation, cell and gene therapies, and advanced manufacturing. The state has seen significant international engagement this year, with global companies from France, Indonesia, the USA and Novartis celebrating Hyderabad as a key hub for investment and innovation." According to Sanjay Kumar (IAS), Special Chief Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Government of Telangana, “The state’s focus on advanced therapeutics, digital health, precision medicine, AI-driven drug discovery, and CRDMO innovations ensures a robust ecosystem that is future-ready and globally competitive. By combining policy foresight with strong infrastructure and regulatory support, Telangana is fostering a collaborative environment that will continue to drive transformative impact in the life sciences sector." Shakti M Nagappan, CEO, Telangana Life Sciences, added, “This edition of Bio Asia 2026 was the most successful edition of the marquee Life Sciences Seminar, recording the highest number of delegates and discussions. The partnerships forged and avenues created at Bio Asia 2026 will act as a catalyst to drive the next phase of Innovation Led Growth in Telangana’s Life Sciences journey.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27339/bioasia-2026-focuses-on-global-techbio-for-future-of-life-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27339/bioasia-2026-focuses-on-global-techbio-for-future-of-life-sciences.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The 23rd edition of BioAsia 2026 officially commenced on 17 Feb in Hyderabad. Organised by the Government of Telangana, BioAsia has established itself over two decades as a global platform fostering collaboration, driving investment, and accelerating advancements across the entire life sciences value chain. Under the theme ‘TechBio Unleashed: AI, Automation, and the Biology Revolution,’ BioAsia 2026 underscores the integration of biology with artificial intelligence, automation, and data sciences. Bio Asia 2026 began with the inauguration of the International Exhibition and a formal opening ceremony led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, with senior leaders reaffirming Telangana’s leadership in life sciences and TechBio healthcare. At the ceremony, Prof. Bruce L. Levine, Barbara and Edward Netter Professor in Cancer Gene Therapay, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania was presented with the Genome Valley Excellence Award for his pioneering work in Cancer therapies. At Bio Asia 2026, major announcements were made by Opella Healthcare (France), Vaksindo Animal Health (division of JAPFA, Indonesia), Tredence Inc (US), and Rx Propellant. The Swiss Pharmaceutical giant, Novartis unveiled a logo celebrating 25 years of its GCC presence in India with Hyderabad as its largest centre globally outside its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. On the sidelines of the conference, the Chief Minister met the leadership teams from Miltenyi Biotec, Sanofi, MSD, Takeda along with the Consul General of Indonesia and team from Vaksindo, Indonesia. The IT Minister besides the meetings with the Chief Minister, met with the leaders from NIBRT, Google DeepMind besides other engagements. The plenary address by Pushmeet Kohli, VP of Science, Google DeepMind, UK focused on role of AI in bio medical discovery and drug development. Sessions focused on scaling innovation from lab to bedside, driving growth amid global challenges, and advancing biologics from discovery to clinical proof and CMC readiness. The discussions also revolved around the next gen CRDMO’s where AI would act as a force multiplier across the value chain. The day concluded with the CEO Conclave, a discussion where Pharma Industry Leaders opined on the future of pharma and biotech through 2030, highlighting the growth, innovation, technology advancements, geopolitics and resilience shaping the competitiveness across the industry. A. Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister of Telangana, said, “Telangana has established itself as a global leader in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. The Next Gen Life Sciences Policy 2026-30 emphasszes that future growth will be driven by cross-border collaboration, international capital, and shared innovation. This reflects the state's dedication to innovation and excellence. Telangana is developing a future-ready ecosystem that transforms scientific breakthroughs into practical healthcare solutions for India and the global community. This strategy aims to foster sustainable economic growth and reinforce the state's leadership in the global life sciences sector." D. Sridhar Babu, Minister for IT, Electronics and Communications, and Industries and Commerce, Government of Telangana, said, “The state’s new life sciences policy emphasizes frontier science and advanced manufacturing, including cell and gene therapies, peptides, and precision fermentation. It aims to bolster the ecosystem in clinical research, pharma services, diagnostics, medical electronics, and digital health, positioning Telangana as a global destination for life sciences investment. Telangana is preparing its workforce, industry and institutions to lead in the next wave of life sciences and healthcare innovation." Sanjay Kumar, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Industries and Commerce and ITE and C Departments, Government of Telangana, said, “The Telangana Life Sciences team is facilitating partnerships, supporting advanced manufacturing and ensuring that emerging technologies are effectively translated into real-world healthcare solutions. This edition of BioAsia provides a platform to identify opportunities, address challenges and create actionable pathways for research, development and investment. By combining foresight, structured policy and robust support systems. This reinforces Telangana’s position as a trusted global partner in the rapidly evolving TechBio landscape.” Shakthi M. Nagappan, CEO, Telangana Life Sciences, said, “As the life sciences sector rapidly evolves, BioAsia 2026 marks a pivotal moment where artificial intelligence, automation, and data sciences intersect with biology to transform healthcare and biotech. Telangana’s commitment to fostering innovation and translational research ensures scientific insights translate into practical solutions. These initiatives boost economic growth, enhance patient outcomes, and position Hyderabad as key players in the dynamic TechBio industry.” Investments announced at Bio Asia 2026 Opella Healthcare, a global consumer healthcare company, spun off from Sanofi, with its global headquarters in France, and is expanding its GCC operations in a 42,000 sq. ft. facility, creating up to 500 jobs within the next year. Vaksindo Animal Health, a division of JAPFA Indonesia, is establishing a state-of-the-art BSL-3 vaccine manufacturing facility in Genome Valley. The facility will focus on producing vaccines for poultry, cattle, swine, and aquaculture. Tredence Inc, an AI and data science company, is announcing its Hyderabad operations as a dedicated innovation hub focused on AI-driven healthcare and life sciences analytics. The facility will span approximately 18,000 sq. ft. and support its global operations. Rx Propellant (RxP) will develop a new, large-format life sciences campus in Genome Valley, Hyderabad as part of its long-term commitment to strengthening India’s life sciences ecosystem. The project will comprise over 1 million square feet of advanced laboratory infrastructure spread across ~12 acres of site delivered in phases over the next six years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27329/first-national-call-for-rs-2000-cr-birac-rdi-fund-to-boost-biotechnology-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27329/first-national-call-for-rs-2000-cr-birac-rdi-fund-to-boost-biotechnology-sector.html Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh has announced the first national call for BIRAC-RDI Fund to promote high-impact Biotechnology innovations under the Government of India's Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) initiative. Referring to the emerging areas, the Minister said that India has already forayed into areas like space biotechnology and is preparing for future areas such as space medicine. Biotechnology experiments are being carried out in space using domestically developed kits, including plant science and life sciences research. He said, such efforts position India to contribute knowledge and applications of global relevance, thereby enhancing both scientific prestige and geopolitical standing. Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Director General, BRIC and Chairman BIRAC said that the structure of the RDI Fund is designed to support long-term, high-risk research, which requires patient capital and advanced infrastructure. He said that this initiative complements the Bio E3 policy and provides a framework for manufacturing next-generation products in biopharma, bio-industrial production, bioenergy, blue economy and bio-computation. He said that the aim is to reach out from the research results to the industrial results on a large scale. Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) said that BIRAC has been appointed as a second-level fund manager under the RDI framework and it will invest an amount of Rs 2,000 crore over the next five years, with the possibility of further expansion. He said that BIRAC has built an innovation ecosystem across the country in the last decade, which includes more than 100 Bio-Incubation Centres, more than 10 lakh square feet of incubation space, and collaborations with more than 15 lakh startup entrepreneurs. The BIRAC – RDI Fund is part of the National RDI Initiative that was approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2025 and launched in November 2025 under the Research National Research Foundation (ANRF), which is steered by the Department of Science and Technology. The fund aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial-scale manufacturing, and it supports technology from TRL-4 to TRL-9 through a mix of equity, convertible documentation, and long-term debt. The national call for applications is now open. Eligible startups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and industry partners can submit proposals through the official portal https://biracrdif.org. The last date for Phase 1 is March 31, 2026. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27322/govt-supports-prante-solutions-for-commercialisation-of-renal-diagnostics-platform-proflow-u.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27322/govt-supports-prante-solutions-for-commercialisation-of-renal-diagnostics-platform-proflow-u.html Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, along with Odisha-based startup Prante Solutions, has launched a new kidney care diagnostic product- ProFlow-U for Point-of-Care Kidney Health Assessment. An agreement for financial assistance for the project has been signed with TDB. The project aims to provide early detection and monitoring of kidney disease and pregnancy-related complications at the primary healthcare level. Prante Solutions has developed ProFlow-U, an innovative, patented, indigenous point-of-care diagnostic platform that includes the following specifications: • Urine Albumin Measurement Kit – This is a nano-sensor based in vitro diagnostic medical device, developed based on three approved Indian patents and one PCT application. This kit provides a wide range of detection (20–1200 mg/L) with ambient temperature stability. • Urine creatinine measurement kits – in vitro diagnostic devices with a room constant temperature with a wide range of detection (150–4000 mg/l). • Portable Urine Analyzer – Indigenously developed, patented analyzer with absorption and fluorescence technology. This lightweight, rechargeable device is Bluetooth and Internet of Things enabled, and integrates with the ProFlow-U mobile application that includes Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning features and calibration-free functionality. The project envisages setting up a manufacturing and commercialisation facility in Odisha to scale up the production of Proflow-U and make it accessible in primary health centres, diagnostic networks, and antenatal care systems. The product has been rigorously validated based on high-level diagnostic methods and has been tested with laboratory-level accuracy as well as point-of-care tests (diagnostic tests such as diabetes or pregnancy tests performed immediately at the patient or at home). Unlike traditional laboratory tests, it gives quick results without sending out the sample, making it possible to make quick treatment decisions) designed to combine simple operational efficiency.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27315/immuneel-therapeutics-explores-use-of-ai-driven-frameworks-for-biologics-adcs-in-vivo-gene-based-therapies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27315/immuneel-therapeutics-explores-use-of-ai-driven-frameworks-for-biologics-adcs-in-vivo-gene-based-therapies.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 In a major step towards transforming the treatment landscape for high burden diseases such as cancers and autoimmune disorders, Bengaluru-based Immuneel Therapeutics and Manas AI, Inc. (based in the US) are entering into a strategic partnership to evaluate the potential application of artificial intelligence (AI)-native tools within the landscape of biologics, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), novel allogeneic and in vivo gene-based therapies. This collaboration aims to assess how Immuneel may leverage Manas AI’s neuro-symbolic models to facilitate the ability to develop and deliver advanced treatments affordably and at scale rapidly. The integration of Immuneel’s research & development, translational and GMP-grade biomanufacturing capabilities with Manas AI’s AI-native discovery engine, aims to shorten development timelines and accelerate access to therapies that can change the course of disease and improve quality of life. The collaboration has the potential to span multi-specific antibody designs, AI-optimized binders, payload/linker discovery for ADCs, manufacturability screening, and next-generation allogeneic and in vivo delivery approaches. These capabilities are critical for creating medicines that are not only scientifically advanced but also safer, more scalable, and financially accessible. Together, the companies intend to determine if a feedback loop—from AI-driven in silico design to development, preclinical testing and scalable manufacturing—can be effectively established and ultimately enable faster iteration, better predictability, and more audit-ready development pathways.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27297/pandorum-technologies-raises-18-m-to-increase-global-market-access-for-programmable-tissue-regenerative-therapies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27297/pandorum-technologies-raises-18-m-to-increase-global-market-access-for-programmable-tissue-regenerative-therapies.html Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Pandorum Technologies, a Bengaluru-based biotechnology company pioneering programmable regenerative medicine, with operations in India and the United States, has announced the closing of  a $18 million in Series B financing round, to advance the clinical development of its disease-modifying, tunable, exosome-based therapies, including Kuragenx, while scaling global manufacturing and expanding operations across the US, Japan, and the Middle East. The round was led by Protons Corporate, with participation from Galentic Pharma, marquee investor Ashish Kacholia, Noblevast Advisory and Avinya Fund, Burman Family and others. Bandana Kankani, advisor and investor at Pandorum, had guided the transaction, optimizing the alignment between the investment architecture and company’s value creation. Founded by Tuhin Bhowmick and Arun Chandru, Pandorum’s proprietary platform combines biology, engineering, and computation to develop tunable, regenerative exosome therapies that reprogram pathological tissue states, like inflammation and fibrosis, toward functional recovery. Pandorum has implemented a globally distributed manufacturing strategy, including a CDMO partnership with AGC Biologics (Italy) for the US and European markets, and a strategic collaboration with Nucelion Therapeutics (India), a subsidiary of Bharat Biotech, to support supply across the Asia-Pacific region. The company is also exploring potential partnerships in the Middle East. Pandorum’s primary focus is on ocular surface diseases, such as Stevens–Johnson Syndrome and Neurotrophic Keratitis, for which Kuragenx has received US FDA Orphan Drug Designation. In addition to ophthalmology, it is expanding its tunable platform to address systemic conditions, including inflammatory and degenerative diseases affecting the lung, liver, and nervous systems. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27287/industry-seeks-establishment-of-central-agency-for-non-animal-testing-methods.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27287/industry-seeks-establishment-of-central-agency-for-non-animal-testing-methods.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 As India’s pharmaceutical industry moves towards becoming a $500 billion global powerhouse by 2047, as part of the country’s Viksit Bharat vision, a new multi-stakeholder report highlights the growing role of non-animal, science driven testing methods in strengthening drug development, improving translational science, and accelerating innovation. The report titled “Landscape Analysis on Alternatives to Animal Testing for Drug Development in India”, was jointly developed by Humane World for Animals India, DBT-InSTEM,  Animal Law and Policy Network and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited. Key sector-specific findings from the report highlight significant opportunities across categories: Establish an industry-led consortium to advocate for adoption of the 3Rs—Replace, Reduce and Refine, raise awareness of global best practices, and enable structured engagement with regulators Create a central agency for Non-Animal Methods (NAMs) to support validation, standardisation, and integration of NAMs into regulatory review and submissions Accelerate replacement of animal-based pyrogen testing by promoting validated alternatives such as the Monocyte Activation Test (MAT) and recombinant Factor C (rFC) assay, supported by training, standardisation, and improved reagent availability Invest in indigenous infrastructure, including local biobanks, reagents, culture media, software platforms, and testing tools, to reduce costs and logistical barriers Establish hub-and-spoke Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to support NAMs research, infrastructure development, and workforce training across the country Strengthen capacity building and awareness, through workshops, training programmes, and multi-stakeholder engagement to build confidence in NAMs Enhance regulatory engagement and policy alignment, including strengthening 3R-related language in the New Drugs and Clinical Trials (NDCT) Rules, updating guidance on NAM adoption, and enabling routine inclusion of validated NAMs in regulatory submissions ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27270/c-camp-icars-one-health-amr-challenge-2025-identifies-and-awards-seven-innovations-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27270/c-camp-icars-one-health-amr-challenge-2025-identifies-and-awards-seven-innovations-.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), with support from the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), has announced seven awards for the inaugural edition of the C-CAMP One Health AMR Challenge 2025, tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) across human, animal, and environmental health. This initiative is part of the larger India AMR Innovation Hub programme at C-CAMP that has been officially declared as the Innovation Arm of India’s National Action Plan 2.0 NAP 2.0 on AMR, which includes One Health as one of the country’s focus areas in its AMR combat and prevention strategy. The selected applicants will be awarded by C-CAMP in India with support of ICARS through grant funding; technical, business, regulatory and Intellectual Property (IP) support; and deployment facilitation in India and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The winners are: Human Health Bigtec Labs - A multiplexed, reverse transcription (RT)-PCR diagnostic solution that addresses antibiotic resistance in lower respiratory tract infections Muse Diagnostics - TreBle Respire: AI-driven screening platform for early detection of respiratory infections and antimicrobial stewardship. GenePath Diagnostics - Affordable, comprehensive, modular, semi-quantitative respiratory pathogens and AMR detection panel for open PCR platforms Achira Labs - Development and validation of a papid point-of-care test to distinguish bacterial from viral infections in humans: A Strategy to optimize antimicrobial stewardship Environment FNDR - Depletion of antimicrobials and other active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from pharmaceutical/chemical manufacturing unit effluents. Animal Health Ultranutri - Circular solutions for shrimp health: Tackling AMR through insect-based feed Chimertech - Quadmastest & Inline Quadmastest (IQ): Rapid, reagent-free early mastitis detection to prevent unwarranted antibiotic use and curb AMR in dairy health ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27224/pm-lays-foundation-stone-for-technology-and-entrepreneurship-hub-at-bio-360-life-sciences-park.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27224/pm-lays-foundation-stone-for-technology-and-entrepreneurship-hub-at-bio-360-life-sciences-park.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The Foundation Stone for the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub, was recently unveiled by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in the esteemed presence of Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Kerala, and Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala. BIO 360 LIFE SCIENCES PARK at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala is set to emerge as a major life sciences cluster in India and the CSIR NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship hub is being developed on a 10-acre land allotted free of cost at BIO 360 LIFE SCIENCES PARK, under Department of Industries,Govt of Kerala , underscoring Kerala’s long-term vision to build a globally competitive and comprehensive life sciences ecosystem. The project discussion was initiated on August 2024 in presence of the Minister for Industries and Coir, P Rajeev, and Additional Chief Secretary (Industries), A. P. M. Mohammed Hanish IAS, BIO 360 LIFE SCIENCES PARK and CSIR-NIIST officials. Once operational, the project is expected to significantly accelerate industry and startups growth, attracting major private players and life sciences industries and position Kerala as a major life sciences industries hub. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27178/amit-shah-lays-foundation-stone-of-bsl-4-bio-containment-facility-of-gujarat-biotechnology-research-center.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27178/amit-shah-lays-foundation-stone-of-bsl-4-bio-containment-facility-of-gujarat-biotechnology-research-center.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility, at Gujarat Biotechnology Research Center in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Several dignitaries including Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi were present on the occasion. Amit Shah said that this will be India's second high-level lab after the Virology Institute in Pune. But this is the first lab being built by a state government, the credit for which goes to Gujarat. A huge complex with an area of 11,000 square meters at a cost of Rs 362 crore is going to be a strong fortress of biological security of the country. He said that we were lagging behind for many years due to the cutting-edge research being done in the world, but the BSL-4 bio-containment facility will provide new opportunities to the youth working in the biotechnology sector and India will be able to move ahead in this field. This facility will provide a platform for scientists to conduct research on highly contagious and deadly viruses in a safe environment. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility is being prepared by studying BSL labs around the world. There will also be a world-class system to study diseases that reach humans through animals. Shah said that according to a study, 60 to 70 percent of diseases reach humans through animals, so India has started a programme to ensure the safety of both humans and animals through the One Health Mission. He said that now our scientists will not have to depend on foreign countries to test samples of dangerous viruses. Ending dependence on foreign countries will speed up the investigation and we will become self-reliant. The Home Minister said that BSL-4 will provide all the facilities. We need research-based permanent security and this lab will meet all our needs. Amit Shah said that we have set a target of investment of Rs 20,000 crore and 1 lakh jobs under the Biotech Policy. Special assistance for mega projects has also been announced.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27163/st-minister-presides-over-three-landmark-initiatives-at-cdfd-strengthening-indias-biotech-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27163/st-minister-presides-over-three-landmark-initiatives-at-cdfd-strengthening-indias-biotech-ecosystem.html Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 A milestone moment took place at Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) - Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, as the institute hosted Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, along with Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary-Department of Biotechnology & DG-BRIC. The Minister presided over three landmark initiatives strengthening India's biotechnology ecosystem. He laid the foundation stone of SAMARTH National Skill Development Centre – envisioned not just as a training hub, but as a centre for developing standardised methodologies and protocols in DNA fingerprinting, forensic genomics, and molecular diagnostics. SAMARTH will play a pivotal role in creating homegrown, reliable frameworks that enhance our criminal justice system and precision medicine capabilities. The Minister also inaugurated the iDeaNA–BRIC–CDFD Technology Incubator – accelerating startups in diagnostics, genomics, biomaterials, and precision healthcare toward market-ready innovations. He also presided over a brainstorming session on “Bench to Bedside Solutions to Address Rare Disorders in India” – fostering collaboration to translate research into accessible healthcare solutions.These initiatives embody the integrated vision: where cutting-edge research, national service, skill development, and entrepreneurial innovation come together to build a self-reliant India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27149/immuneel-therapeutics-inks-new-partnerships-to-improve-financial-access-to-car-t-cell-therapy-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27149/immuneel-therapeutics-inks-new-partnerships-to-improve-financial-access-to-car-t-cell-therapy-in-india.html Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Addressing one of the most persistent barriers to advanced cancer care in India, Bengaluru-based Immuneel Therapeutics has recently announced strategic partnerships with Impact Guru, a leading healthcare crowdfunding platform, and CarePal Money, a healthcare-focused lending marketplace. The collaborations aim to significantly improve financial access to CAR T-cell therapy for patients across diverse socio-economic backgrounds. CAR T-cell therapy is among the most advanced and personalised treatments available today for certain blood cancers, offering renewed hope to patients with relapsed or refractory disease. However, access to these therapies has been constrained by high upfront costs and limited financing options. Through this integrated access model, Immuneel seeks to address a core challenge facing advanced therapies in emerging markets: affordability and financial preparedness. Under the partnership, Impact Guru will enable patients and families to raise funds through its digital crowdfunding platform, mobilising community support via donation campaigns and awareness drives backed by a donor network of over 50 lakh contributors. CarePal Money will facilitate structured credit solutions by connecting eligible patients with its network of NBFC partners, offering tailored loan and financing options for medical treatment. Immuneel Therapeutics will continue to deliver globally benchmarked CAR T-cell therapies in India, while working closely with both partners to ensure timely financial support alongside clinical care.  The collaboration represents a scalable access framework for emerging markets, where medical advances must be matched with sustainable financing solutions. By integrating advanced cell and gene therapies with digital crowdfunding and structured healthcare lending, the partners aim to complement public health systems, insurance coverage, and future reimbursement pathways for CAR T-cell therapy. As these treatments become more integral to modern oncology, the partnership signals a shift towards ecosystem-led healthcare delivery, where innovation, financing, and policy objectives converge to improve patient outcomes at scale. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27153/23rd-edition-of-bioasia-to-take-place-on-17-18-feb-2026-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27153/23rd-edition-of-bioasia-to-take-place-on-17-18-feb-2026-in-hyderabad.html Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The official announcement for BioAsia 2026, the 23rd edition of Asia’s premier life sciences and health-tech forum, was released by Minister D. Sridhar Babu (Minister for IT, Electronics & Communications, and Industries & Commerce, Government of Telangana), in the presence of Sanjay Kumar, IAS (Special Chief Secretary, Industries & Commerce and ITE&C Departments, Government of Telangana), Shakthi M Nagappan (CEO, Telangana Life Sciences) and other dignitaries. The poster release marks the ceremonial commencement of preparations for the upcoming summit scheduled to be held from 16–18 February 2026 in Hyderabad. Over the past two decades, BioAsia has emerged as Asia’s foremost platform for life sciences, biopharma, health-tech, and medical innovation, consistently bringing together global leaders, investors, innovators, researchers, and policymakers. Each edition has showcased cutting-edge science while reinforcing Hyderabad and Telangana’s position as a global hub for biopharma, vaccines, medtech, and digital health innovation, supported by world-class infrastructure and a deep pool of scientific talent. The 23rd edition of BioAsia is themed ‘TechBio Unleashed: AI, Automation & the Biology Revolution.’ The theme reflects the pivotal convergence of biology, data, and deep technology that is reshaping drug discovery, diagnostics, manufacturing of therapies, and healthcare delivery globally. TechBio is transforming how diseases are understood, how therapies are designed, and how care is delivered—making healthcare more predictive, personalised, and accessible while strengthening a resilient and inclusive global health system. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for IT, Electronics & Communications, and Industries & Commerce, Government of Telangana, D. Sridhar Babu said, “As Telangana embarks its journey towards becoming a $3 Trillion Economy by 2047, Lifesciences sector will play a critical role in shaping the growth of the state. Marquee event like BioAsia showcases Telangana’s leadership in life sciences and healthcare innovation and acts as a pivotal platform to foster new partnerships and explore opportunities for growth in this segment. With the release of the BioAsia 2026 poster, we begin yet another exciting journey that will bring together the world’s brightest minds to advance the TechBio revolution and build a healthier future for all.” The summit is expected to deliver strategic value for startups, researchers, investors, policymakers, and global organizations. BioAsia 2026 will connect innovators with investors, act as a bridge between laboratory breakthroughs and market adoption, and provide a forum for policymakers to co-create regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation while safeguarding patient safety and public interest. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27133/birac-inks-letter-of-intent-with-global-antibiotic-research-development-partnership.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27133/birac-inks-letter-of-intent-with-global-antibiotic-research-development-partnership.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has announced a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP). The collaboration focuses to advance knowledge sharing and capacity building in antibiotic R&D and tech transfer through case studies, CMC support, training, and joint outreach initiatives in India and globally.At the BIRAC–GARDP LoI announcement, Dr Jitendra Kumar, MD, BIRAC, underscored the significance of this collaboration in strengthening CMC technical support, capacity building, and joint educational and outreach initiatives in antibiotic R&D. He also engaged with GARDP on initiating collaborative activities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27132/st-minister-dr-jitendra-singh-inaugurates-biotechnology-research-and-innovation-council-bric-secretariat-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27132/st-minister-dr-jitendra-singh-inaugurates-biotechnology-research-and-innovation-council-bric-secretariat-.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology (S&T) Dr Jitendra Singh formally inaugurated the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) Secretariat, on 29 December, by unveiling the inaugural curtain, marking the official opening of a new milestone in India’s biotechnology journey. This inauguration reflects the Government of India’s strong vision to accelerate innovation, empower researchers, strengthen institutional capacity, and enhance the nation’s global leadership in biotechnology. With the launch of the BRIC Secretariat, BRIC-DBT is poised to further advance cutting-edge research, promote translational science, foster collaboration, and enable impactful solutions that contribute to India’s development and societal well-being. As part of the inauguration of the BRIC Secretariat, Dr Jitendra Singh reviewed key initiatives, ongoing programmes, and future pathways to strengthen India’s biotechnology landscape. BRIC DBT (Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council – Department of Biotechnology) is a premier organisation dedicated to advancing biotechnology research and innovation across India. With 13 affiliated institutes, it drives groundbreaking research in healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and industrial biotechnology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27111/india-to-launch-crispr-centre-of-excellence-in-innovation-and-translation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27111/india-to-launch-crispr-centre-of-excellence-in-innovation-and-translation.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A Letter of Intent (LoI) has been signed for the establishment of CRISPR Centre of Excellence for Innovation and Translation (CoE-CIT). It will be a dedicated centre to convert the scientific inventions made in the laboratory into real-world clinical applications using state-of-the-art CRISP technologies. CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a gene-editing technique that allows scientists to precisely cut, alter, or remove DNA. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), a Bengaluru-based autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Delhi-based CRISPRobits Private Limited (CRISP), a focus on biotechnology using CRISPR gene-editing technology to develop affordable diagnostics , jointly announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) for setting up of CoE-CIT. It is a historic public-private partnership between academia and industry in the country. The CoE-CIT aims to deliver lab-ready drugs to the patient and provide therapeutic benefits by combining JNCASR's expertise in basic biomedical sciences and applied gene-editing and translational platforms of CRISPR bits. It demonstrates how Indian scientific innovation can be effectively harnessed for societal and clinical benefit. The Centre of Excellence will serve as an exemplary national model for academia-industry partnerships to strengthen the biotechnology and innovation ecosystem of the country. Umesh Waghmare, Chairman, JNCASR informed that setting up this co-educational institute in its campus in partnership with CRISPRbits, a specialist in intelligent molecular platforms, for the development of affordable and accessible innovative solutions in health sciences is an important initiative for JNCASR. This unique partnership, with interplay in genetics, molecular and chemical biology and computational biology, will pave a new path for society and national missions.   Image caption- Prof. Umesh V Waghmar (L), President, JNCASR and Dr Vijay Chandru (R), Co-Founder and CEO , CrisProbits Pvt. Ltd. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27038/dr-renu-swarup-calls-for-accelerated-biotech-innovation-recognises-mma-spectrum-foundations-pivotal-role.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27038/dr-renu-swarup-calls-for-accelerated-biotech-innovation-recognises-mma-spectrum-foundations-pivotal-role.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 At the BioSpectrum Excellence Awards 2025 held on December 5 in Delhi, Dr Renu Swarup, Former Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and chairperson of the Jury Panel delivered a profoundly insightful and forward-looking address that set the tone for the evening. Drawing from her decades-long experience in shaping India’s biotechnology and life sciences landscape, she emphasised the urgent need to accelerate innovation, strengthen translational research, and build sustainable pathways that take scientific ideas from laboratories to markets. In her address Dr Renu Swarup highlighted how India today stands at a critical inflection point, with unprecedented opportunities in biotechnology, biomanufacturing, genomics, digital health, synthetic biology, agriculture, food systems, and medtech—and stressed that nurturing young innovators will be essential for capturing this potential. In this context, she lauded the MMA Spectrum Foundation for its vision and proactive initiatives that not only support startups but also build an environment that encourages risk-taking, creativity, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. She underscored the Foundation’s role in providing structured mentoring, capacity building, and entrepreneurial handholding while acting as a vital bridge between researchers, industry leaders, investors, and policymakers. Dr Renu Swarup also appreciated the Foundation’s commitment to strengthening India’s knowledge ecosystem through research-driven publications, surveys, sectoral analyses, and high-impact conferences and workshops that stimulate meaningful discussions on policy, regulation, and emerging scientific frontiers. She noted that by anchoring flagship events like the BioSpectrum Excellence Awards, the Foundation is not only celebrating excellence but also creating a platform that motivates the scientific community and inspires the next generation of innovators. Her address reinforced the message that sustained support through institutions like the MMA Spectrum Foundation will be central to building an innovation-driven, globally competitive, and future-ready bioeconomy for India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27028/biospectrum-india-excellence-awards-2025-celebrates-bio-innovation-leadership.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27028/biospectrum-india-excellence-awards-2025-celebrates-bio-innovation-leadership.html Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology (S&T), Government of India inaugurated the BioSpectrum India Excellence Awards 2025 event in New Delhi on 5th December, to appreciate the Indian companies and individuals for their commendable performances and achievements during FY 23-24 and FY 24-25. The Minister stressed upon the growing concept of science journalism and communication in India and how BioSpectrum has made a mark for itself in this field, and offering new inspiration. “Science innovation and biotechnology is going to determine the overall growth of economy across the world. Biotechnology will turn out to be the next industrial revolution globally, after IT”, said Dr Singh. The event also witnessed the gracious presence of Dr Renu Swarup, Former Secretary, Dept of Biotechnology, Govt of India; Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), among other dignitaries. Along with MMA Spectrum Foundation, BioSpectrum India announced winners for 2 major segments- Jury Awards and Special Recognition Awards, to recognise outstanding individuals, products, and organisations that have made significant contributions across the life sciences sector in India.   Jury Awards This year, the awardees (for both FY 23-24 and FY 24-25) were selected by a distinguished Jury Panel comprising eminent personalities from across the life sciences domain. Dr Renu Swarup, Former Secretary, Dept of Biotechnology, Govt of India, was the Chairperson of the Jury Panel for the BioSpectrum Excellence Awards 2025. Other esteemed Juries included: Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC); Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance; Dr Sanghamitra Pati, Additional Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research; Dr Shirshendu Mukherjee, Managing Director, Wadhwani Innovation Network; and Prof. Vijay Chandru, Founder and Chairperson, Strand Life Sciences. List of Jury Award Winners 2025-   Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Ajit Patil & Amit Kharat, Co-Founders, DeepTek.ai   Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Hitesh Goswami & Kshitij Rishi, Co-Founders, 4baseCare   Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Dr Latha Poonamallee, Co-Founder, In-Med Prognostics   Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Dr Ria Khurana, Co-Founder, RNT Health Insights   Jury Special Award for Woman Scientist of the Year 2024 Prof Gaiti Hasan, Distinguished Fellow, National Centre for Biological Sciences   Jury Special Award for Woman Scientist in Clinical Research of the Year 2024 Prof. Shinjini Bhatnagar, Professor of Eminence, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute   Jury Special Award for Woman Scientist of the Year 2025 Dr Radha Rangarajan, Director, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute    Product of the Year 2024 Havisure Vaccine by Indian Immunologicals   Product of the Year 2025 Miqnaf (Nafithromycin) by Wockhardt   Businessperson of the Year 2024 (Big Company) Satish Ramanlal Mehta, CEO & MD, Emcure Pharmaceuticals   Businessperson of the Year 2024 (Medium Company) Dr Vedam Ramprasad, CEO, MedGenome   Businessperson of the Year 2025 (Big Company) Dr Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences   Businessperson of the Year 2025 (Medium Company) Sriram Natarajan, CEO, Molbio Diagnostics   Best Performing State of the Year 2025 Telangana Karnataka   Lifetime Achievement Award Dilip Shanghvi, Founder, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries   Special Recognition Award 2025 The winners for the Special Recognition Awards have been selected after reviewing numerous nominations, to turn the spotlight onto companies we believe will lead the way in the near future, not only in India but globally. Through these awards, BioSpectrum India is playing the role of picking tomorrow's winners, nudging today's entrepreneurs to achieve greater glory and honouring yesterday's key players who laid the foundation for success.  Winners of the Special Recognition Awards 2025- Top Diagnostic Leader- Roche Diagnostics India Excellence in Diagnostics- Vanguard Diagnostics Outstanding Contribution to Biotech Ecosystem- Serum Institute of India Excellence in BioServices- Vipragen Biosciences Best Vaccine Efforts of the Year- TechInvention Lifecare Excellence in Lab Consumables- Abdos Life Sciences Top Emerging Biotech Company- PharmNXT Biotech Top Emerging MedTech Company- Sebia Diagnostics India Global Expansion Excellence in MedTech- Poly Medicure Excellence in Cancer Diagnostics and Biomarker Innovation- OncoStem Diagnostics Excellence in Global Health Innovation- Foundation for Neglected Disease Research Top Digital Health Company- Plus91 Technologies Special Recognition in Cell & Gene Therapy- Miltenyi Biotec Leading Translational Biotech Organisation- HiMedia Laboratories Excellence in Industrial Microbiology- Biomerieux India Distinguished BioSupplier Partner- HiMedia Laboratories   The awards presentation ceremony was complemented by an engaging panel discussion with experts from the government and the industry, focusing on transforming India into a life sciences powerhouse: Journey Ahead into 2047! The panelists including Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC; Priya G Hingorani, Managing Director of Miltenyi Biotec India; Dr Vishal Warke, Director Research & Development (Microbiology), HiMedia Laboratories; and Dr Arjun Dang, CEO & Partner, Dr Dangs Lab explored how India can move towards true global leadership by fostering Research, Resilience, and Revolution across the life sciences ecosystem including pharma, biopharma, biotech, diagnostics, medtech, health-tech etc. A successful show put up by the entire team of BioSpectrum India and MMA Spectrum Foundation, telecasted by CNBC, and supported by HiMedia Laboratories, Lonza, Eppendorf, Biomerieux, Dräger, Medidata, Duoning Biotech.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/26994/trends-2026-rise-of-resilient-life-sciences-innovation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/26994/trends-2026-rise-of-resilient-life-sciences-innovation-.html Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A major trend in 2025 was the rise of anti-obesity drugs. Mounjaro, in particular, saw rapid uptake and became the second-highest selling weight-loss drug in India within just six months. Another  highlight was the opening of several Centres of Excellence (CoE). Notably, Miltenyi Biotec inaugurated India’s first Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) CoE in Hyderabad, reflecting the growing focus on advanced therapies.  Much like everything in life, artificial intelligence (AI) continued to deepen its presence across healthcare, transforming diagnostics, research, and drug development. Pharma and Biotech  Policy and Innovation Driving Advanced Therapies The Government of India has launched the ‘Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech sector (PRIP)’ scheme to promote innovation in India. The scheme has a total financial outlay of Rs 5000 crore, which includes Rs 700 crore to establish Centers of Excellence (CoEs) at seven National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPERs), and Rs 4200 crore to accelerate investments in the R&D ecosystem within the sector. The scheme has defined three priority areas for funding: new medicines, Complex generics and biosimilars and novel medical devices. “It will be interesting to see the impact this scheme will make in 2026 and beyond. Considering the immense potential for increase in innovation within Pharma/Medtech in India, the overall ecosystem will benefit from this scheme and promote innovation at both the industry and academic level. Considering India’s large population and specific healthcare needs, we can expect good innovation momentum in these areas moving forward.  Moreover, Indian pharma needs to transform from being a generics producer to an innovation producer for long term growth,” said Prashant Khadayate, Director – Lifesciences Consulting & Research, GlobalData. This policy-driven push is expected to accelerate biology-led innovation in 2026, with advanced therapeutic modalities driving the next wave of growth. Cell therapies, autologous, allogeneic, and in vivo, are expected to shift from niche applications to scalable platforms across oncology, immunology, and regenerative medicine. While India approved its first CAR-T therapy only last year, experts anticipate a steady rise in CGT approvals in the coming years.  “Upcoming year will be defined by acceleration in high-value generics, complex formulations, and biologics. India’s role as the leading global supplier of affordable medicines will deepen, but the next phase of growth clearly lies in complex Injectables, peptides, sustained-release products, specialty therapies, and biosimilars—segments that are seeing stronger regulatory acceptance and higher demand across developed and emerging markets. With global healthcare systems seeking cost-effective alternatives, compliance strength, quality maturity, and digital transparency will become decisive factors in winning international confidence,” said Bhavin Mehta, Vice Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Exports Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil).    Expanding to other geographies  A parallel, equally powerful trend is the broad-based diversification of export geographies. To mitigate the impact of US tariffs, pharmaceutical companies are exploring expansion into other geographies. While the US will remain a key driver, momentum is now shifting toward Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and China, supported by rising procurement volumes and deeper commercial linkages.  “Exporters are responding by expanding Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) capacity, Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) partnerships, and resilient supply-chain models, enabling stronger participation in global tenders and reducing vulnerability to single-market fluctuations. The scale of India’s domestic market further enhances this export competitiveness, strengthening the manufacturing base and enabling a wider, more agile product portfolio. Reinforcing these sectoral tailwinds is the strong policy and trade push from the Government which is proactively shaping a future-ready export ecosystem”, said Mehta. “Production-linked incentives (PLI) for APIs and formulations, new bulk drug and medical device parks, enhanced regulatory cooperation with partner countries, trade missions, and an active FTA pipeline are collectively expanding market access for Indian manufacturers. Initiatives around digital quality systems, track-and-trace compliance, logistics modernisation, and sustainability standards are also elevating our positioning as a dependable global supplier. These measures are creating an enabling environment for exporters to scale their global footprint and transition from being primarily volume-driven suppliers to becoming high-trust, innovation-aligned partners in the global pharmaceutical value chain”, added Mehta.    AI and Gen AI in Drug Discovery & Diagnostics Artificial intelligence including generative AI is revolutionising drug discovery by accelerating candidate analysis, predicting drug-body interactions, and enabling faster, cost-effective therapy development.  “AI also advances diagnostics, facilitating early disease detection and precision treatment tailoring. For instance, Qure.ai’s AI-driven medical imaging solutions enable early diagnosis of TB, lung cancer, and stroke. Concurrently, decentralised clinical trials leveraging remote monitoring and AI analytics are increasing patient-centricity, accessibility, and efficiency, thereby accelerating therapy approval processes. The healthcare industry is projected to face continued cost pressures driven by new medical technologies, cited as the top driver by 74 per cent of insurers globally, underscoring AI’s central role in innovation and cost management,” said Ajay Mahipal - Co-Founder and General Partner, HealthKois.   Rise of Preventive Interventions  Preventive healthcare is emerging as a key growth driver, reshaping patient care globally. “We are entering a pivotal moment, where innovation and patient expectations are converging to redefine the healthcare industry. The vaccines market, valued at over $78 billion in 2023 and projected to nearly double by 2032, is a clear indicator that preventive and accessible healthcare will drive global growth in the decade ahead,” observed Sarvesh Mutha, Managing Director, IntegriMedical.  Shakul Srivastava, Vice President, Indian Immunologicals Limited, echoing similar sentiments, said, “The key trends are shifting toward preventive interventions, driven by the latest biotech innovations and enhanced through smart use of digital technologies.”    MedTech  "India’s MedTech sector is poised for remarkable growth, projected to reach $50 billion by 2026. At Medtronic, we see this momentum transforming healthcare making it more personalised, predictive, and supportive for every patient. Innovations in AI, IoMT, and personalised therapies will enable clinicians to deliver virtual care, proactive interventions, and treatments tailored to individual needs. Rising chronic diseases and an ageing population (200M+ seniors by 2030) will increase demand for remote monitoring systems bringing healthcare closer to home. By combining compassionate care with leading-edge technology, the MedTech innovations will empower patients and clinicians to achieve better health outcomes, together,” said Mandeep Singh Kumar, Managing Director and Vice President, Medtronic India.  Sharing his views Mutha said “AI-driven diagnostics and decision support systems are transforming healthcare by enabling faster, more accurate clinical decisions through predictive analytics and digital monitoring tools, ultimately improving both care quality and operational efficiency. At the same time, needle-free and innovative drug delivery technologies are rapidly gaining traction across areas such as vaccines, IVF hormones, growth hormones, and pain management, offering greater patient comfort, reducing infection risks, and improving treatment adherence. Complementing these advancements, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly forming collaborative partnerships with MedTech innovators to enhance dosing accuracy, ensure treatment consistency, and deliver more patient-centered solutions, making healthcare safer, more effective, and more accessible.”      Clinical Trials  Rise in Early-Phase Trials The regulatory reforms introduced in 2025 are expected to act as a catalyst in 2026, driving a new wave of innovation-led clinical research in India. Experts note a growing interest in early-phase studies and multi-regional clinical trials, supported by increasing expertise in complex areas such as CGT and tri-specific antibodies, which are set to become a mainstay in the coming year. Digitisation of Clinical Trials  In 2026, India's life sciences sector is expected to significantly transform, driven by the increasing integration of technologies such as AI, wearables, and data analytics. In clinical trials, this will enhance participant access and accelerate study timelines, helping to position the country as a prominent global hub for clinical research.  “Foundational to this will be to tap into the country’s rapidly growing digital ecosystem. In particular, mobile-first approaches help bridge infrastructure gaps by allowing patients to engage with trials from their own devices, wherever they are. Tools like electronic clinical outcome assessment (eCOA) and eConsent will facilitate real-time data collection and ensure patients receive comprehensive trial information from their own devices, promoting inclusive participation, including in areas such as central nervous system (CNS) and rare diseases. These tools will also ultimately improve accessibility by making trial participation less disruptive to daily life, which will in turn improve patient retention and data quality,” said Santhosh A F, Vice President, Asia Pacific South & India, Medidata.  AI will also continue to be a game changer. Morgan Stanley estimates that AI could help bring 50 new treatments to market within a decade, cutting drug discovery timelines from years to months, and reducing development costs. Beyond discovery, AI-driven study feasibility will be critical in 2026 to help sponsors and CROs identify optimal, high-performing sites across the globe. This precision in planning will significantly support study conduct and reduce overall development costs. “In India, we expect to see AI playing a pivotal role in decentralised clinical trials (DCTs), improving oversight and treatment adherence through the processing of real-time information from wearables and digital health tools, and enabling remote patient monitoring and the creation of synthetic control arms,” said Santhosh.  He added, “To capitalise on these trends, India must address some existing challenges, including skill gaps and strengthen public trust in clinical research, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. It must also navigate regulatory and ethical considerations, while providing careful oversight over patient consent and data privacy to build trust.  Looking into 2026, the future of clinical trials in India is not just about technology; it is about making trials safer, more inclusive, and more efficient for all stakeholders.”   CDMOs Digital Transformation of CDMOsAs pharmaceutical operations grow more complex, the integration of technology into quality systems is setting a new benchmark. Paperless workflows, real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and remote oversight are embedding compliance into daily execution. For Indian CDMOs, this shift is already underway. At Syngene, for example, these efforts are visible in the use of secure remote inspection technologies such as RealWear, digitised checklists, and electronic batch records. Together, they help sustain a state of continuous audit readiness. These digital initiatives are reinforced by a broader shift toward decentralised accountability, ensuring that quality is embedded across teams and processes rather than being managed in isolation. This evolution signals both progress and opportunity for Indian CDMOs. By combining a strong quality culture with digital tools, organisations can go beyond meeting today’s compliance requirements to proactively shaping tomorrow’s standards. Those that see quality not just as a safeguard but as a strategic advantage will build stronger partnerships, operate with greater efficiency, and secure a lasting place for India in the global pharmaceutical supply chain, as highlighted by Alok Mehrotra, Chief Quality Officer, Syngene International, in an earlier op-ed with BioSpectrum India. Rise of Gene Therapy specific CDMOs Following a highly volatile period of investment peaks between 2020 and 2022, the global Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) sector, and its associated Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organisations (CRDMOs), have entered a phase of turbulence, marked by significant consolidation. Despite recent heightened regulatory scrutiny across the US and European Union (EU) and a year of leadership shifts, a robust pipeline of CGT candidates, coupled with a highly selective yet recovering venture capital (VC) landscape, still indicates substantial potential for emerging Indian CGT CRDMOs. If Indian CRDMOs can swiftly establish specialised manufacturing capacity, maintain rigorous international quality standards, and secure strategic global alliances, 2026 is poised to confirm India's trajectory towards capturing a significant, high-value portion of the worldwide CGT development and manufacturing market. “While overall biopharma VC funding remains stable, the competitive CGT space is seeing capital deployed more selectively toward companies with a clear path to commercial scalability. This targeted investment drives predictable manufacturing demand, presenting a significant opportunity for Indian CDMOs to engage early with VC-backed biotech companies and offer essential services like process development, scale-up, and GMP capacity. With US and EU CGT approvals continuing to rise and therapies expanding from rare disorders to more prevalent conditions such as cancers, autoimmune, and neurological diseases, Indian CDMOs are well-positioned to capture upstream demand and support global clinical trials and manufacturing,” said Dr Raghu Malapaka, Chief Business Officer, Nucelion Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Biotech International Ltd.    Healthcare  Accelerated Adoption of AI in India’s Public Health System Building on significant initiatives launched in 2025, India is set to expand the use of AI across its public health system in 2026. With All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh, and AIIMS Rishikesh designated as Centres of Excellence for AI, and solutions like Media Disease Surveillance, Clinical Decision Support Systems in eSanjeevani, and AI tools for TB screening and outcome prediction already deployed, 2026 is expected to see broader integration of AI for disease surveillance, early diagnosis, and improved treatment outcomes.  India’s inclusion in the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network positions the country as a global leader in responsible AI deployment, enabling the sharing of best practices and fostering safer, more effective healthcare applications. The year ahead is expected to see AI increasingly driving disease surveillance, early diagnosis, and improved treatment outcomes nationwide. Digital Health, Telemedicine, and Virtual Hospitals “The evolution from telemedicine to virtual hospitals is transforming healthcare delivery. Digital platforms incorporating AI-powered chatbots, such as Wysa for mental wellbeing, and remote monitoring tools, like Beato for diabetes management in India, are improving patient access and outcomes, especially in chronic disease management. Virtual hospitals, such as Saudi Arabia’s SEHA Virtual Hospital, which serves 400,000 patients annually across 130 centres, exemplify this shift, meeting the rising demand driven by aging populations and healthcare workforce shortages,” said Mahipal.  Expanding on this, Sagar Sen, Senior Vice President – Global Life Sciences and Strategic Alliances at Qure.AI, noted that by 2026 the true impact of digital health will emerge from deeper system integration. “In 2026, digital healthcare will create a more connected ecosystem where information flows seamlessly between patients and primary health systems. It will support earlier intervention through predictive technologies that identify risks before illness becomes severe. As adoption grows, digital tools will help India build a stronger and more resilient health system capable of responding quickly to emerging challenges. The transition will simplify clinical workflows, improve data movement across EMRs and lead to a more coordinated care experience. As outcome-driven digital tools gain wider acceptance, AI will become a central part of everyday care delivery, enabling earlier diagnosis, ultimately improving health outcomes at scale.”   Ayesha Siddiqui ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27012/iisc-and-henry-royce-institute-announce-strategic-bioprinting-partnership.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/27012/iisc-and-henry-royce-institute-announce-strategic-bioprinting-partnership.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and the Henry Royce Institute at The University of Manchester, UK have signed a Letter of intent (LoI) for a major new agreement to collaborate on cutting-edge research in 3D bioprinting, biofabrication, and materials science. The partnership is a step forward in uniting UK and Indian scientific strengths under the UK-India Technology Security Initiative to accelerate innovation in healthcare, precision medicine and sustainable bio-manufacturing. The collaboration brings together world-leading expertise in bioprinting, biomaterials, engineering biology and advanced manufacturing. Over the coming years, IISc and Royce will work jointly to develop new biomaterials, organotypic models, medical implants and translational technologies that support next-generation healthcare solutions. Clinical adoption and commercialisation of bioprinting technologies sits at the heart of the agreement. Joint R&D projects, training programmes and talent development initiatives will be launched with support from co-funding mechanisms in the UK and India. These activities aim to strengthen capacity building and accelerate research translation across both countries. A key initiative emerging from the partnership is the UK–India Bioprinting and Engineering Biology Summit (BioSculpt 2025), which was held at IISc Bengaluru from 26–28 November 2025 under the UK-India Technology Security Initiative.  UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said, “Bioprinting is an incredibly exciting field. Being able to build biological systems, and eventually even entire organs, in the lab won’t just help make medical research easier. It could form an important part of the UK Government’s work, rolling out alternatives to animal testing and ultimately ending it wherever possible." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26989/dpgu-wins-major-icmr-grant-of-rs-1-09-cr-for-diabetic-wound-care-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26989/dpgu-wins-major-icmr-grant-of-rs-1-09-cr-for-diabetic-wound-care-innovation.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant boost to biomedical research in Maharashtra, a team from Dnyaan Prasad Global University School of Pharmacy and Research by Dr. D.Y. Patil Unitech Society has secured a prestigious ICMR Intermediate Grant (IIRPIG-2025-01-01082) worth Rs 1,09,93,437 for their work on developing an advanced biomaterial for diabetic wound care. The project, led by Dr Asha Thomas, Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, with co-investigators Dr Sanjeevani Deshkar (HOD, Pharmaceutics) and Dr Vinita Patole, focuses on creating a collagen–elastin composite scaffold supported by bioactive chicken-derived skin oil to accelerate healing in chronic diabetic wounds. The team also plans to explore co-culture techniques using keratinocyte and fibroblast cells to enhance tissue regeneration — an area that holds tremendous promise for patients with slow-healing ulcers. The innovation integrates electrospinning technology, bio-derived materials, and advanced coculture cell design, representing a truly translational approach to regenerative medicine. Chronic diabetic wounds remain one of the most critical unmet clinical needs in healthcare, and this research aims to deliver a next-generation, cost-effective biomaterial that can strengthen clinical outcomes and reduce healing time in high-risk patients.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26983/biotech-startup-crisprbits-raises-3-m-in-pre-series-a-funding-round.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26983/biotech-startup-crisprbits-raises-3-m-in-pre-series-a-funding-round.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based biotechnology startup CrisprBits has raised $3 million through founders, angels & family offices, bringing the company's valuation to $12 Million.  The current Pre-Series A funding round was led by Spectrum Impact, the family office of Rajendra Gogri, Chairman and Managing Director of Aarti Industries Ltd. The round also saw participation from the founders and existing investors including Vijay Alreja Family Office (VJ Technologies Group), an early supporter of CrisprBits, whose group company VJ Bio focuses on cell and gene therapy, aligning closely with CrisprBits’ CRISPR-driven innovation goals. The round additionally brought in new investors, including the promoter family of HBL Engineering, building upon the earlier funds raised from the founders, VJ Technologies Group and C-CAMP (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms). The new capital will be deployed to scale commercialisation of the PathCrisp molecular diagnostics platform, augmenting manufacturing capacity for high-impact tests in human health (e.g., Sickle Cell, Typhoid and Anti-Microbial Resistance), food safety, and animal health. The funding will also accelerate the development of a cutting-edge, CRISPR-driven strain engineering platform, starting with the optimisation of processes for biofuel production to address unmet industrial sustainability needs.  Over the next six months, CrisprBits plans to expand its CRISPR-based diagnostic products into global markets, including Africa and Latin America. The company also plans to strengthen its operations by expanding infrastructure and production capabilities at its diagnostics manufacturing facility. Additionally, the company plans to build a proprietary AI-augmented strain engineering platform for sustainability solutions, including enhancing biofuel production. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26966/smart-bio-awards-2025-celebrate-karnatakas-bio-innovation-leaders-at-bts-2025-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26966/smart-bio-awards-2025-celebrate-karnatakas-bio-innovation-leaders-at-bts-2025-.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Smart Bio Awards 2025, held during the prestigious Bengaluru Tech Summit from 18th to 20th November 2025, offered a vibrant snapshot of Karnataka’s rapidly growing bio-innovation ecosystem. The evening also featured the Global Leaders’ Dinner, where industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers came together to recognize excellence across the state’s biotechnology landscape. S. Boseraju, Minister of Minor Irrigation, Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, presenting the awards underscored the state’s commitment to supporting research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the bio sector. This year’s awards celebrated outstanding contributions in biotech research, entrepreneurship, and innovation- MicroBiotx Pvt Ltd was honoured as Startup of the Year for its cutting-edge advancements and scalable biotech solutions InnAccel India Pvt Ltd received the Innovator of the Year Award, recognising its impactful MedTech innovations designed for India and global markets Payal Patel, founder of Agropak Pvt Ltd, was awarded Women Entrepreneur of the Year for pioneering work in agri-biotechnology TheraXcel Pvt Ltd was named Best Campus of the Year, acknowledging its strong innovation culture and translational research environment Koppa & Sri Gowri Bhargava Pvt Ltd, Chikkamagaluru, received the Startup of the Year – Beyond Bengaluru award, reflecting Karnataka’s commitment to fostering innovation across all regions of the state The event showcased the strength and diversity of Karnataka’s biotechnology ecosystem—spanning MedTech, AgriBio, industrial biotech, and deep-tech research—while reaffirming the state’s position as India’s leading hub for bio-innovation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26967/karnataka-showcases-11-breakthrough-innovations-in-biotech-medtech-healthcare-at-bts-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26967/karnataka-showcases-11-breakthrough-innovations-in-biotech-medtech-healthcare-at-bts-2025.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 At the Startup Product Launch 4.0 during the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2025, the Government of Karnataka highlighted a powerful lineup of Biotechnology, MedTech, Healthcare, Wellness and Health Technology innovations developed by cutting-edge startups from across the state. These 11 solutions, among the 50 launched during the summit, address critical gaps in medical diagnostics, disease prevention, sustainable bioprocessing, healthcare delivery, cold-chain management, and human–animal health—strengthening Karnataka’s position as a leader in health and biotechnology innovation. The Startup Product Launch 4.0 was held on the second day of the four day the 28th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 (BTS 2025), organized by the Department of Electronics, IT & Bt, Government of Karnataka, and Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) held from November 18-20 at opened at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). The products were launched in the presence of Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT & Bt, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka. The showcased innovations reflect the state's commitment to enabling startups to transform healthcare outcomes at scale. Backed by world-class support from K-tech Innovation Hubs, Centres of Excellence (CoEs), Technology Business Incubators, and the Government’s flagship ELEVATE Idea2PoC programme, these startups demonstrate Karnataka’s leadership as India’s premier health innovation hub. Karnataka’s multi-layered support system—state-funded incubators, partnerships with IISc, NASSCOM, IESA, and the ELEVATE funding pipeline—has enabled startups in biotech, MedTech, and health technology to rapidly prototype, validate, and deploy solutions with global potential. These innovations reaffirm Bengaluru’s position as a biotechnology and MedTech capital, driving advancements that directly impact public health, sustainable manufacturing, disease prevention, and healthcare accessibility. MedTech & Health Technology OUI Medical – Advanced MedTech solutions for improved surgical and clinical outcomes (Dr Adarsh M. Patil) LifeCircuit – Healthcare innovation focused on connected patient monitoring and health management (Dr Bhaskar Rajakumar) TrueAssist Technology Pvt Ltd – Assistive healthcare technology designed to support individuals with mobility and cognitive challenges (Naina Padaki) MozziQuit Solutions LLP – Health and animal husbandry solution targeting mosquito-borne diseases with smart prevention technologies (Ignatius Orwin Noronha) BehaveNeu – MedTech platform integrating behavioral science, neural analytics, and real-time health intervention (Dr Saikat Gochhait) Blackfrog Technologies Pvt Ltd – Renowned for innovations in medical cold-chain transport, ensuring temperature-controlled delivery of vaccines and biologics (Mayur U Shetty) Rosette Smart Life – Health & wellness solutions enhancing lifestyle management and preventive care (Likith Kumar RR) Biotechnology & Life Sciences Cosmos Bio Private Limited – Industrial biotechnology solutions for sustainable production and bio-based processing (Dr Bharat Somireddy) Microleer Biopolymers LLP – Biotechnology & sustainable textiles, developing eco-friendly biopolymer alternatives (Nitish K R) GeoPhage Biotech Pvt Ltd – Advanced biotech solutions leveraging phage technology for precision biological applications (Dr Chythanya R) Stoicheiodis Scientia Private Limited – Materials engineering rooted in biotechnology for next-gen biomaterials (Subhash Chandra H) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26974/nations-first-biological-single-use-scale-up-facility-opens-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26974/nations-first-biological-single-use-scale-up-facility-opens-in-hyderabad.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Government of Telangana has unveiled a major expansion of Genome Valley’s innovation ecosystem with the inauguration of the Telangana 1 Bio, India’s first single-use bioprocess design and scale-up facility, marking a transformative step in advancing the country’s biologics and next-generation therapeutics capabilities. 1 Bio, conceptualised by the Government of Telangana through Telangana Lifesciences in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, and the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC), is being built on a 2-acre campus at Genome Valley. At its core, the hub features a state-of-the-art single-use bioprocess development and scale-up facility, with bioreactors up to 500 L, advanced upstream and downstream systems, and a dedicated analytical suite. Developed in partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific, a Fortune 500 global leader, this Bioprocess Design Centre positions Telangana at the forefront of GLP- and GMP-grade biomolecule development for India and the world in advancing next-generation capabilities essential for India’s growing biologics pipeline. Supporting this infrastructure, 1 Bio  houses 150,000 sq. ft. of plug-and-play R&D labs, configurable innovation suites, shared analytical spaces equipped with advanced analytical systems, and dedicated bioprocess training labs, offering a fully integrated ecosystem for end-to-end biopharma development. The occasion also commemorated 25 years of Genome Valley, with Minister D. Sridhar Babu unveiling a new Genome Valley logo that signifies the cluster’s transformation into a leading global centre for research-driven biotech innovation.  To support the cluster’s next phase of expansion, the Minister announced more than Rs 200 crore worth of infrastructure upgrades to be undertaken by the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure and Investment Corporation (TGIIC). These include road widening, new greenfield roads, power augmentation, landscaping and streetscaping improvements, and other critical upgrades that enhance connectivity, utility reliability, and overall quality of life within the cluster. The State, through an innovative PPP model, has enabled investment of Rs 150 crore in core infrastructure, while Thermo Fisher has contributed Rs 90 crore towards the Bioprocess Design Centre and its co-located Customer Experience Centre within Genome Valley. 1 Bio is expected to attract an additional Rs 500 crore in private investment from tenant companies and create over 500 high-quality jobs.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26975/jharkhands-debabrata-meitei-wins-national-bioquiz-2025-at-bts-2025-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26975/jharkhands-debabrata-meitei-wins-national-bioquiz-2025-at-bts-2025-.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a standout display of biotechnology knowledge and quick-thinking, Debabrata Meitei from the ICAR–Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Jharkhand, clinched the National BioQuiz 2025 title at the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS 2025). Demonstrating exceptional command over molecular biology, genetics, and emerging biotech innovations, Debabrata maintained a consistent lead throughout the competition, outperforming finalists from across India. Hosted by quizmaster Giri Balasubramaniam (Pickbrain) and inaugurated by Apoorva K. Bidari, KAS, the BioQuiz 2025 National Finals featured intense rounds that tested precision, recall speed, and conceptual depth. Debabrata’s calm approach, accuracy under pressure, and strategic buzzer play set him apart early in the contest, securing him the top national honour. Bhavya Bansal from Lovely Professional University, Uttar Pradesh, finished as the Runner-Up, with another strong performance by the Maharashtra finalist from AISSMS College of Engineering. Yet, the day clearly belonged to Debabrata Meitei, whose victory underscores the rising talent emerging from India’s biotechnology education ecosystem. Debabrata’s achievement was applauded by the BTS audience, marking him as one of the most promising young minds set to contribute to India’s growing bioeconomy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26952/india-launches-first-indigenous-crispr-based-gene-therapy-for-sickle-cell-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26952/india-launches-first-indigenous-crispr-based-gene-therapy-for-sickle-cell-disease.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh has launched India's first indigenous "CRISPR" based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, which particularly affects India's tribal population. The therapy, named "BIRSA 101" is dedicated to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, whose 150th anniversary was observed few days back and who is remembered as a great tribal freedom fighter. Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised that the breakthrough, developed at CSIR–Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB), has demonstrated India’s capability to produce pathbreaking therapies at a fraction of global costs, potentially replacing treatments priced at Rs 20–25 crore overseas. He underlined that this innovation carries deep national significance, especially for tribal communities in central and eastern India, where the disease burden is highest. During the visit, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated a new advanced research and translational facility at CSIR-IGIB. A formal technology transfer and collaboration agreement was exchanged between CSIR-IGIB and the Serum Institute of India, enabling translation of IGIB’s engineered enFnCas9 CRISPR platform into scalable, affordable therapies for Sickle Cell Disease and other critical genetic disorders.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26944/bengaluru-tech-summit-2025-empowers-startups-entrepreneurs-and-future-builders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26944/bengaluru-tech-summit-2025-empowers-startups-entrepreneurs-and-future-builders.html Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka, inaugurated the 28th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 (BTS 2025), organised by the Department of Electronics, IT & Bt, Government of Karnataka, and Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) on November 18 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). In his inaugural address at BTS 2025, Siddaramaiah emphasised that this year’s theme, Futurise, brings 9 defining tech tracks designed to showcase tomorrow’s innovations. He reaffirmed Karnataka’s commitment to equality, inclusion, and a world-class tech ecosystem, noting the state’s leadership in IT policies since 1997, its contribution of 42% to India’s IT exports, and the growing impact of the Beyond Bengaluru initiative that empowers Tier-2 cities. He called on everyone to come together over the next three days to innovate, collaborate, and push the boundaries of human progress. D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka celebrated Bengaluru as the startup capital of India and highlighted new government initiatives to boost rural education, urging everyone to work together toward an innovative and inclusive future. Dr Manjula N, IAS, Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka highlighted Bengaluru’s legacy of technology, innovation and inclusive growth. With the move to India’s 3rd largest venue, the unveiling of Karnataka’s Space Tech Policy, and the launch of the Future Makers Conclave, she said, “BTS 2025 is all about empowering startups, entrepreneurs and future builders with meaningful, future-ready opportunities.” The inaugural plenary, “India Futurises: From Leap-frogging to Pole-vaulting,” brought together some of the biggest voices shaping India’s tech landscape, including Priyank Kharge, HMinister for IT & Bt and RDPR, Govt. of Karnataka; Kris Gopalakrishnan Co-Founder, Infosys; Chairman, Axilor Ventures and Chairperson- Vision Group on IT & Electronics- Govt. of Karnataka; Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson and Founder, Biocon Limited and Chairperson, Vision Group on Biotechnology- Govt. of Karnataka; Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner – Accel India and Chairperson- Vision Group on Startups- Govt. of Karnataka. Day 1 of BTS 2025 also witnessed a session on “Emerging Technologies Shaping the Future of Biotechnology” bringing together thought leaders and innovators to discuss how AI, data science, and cutting-edge research are redefining the boundaries of biotech. A session on “Personalized Medicine and Therapeutics” explored the evolving landscape of healthcare, where innovation meets individuality.  Further, a session on “Biotechnology Startups and the Funding Landscape” brought together investors, innovators, and industry leaders to discuss the evolving dynamics of India’s biotech sector.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26915/miltenyi-biotec-offers-indias-first-hands-on-training-programme-on-cgt-manufacturing-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26915/miltenyi-biotec-offers-indias-first-hands-on-training-programme-on-cgt-manufacturing-.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 BRIC-Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (BRIC-THSTI), in collaboration with Miltenyi Biotec and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), recently announced the launch of India’s first hands-on training programme on the Foundations of Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Manufacturing, with a special focus on CAR-T cell therapy.     This pioneering initiative is designed to bridge the gap between research and clinical application by equipping early-career scientists and clinicians with comprehensive, practical experience, spanning pre-clinical development, GMP-compliant manufacturing and clinical translation.     The workshop titled “CAR-T Cell Therapy Manufacturing Hands-on Workshop and Symposia” will take place at THSTI, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, from 12–14 November 2025.    Participants, including researchers, clinicians and industry professionals from across India will engage in an intensive three-day, experiential training, following access to Miltenyi University’s online curriculum.     This first-of-its-kind training combines an online module via Miltenyi University with immersive hands-on sessions at THSTI’s cell and gene-therapy facility. The workshop is designed to deliver end-to-end exposure to CGT manufacturing: from preclinical development, through closed-system cell processing, to rigorous quality-control and compliance practices.     Key highlights of the training include:  Hands-on CAR-T cell manufacturing using the CliniMACS Prodigy system and the MACSQuant® Analyzer for high-precision cell-analysis and QC testing. In-process control and quality-control workflows (CAR-T Express Modes) Virtual access to Miltenyi University’s curriculum for ongoing learning ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26904/govt-launches-bricbirac-entrepreneur-in-residence-eir-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26904/govt-launches-bricbirac-entrepreneur-in-residence-eir-programme.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Speaking at the inauguration of NHP-ABSL-3 Facility while delivering the inaugural address at the Second Foundation Day Celebration of "Biotechnology Research & Innovation Council" (BRIC) held at BRIC–National Institute of Immunology (NII), Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Dr Jitendra Singh observed that India is already initiated into next industrial revolution driven by biotechnology . The Minister noted that India is one of the few countries to have an exclusive dedicated Biotechnology policy BiOE3. He commended the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for emerging as one of the most dynamic and integrated scientific ecosystems in the Government of India. Additionally, Dr Jitendra Singh launched BRIC–BIRAC Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Programme. The Union Minister recalled that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the decision to merge 14 autonomous biotechnology institutions under a single umbrella—BRIC, was a transformative reform that strengthened coordination, innovation, and impact across India’s biotechnology sector. He also announced the establishment of the BRIC Bio-Enterprise Innovation Park on a 200-acre campus in Faridabad to promote innovation-led entrepreneurship. In his address, Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, DBT and DG, BRIC, highlighted the achievements of BRIC institutions over the past three years — 3,190 publications, 107 patents, 13 technologies commercialized, 2,578 PhD scholars, and 678 post-doctoral fellows currently contributing to the research network. He also noted that BRIC ranks number one in biological sciences in India, as per Nature’s Pringles Index. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26878/28th-edition-of-bengaluru-tech-summit-to-attract-20000-delegates.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26878/28th-edition-of-bengaluru-tech-summit-to-attract-20000-delegates.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 “The 28th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS 2025), a three-day event scheduled from November 18-20 at will feature 500+ speakers, 20,000+ delegates, 1,000+ exhibitors and 50,000+ business visitors from over 60 countries at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), a modern, purpose-built venue offering world-class infrastructure and eco-conscious facilities” said Dr Manjula N, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, Bt & S&T, Government of Karnataka. Highlighting the move to the BIEC, Dr Manjula noted that the upgraded venue provides the ideal setting for a larger and more ambitious event. “BIEC offers world-class facilities and excellent connectivity, enabling BTS 2025 to host global participants and deliver an expanded experience for innovators and investors alike,” she said. Dr Manjula further emphasised that the enhanced scale of the summit reflects the Government’s commitment to driving deep tech innovation and supporting entrepreneurs shaping the future of technology. The multi-pavilion exhibition will spotlight innovations across sectors with increased global participation. The Startup Springboard will feature investor pitching, mentoring clinics, thematic sessions, and the Startup Pavilion, offering growth-stage startups critical visibility and investor access. Highlight programmes include the Rural IT Quiz, BioQuiz, Exhibitor Awards, and the Global Leaders Reception. Organised by the Department of Electronics, IT & Bt, Government of Karnataka, Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS 2025) under the theme ‘Futurise’ will feature ten curated conference tracks spanning AI & Deep Tech, Defence & Space Tech, Electronics & Semiconductor, DigiHealth & Biotech, Energy & Mobility, Fintech, and Edutech.   With its expanded scope, global participation, and deep focus on innovation, Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 reaffirms Karnataka’s position as the Innovation and Deep Tech Capital of India, showcasing the State’s leadership in building technologies and startups that will shape the future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26868/biospectrum-announces-winners-of-special-recognition-awards-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26868/biospectrum-announces-winners-of-special-recognition-awards-2025.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 To appreciate the Indian companies and individuals for their commendable performances and achievements during FY 23-24 and FY 24-25, and noting that India is the new hub for potential growth and innovation, BioSpectrum India, an integrated B2B media platform for the life science industry in the country, is setting the tone for an exciting opportunity in the form of BioSpectrum India Excellence Awards 2025 this year. The event will be felicitating industry stalwarts across two major categories- Jury Awards and Special Recognition Awards. The following companies have been selected as winners for our Special Recognition segment- Top Diagnostic Leader- Roche Diagnostics India Excellence in Diagnostics- Vanguard Diagnostics Outstanding Contribution to Biotech Ecosystem- Serum Institute of India Excellence in BioServices- Vipragen Biosciences Best Vaccine Efforts of the Year- TechInvention Lifecare Excellence in Lab Consumables- Abdos Life Sciences Top Emerging Biotech Company- PharmNXT Biotech Top Emerging MedTech Company- Sebia Diagnostics India Global Expansion Excellence in MedTech- Poly Medicure Excellence in Cancer Diagnostics and Biomarker Innovation- OncoStem Diagnostics Excellence in Global Health Innovation- Foundation for Neglected Disease Research Top Digital Health Company- Plus91 Technologies Special Recognition in Cell & Gene Therapy- Miltenyi Biotec Leading Translational Biotech Organisation- HiMedia Laboratories Excellence in Industrial Microbiology- Biomerieux India Distinguished BioSupplier Partner- HiMedia Laboratories   Criteria used for the Special Recognition Awards- Major achievements Challenges faced & solved Novelty/ Uniqueness added Competitive advantage Other efficiencies   The winners for the Special Recognition Awards have been selected after reviewing the received applications after the nomination process to turn the spotlight onto companies we believe will lead the way in the near future, not only in India but globally. Through these awards, BioSpectrum India is playing the role of picking tomorrow's winners, nudging today's entrepreneurs to achieve greater glory and honouring yesterday's key players who laid the foundation for success. The winners of the Jury Awards will be announced at the event to be held in New Delhi, on 5th December, 2025 at the Indian Habitat Centre. Looking forward to an exciting networking opportunity! RSVP Now! ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26863/helex-raises-3-5-m-to-advance-targeted-gene-therapies-for-kidney-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26863/helex-raises-3-5-m-to-advance-targeted-gene-therapies-for-kidney-diseases.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Helex, a US and India based therapeutics startup developing a new class of targeted medicines for genetic kidney diseases, has announced its oversubscribed $3.5 million Seed round, led by pi Ventures. Others participating in this round include Bluehill Capital, SOSV, and a global syndicate of investors. With this round, Helex has raised over $6 million in total funding to date.  With its recent funding, the company will accelerate preclinical development of its lead programme, advance its proprietary kidney-tropic LNP delivery system and Epic-Cure™ 3D genome-based drug design platform, and expand into additional kidney indications to build a robust pipeline to deliver transformative impact for patients. Incubated at ASPIRE-BioNEST, University of Hyderabad, Helex is pioneering a paradigm shift in the treatment of chronic and rare kidney disorders by developing programmable, non-viral LNP therapeutics that deliver genetic payloads directly to kidney cells - a feat long regarded one of the greatest challenges in drug delivery. The company’s platform is powered by data-driven deep-learning modeling using its own genomics data, bioinformatics and high throughput sequencing data from gene-edited target cells, to create, verify, and deliver disease-specific gRNA. By solving for kidney-targeted delivery, Helex opens the door to a new class of targeted, curative medicines for millions of patients who currently have no effective treatment options.  The company’s lead programme targets Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), a progressive inherited disorder affecting more than 12 million people globally and nearly 5%1 of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients in India. Today, patients with ADPKD face a devastating trajectory, often culminating in dialysis or kidney transplant. Helex aims to change that with a single dose non-viral gene editing based therapy that could halt or significantly slow disease progression.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26835/dr-jitendra-singh-calls-for-leveraging-regional-strengths-to-build-robust-bioinnovation-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26835/dr-jitendra-singh-calls-for-leveraging-regional-strengths-to-build-robust-bioinnovation-ecosystem.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, called for leveraging regional strengths to build a robust Bioinnovation ecosystem with active involvement of the States. The Minister was chairing a review meeting of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), where he assessed ongoing projects and new initiatives aimed at expanding India’s bio-innovation landscape. He reviewed a range of new projects - from biofoundries and regional innovation hubs to the ongoing mapping of states based on their biotechnology potential — aimed at strengthening the country’s bioeconomy through innovation, collaboration, and local participation. The Minister emphasised the need to strengthen local biotechnology ecosystems by leveraging regional strengths and fostering greater collaboration with state governments and local stakeholders. DBT officials presented the Ministry’s recent initiatives focused on expanding bio-foundries and fostering new partnerships between research bodies and industries. These bio-foundries are expected to provide a platform for rapid design, testing, and scaling of biotechnological solutions, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and application. The Minister called upon DBT to deepen its engagement with state governments, universities, and local industries to unlock the economic potential of biotechnology at the grassroots level.  The review concluded with a call to accelerate project implementation and strengthen inter-governmental collaboration, marking a renewed push towards making India a global hub for biotechnology-driven innovation and sustainable growth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26797/kerala-unveils-bioeconomy-report-2025-sets-target-of-11-12-b-by-2030.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26797/kerala-unveils-bioeconomy-report-2025-sets-target-of-11-12-b-by-2030.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 During Bio Connect 3.0, held on 9 and 10 October in Trivandrum, the Government of Kerala released the State BioEconomy Report 2025, a comprehensive blueprint to position the state as a national leader in sustainable bio-based innovation. Prepared by the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) for Kerala Lifesciences Industries Parks (KLIP), a subsidiary of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), the report projects the state’s BioEconomy value at $ 7.53 billion (Rs 62,000 crore) and sets a target of $11-12 billion (Rs 1 lakh crore) by 2030. “Kerala’s BioEconomy brings together science, sustainability, and social welfare,” said the HChief Minister of Kerala. “By 2030, we aim to make bio-based industries a key pillar of the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), creating value through innovation, wellness, and ecological stewardship.” BioPharma (44.2%) leads with Ayurveda, nutraceuticals, medical devices, and therapeutics. BioIndustrial (35.2%) follows, driven by biofuels, marine biotechnology, and fermentation-based industries. According to Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), Kerala hosts 320 recognised startups in life sciences and allied domains across all 14 districts, led by Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Thrissur. Complementing this, ABLE Research analysis based on Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) data shows 275 new startup incorporations between 2022 and mid-2025, with BioPharma leading 2024 registrations at 47%. Together, these data sets confirm Kerala’s emergence as one of India’s most geographically inclusive biotechnology ecosystems. Kerala’s healthcare and life sciences sector has attracted over $35.8 million (Rs 301 crore) in investments between 2020 and 2025. Major deals include DentCare Dental Lab ($17.5 million) and Cyrix Healthcare ($16.5 million), with early-stage activity from startups such as Piiko Labs and Previu Health. The Kerala Medical Technology Consortium (KMTC), established in 2018, now anchors a network of 32 research institutions and 86 licensed MedTech firms, collectively generating Rs 9,000 crore ($1.05 billion) in annual output—around 20% of India’s medical device production. “The BioEconomy aligns with the Kerala Industrial Policy 2023 and the upcoming Biotechnology & Life Sciences Policy,” said P. Rajeev, Minister for Law, Industries and Coir, Government of Kerala. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26754/dbt-inks-pact-with-uttar-pradesh-to-boost-biotech-pharma-and-medtech-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26754/dbt-inks-pact-with-uttar-pradesh-to-boost-biotech-pharma-and-medtech-innovation.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 An official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The agreement, executed through DBT’s Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and the Uttar Pradesh Promote Pharma Council (UPPPC) is part of a centre–state partnership model to accelerate innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in the pharma, biotech, and medtech sectors. Currently there are around 800 Medical Device manufacturers in the country and India's annual growth of the medtech sector is 15 to 20%, said Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology. Officials said the collaboration will focus on advancing research and innovation, building a stronger ecosystem for startups, enhancing skill development and knowledge exchange, fostering closer industry linkages with SMEs and MSMEs, and catalysing greater investment in the sector. DBT Secretary and BIRAC Chairman Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale said the agreement with Uttar Pradesh would “unlock innovation pipelines and scale up affordable technologies.” Senior state government officials underlined their commitment to positioning the state as a hub for pharma, biotech, and medtech, pointing to projects such as the Biotech Park in Lucknow, the Medical Device Park in Greater Noida, and the Bulk Drug & Pharma Park in Lalitpur. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26735/bio-connect-3-0-to-take-place-on-october-910-2025-at-trivandrum.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26735/bio-connect-3-0-to-take-place-on-october-910-2025-at-trivandrum.html Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Organised by the Kerala Life Sciences Industries Park and the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation, Bio Connect 3.0, Kerala 2025 will feature thought-provoking discussions, visionary keynote sessions, and cutting-edge technology showcases. Along with BioSpectrum as the media partner, Bio Connect 3.0, Kerala 2025 invites you to a transformative two-day journey into the evolving world of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical research, and sustainable innovation. Hosted at the iconic The Leela, Kovalam on October 09th & 10th, this global platform will bring together the brightest minds and pioneering organizations shaping the future of life sciences. We look forward to witness a unique confluence of innovation, collaboration, and opportunity — offering extensive B2B & B2G networking sessions, powerful industry-academia linkages, and exhibitions that highlight the latest breakthroughs in healthcare, genetics, and biotechnology. Bio360 Life Sciences Park is Kerala’s integrated hub for biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare innovation. Spread across 200 acres at Thonnakal in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, the park offers 360-degree support to industries spanning biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare, agri-biotech, marine biotech, nutraceu ticals, and regenerative medicine, driving collaboration, entrepre neurship, and global opportunities in life sciences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26686/iowa-biotechnology-association-iowabio-inks-mou-with-association-of-biotechnology-led-enterprises-able-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26686/iowa-biotechnology-association-iowabio-inks-mou-with-association-of-biotechnology-led-enterprises-able-.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE). The MoU highlights common missions and interests in a thriving biotechnology economy, within Iowa and India, and establishes that the organisations intend to establish a formal long-term collaboration to foster the growth and success of the memberships of ABLE and IowaBio and the biotechnology industries in Iowa and India. The agreement recognises areas of common interest including: biomanufacturing, crop technologies, ag tech innovations, One Health (an approach that recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment), animal vaccine development and manufacturing, animal nutrition, biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing, human nutrition, food ingredients and food testing, biofuels feedstocks and production, strong trade and ease of legal and regulatory processes, access to venture capital, strong STEM workforce. The MoU was signed by Jessica Hyland, Executive Director of IowaBio and G.S. Krishnan, President of ABLE, with the Governor of Iowa Kim Reynolds signing as a witness to convey support from the State of Iowa. "Our focus will be turning this partnership into action with targeted initiatives in biomanufacturing, animal vaccine development, and ag-tech. We are hopeful that India’s dynamic biotech capabilities in R&D, manufacturing, and skilled workforce will enable us to quickly implement joint projects and enhance access to capital - delivering measurable outcomes for our members and industries on both sides,” said Dr S. Balasubramanya, General Manager of ABLE. "This MoU with IowaBio is a pivotal step to strengthen collaboration between India and Iowa’s biotechnology sectors. India’s robust biotech ecosystem, known for its innovation in biopharmaceuticals, agri-biotech, and bio-manufacturing, complements Iowa’s strengths perfectly. Together, we will drive innovation, boost trade, and create a global impact by leveraging our shared expertise and resources," said, G.S. Krishnan, President of ABLE. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/26597/how-do-recent-deaths-impact-gene-therapy-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/26597/how-do-recent-deaths-impact-gene-therapy-development.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Cell and gene therapy, long hailed as one of the most promising frontiers in modern medicine, has offered hope of life-changing treatments for patients with rare and serious diseases. The safety concerns began in March 2025, when Sarepta Therapeutics reported the first patient death linked to its approved Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy, Elevidys. The non-ambulatory boy developed acute liver failure after receiving the treatment. In June 2025, a second non-ambulatory patient died following Elevidys treatment, prompting Sarepta to introduce a series of safety measures, including adding a black box warning to the product label. In May 2025, Rocket Pharmaceuticals disclosed the death of a participant in a small trial of its gene therapy for Danon disease, a rare genetic condition that weakens the heart muscle and typically kills male patients in early adulthood. In July 2025, Sarepta reported a third patient death, this one occurring in a trial for an experimental gene therapy targeting limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Following these three consecutive fatalities, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked Sarepta to halt all US distribution of Elevidys, including for ambulatory patients, and put several of the company’s clinical trials on hold. These developments have sent ripples through the field of cell and gene therapy, a space more often celebrated for historic regulatory approvals.    AAV on fire  It is worth noting that both these therapies used adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for gene delivery. Once considered the most reliable vehicle in the field, AAV technology has now come under scrutiny, with mounting concerns about immune-related side effects and liver toxicity. The FDA has also revoked Sarepta’s AAV gene delivery technology’s platform-therapy designation, which had previously sped up reviews of subsequent AAV-based therapies. AAV vectors form a key part of gene therapy development. Two well-known therapies that use AAVs are Luxturna and Zolgensma. Luxturna, originally developed by Spark Therapeutics and later acquired by Roche, was approved by the FDA in 2017 to treat a rare inherited vision disorder, delivering a functional gene to affected cells. Zolgensma, developed by AveXis and now marketed by Novartis Gene Therapies, treats spinal muscular atrophy by providing a working copy of a defective gene and became the first FDA-approved gene therapy for SMA in 2019. The technology is widely used because it typically induces little to no immune response. However, recent trial data have raised red flags. Some studies have reported excessive immune reactions in liver cells, leading to serious complications. A series of high-profile deaths has been linked to AAV based therapies, thirteen between 2021 and 2024 according to the Norn Group. The technology is now under fire, prompting several firms to rethink or discontinue their approaches. In April 2025, Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced it would discontinue all internal research related to AAV gene therapies, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of the gene therapy landscape. Pfizer paused trials of its AAV-based Duchenne therapy in 2024 over liver toxicity concerns and scaled back research in this area. In 2023, Takeda announced it was moving away from early-stage R&D work in AAV-based gene therapies.   What Experts’ Say  Cell and gene therapies are already grappling with several hurdles, from manufacturing challenges and high costs to potential financial implications. Recent reports of patient deaths in clinical trials have raised questions about whether these concerns could further dampen investor sentiment. While earlier incidents shook confidence, experts stress that the field’s fundamentals remain strong and that safety-focused innovation will be key to its progress. “Certainly not,” said Dr Joyce Cheong, Doctor Wellness Pte Ltd (Singapore), when asked if these incidents could derail the field. She added, “Cell and gene therapies are often used for late-stage, no-option patients who are already physically very weak. Dosage is crucial to avoid cytotoxicity. Generally, the less artificially made the therapy, with fewer genetic modifications — the better tolerated it will be. Scientists today have introduced many cellular modifications the human body has never encountered, such as antibodies and gene edits. This is why I prefer a more holistic approach, using what the human body already has, such as gamma delta T effector cells, which are effective natural immune cells with minimal genetic modification. You are born with these immune cells.” Dr Ivan Horak, Founder and CEO of Tikva Allocell, Singapore, echoes similar sentiments by saying “We are confident that researchers, regulators, and investors understand the enormous promise of gene and cell therapies for a wide variety of patients. As the field is still relatively new, it is difficult to extrapolate from gene therapy setbacks to cell therapies. Cell therapies continue to face challenges that have slowed adoption, such as affordability and availability, and chief among these challenges is developing treatments with improved efficacy and safety.” Tikva is developing the next generation of ‘off-the-shelf’ T cell therapies using allogeneic Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV)-specific T cells (ALLO EBVST). The company believes these allogeneic virus-specific T cells (VSTs) can improve affordability, global availability, and cell persistence while reducing the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Preclinical studies show that TAVST01 can safely target tumours, enabling multiple doses or combination therapies, with Tikva prioritising accessibility. While AAV remains a gold standard for gene therapy delivery, researchers are now exploring safer alternative platforms. While these cases are unrelated to CAR T cell therapy, they have reinforced the broader need to anticipate and mitigate treatment-related risks early in development. Current CAR T cell therapy trials primarily use modified alpha beta T cells derived from the patient and reinfused back into the same patient. “Because of their mechanism of action, various treatment-related complications including neurological issues, cytokine release syndrome, cytopenia, and infections may lead to mortality not related to cancer relapse,” Dr Joyce explained. “In contrast, gamma delta T cells function differently and may significantly reduce these risks. Advancements in gamma delta T cells could enhance cancer cell therapy development and boost confidence among investors and regulators when introduced in clinical trials.” The global cell and gene therapy market is projected to grow from $ 8.94 billion in 2025 to $ 39.61 billion by 2034, according to Precedence Research. Seen as a key growth engine for the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, the field holds promise for addressing rare and life-threatening diseases with limited treatment options. How it navigates recent safety concerns will play a critical role in shaping investment, regulatory confidence, and the pace of future approvals.   Ayesha Siddiqui ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26576/indias-translational-research-initiative-inks-mou-with-uks-centre-for-process-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26576/indias-translational-research-initiative-inks-mou-with-uks-centre-for-process-innovation.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 India's Translational Research Initiative (ITRI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK’s Centre for Process Innovation (CPI). This collaboration will enhance the UK-India partnership on research, development and innovation (R&D&I) and strengthen India’s translational research ecosystem.This partnership focuses on shared learning, and knowledge exchange between ITRI, CPI, and other partners in the UK and India. The partnership will initially focus on key areas, such as:- Biomanufacturing enabled by Engineering Biology & AI- Sustainable and functional materials- Industrial decarbonisation technologies- Pandemic preparedness – including RNA vaccines & therapeuticsWith CPI’s two decades of experience in scaling deep-tech innovations and ITRI’s collaborative philanthropic effort and upcoming network of translational research centres across India, this partnership is a significant step towards fast-track lab-to-market transitions for economic, health, and environmental impact. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26568/gic-2025-witnesses-launch-of-indias-first-t2t-telomere-to-telomere-plant-genome-for-basmati-rice-and-indias-first-t2t-human-genome.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26568/gic-2025-witnesses-launch-of-indias-first-t2t-telomere-to-telomere-plant-genome-for-basmati-rice-and-indias-first-t2t-human-genome.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 India’s first T2T plant genome Indian Punjab Basmati Rice project, which was taken up in collaboration with Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN), Thiruvarur was released at the 5th Genomics India Conference, (GIC) 2025, held between August 12 and 14 in Bengaluru. Releasing the project details at the GIC 2025, organised by Genotypic Technology and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and co-organised by Dhitiomics Technologies and QTLomics Technologies on the theme “The Indian Genomics Journey” at the J.N. Tata Auditorium, IISc, Bengaluru on August 12, 2025, Dr Sudha Rao, Co-Founder, Genotypic Technology and Founder of Dhiti Omics Technology, pointed out that India's first T2T (Telomere-to-Telomere) plant genome for Basmati rice was developed in collaboration with Dr S Srivignesh, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at the School of Life Sciences, CUTN, Thiruvarur. The sequenced Indian rice line is Punjab Basmati-3 (PB-3) which holds a historical and agricultural significance as a bacterial blight-resistant dwarf version of the traditional Basmati 386 variety and is now being used for marker assisted breeding programs. Dr Sudha Rao further explained that the developed rice varieties are designed to be more resilient to climate change impacts, including drought and salinity. They also aim to improve resource efficiency, such as nitrogen use, and reduce methane emissions. This development is a major step for Indian agriculture, potentially leading to increased food production, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced farmer livelihoods. Unveiling the details about India’s First Telomere-to-Telomere Human Genome of Sample 008, Dr Sudha Rao said that the T2T genome assembly closes previous sequencing gaps and includes near-complete assemblies for all the chromosomes, capturing highly repetitive regions and structural variants unique to Indian and South Asian populations.  While tens of thousands of indian human genomes were sequenced by short reads and long reads, this is the first genome to be sequenced T2T and exclusively using Nanopore sequencing technology.  In her address, she said that the research offers a precise map for population genetics, customised medicine, and structural variation analysis in the Indian setting.   Dr Raja Mugasimangalam, CEO and founder of Genotypic Technology, added that this initiative provides fresh perspectives on the distinctive genetic makeup of the long-standing Kongu Vellala Gounder clan, an agricultural and land-owning group with centuries-old roots in the Kongu nadu area of Tamil Nadu. "This community's ethnogenesis ties them to migration and agricultural advancements in South India, with ties to the Ganges River, historic dynasties, and distinct clan structures," he added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26570/5th-edition-of-genomics-india-conference-2025-brings-together-60-experts-creating-unrivaled-hub-for-knowledge-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26570/5th-edition-of-genomics-india-conference-2025-brings-together-60-experts-creating-unrivaled-hub-for-knowledge-.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Genotypic Technology and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in association with Dhitiomics Technologies and QTLomics Technologies organised the 5th edition of Genomics India Conference (GIC) 2025 on the theme “The Indian Genomics Journey” at the J.N. Tata Auditorium, IISc, Bengaluru on August 12, 2025. In his inaugural address Prof. Samir Brahmachari, widely celebrated as the Father of Genomics in Indian academia and the Founder Director of CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), said “India’s genomics community grew from a modest beginning in the 1990s to a thriving, multidisciplinary research landscape actively contributing to global genomics knowledge. The integrative approach combined molecular biology, structural biology, informatics, and translational research, shaping genomics research policies and institutions in India and inspiring new generations of scientists.” Recalling his days at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Dr Brahmachari talked about the Open Source Drug Discovery (OSDD) project that has exemplified a translational research platform by harnessing the power of global collaboration, computational biology, and open innovation to address complex challenges in drug discovery for neglected diseases, aligning with the vision of "affordable healthcare for all.” Addressing the gathering in a video conference as a chief guest Dr. Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India; Director General, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) & Chairman, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), commended the organizers of the Genomics India Conference (GIC) 2025 and emphasized genomic tools for food security through agri-biotechnology, sustainable farming practices, and ongoing mission programs on various crops. Dr Raja Mugasimangalam, Founder & CEO – Genotypic Technology and co-convener of Genomics India 2025 in his welcome address said “Over three days, GIC 2025 brought together over 60+ expert speakers across wide-ranging domains—from Cancer, Microbiome, and Human Genome Studies to Agricultural, Veterinary, Ayurvedic, and Infectious Disease Genomics—creating an unrivaled hub for knowledge, innovation, and collaboration.  This conference also witnessed the first AI for life sciences mini symposium where in beyond genomics AI can play a role and how India can innovate using RAG models and have enterprise level AI for each institution.  Dr Sudha Rao, Co-Founder, Genotypic Technology and Founder of Dhiti Omics Technology, released the details of the India’s first T2T plant genome Indian Punjab Basmati Rice project, which was taken up in collaboration with Dr S Srivignesh, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at the School of Life Sciences, Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN), Thiruvarur. She also unveiled the details about India’s First Telomere-to-Telomere Human Genome of Sample 008 at the conference. Prof. K. V. S. Hari Director of CBR, IISc, Prof. Debnath Pal, CDS, IISc, co-convener of GIC 2025, Dr Piero Carninci - HUGO President were also present on the occasion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26571/one-day-one-genome-aims-to-publicly-release-annotated-genomes-of-microbes-to-enhance-understanding-of-their-scientific-and-industrial-potential-dr-rajesh-s-gokhale.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26571/one-day-one-genome-aims-to-publicly-release-annotated-genomes-of-microbes-to-enhance-understanding-of-their-scientific-and-industrial-potential-dr-rajesh-s-gokhale.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Introducing the 'One Day One Genome' initiative of the Government of India, Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India; Director General, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) & Chairman, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) said that this initiative from DBT and BIRAC aims to publicly release annotated genomes of microbes to enhance understanding of their scientific and industrial potential. Virtually addressing the gathering of 5th Genomics India Conference (GIC) jointly organised by Genotypic Technology and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and co-organised by Dhitiomics Technologies and QTLomics Technologies centred on the theme “The Indian Genomics Journey” at the J.N. Tata Auditorium, IISc, Bengaluru on August 12, 2025, Dr Gokhale identified genomics to play pivotal role in personalised treatment, pandemic preparedness, food security, and biodiversity conservation. He discussed the use of multiomics alongside genomics to create digital twin models, promoting precision medicine and personalized therapies. He highlighted the GenomeIndia project, which has conducted whole genome sequencing for 10,000 healthy individuals, archived at the Indian Biological Data Centre, and recognised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a significant biotechnology milestone. He elaborated on DBT’s focus on cell and gene therapy to address rare genetic diseases, oncology, and hematological disorders. The Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium’s ongoing whole genome sequencing of over 30,000 samples was also underscored as essential for tuberculosis surveillance. He informed that the BioE3 Policy, approved by Union Cabinet in August 2024, is designed to establish India as a global biomanufacturing hub by merging biotechnology with artificial intelligence. This initiative aims to convert biology into an industrial force, focusing on sustainable manufacturing, circular bioeconomy, and addressing global challenges. The framework emphasizes six areas: Carbon Capture & Utilization, Precision Biotherapeutics, Smart Proteins, Enzymes, Climate Resilient Agriculture, and innovative marine and space research. Earlier commending the organizers of the GIC 2025, Dr Gokhale highlighted that COVID acted as a catalyst for the transformation of genomic surveillance into a widely used policy-driven tool rather than merely a specialized scientific endeavor, citing past examples like the Influenza A(H1N1), MERS-CoV, Ebola, and Zika virus outbreaks where genomic surveillance played a critical role in detection and control. The gathering comprises of genomics researchers from across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, data analytics and sports medicine etc. Prof. Samir Brahmachari, Founder Director of CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Dr Raja Mugasimangalam, CEO and founder of Genotypic Technology, Dr. Sudha Rao, Co-Founder, Genotypic Technology and Founder of Dhiti Omics Technology, Prof. K. V. S. Hari Director of CBR, IISc, Prof. Debnath Pal, CDS, IISc, co-convener of GIC 2025, Dr Piero Carninci - HUGO President were present on the occasion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26544/odisha-launches-ground-breaking-marine-biotechnology-initiative-ombric-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26544/odisha-launches-ground-breaking-marine-biotechnology-initiative-ombric-.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi has launched the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor or OMBRIC. Recognising the immense potential of the 574 km long coastline packed with unexplored rich marine bioresources, the Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha, has conceptualised and initiated the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC), a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming and positioning Odisha into a global leader in marine biotechnology and Blue Economy development in future. With a budget of Rs 50 crore over five years, this initiative reflects the Government of Odisha’s unwavering belief in the power of science to shape a sustainable future. To ensure targeted and high-impact execution, six premier institutions in Odisha have been selected as hubs of OMBRIC based on their scientific expertise and regional relevance. These institutions will lead various components of OMBRIC with specific objectives aligned with their areas of expertise and need of the state: IIT Bhubaneswar – Comprehensive mapping and monitoring of Odisha’s coastal marine bioresources using satellite images, GIS, remote sensing, drone survey etc. and assessment of coastal ecosystem health and capacity building. NIT Rourkela – Cultivation of unculturable marine microorganisms and extraction of novel bioactive compounds (Enzymes, Pigments, Antibiotics etc.) with pharmaceutical and industrial applications. IISER Berhampur – Novel Gene discovery, characterisation and structural elucidation of marine bioactive compounds and upscaling of high valued marine products through chemical engineering. ILS Bhubaneswar – Establishment of a Marine Microbial Biorepository, to publish Odisha Marine Bio Resource Atlas with Genetic Footprint and to promote innovation, start-up activities in blue technology. Berhampur University – Marine biodiversity mapping and metabolite characterisation of Marine algae, seaweeds, fishes and other sea animals. Fakir Mohan University – Commercial breeding technology and scalable protocol for breeding of Indian horseshoe crabs and translational applications of extracted bioactive compounds. Crucially, OMBRIC is designed to translate research into tangible economic outcomes. Through IP generation, incubation support, and entrepreneurial mentoring, research findings will evolve into market-ready products, fostering the growth of marine biotech startups and enterprises. This “lab-to-market” pipeline ensures a sustainable ecosystem for innovation-driven marine industrialisation in Odisha. In addition to advancing research, OMBRIC places strong emphasis on community engagement and social impact. The initiative seeks to involve coastal populations through training, education, and participatory conservation, thereby fostering marine stewardship while improving local livelihoods and social equity. Further, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Department of Science and Technology, and Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Sambalpur in the presence of Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Science and Technology, Food Supply and Consumer Welfare, Odisha and Chithra Arumugam, Principal Secretary, Science & Technology Department. The MoU was signed by Puja Mishra, Addl. Secretary Cum Director Biotechnology and Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM-Sambalpur.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/96/26540/vector-biomed-brings-affordable-car-t-therapy-to-rural-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/96/26540/vector-biomed-brings-affordable-car-t-therapy-to-rural-india.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In an exclusive conversation with BioSpectrum India, Ankit Kankar speaks with Dr. Indraneel Ghosh, Country Manager of Vector BioMed India. Dr. Ghosh shares the vision behind selecting Kailash Cancer Hospital, a nonprofit rural healthcare institution, as the first Indian site for CAR-T deployment. He explains how Vector BioMed’s LENTIVERSE™ platform is enabling decentralised and cost-effective manufacturing of advanced therapies, reflects on the philosophy of “democratising cell and gene therapy” championed by founder Dr. Boro Dropulic, and outlines the broader roadmap for expanding access across India’s underserved regions. What were the key considerations in choosing Kailash Cancer Hospital, a rural nonprofit setup, as the first Indian site for CAR-T deployment via Vector BioMed’s platform? Vector BioMed is a public benefit corporation redefining lentiviral vector manufacturing for accessible, affordable gene therapies. Spun out of the nonprofit Caring Cross, the company supports biotech startups, research institutions, and global health systems with customizable and off-the-shelf vector solutions that simplify development and bridge innovation to cure. The philosophy of Vector BioMed as promulgated by the founder Dr. Boro Dropulic is “democratization of cell and gene therapy”. Muni Seva Ashram is a very spiritual and peaceful place for peace of mind and health. Muni Seva Ashram was established by Anuben Thakkar in 1980, without any prior mission but only sought to serve the needy and deprived people. At present the main vision of ashram is “To serve, strengthen and sustain the wellbeing of the less fortunate without any discrimination and build organizational resilience through agriculture, health, education, welfare program and alternative energy by deploying most appropriate technologies in total harmony with nature, culture and human values”. The principle that ‘No service is provided for free, but no one is denied service for the lack of funds’ is sincerely followed. Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Center, under the aegis of Muni Seva Ashram follows the principles of serving without discrimination, aiding without bias, healing without profit, welfare without limitations. These values resonated with Vector BioMed located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Our senior team members each have decades of experience in Lentiviral vector (LV) and CAR-T cell manufacturing. clinical trial at UPenn; Our current senior team developed the first LV vector used in the production of Kymriah® - first FDA approved CAR-T cell product. Experience with GMP Lentiviral vector production and pre-clinical Lentiviral vector batches bolstered the resolution that cell and gene therapy can be made amenable to everyone including economically disadvantaged groups of patients in LMIC countries. Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Center caters to those patients afflicted with various types of cancers and are financially not strong enough to afford treatments like radio therapy, chemotherapy and other modalities. Given the noble mission, Boro Dropulic saw the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of thousands of less fortunate patients. This initial interaction was sheer providence which included my daughter Dhruti and Mr. Deepak Gadhia who played a serendipitous role in initiating the initial interaction. How does the LENTIVERSE™ platform uniquely enable decentralised, low-cost CAR-T manufacturing and administration, especially in low-resource settings like rural India? Vector BioMed specializes in providing solutions that empower partners to advance their lentiviral vector-based treatments into clinical trials, thereby expediting their journey to commercialization. In January 2023, Vector BioMed innovated a technological platform for designing and producing lentiviruses utilized in cell and gene therapy LENTIVERSE™ system, is designed for flexibility, affordability, and scalability, especially for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Current production systems in India are either manual in bags or using automated systems which are dedicated to one patient cell processing, resulting in an average of treating two patients per month. Dedicated systems also have consumables specific to that system which adds to the cost of production. LENTIVERSE™ is a production platform agnostic of expensive consumables or unproductive instrument engagement. In a country where thousands of patients wait for life saving therapeutic cell and gene therapy products, increased processivity with the assurance of no or minimum batch failure due to process generated contamination is of prime importance. LENTIVERSE™ provides the needed processivity of one patient per day with the assurance of safety of the therapeutic product. In our decentralized model established at Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Center Will be able to produce maximum number of therapeutic doses for hematological cancer patients at a significantly less price already available. During CAR-T cell production the outcome of the final therapeutic product depends on the starting cellular material, cellular engineering strategy and ex vivo cell expansion methods. The ensemble of various components of LENTIVERSE™ when implemented results in local on-site production of CAR-T cells at a much lesser cost due to proprietary production techniques and specifically designed components for an accelerated growth without compromising the T cell lineages. The local procurement of process components along with availability of skilled personnel who would produce the actual therapeutic product at much lesser cost as compared to the U.S. allows a faster and way less expensive production cost of CAR-T cells in India using the LENTIVERSE™ system. Can you elaborate on the regulatory, technical, or infrastructural challenges faced during the evaluation phase—and how they were addressed? I would use the term novel approaches instead of the word challenge. The esteemed doctors of Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Center have state of the art facilities like Asias largest day chemotherapy unit, a full-fledged cyclotron, Asias largest solar power parabolic mirror and many more such achievements. The hospital has its own blood bank, pathology lab, 10 operation theaters and pharmacy department, services like Diagnostic imaging, Radiology, CT scan, X-ray departments, Bone marrow transplant unit and Neutropenia care area. Drs. Yogesh Mistry, Shailesh Lavana, Arpit Patel, Bhavna Chaudhury are the core CAR-T team under the guidance of the director Dr. Vikram Patel. They have a deep understanding of the therapy and the steps required leading to successful conducting of clinical trials. Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Center is an USFDA approved clinical trial center. The hospital maintains highest standards in every aspect and by no means any less than the so called urban “corporate hospitals”. Late President Dr. Abdul Kalam visited Muni Seva Ashram in 2011 to witness a living example of his life-passion, “Providing Urban amenities in Rural Areas – PURA”. Given this background it is needless to say that if a cyclotron can be installed and operated a CAR-T facility is relatively much easier proposition to install and operate. Our channel partner Hygine Airtech who has done an excellent job in establishing the GMP facility did the bulk of the work, installation of equipment was supervised by the highly qualified core team of doctors. Their understanding of our process was seamless, and the word challenge was never encountered in the whole process. What models of affordability are being considered to ensure long-term sustainability of CAR-T therapy delivery at KCHRC, especially beyond initial philanthropic support? When brilliant minds, across the ocean, of Muni Seva Ashram and Vector BioMed came together an idea nucleated with the sole aim to benefit humanity irrespective of economic capability, religion, race, caste or sex. The model that was decided upon is not dependent on philanthropic aid. Indeed, philanthropic aid and CSR funding played a pivotal part in initiating the project, however long-term sustenance was also considered in parallel as part of the feasibility studies even before initiating the project. In India medical treatment is mostly covered by private insurance and they do not cover CAR-T cell therapy. The government insurance policy introduced by the Modi government covers 10 lakh and is not restricted to certain therapeutic modalities only. Dr. Boro Dropulic decided on offering Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Center the best possible pricing to enable the cancer afflicted patients to avail this cutting-edge therapy. Dr. Vikram Patel on his side decided to charge only the bare minimum operational cost to the patients. This resulted in pricing which in the major part can be covered by the government Ayushman Bharat policy. For the remaining amount, which is not very large, Muni Seva Ashram is in talks with various insurance companies. What potential do you see for this collaboration to serve as a template for future CAR-T access points across tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India? India exhibits wide regional diversity in the incidence, prevalence, and pattern of cancer presentation and care. Nearly 70% of patients suffering from cancer are from rural areas. However almost 95% of the cancer care services are concentrated in the urban areas. The significant disparity between the demand and supply of cancer care in India can be bridged by following the snowflake model (https://doi.org/10.1200/GO-24-00453).The establishment of CAR-T cell therapy at Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Center is a case study in itself which goes to show that Dr. Boro Dropulic’s dream of democratizing cell and gene therapy is not utopian. During the initiation, progress and completion of the CAR-T cell project at Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Center, we gathered valuable understanding of the bare minimum requirements of establishing a CAR-T cell therapy project in India which will not treat only affluent patients. Typically, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities have less resources to establish a full-fledged CAR-T center. Showcasing Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Center efforts in establishing and treating patients with cutting edge cell and gene therapy utilizing a very economically affordable budget within a reasonable time frame will generate interest of many philanthropic organizations to invest in establishing therapy centers in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities. We have been approached by many people’s representatives to establish centers in their constituencies which mainly comprise of Tier-1 and 2 cities so that people of that constituency do not have to travel long distances for life saving therapies. How is Vector BioMed planning to work with Indian regulators, policymakers, and academic partners to create an ecosystem for ethical, scalable, and indigenous advanced therapies? India is the 5th largest global economy, and the fastest growing amongst the G20. India’s bioeconomy touched $150 billion this fiscal and we look forward to having $300 billion by 2030, Union Minister Jitendra Singh shared these projections while inaugurating the 3rd edition of Global Bio-India, mega international congregation on biotechnology in New Delhi December 2023. A little more than 1 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed every year in India (~ 8% of the world’s cancer patients are in India). Despite a lower incidence of cancer, India suffers a higher mortality rate and without access to advanced interventions, this number is estimated to rise to over 1.3 million by 2040. In India 10,000 to 25000 new cases of CD19 malignancies (NHL, B-ALL, DLBCL, FL etc) are seen per year out of which 20-45% relapse (2nd I-OSI Annual Conference 2020). Two pharmaceutical company have obtained commercial license for making CAR-T cells commercially available in India. There is a huge unmet need for treating hematological malignancies and autoimmune disorders. There is no market presence in India of dual and triple CAR-T to treat hematological malignancies and autoimmune disorders. nascent field of treating solid tumors with CAR-T cell therapy.  Indian regulators, policymakers, and academic partners are aware of the potential of CAR-T cell therapy and there is no need for creating the ecosystem. Scientists and policy makers from key offices of ICMR, DCGI and CDSCO are familiar with the rule book of approval and commercialization of CAR-T cell therapies. Vector BioMed intends to work closely with them from a very early stage of the program in question. This will generate regulatory authorities’ confidence in our product when we apply for permission to conduct clinical trials.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26507/kits-to-set-up-biomanufacturing-hub-through-collaborative-efforts-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26507/kits-to-set-up-biomanufacturing-hub-through-collaborative-efforts-in-bengaluru.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) (Formerly Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services), is going to develop a State-level Biomanufacturing Hub through collaborative efforts in the coming period in Bengaluru. In this regard, KITS is actively engaging with industry partners such as Anthem Biosciences and Laurus Bio. Responding to the industry’s need and industry stakeholders who emphasised the need to establish Karnataka as a leading destination for biomanufacturing by developing a dedicated Biomanufacturing Hub in the state, the state government is actively working on setting up a Biomanufacturing Hub. This was disclosed at ‘Conversation with the Chief Minister of Karnataka - the Action Taken Report’ released on 11 August 2025. It may be noted that the biotechnology industry from the state has urged the Government to take proactive steps to support the creation of such infrastructure through national programmes and state-industry collaboration during the ‘Conversation with Chief Minister’ - CEO Breakfast Meet’ held last August. Meanwhile the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), an initiative supported by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India with the support of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India (BIRAC-DBT) is establishing a Biomanufacturing Hub (Bio foundry) in Bengaluru. The hub enables precommercial scale biomanufacturing of viable commercial bio-based products. It leverages engineering microbial, plant, animal and human cells with increasing precision and control to produce commercially important products. In addition to enabling India’s emissions reduction goals, Biomanufacturing will also have a transformative impact across diverse sectors of health, agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, materials, biofuels, etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26502/indias-first-of-its-kind-animal-stem-cell-biobank-and-laboratory-open-at-niab-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26502/indias-first-of-its-kind-animal-stem-cell-biobank-and-laboratory-open-at-niab-hyderabad.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first-of-its-kind State-of-the-Art Animal Stem Cell Biobank and Animal Stem Cell Laboratory at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad. The Minister also laid the foundation stone of a new hostel block and Type-IV quarters at NIAB, approved by the Department of Biotechnology at a total cost of Rs 19.98 crore. The infrastructure will cater to the needs of research scholars, faculty, and staff, fostering a vibrant academic and innovation ecosystem. The cutting-edge facility of Animal BioBank, spread over 9,300 sq ft and constructed at a cost of Rs 1.85 crore, will focus on regenerative medicine and cellular therapies for livestock. Equipped with a stem cell culture unit, 3D bioprinter, bacterial culture lab, cryostorage, autoclave rooms, advanced air handling systems, and uninterrupted power backup, the laboratory will advance research in disease modelling, tissue engineering, and reproductive biotechnology. With support from the National Biopharma Mission (NBM) of DBT–BIRAC, the facility will be expanded to enable biobanking of animal stem cells and their derivatives. Dr Jitendra Singh has also launched five innovative veterinary diagnostic tools designed to revolutionise animal health management and support the ‘One Health’ approach: Rapid Detection of Brucellosis – A field-deployable, DIVA-capable diagnostic kit for early and accurate detection of Brucella species. Mastitis Detection Technology – A cost-effective on-site diagnostic assay for subclinical and clinical mastitis in dairy cattle. Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing Device – A portable tool providing results within two hours to promote responsible antibiotic use. Toxoplasmosis Detection Kit – A sensitive and specific test for Toxoplasma gondii infection in animals. Japanese Encephalitis Detection Kit – An indigenously developed rapid strip for large-scale surveillance in animals and humans. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26476/alveolus-bio-secures-strategic-investment-from-shilpa-medicare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26476/alveolus-bio-secures-strategic-investment-from-shilpa-medicare-.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Alveolus Bio, a US-based respiratory drug development biotech company founded by Dr. Vivek Lal from University of Alabama at Birmingham, has announced a strategic financing round led by Raichur-based Shilpa Medicare Limited, a prominent global pharmaceutical company with extensive expertise in respiratory therapeutics manufacturing and biotechnology innovation. Through this collaboration, Shilpa Biologics, the biologics arm of Shilpa Medicare, will become Alveolus Bio's exclusive global development and manufacturing partner. This partnership propels Alveolus Bio's live biotherapeutics and small molecule platform towards Phase 2 and first-in-human clinical trials, with a lead asset for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) progressing rapidly. Shilpa Medicare brings deep experience in drug discovery, development, and manufacturing, along with strong regulatory capabilities. Their investment and strategic involvement will accelerate the clinical advancement of Alveolus Bio's resMIT (respiratory microbiota-based inhaled therapeutics) platform. This novel platform enables targeted delivery of inhaled therapies to deep lung regions, addressing unmet needs in diseases such as COPD, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), and Pulmonary Fibrosis. "Alveolus Bio's breakthrough science is poised to transform respiratory care. Through this strategic partnership with Shilpa, we combine disruptive biotech innovation with world-class commercialization, bringing life-changing therapies faster to the market," said Dr C. Vivek Lal, Founder and CSO, Alveolus Bio. "Shilpa has always focused on enabling breakthrough biologics," said Vishnukant Bhutada, Managing Director, Shilpa Medicare. "This partnership strengthens our innovation pipeline and reinforces our role as a trusted global partner for biotech development." The financing round remains open to other strategic investors who share Alveolus Bio's vision of transforming respiratory medicine. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/26438/accelerated-reliance-on-digital-animal-replacement-tech-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/26438/accelerated-reliance-on-digital-animal-replacement-tech-.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 On April 29, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US announced the adoption of a new initiative to expand innovative, human-based science while reducing animal use in research. In particular, the NIH intends to establish the Office of Research Innovation, Validation, and Application (ORIVA) to develop, validate, and scale the use of non-animal approaches across the agency’s biomedical research portfolio and serve as a hub for interagency coordination and regulatory translation for public health protection. Developing and using cutting-edge non-animal research models very well aligns with the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent initiative to reduce testing in animals. Simultaneously, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has released a revised draft paper that outlines non-animal replacement tests manufacturers can use to eliminate the use of animals in pharmaceutical testing. Further, the European Commission has confirmed plans to finalise its ‘Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics’ roadmap by early 2026, setting the stage for a gradual transition toward non-animal testing in chemical safety assessments. Where does India stand in this scenario? Although an amendment to the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules (2023), passed by the Government of India in 2023, aimed to replace the use of animals in research, especially in drug testing, not much progress has been made so far. Indian regulatory bodies are still working out ways to strengthen the use of non-animal testing methods in laboratories across the country, as they are aware that completely eliminating animal models may not be a feasible process. “There are continuous challenges in drug development due to species specific limitations, inadequate mechanistic prediction of human adverse effects by animal models. The concerning high clinical attrition in Phase II & III brings to the demand of developing more human relevant New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) aiming to replace, reduce and refine (3Rs) the animals in research. With continued support from national programmes like Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and global collaborations, India stands poised to emerge as a leader in NAM-driven innovation, advancing the 3R agenda and reshaping the future of drug discovery and toxicology testing”, said Dr Amit Khanna, Lead Scientist – Integrated Drug Discovery and Development, Yashraj Biotechnology.   New technologies and challenges The global non-animal alternatives market inclusive of organoids, spheroids, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, computer simulation, Digital Animal Replacement Technology, cell culture, is expected to reach $4.08 billion by 2029 at a compound annual growth rate of 12 per cent. As a result, we see a rise in new initiatives by a number of companies across the world including India. Recently, Hyderabad-based biotech startup Transcell Biologics announced a strategic investment from award-winning AI-first engineers, Quantiphi Inc, based in Boston. This investment aims to support expanding the client base and implementation of Digital Animal Replacement Technology (DART) as an Enterprise Solution for the global bio and pharmaceutical industry. DART embodies an innovative leap forward in animal-free testing methods, fusing human MicroPhysiological Systems (hMPS) technology with AI/ML embedded in silico platform configurations to streamline and automate the bioassay processes producing statistically compliant reports.  According to Dr Subhadra Dravida, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Transcell Biologics, “The implementation of DART has gained significant traction in the Indian market, with leading biopharmaceutical companies already adopting this Enterprise Solution in their high-impact programmes. DART represents a significant breakthrough in revolutionising drug and vaccine testing.” Focusing on another non-animal testing alternative, Visakhapatnam-based startup Oncoseek Bio, innovating organoid and spheroid-based in vitro models to expedite the drug discovery process, has organised international conference last year on 3Rs with global researchers from academia and industry communicating the research trends in non-animal alternatives. Further, researchers of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh have come up with a prototype for establishment and characterisation of novel self-organising neurovascular organoids/ embryoids (NVOEs) entirely from autologous blood without any genetic manoeuvring or morphogen supplementation. These organoids that can help to reduce and replace animal testing in research, are being developed to understand the genetic basis of neurosensory hearing loss and auditory comprehension challenges. “Emerging human-relevant models such as the organoids, organ-on-chips, 3D bioprinted tissues, and spheroids show promise by capturing snapshots of human physiology including personalised genetic variations. Often, they leverage patient-derived cells to offer an accurate understanding of diseases and drug responses. While there is a global effort to advance these technologies for translational research, in India, a major challenge is the scarcity of highly skilled professionals. There is a dire need for indigenous skill development programmes to train next-generation scientists, leaders, and entrepreneurs in human-relevant technologies”, said Tejaswini Dhurde, Senior Science Communicator, Centre for Predictive Human Model Systems, Atal Incubation Centre-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (AIC-CCMB). To further understand the challenges associated with the utilisation of non-animal testing alternatives, the Nanomedicine Research Group at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai organised a 3D cell culture workshop and conference in 2024. The four-day workshop covered emerging technologies such as organs-on-chip, and 3D bioprinting mimicking organ function. A similar workshop was held in March 2025 at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Ahmedabad. “Interaction with participants enabled us to understand the growing interest of the country’s pharmaceutical sector and contract research organisations (CROs) to explore suitable non-animal models. Participants’ interest in organ-on-chip, other 3D culture methods, and also their demand for continued skill development opportunities and networking platforms where Indian and international academicians, industries and regulators could regularly interact, is in line with the government’s recent interest in this field", said Prajakta Dandekar, Assistant Professor, ICT Mumbai. Few other startups like Next Big Innovation Labs and Avay Biosciences are offering hands-on and foundational courses on 3D bioprinting. Leveraging the potential of this new technology as a non-animal testing alternative, researchers at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), in Thiruvananthapuram, have built India’s first patented indigenous bioink designed for advanced 3D bioprinting technology. “From cellular based research to developing 3D printed tissues and disease models for regenerative medicine and drug testing, 3D bioprinting has emerged as a remarkable tool for a wide range of applications in the healthcare industry. Despite exponential growth, the industry players need to address challenges associated with it such as scalability, vascularisation, post printing edits etc.”, said Satyajit Shinde, Consultant, Roots Analysis. All this may sound substantial, but we are merely scratching the surface. There is indeed a need to increase innovative training programmes to enable transdisciplinary research in human-relevant technologies, to reduce the dependence on animal testing within the life sciences sector. Human-relevant science in the country can emerge as the next superpower accelerating healthcare for all.   Vrushti Kothari (vrushti.kothari@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26415/bengaluru-to-host-bts-2025-at-biec-on-nov-18-20-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26415/bengaluru-to-host-bts-2025-at-biec-on-nov-18-20-2025.html Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru, the IT and Biotech capital of India will host the 28th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2025 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) for 3-days from November 18 on the theme ‘Futurise’. Organised by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, the BTS 2025 is expected to bring together over 1,00,000 attendees, including 20,000+ startup founders, 1,000+ investors, 15,000+ delegates, 600+ speakers, and 1,200+ exhibitors. The event will host over 100 knowledge sessions, 5,000+ curated meetings and welcome participation from 60+ countries and all 36 States and Union Territories of India. The BTS 2025 conference will feature 10 tracks including IT & DeepTech, Electro-Semicon, Digital Health &Biotech, the Startup Ecosystem, Global Collaboration and India- USA Tech Conclave, along with bold new tracks namely AI Universe, Finverse, Defence &Spacetech and My Planet My Future, which focuses on sustainability and climate tech. A major highlight of BTS 2025 will be the Future Makers Conclave, an immersive programme showcasing a diverse constellation of changemakers, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, adventurers, artists and pioneers to be attended by more than 2000 startup founders. The multi-pavilion Exhibition will spotlight breakthrough innovations across sectors, with a significant scale-up in international participation and industry presence. Speaking to the media about BTS 2025 Dr Ekroop Caur, Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, IT & BT, and S&T, Government of Karnataka expressed, “BTS 2025 has grown into one of Asia’s leading platforms for innovation and global technology exchange. The event will feature a special focus on startups through the Startup Springboard, a curated programme that connects high-potential ventures with investors, mentors, and global networks. Activities will include Investor Pitching sessions led by top VC networks, one-on-one Mentoring clinics with industry experts, a dedicated Startup Pavilion in the exhibition and exclusive investor connect opportunities.” She further said that startups will also benefit from focused thematic sessions on scaling, fundraising, and international market access, alongside recognition through the prestigious Startup Awards.Special programmes like the Rural IT Quiz, Bio Quiz, Bio Posters, IT, Bio and Exhibitor awards, and Global Leaders Reception will further enrich the experience. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26401/miltenyi-biotec-and-thsti-to-launch-indias-first-car-t-cell-and-gene-therapy-training-curriculum.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26401/miltenyi-biotec-and-thsti-to-launch-indias-first-car-t-cell-and-gene-therapy-training-curriculum.html Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Miltenyi Biotec, a global leader in cell and gene therapy (CGT) technologies, has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, to establish India’s first hands-on training programme in clinical cell manufacturing. This groundbreaking collaboration, initiated by Miltenyi Biotec and certified under the aegis of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), aims to bridge India’s talent and translational gap in this rapidly growing field by equipping professionals with practical expertise in the manufacturing of advanced therapies. The training programme will be hosted at THSTI’s GMP facility, with Miltenyi Biotec deploying its cutting-edge automated platforms, including the CliniMACS Prodigy® and MACSQuant® Analyzer.  Participants will receive joint certification and benefit from an immersive, industry-aligned curriculum combining theory with hands-on training in CAR-T cell manufacturing, quality control, and analytics. By focusing on practical skill development, the programme aims to: Build a pipeline of certified CGT professionals Enhance the quality and scalability of advanced therapy manufacturing in India Support local innovation and access to cutting-edge treatments Foster industry-academia partnerships to drive translational research   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26393/genomics-india-conference-2025-to-open-in-bengaluru-on-aug-12.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26393/genomics-india-conference-2025-to-open-in-bengaluru-on-aug-12.html Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Genomics India Conference 2025 returns for its 5th edition as India’s premier genomics event, bringing together top scientists, policymakers, industry leaders and stakeholders. Jointly organised by Genotypic Technology, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and co-organised by Dhitiomics Technologies, QTLomics Technology & IBioM, the event will explore cutting edge advancements shaping the future of genomic sciences. GIC2025 provides a vital platform for Indian MSMEs and startups to showcase their contributions to this rapidly evolving field. With the theme- 'Indian Genomics Journey', Genomics India Conference (GIC) 2025, to be held from August 12 to 14, at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, will bring together leading genome research groups, institutions, and industry pioneers actively engaged in large and small-scale genome projects across India. This premier event will spotlight Indian Genome Initiatives and the GenomeIndia Project (DBT-supported), featuring exclusive insights into its database and applications. GIC 2025 is the ultimate platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange and cutting-edge discoveries in genomic sciences. Attendees can look forward to key discussions on groundbreaking research and innovations shaping the future of genomics, with sessions covering diverse domains such as Human Genome Studies, Cancer Genomics, Viral Genomes, AI in GEnomics, Infectious Diseases, NGS, to name a few. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26380/thsti-hosts-second-edition-of-synchn-for-accelerating-indias-healthcare-innovations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26380/thsti-hosts-second-edition-of-synchn-for-accelerating-indias-healthcare-innovations.html Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Faridabad-based Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) successfully hosted the second edition of its annual industry business meet, SYNCHN 2025, at its campus on 14 July. The event convened a distinguished gathering of industry representatives, funders, and policymakers from diverse domains, all united by a shared vision for accelerating India's leadership in health innovation. SYNCHN 2025 served as a critical platform for fostering collaborative ecosystems, emphasising the urgent need for multidisciplinary, large-scale projects. Prof Ganesan Karthikeyan, Executive Director, THSTI, set the tone for SYNCHN 2025, focusing on actionable partnerships and strategic growth. He highlighted the need to focus on large projects that are multidisciplinary and said that collaborative ecosystems spanning academic institutions and industry areimportant and that THSTI is working towards providing this ecosystem. A key segment, "Insights into Translational Science" session, showcased ongoing industry collaborations with THSTI. Dr Prabuddha Kundu of Premas Biotech expressed commitment to India's vaccine leadership. Dr Sivakumar Natarajan of Miltenyi Biotec discussed bridging the talent gap in Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) through specialised training. Dr Khalid of Panacea Biotec highlighted multi-level collaboration on vaccine candidates for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. Dr Varun Sureja of Sundyota Numandis Pharmaceuticals noted impactful collaborations, including rapid technology transfer from THSTI and indigenous microbiome commercialization. The "Expanding Capacities" session focused on THSTI's Medical Research Centre (MRC), the upcoming Translational Research Facility (TRF), designed to streamline medical product development from bench to biomanufacturing, state of the art facilities of the cluster and the proposed Biopark at the NCR Biotech Science Cluster. The session concluded with a call to co-create a model where India not only develops for India but also innovates for the world. The event also featured a dynamic panel on "Challenges and Opportunities in Industry–Academia Collaboration," where industry leaders exchanged insights with a specific focus on product commercialisation, pricing, and institutional R&D. During his special address, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Director General, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), noted India's role as a global hub for affordable vaccines and generics. He urged industry to fund innovations for 'Viksit Bharat', emphasising the need to develop sustainable solutions, unlock best-practice policies, and untangle agro-industrial complexities for positive and inclusive economic outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26366/devshealth-and-fndr-unveil-first-fully-ai-designed-antiviral-compound-targeting-dengue.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26366/devshealth-and-fndr-unveil-first-fully-ai-designed-antiviral-compound-targeting-dengue.html Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 DevsHealth, a European company specialised in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery, and the Foundation for Neglected Disease Research (FNDR), based in Bengaluru, have announced the identification of DHFLV_003B, the first antiviral compound against dengue designed entirely through AI with the DevsHealth’s proprietary computational platform. Unlike traditional processes, DHFLV_003B was designed from scratch in silico using DevsHealth OS, an advanced AI platform that generates, simulates and selects potential therapeutic molecules. This computational approach has reduced research timelines from years to months, enhancing both precision and resource efficiency. DHFLV_003B is now undergoing optimisation and advanced preclinical validation. Next steps include animal model efficacy studies and preparation for future clinical trials. DevsHealth and FNDR aim to translate this innovation into patient impact swiftly, setting a new standard in global antiviral development. DevsHealth and FNDR have initiated an optimisation programme aimed at enhancing DHFLV_003B’s antiviral potency and expanding its spectrum to other flaviviruses such as Zika and West Nile virus. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/96/26344/scaling-car-t-for-india-how-scalereadys-g-rex-grant-is-empowering-immuneel-therapeutic-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/96/26344/scaling-car-t-for-india-how-scalereadys-g-rex-grant-is-empowering-immuneel-therapeutic-.html Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Earlier this year, Immuneel Therapeutics achieved a significant milestone by becoming one of the first Indian companies to receive regulatory approval for the commercial sale of a CAR-T therapy. However, as patient demand surged, Immuneel faced the challenge of scaling its all-in-one manufacturing platform—known for its clinical reliability but limited in cost-effective expansion. Recognising this bottleneck, ScaleReady stepped in with its G-Rex® Grant, selecting Immuneel as a strategic partner in India. Josh Ludwig, Global Director of Commercial Operations at ScaleReady, speaks with BioSpectrum India about how this collaboration marks a turning point in industrial-scale cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing in emerging markets. He delves into how the G-Rex® platform optimises production efficiency, enhances facility throughput, and lays the groundwork for more affordable access to advanced therapies across India and beyond.   What made Immuneel Therapeutics the right fit for this G-Rex® Grant, and how does it reflect ScaleReady's vision for cell and gene therapy in emerging markets like India? Immuneel has received approval from India’s regulatory bodies for commercial production and sale of a CAR-T product earlier this year. The all-in-one-manufacturing platform Immuneel has used to date, to generate the clinical data and manufacture the commercially-approved CAR-T product, is a well-known and widely disseminated all-in-one platform. However, that all-in-one-manufacturing platform is not able to scale out in a cost effective manner, and therefore Immuneel is unable to meet the patient demand for its CAR-T drug. Immuneel recognized that a change of manufacturing platform is needed to enable scaled manufacture, and that the G-Rex platform would enable it to achieve the cost-effective scale out needed meet the demand for its CAR-T drug. Hence, Immuneel Therapeutics was an ideal candidate and ultimately recipient, for a G-Rex grant. How does the G-Rex platform uniquely support industrial-scale CAR-T manufacturing, especially in cost-sensitive geographies like India? All-in-one manufacturing system have the common disadvantage of leaving portions of the system idle for long periods of time. Ultimately that limits throughput, increases cost, including a huge amount of wasted facility space. Prodigy provides a good example of all-in-one manufacturing system deficiencies. As but one example, Prodigy integrates cell separation technology that typically separates T-cells from other cells. The process takes about 2 hours. Thereafter, the T cells are moved into a chamber in the all-in-one-system where cells are typically expanded in quantity for 7 days. Meanwhile, the cell separation technology is completely idle, doing nothing but taking up space during the 7 day expansion period. In a G-Rex centric manufacturing process, no equipment remains idle. While in an all-in-one manufacturing system, the cell separation equipment sits unused while cells are in the expansion phase, a G-Rex process is able to perform T cell isolation for one patient after another, each patient taking 2 hours. With regards to patient throughput, I have included comparisons of each stage here:   During each 8-hour shift of a G-Rex process, cells can be isolated from the apheresis of 4 patients per shift using a G-Rex approach. With one 8-hour shift per day, in 7 days a G-Rex process can initiation drug product manufacturing for 28 patients compared to only 1 patient for Prodigy.   With two 8-hour shift per day, in 7 days a G-Rex process can initiation drug product manufacturing for 56 patients compared to only 1 patient for Prodigy.   With three 8-hour shift per day, in 7 days a G-Rex process can initiation drug product manufacturing for 84 patients compared to only 1 patient for Prodigy. The advantages of G-Rex go far beyond just starting more patient manufacturing process per day in a G-Rex process versus the all-in-one-systems – it also enables a more efficient use of space. During the cell expansion stage, G-Rex can process 48 patients in the amount of space occupied by just one all-in-one manufacturing system. With a projected demand of 200 doses per day, what production and delivery efficiencies does this collaboration aim to unlock in the short and long term? We anticipate the ultimate benefit of the collaboration with be two-fold. First, the cost of CAR-T drug product manufacturing inclusive of labor, burden and material will be merely $18,000 plus the cost of the genetic engineering construct. Second, due to the much higher patient throughput per sq. ft. of facility in comparison to all-in-one-systems, the size of the manufacturing facility will be much smaller than is possible with all-in-one-systems, thereby significantly reducing up-front capital expenditures. What role do you foresee for public-private partnerships in supporting the scalability and affordability of CAR-T in India? Our knowledge in that area is evolving. We are consistently seeing that the governments of low to middle income countries are deeply interested in bringing CAR-T to their citizens, and therefore expect that governments will be eager to reduce the barriers to achieving that objective. Could you share examples from other regions or partners where the G-Rex grant has enabled successful translation of cell therapies from lab to clinic? Through the G-Rex Grant Program, we are collaborating with entities in most parts of the world, including in Asia (India, China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Nepal, etc.), Latin America (Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, etc.), the Middle East (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, UAE, etc.), Oceania (Australia and New Zealand), and much of Western and Eastern Europe.  In fact, about half of our ~300 G-Rex Grants are to entities outside the United States seeking to transition to G-Rex from their current platform.  To us, this represents evidence that those emerging markets value the simplicity, cost- and space-efficiency, and flexibility that the G-Rex approach offers. Are their future plans to expand? Yes - through CellReady, the world’s only G-Rex centric manufacturing facility, we intend to adopt the lean manufacturing efficiencies that were established by entities such as McDonalds to transcend existing CGT manufacturing limitations. That will allow expansion of McDonalds style CGT manufacturing centers globally and result in worldwide dissemination of the world’s most affordable CGT drug products. (ankit.kankar@mmactiv.com ) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26350/c-camp-with-support-from-icars-launches-one-health-amr-challenge-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26350/c-camp-with-support-from-icars-launches-one-health-amr-challenge-2025.html Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), with support from the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), has launched the C-CAMP One Health AMR Challenge 2025 to identify, support, and scale breakthrough technologies tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) across human, animal, and environmental health. The initiative will support ready-to-deploy AMR solutions over the next two years in alignment with India’s National Action Plan 2.0 (NAP 2.0) on AMR. Anchored under the India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH) at C-CAMP, this call seeks novel technologies, and technological innovations in detection, diagnostics, and prevention of AMR. Selected innovations will receive financial support ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 (Rs 40 lakh to Rs 2 crore) based on technology readiness. Comprehensive technical assistance including regulatory, legal, IP, manufacturing, and market readiness support. Mentorship and implementation guidance to accelerate translation of these AMR-focused innovations into impactful, scalable products and services. Applications are open to innovators from India and abroad. Solutions must be AMR-focused with Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6-9, as per BIRAC guidelines. Academic or research institution-based applicants may also apply if they demonstrate the ability to validate the technology and present a clear roadmap for scale-up. This call specifically aims to identify mid to late-stage innovations for support. Up to 12 innovations will be supported for a period of 11 months, with funding commensurate with the project requirements. Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Director-CEO, C-CAMP said “Antimicrobial Resistance is a huge threat to society and India is at its epicentre. At C-CAMP we recognise the scale of the problem and have built a strong portfolio of innovations to address AMR especially One Health as a domain crucial to bending the AMR curve. To this effect, we also anchor the India AMR Innovation Hub that is slated to be the innovation arm of the soon-to-be-announced India NAP 2.0." Prof. Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India remarked, “The opening of the C-CAMP One Health AMR Challenge will be one of the touch points towards India formally recognising One Health that includes human health, animal and plant health and environment holistically in our combat to tackle the rising AMR burden. Ably supported by the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) the call offers a unique scale up support module that goes beyond funding to identify solutions that address the Indian context. As Chair of India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH), the innovation arm of India NAP 2.0, I welcome the partnership and look forward to an exciting response from stakeholders.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26340/nation-wide-hourly-dialogue-showcases-indias-biotech-diversity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26340/nation-wide-hourly-dialogue-showcases-indias-biotech-diversity.html Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh called for a wider public understanding and inclusive participation in India’s biotechnology mission, stating that every Indian is a stakeholder in the country’s bioeconomy. Speaking during the nationwide celebration of World Bioproduct Day – The BioE3 Way on 7 July 2025, the Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to realising a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030. The event, organised by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and its agencies BIRAC and iBRIC+, marked a novel national experiment — ‘Voices Across the Cities: A Synchronized National Hourly Dialogue Series’. Over eight hours, select institutions across Indian cities hosted theme-based discussions on marine biomass, industrial valorisation, forest resources, and agri-residue innovations, reflecting the regional diversity of India’s bioproduct capabilities. The Minister also urged for stronger social media outreach, using success stories, local languages, and relatable formats to communicate biotech’s relevance to common citizens. “If we want to attract young talent, we must link biotechnology to profitability and livelihood, not just academics,” he said. Secretary, DBT and Chairman of BIRAC, Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale outlined steps being taken to operationalise the BioE3 Policy. These include support for pilot manufacturing, region-specific innovation missions, and strengthening the pipeline from research to market. He underscored DBT’s role in catalysing collaborations among academia, startups, and industries for scalable biotech solutions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/26301/advancing-affordable-indigenous-immunotherapies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/26301/advancing-affordable-indigenous-immunotherapies.html Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 India is emerging as a key player in global immunotherapy, backed by strong government support, skilled talent, and growing biotech capacity. A major milestone came in 2023 with the approval of NexCAR19, the country’s first indigenous CAR-T therapy. This was followed in January 2025 by the approval of Qartemi from Bengaluru-based Immuneel Therapeutics—a CAR-T cell therapy for patients with relapsed or advanced B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma—marking India’s second approved CAR-T product. “From 2015 to 2025, the market is projected to grow from $0.5 billion to $4 billion. This momentum is being driven by research efforts sparked by COVID-19, innovations in cancer-focused immunotherapies and biosimilar products, as well as the growing adoption of CAR-T cell technologies and AI-based diagnostic tools—solidifying its role as an emerging centre for cutting-edge biologics and personalised medicine. However, compared to global leaders like the U.S., EU, and China, India is still in a developmental phase, with several critical capabilities under maturation,” said Shalini Tanwar, Team Lead- Immunotherapy, Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services. There has been a flurry of activity in India’s immunotherapy landscape in recent months. In June 2025, Zydus Life Sciences acquired rights to Agenus’ BOT/BAL cancer immunotherapy for India and Sri Lanka. Earlier, in March, Delhi-based Cellogen Therapeutics secured a patent for what is reportedly the world’s first indigenously developed bi-specific 3rd generation CAR-T cell therapy. In January, CytoMed Therapeutics partnered with SunAct Cancer Institute to initiate a proposed phase 2 trial of Gamma Delta T cell therapy for solid tumours. This followed Mankind Pharma’s December 2024 collaboration with Innovent Biologics to bring the PD-1 inhibitor sintilimab to India.    Immunotherapy research pipeline Most CAR‑T products have roots in public research.  NexCAR19, India’s first approved CAR-T product, is a prime example, developed by IIT Bombay in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre. Qartemi, launched by Immuneel Therapeutics, was licensed from Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, highlighting the role of international technology transfer in advancing Indian immunotherapy. Similarly, IIT Kanpur is set to transfer several gene therapy assets to Laurus Labs through an in-licensing arrangement, backed by a research grant to support preclinical development. Several key research projects funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India have been instrumental in building the country’s immunology and cell therapy pipeline, from advancing CAR-T cell technologies to pioneering gene-editing strategies and developing indigenous manufacturing capabilities. Given this deep academic foundation, it’s only fair to take a closer look at some of the DBT funded research projects powering India’s next generation of immune-based therapies.  anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy: This, India’s first indigenously developed CAR-T cell therapy, talicabtagene autoleucel (Tali-cel), is currently undergoing a multi-centre phase II trial involving 50 paediatric patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL). Developed through a project funded by Tata Memorial Centre, the therapy was initially evaluated in a phase I/Ib open-label single-arm study. This early-stage trial demonstrated a favourable safety profile, manageable toxicities, and promising durable remissions in heavily pretreated patients. A key objective of the programme is to provide an affordable and scalable alternative to costly global CAR-T treatments, which remain largely inaccessible in low- and middle-income countries due to high manufacturing costs, limited local production, and clinical management challenges. Based on findings from the initial study, a recommended dose of 5–10 × 10⁶ CAR-T cells/kg was identified to balance efficacy and safety. The product is being manufactured and co-sponsored by ImmunoACT, with the ongoing Phase II trial aimed at supporting regulatory registration. Unlike traditional therapies reliant on costly, frequent Factor VIII replacement, this first-in-human trial involved autologous haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) transduced with a lentiviral vector carrying the Factor VIII gene—an alternative to the widely used AAV-based systems. The therapy offers a long-term, potentially curative approach to a disorder for which India bears the world’s second-largest burden (~1.36 lakh cases). The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, mark a significant milestone for accessible gene therapy in low-resource settings. Human gene therapy for Hemophilia A: India’s first gene therapy using a lentiviral vector for severe Hemophilia A has demonstrated landmark results in a single-centre study led by the Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR) at CMC Vellore, supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). All five participants achieved zero annualised bleeding rates over a cumulative 81-month follow-up, with sustained Factor VIII production, eliminating the need for repeated infusions. Gene editing based strategies for treatment of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD): Another pioneering project initiated by the CSCR, Vellore, and funded by DBT focuses on applying genome editing technologies to treat β-haemoglobinopathies, including SCD and β-thalassemia. Leveraging the precision of CRISPR/Cas9, the project aims to modify a patient’s own HSCs to serve as a renewable source of healthy red blood cells following autologous bone marrow transplantation. The therapeutic strategy is centred on reversing the fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switch, thereby increasing fetal haemoglobin (HbF) production—known to mitigate clinical symptoms in both SCD and β-thalassemia. The team is targeting BCL11A, a key repressor of gamma-globin, along with other regulatory regions associated with Hereditary Persistence of Fetal Haemoglobin (HPFH) mutations. This approach not only aims to reduce sickled haemoglobin in SCD patients but also compensates for defective beta-globin in β-thalassemia by promoting the expression of gamma-globin. Unlike hydroxyurea or HDAC inhibitors, this gene-editing platform offers a potentially curative solution by permanently reprogramming the patient’s own stem cells. The CSCR-DBT collaboration represents a significant step forward in developing affordable, gene-based therapies tailored to Indian patients with haemoglobin disorders. CAR-T cell therapy expressing BCMA-CAR and in vivo validation in the mouse model of multiple myeloma: This collaborative DBT-funded initiative, led by IIT Bombay’s Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering in partnership with Tata Memorial Centre and ImmunoACT, focuses on developing a cost-effective, humanised CAR-T cell therapy targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Using an in-house humanisation platform, the team designed four humanised BCMA CAR constructs (h1–h4), with h2 emerging as the most promising candidate. Preclinical studies demonstrated successful lentiviral production, robust in vitro CAR-T cell expansion, and optimal binding affinity for h2. In mouse xenograft models, h2-CAR T cells achieved complete tumor elimination, extended survival (median >123 days), and showed no systemic toxicity or organ damage. These findings mark a critical milestone in India’s immunotherapy pipeline and position the h2-CAR candidate for potential translation into first-in-human clinical trials. CD19 CAR-T Cell Therapy IMN-003A in B Cell malignancies: Varnimcabtagene autoleucel (IMN-003A), developed by Immuneel Therapeutics, is India’s first industry-led CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy for relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies (RR BCM). This autologous product, which incorporates a 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain and a novel non-FMC63 A3B1 binder, is manufactured in India. Clinical development included a preclinical and Phase 1 study in Spain and a multicentre Phase 2 study (IMAGINE) in India. The therapy demonstrated a manageable safety profile with durable, deep responses and no severe neurotoxicity. The project is supported under the Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP) of the DBT, underscoring public-private efforts to advance indigenous cell therapies. Single-Cell RNA-seq analysis of hCMV-specific T Cells: In a study published in Immunology, the Immunogenomics team at The National Institute of Immunology (NII) has characterised rare human Cytomegalovirus (hCMV) antigen specific memory T cells in an unbiased manner using high throughput single-cell multi-omics. The study shows that the hCMV-specific memory T cells are highly heterogeneous and consist of different flavors of long-term and effector memory T cells. The study can serve as a knowledge base for designing vaccines and therapeutic strategies to control hCMV infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals (patients undergoing organ transplant/chemotherapy for cancers, etc.), and infants born to hCMV-seropositive mothers. GMP-grade plasmid and viral vector manufacturing: The First-in-India GMP-grade plasmid and viral vector manufacturing initiative aims to establish a domestic, high-quality production facility to support CAR-T cell therapy and other gene therapy applications. Backed by the DBT, this project addresses a critical infrastructure gap by enabling the local manufacture of clinical-grade plasmids and viral vectors—essential components for gene modification in cell therapies. The initiative is expected to accelerate indigenous development, reduce dependency on imports, and support clinical translation of advanced therapies in India, especially in oncology and rare genetic disorders. Preclinical-grade CAR-T manufacturing process: The project titled ‘Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cells Technology for Cancer Treatment: Development of a Pre-clinical Grade Manufacturing Process as per Industry Standards’ falls under the PACE (Promoting Academic Research Conversion to Enterprise) scheme of DBT. This initiative focuses on developing a robust and standardised pre-clinical manufacturing process for CAR-T cells to meet industry-grade requirements. The goal is to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial-scale production by establishing scalable, reproducible, and quality-controlled protocols. By doing so, the project aims to create a foundation for translational research and future clinical applications of CAR-T therapies developed indigenously in India. Anti-Nipah monoclonal antibody (mAbs): A specialised programme on the discovery and development of novel anti-Nipah mAbs with an aim to create low-cost mAb products was initiated with BRIC-Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad under GCI. BRIC-THSTI in collaboration with BRIC-RGCB has invented novel monoclonal antibodies from B cells of recovered individuals infected with Nipah virus during October 2023 Kerala outbreak. Engineered spike G and F antigens of Nipah virus were used to sort and clone single memory B cells.  Antigen-specific B cell clones were then screened to identify ones that bind very strongly to Nipah F and G proteins and also able to neutralise a panel of pseudoviruses encoding F and G genes of Indian, Bangladeshi, Malaysian and Flying Fox Bat origins. BRIC-THSTI also established pseudovirus neutralisation assay in this period which can be useful for vaccine studies by other researchers as well. Two top neutralising monoclonals have been identified for further development as IND products through industry-academy collaboration. This is the very first invention from India and any LMIC. Universal CAR-T cells: All existing CAR-T cell products available globally are autologous (made with same patient-derived T lymphocytes) to avoid severe alloimmune rejection due to a mismatch of MHC between the donor and the recipient. Various studies have been implemented through the DBT’s support to advance CAR-T cell therapy for a broader spectrum of cancers and reducing therapy related toxicities.  One such study aims to develop ‘off-the shelf’ or ‘universal’ CAR-T cells from healthy donors using CRISPR/Cas9 technology with specific modifications in MHC genes. Concurrently, the project focused on designing and engineering “Inducible CARs” to mitigate cytokine release syndrome, a common adverse event associated with CAR-T cell therapy. Two constructs were designed, incorporating advanced features such as syn-NOTCH domains for context-specific activation and dual-plasmid systems enabling tight regulation of IL-6 secretion. T cells were efficiently isolated using CD4 and CD8 magnetic beads, and a mCherry-luciferase expressing Raji reporter cell line was developed to evaluate the efficacy of CAR-T cells IL-15 Cytokine for cancer immunotherapy: Another promising lead is a Chimeric Interleukin-15 (IL-15) developed using tools of genetic engineering. IL-15 is a cytokine which is a multifunctional cytokine that targets many cell types and connects the innate with the adaptive immune system. Globally, among the cytokines, IL-15 has been identified as a top candidate for cancer immunotherapy. However, the major limitations in developing IL-15 as a therapeutic agent are its short-half life and poor bioavailability. To overcome these limitations, stable chimeric IL-15 (IL-15 coupled to IgG2 constant heavy chain) was developed with an increased half-life of 40 hours. Despite the development of a stable chimeric IL-15 with extended half-life and bioactivity, its full therapeutic potential remains to be explored. Current studies are in progress to elucidate 3D structure to investigate its role in combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors for tumor regression and relapse prevention, as well as its potential as an adjuvant for formation of memory T and B cells. An Indian patent has been granted in 2024.  In 2024–25, DBT advanced several innovative cancer immunotherapy projects, including dual CAR-T cells, NK cell-based therapies, IL-15–enhanced CAR-T, oncolytic viruses, and RNA therapeutics. It also initiated Virtual Network Centres focused on off-the-shelf and inducible CAR-T platforms, glioblastoma-targeted T-cell therapies using non-genetically engineered MSCs, and a dedicated Cancer Immunotherapy Network to design affordable, indigenous cell-based therapies for Indian patients.   Key challenges  Despite the growing momentum, India faces several critical challenges that must be addressed to achieve commercial-scale readiness in immunotherapy manufacturing. “One of the foremost barriers is the high capital investment required to establish GMP-compliant facilities. While biotech hubs such as Hyderabad and Bengaluru are witnessing infrastructure growth, India still lags behind the scale and technological sophistication seen in the U.S., EU, and increasingly, China. The financial burden of setting up advanced manufacturing units—including infrastructure, equipment, and quality systems—is particularly daunting for startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), which often struggle to secure funding due to long return-on-investment cycles and limited access to biotech-focused venture capital,” said Shalini.  Another significant constraint is the limited domestic availability of critical raw materials and enabling technologies. The production of immunotherapies relies heavily on imported reagents, viral vectors, and cell lines, making the supply chain both fragile and costly. The absence of a robust local ecosystem for these components creates bottlenecks that hinder scalability and responsiveness. “Regulatory complexity further compounds these challenges. Navigating approvals from multiple agencies such as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), DBT, and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) can be time-consuming and lacks harmonisation. While efforts are underway to streamline biologics approval pathways, India’s regulatory framework is still evolving. In contrast, regulatory bodies in the U.S. and EU benefit from decades of experience and integrated innovation ecosystems that facilitate faster approvals and clearer guidance for novel therapies like CAR-T and gene editing,”  said Shalini.  The skill gaps in specialised areas also poses a barrier. Although India has a strong foundation in bioprocessing and engineering, expertise in niche domains such as viral vector production, gene editing, and advanced analytics remains limited. Industry-academia collaboration for hands-on training and workforce development is still in its early stages and needs significant scaling. “Logistical challenges, particularly in cold chain and last-mile delivery, remain a concern. Immunotherapies require stringent temperature control, which is difficult to maintain in rural and remote regions. Fragmented logistics networks and the lack of real-time monitoring systems increase the risk of compromising product integrity during transport,” said Shalini.  She further added, “The innovation ecosystem remains fragmented. Many startups and academic labs lack access to pilot-scale facilities and structured tech transfer mechanisms. This disconnect between lab-scale innovation and commercial production delays the time-to-market for promising therapies.”   Capitalising on opportunities   India is rapidly laying the groundwork to become a major player in global immunotherapy manufacturing. Building on its established strengths in generics and vaccines, the country is now making strategic moves into the more complex arena of biologics and cell therapies. This transition brings both challenges and significant opportunities. One example is the cost of CAR-T therapy. While globally the treatment can cost upwards of Rs 2–3 crore per patient, India’s indigenously developed alternatives are being offered at a much lower price point—from Rs 25 to Rs 50 lakh.  “To bridge the gap between research and commercialisation, the Government of India, through the DBT, has launched the BioRIDE initiative. This includes the development of Biofoundries, Bio-AI Hubs, and Biomanufacturing Hubs - shared platforms designed to accelerate innovation and scale-up,” said Shalini.    Biopharmaceutical clusters are emerging in cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune, with Hyderabad’s Genome Valley becoming a focal point for biologics and cell therapy infrastructure. Across the country, GMP-compliant facilities are being established to support the production of biologics and cell-based therapies at scale. At the same time, India has significantly upgraded its cold chain logistics to support the transport of temperature-sensitive immunotherapies, although last-mile delivery in rural and tier-2/3 cities remains a logistical hurdle. “India’s scientific ecosystem is also evolving to support the full lifecycle of immunotherapy development. Leading research institutions are actively engaged in immunotherapy R&D, and the country has hosted clinical trials for CAR-T therapies and monoclonal antibodies, including homegrown innovations. A major milestone was the approval of NexCAR19, India’s first indigenous CAR-T therapy, which marked a leap in local manufacturing capabilities. The country is also nurturing a growing talent pool in bioprocessing, cell culture, and downstream processing, though there remains a need for specialised training in areas like viral vector manufacturing and gene editing,” said Shalini.  Public–private partnerships are playing a catalytic role in this transformation. Initiatives like BioNEST and BIRAC are supporting biotech startups with infrastructure, mentorship, and funding. The National Biopharma Mission, co-funded by the World Bank and DBT, is driving the development of biopharmaceuticals through support for translational research and manufacturing scale-up.  “Academic collaborations with institutions such as IIT Bombay, IISc, and Tata Memorial Centre are further accelerating the co-development of CAR-T therapies and novel delivery systems. Additionally, the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is incentivising investment in high-end biomanufacturing infrastructure, reinforcing India’s position as a rising global player in immunotherapy,” said Shalini.  “While full commercial-scale readiness is still evolving, the foundation being built today signals a future where India plays a central role in the global immunotherapy ecosystem,” signs off Shalini.  India is progressively building the foundation to establish itself as a global center for cost-effective and scalable immunotherapy solutions. With strategic investments, regulatory reforms, and a growing talent base, the country is poised to transform not only its own healthcare landscape but also contribute significantly to global health equity.   Ayesha Siddiqui  ayesha.siddiqui@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26276/meril-launches-myclip-indias-first-transcatheter-edge-to-edge-repair-teer-system-for-treatment-of-severe-mitral-regurgitation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26276/meril-launches-myclip-indias-first-transcatheter-edge-to-edge-repair-teer-system-for-treatment-of-severe-mitral-regurgitation.html Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The landmark Structural Heart Innovation event, held at Meril Academy, Vapi (Gujarat) from June 13–15, brought together over 150 Indian interventional cardiologists along with cardiac imaging expert and international stalwarts, including Prof. Ottavio Alfieri (“Father of mitral valve repair”), Prof. Francesco Maisano, and Prof. Agricola, joining global pioneers in edge-to-edge mitral valve repair. Meril is currently the world’s leading TAVI group following the success of Myval THV and first Indian company to introduce a TEER system, placing the country firmly on the map as an innovator in transcatheter heart valve therapies (with both replacement and repair technology platforms). MyClip introduction demonstrates India’s growing capabilities in structural heart solutions and reflects Meril’s commitment to accessible cutting-edge cardiac care. MyClip TEER System is designed for patients suffering from severe Mitral Regurgitation (MR) who are at high surgical risk due to pre-existing issues like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, advanced age, physical frailty, enlarged or weak heart, and patients with kidney, lung and liver problems. MR, particularly if untreated, has a devastating mortality rate—over 50% of patients may not survive without timely intervention, and 1-year mortality can be as high as 57%. The MyClip TEER System enables precise closure of the mitral valve flaps, effectively preventing the backward flow of purified blood into the lungs. The procedure is minimally invasive, & takes approximately one hour, and allows patients to return home within 3–5 days. After discharge, patients can resume daily activities like walking and non-strenuous work within a short period post the procedure. According to the landmark COAPT Study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), patients receiving device-based therapy for mitral regurgitation experienced significantly better outcomes compared to those receiving standard medical treatment. Within 24 months, the hospitalization rate for heart failure was reduced to 35.8% per patient-year in the device group, compared to 67.9% in the control group. Additionally, mortality within the same period was notably lower in the device group, at 29.1%, compared to 46.1% in the control group. Currently, approximately 150 TEER (Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair) procedures are performed annually in India, with the majority of patients falling in the younger age group (30 – 60). These statistics bring to light a pressing need for early and effective intervention in younger demographics. The launch of MyClip TEER System marks a transformative moment for structural heart therapy in India. Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) therapy has shown significant success over traditional Guideline Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT). MyClip represents a major step forward in India's cardiovascular treatment landscape.  In his inaugural speech, Sanjeev Bhatt, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Meril Life Sciences, said, “In India, around 1.5 million people are known to have severe mitral regurgitation. Of these at least 1.2 million are post myocardial infarction (MI or a heart attack) or due to heart failure. Introduction of the MyClip TEER system marks a pivotal shift and we’re witnessing early adoption. Meril’s efforts in training cardiologists and building TEE-based imaging expertise are crucial steps in scaling this life-saving therapy across the country." “With MyClip, Meril is reshaping the country’s role in global medtech. This homegrown innovation is a testament to what Indian science, engineering, and clinical collaboration can achieve together. Meril’s nationwide public awareness campaign #TreatmentZarooriHai is in full swing, with brand ambassador MS Dhoni, to educate patients and families about the life-saving value of timely intervention in mitral valve regurgitation,” Bhatt added. The two-day Structural Heart Innovation scientific program featured case demonstrations, interactive hands-on workshops, and the presentations leading Interventional Cardiologists and Echocardiologists. The event concluded with a call to build a sustainable M-TEER ecosystem in India, focused on accessibility, clinical excellence, and continuous innovation.   About Meril Life Sciences:   Meril is a global medical device company based in India, committed to advancing healthcare through innovation. With a strong focus on research and development, Meril delivers cutting-edge medtech solutions across more than 135 countries and has a robust presence through subsidiaries in the USA, Brazil, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Through partnerships, precision technology, and adherence to international quality standards, Meril is helping reshape the future of healthcare.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26261/eyestem-announces-completion-of-ph-1-study-of-its-rpe-cell-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26261/eyestem-announces-completion-of-ph-1-study-of-its-rpe-cell-therapy.html Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup Eyestem Research has announced the completion of its phase one study for its investigational retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell therapy, Eyecyte-RPE. The clinical study report of the study has been submitted to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for permission to start the phase 2 study. The trial, designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Eyecyte-RPE in patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD), has shown promising outcomes in the initial phase. “Our phase 1/2a trial demonstrated an excellent safety profile with no serious adverse events, while delivering clinically meaningful vision improvement—an average of 15.8 letters in the first six patients over six months,” said Dr Rajani Battu, Chief Medical Officer, Eyestem. “These encouraging results position us to advance this important therapy, and we are ready to initiate phase 2 immediately upon receiving CDSCO approval,” she added. Leading ophthalmologists across India involved in the trial have collectively recognised the transformative potential of the therapy. Commenting on the development, Dr Jogin Desai, Founder and CEO, Eyestem, said, “The data from phase 1 supports our direction, and we’re preparing to begin phase 2 in India, subject to CDSCO approval. Planning is also underway for the US leg of the trial, targeted for the first half of next year. Our focus remains on generating strong clinical evidence and advancing a scalable cell therapy platform for retinal diseases.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26265/miltenyi-biotec-india-and-birac-sign-loi-to-advance-indias-cell-and-gene-therapy-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26265/miltenyi-biotec-india-and-birac-sign-loi-to-advance-indias-cell-and-gene-therapy-ecosystem.html Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant step toward strengthening India’s leadership in cutting-edge biotherapeutics, Miltenyi Biotec India and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have signed a strategic Letter of Intent (LoI) at the BIO International Convention 2025, which opened this week in Boston. The LoI outlines a multi-pronged collaboration aimed at propelling India’s capabilities in Cell and Gene therapy (CGT) by capacity building, advancing clinical research and to solve unmet medical needs by local manufacturing of Cell Therapies. Through this partnership, Miltenyi Biotec and BIRAC aim to: Build national capabilities and upskill scientific talent by implementing structured training and capacity-building programs for clinicians, researchers, and technicians in CGT manufacturing, analytics, and quality control. Expand translational research efforts through co-development of academic and multi-center studies, focusing on next-generation therapies to solve India’s unmet medical needs in malignancies, autoimmune diseases and rare diseases. Establish Point-of-Care (PoC) CAR-T centers across India using automated manufacturing platforms such as Miltenyi’s CliniMACS Prodigy system, enabling cost-effective and scalable access to personalized CGT treatments. The initiative will also promote targeted cell therapy research and support local innovation through the identification and mentoring of Indian startups. This aligns with the Make in India mission by enhancing domestic production of critical and manufacturing components, and by supporting the development of national CGT Centers of Excellence.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26259/innovative-india-pavilion-opens-to-record-attendance-at-bio-international-convention-2025-boston.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26259/innovative-india-pavilion-opens-to-record-attendance-at-bio-international-convention-2025-boston.html Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Day 1 of the BIO International Convention Boston 2025, on June 16, marked a remarkable start for theInnovativeIndiaPavilion (Booth #3285), which welcomed a record number of visitors and partnering registrants, showcasing India’s dynamic biotechnology ecosystem on a global platform. The opening ceremony of the Innovative India Pavilion was inaugurated by distinguished leaders— Dr Jitendra Kumar (MD, BIRAC), Dr Dhananjay Tiwary, Dr Mahesh Bhalgat, and Dr Priya Kapoor-G Hingorani (MD, Miltenyi Biotec India). The pavilion features participation from 20 leading exhibitors from India, representing the strength and diversity of India’s biotech industry. A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed between Dr Priya Kapoor-G Hingorani (MD, Miltenyi Biotec India) and Dr Jitendra Kumar (MD, BIRAC) at the Innovative India Pavilion, marking a significant step towards establishing a state-of-the-art laboratory in India—a testament to the growing international collaborations fostered at BIO 2025. Throughout the day, the pavilion attracted prominent biotech business leaders from the USA, including Rahul Singhvi and many others, who interacted with the Indian exhibitors, exploring opportunities for partnership and innovation. Key participating organisations include Lupin, Veeda Lifesciences, Dr Chandra Madhavi, Virchow Biotech, Pandorum Technologies, Advy, Chetan Raj Singh, Viruj Pharma, HiMedia Laboratories, Ipca Laboratories, Crescent Innovation and Incubation Council (CIIC), Mediclone Biotech, and more. The Innovative India Pavilion stands as a vibrant hub for international collaboration, investment, and knowledge exchange, solidifying India’s position as a global leader in biotechnology and life sciences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26225/indias-life-sciences-sector-leads-way-in-future-ready-lab-design-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26225/indias-life-sciences-sector-leads-way-in-future-ready-lab-design-survey.html Wed, 11 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 India’s life sciences industry is outpacing its global peers when it comes to designing and delivering future-ready lab environments, according to a new survey and report by Unispace, a global leader in strategy, design, and construction of workplace environments.  66% of Indian leaders of pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech firms surveyed for the report consider their labs highly adaptable, outperforming the global average of 56%. Further, 65% of Indian leaders believe their labs are well-equipped for integrating new technologies, compared to 56% globally. These findings are part of Unispace’s Global Life Sciences 2025 Survey Report and are based on insights from 400 senior and mid-level life sciences leaders across the US, UK, Switzerland, and India. The survey’s findings suggest that India’s life sciences sector is not only ready for rapid R&D evolution but is also shaping global trends in lab strategy. Strategic partnerships and co-development initiatives are becoming central to funding new lab infrastructure, cited by 66% of Indian leaders. More than half (56%) also named smart technology adoption as a top priority, while 54% emphasised the importance of flexible, modular spaces optimised for collaboration. “Indian life sciences companies are truly emerging as global frontrunners in building labs of the future. Our findings further reinforce Indian companies’ progressive approach in reimagining their labs as truly strategic enablers of innovation, talent retention, and digital transformation,” said Abi Roni Mattom, Country Director of Unispace India. “The survey even reveals a significant focus of the Indian scientists on smart design, modularity, and employee-centric features like wellness zones, which are key factors for attracting and retaining talent in the highly competitive life sciences sector.” As life sciences and R&D sectors grow rapidly around the world, the survey points to an opportunity for companies to design labs that are agile, future-proof, and centred around human experience. The report also offers actionable recommendations for organisations looking to elevate their lab environments through strategic planning, design innovation, and technology integration.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26227/scaleready-awards-150000-grant-to-immuneel-therapeutics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26227/scaleready-awards-150000-grant-to-immuneel-therapeutics.html Wed, 11 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 US-based ScaleReady, in collaboration with Wilson Wolf Manufacturing, Bio-Techne Corporation and CellReady, has announced that Immuneel Therapeutics has been awarded a $150,000 G-Rex grant to support process development aimed at enhancing the scalability and cost-effectiveness of CAR-T cell manufacturing in India. "The blood cancer burden on India's population is substantial, around 120,000 new cases of lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma are diagnosed each year. Unfortunately, almost 70,000 Indians will die every year from these afflictions, devastating the lives of their families and communities. To afford access to all Indian patients in need, and to capitalise on the immense commercial potential of our pipeline, we need to think prudently and practically about our manufacturing approach. In the short term, our manufacturing demands are almost 200 drug products per day, and this may increase as CAR-T cell therapies move closer to front line treatment. The only practical way for us to industrialize our production and produce a supply of drug product commensurate with total patient demand is to transition to G-Rex," said Dr. Lakshmikanth Gandikota, Head of R&D, MSAT Intellectual Property, and Translational Research, at Immuneel Therapeutics Limited. As part of Immuneel's G-Rex Grant, Immuneel will perform process development, qualification, and validation of a G-Rex based CAR-T cell therapy production approach to dramatically increase the throughput capacity of their state-of-the-art, 12,000 square foot GMP facility. Located in Bengaluru and opened in 2021, Immuneel's Integrated Cell Therapy Development and Manufacturing Facility was the first of its kind in India and is designed to bring breakthrough cell and gene therapies to millions of patients in India. Lastly, Immuneel's G-Rex Grant will support the requisite comparability studies necessary to support a post-CAR-T approval manufacturing change from their difficult to scale low throughput all-in-one manufacturing equipment to a much simpler high throughput G-Rex centric approach. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26206/faba-completes-first-finishing-school-programme-for-biotech-students.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26206/faba-completes-first-finishing-school-programme-for-biotech-students.html Thu, 05 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA), in collaboration with Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) and Agri Biotech Foundation (ABF), successfully completed its 1st “Finishing School” programme on June 4, 2025, at the ABF campus in Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. This unique one-month initiative was envisioned to address a persistent challenge in the biotechnology landscape, the critical gap between academic education and industry expectations. Through a meticulously curated 27-day curriculum, the Finishing School trained a select cohort of 20 life sciences graduates, postgraduates and entry level industry employees equipping them with the technical proficiency, laboratory competence, and professional discipline required to excel in real-world biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Participants underwent intensive hands-on training in microbiology, molecular biology, mammalian cell culture, and laboratory instrumentation, using industry-standard tools such as CO₂ incubators, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting units, HPLC and electrophoresis systems. The curriculum also integrated sessions on biosafety, Record keeping, quality control protocols, and regulatory framework - areas essential to contemporary biotech practices. Strategic Saturdays, a highlight of “finishing school” has significant emphasis on soft skills and career readiness. Through dedicated mentoring sessions, intensive training on personal branding, CV structuring and scientific communication. Participants were groomed to present themselves as confident and competent professionals. These sessions were led by seasoned industry leaders, HR professionals, and academic experts who provided insights into work-place expectations, interview dynamics, and strategic career planning. The programme was further enriched by a series of scientific lectures delivered by leading voices from academia and industry, including experts from the University of Hyderabad, Biological E. Ltd., NIAB, Dr. Reddy’s Labs, Indian Immunologicals Limited, IKP Knowledge Park, UMED Pharma and various industries. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions with these thought leaders, gaining clarity on advanced research areas such as Gene editing, plant biotechnology, Bio informatics, virology, and drug discovery and development. Complementing these academic experiences were curated industrial visits and to ASPIRE Incubation Centre and School of Life Science at University of Hyderabad, UR therapeutics, Bycus therapeutics, Umed Pharma, Huwel Life Sciences, and YMC India. These visits offered participants direct exposure to core technologies such as RT-PCR, chromatography, flow cytometry, and advanced bioprocessing platforms. The program featured technology demonstrations by 30M Genomics and Thermo Fisher Scientific, offering hands-on exposure to advanced tools in genomics and laboratory instrumentation. In his opening remarks, Prof Reddanna emphasised that the Finishing School is not a one-time effort but the beginning of a long-term industry-academia collaboration through enhancing skills in life sciences. “My experience at the FABA Finishing School internship was transformative and highly enriching. The programme offered a well-balanced combination of practical exposure, theoretical clarity, and soft skills development, all of which significantly enhanced my academic foundation and professional readiness.From a practical perspective, I had the opportunity to gain hands-on training in microbiology, molecular biology, and animal cell culture techniques. The chance to work directly in laboratory settings allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge to real-time experiments and procedures with precision and confidence.” – Nikitha G “Soft skills are like oil that greases the wheels of our career success. I highly recommend this training to anyone who wants to improve their skills. The trainer was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I learned a lot about “Communication abilities" and feel more confident in my abilities. This training has given me the knowledge I need to achieve a specific goal. And also I learned Interpersonal skills, Social skills, Laboratory notebook maintenance, career development strategies, Personal branding and CV building using AI tools for scientific research.” – Durga Harika R   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26180/mapmygenome-goes-global-with-acquisition-of-microbiome-insights-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26180/mapmygenome-goes-global-with-acquisition-of-microbiome-insights-.html Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based Mapmygenome, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven leader in genomics and personalised health, has announced the strategic acquisition of Microbiome Insights, a global leader in microbial sequencing. The acquisition includes Microbiome Insights’ CAP-accredited Canadian laboratory and rich intellectual property, boosting Mapmygenome’s scientific prowess and enabling its global expansion. Having supported over 600 global clients with 1,000+ cutting-edge microbiome studies, Microbiome Insights is a leading partner for academic, clinical, and industry researchers. Microbiome Insights will maintain its role as a premier contract research organisation (CRO), empowering global research. Simultaneously, Mapmygenome will introduce its integrated genomics and microbiome testing services to North America, making holistic, data-driven health solutions more accessible. “The human microbiome is pivotal to health, and this acquisition positions us as a leader in this area. We gain exceptional expertise in metagenomics, transcriptomics, and targeted metabolomics to serve academic, biotech, and clinical sectors,” declared Anu Acharya, Founder and CEO of Mapmygenome. “This accelerates our North American footprint aligning with our strategic vision of growth through targeted acquisitions leading up to our listing on the Indian market later this year” “The combination of their expertise in AI-driven genomics solutions and our deep microbiome expertise will result in a new standard of cutting-edge services for clients worldwide,” said Malcolm Kendall, CEO of Microbiome Insights. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26152/pm-narendra-modi-announces-launch-of-wadhwani-hub-and-wadhwani-innovation-and-translation-centre-at-iit-b.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26152/pm-narendra-modi-announces-launch-of-wadhwani-hub-and-wadhwani-innovation-and-translation-centre-at-iit-b.html Sat, 24 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a landmark move to position India as a global leader in biosciences, bioengineering, health, and medicine, the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, and the Wadhwani Foundation have announced the creation of two transformative new initiatives at the YUGM Innovation Conclave: the Wadhwani Hub for Biosciences, Bioengineering, Health and Medicine and the Wadhwani Innovation and Translation Centre (WITC) at IIT Bombay. This landmark initiative  by the Wadhwani Foundation and IIT Bombay lays the foundation for a world-class ecosystem integrating graduate education, research, innovation, and real-world applications. With a philanthropic commitment of Rs 100 crore by the Wadhwani Foundation and a Rs 200 crore matching contribution from IIT Bombay to be raised by the Institute, the initiative will be anchored by an upcoming 120,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art building. The Hub will focus on strengthening high-quality M.Tech. and PhD programmes, advancing cutting-edge research, and fostering interdisciplinary solutions for pressing challenges in healthcare and medicine. The Wadhwani Hub will house multiple specialised centres, including those focused on biosciences, healthcare systems, and medical technologies, each incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning into its research framework. Within the Hub, the Wadhwani Innovation and Translation Centre (WITC) will accelerate the journey from lab to market. It will focus on translational research, startup incubation, and commercialization, serving as a national catalyst for converting scientific breakthroughs into impactful solutions. This new initiative builds on the Wadhwani Foundation’s earlier support for translation in biosciences through the Wadhwani Research Centre for Bioengineering (WRCB), reinforcing a decade-long commitment to impactful research and innovation at IIT Bombay.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26149/meril-presents-successful-landmark-rct-one-year-results-at-prestigious-europcr-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26149/meril-presents-successful-landmark-rct-one-year-results-at-prestigious-europcr-2025.html Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530       Meril Life Sciences announced one-year results from LANDMARK trial, presented during the prestigious Late-Breaking Trial session at EuroPCR 2025, one of the world’s premier cardiology conferences held annually in Paris, France.  The LANDMARK trial is the first randomized non-inferiority trial comparing the balloon-expandable Myval THV series with other contemporary balloon-expandable Sapien THV series and self-expandable Evolut THV series in patients with symptomatic severe aorti stenosis. The Myval THV series demonstrated non-inferiority to contemporary THVs in terms of 1-year clinical efficacy composite endpoint (Myval THV Series: 13% vs. Contemporary THV: 13.1%, difference: -0.1%, one-sided 95% CI: 3.9%, Pnoninferiority < 0.0001). Additionally, in the composite endpoint of clinical efficacy combined with QoL, outcomes were comparable (Myval THV Series: 19.5% vs. Contemporary THVs: 22.7%, difference: -3.2%, 95% CI: -9.2 to 2.9, P=0.33). Hemodynamic parameters including effective orifice area (EOA), mean pressure gradient (PG), and incidence of moderate or greater aortic regurgitation remained stable and similar across all treatment arms. Survival rates were nearly identical (Myval THV Series: 92.8% vs. Contemporary THVs: 92.9%), and QoL improvements were comparable, reinforcing the overall safety and durability of the Myval THV series in everyday clinical use. Professor Patrick Serruys, Chairman and Study Director of the LANDMARK trial, said: “This trial reflects a new era in comparative valve research. The meticulous design and adherence to VARC-3 standards, including QoL endpoints, mark it as a pivotal study. The results of the LANDMARK trial represent a meaningful advancement for the global structural heart community—and most importantly, for patients receiving TAVI. The data not only validate the safety and efficacy of the Myval THV series, but also spotlight its adaptability to complex anatomies. This versatility is exactly what clinicians need to deliver precision care across a broad spectrum of patients.” Professor Andreas Baumbach, Global Principal Investigator, said: “The LANDMARK trial represents a significant step forward in TAVI research. For the first time, we’ve benchmarked Myval against both balloon-expandable and self-expanding platforms in a rigorous randomized setting. The one-year results demonstrates that the new generation Myval THV series can match global standards in safety and efficacy.” Mr. Sanjeev Bhatt, Senior Vice President – Corporate Strategy at Meril, said: “The LANDMARK trial represents a significant milestone not just for Meril, but for the global TAVI community. The strong one-year results affirm the Myval THV series as a next-generation solution that delivers consistent safety, clinical efficacy, and improved quality of life across geographies. As the only head-to-head trial of its kind to include both balloon-expandable and self-expanding valves, it reinforces Myval THV series’s versatility and real-world relevance for diverse patient anatomies and healthcare systems. At Meril, we are proud to contribute innovative, evidence-based technologies that are reshaping patient care and expanding access to advanced structural heart therapies worldwide.” The trial is designed to follow patients for a period of 10 years, aiming to generate long-term insights into clinical and echocardiographic outcomes, with a focus on valve durability and sustained performance.   About THE LANDMARK TRIAL: The LANDMARK trial is the first randomized non-inferiority trial comparing the balloon-expandable Myval THV series with other contemporary balloon-expandable Sapien THV series and self-expandable Evolut THV series in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The LANDMARK trial was a prospective, randomized, multicenter, open-label, non-inferiority trial involving 768 patients who underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) for the treatment of aortic stenosis. The first patient was enrolled in the LANDMARK trial on 6 January 2021 and the last patient was enrolled on 5 December 2023. The trial included a total of 768 patients at 31 sites across 16 countries (Brazil, New Zealand, and some countries of Europe).  The 30-day primary composite endpoints highlighting the safety and efficacy outcomes of the LANDMARK trial have been successfully published in The Lancet and EuroIntervention, two of the most prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals. About Meril Life Sciences:   Meril is a global medical device company based in India, committed to advancing healthcare through innovation. With a strong focus on research and development, Meril delivers cutting-edge medtech solutions across more than 135 countries and has a robust presence through subsidiaries in the USA, Brazil, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Through partnerships, precision technology, and adherence to international quality standards, Meril is helping reshape the future of healthcare.   For More Information , Please contact:media@merillife.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26122/mestastop-solutions-applies-to-cdsco-for-approval-of-ph-ii-clinical-trial-targeting-metastasis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26122/mestastop-solutions-applies-to-cdsco-for-approval-of-ph-ii-clinical-trial-targeting-metastasis.html Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based biotech startup Mestastop Solutions, which focuses on cancer metastasis, has filed for approval of its first clinical candidate for a Phase II study to delay metastasis in adjuvant settings for patients with primary colorectal cancer tumours. Founded in 2018, the company has dedicated significant time to understanding metastasis biology using primary tumour patient samples in collaboration with the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute. Mestastop is collaborating on this trial with Raptim Research, a Mumbai-based contract research organisation (CRO). Raptim has conducted over 50 late-stage trials in multiple therapeutic areas and has also cleared more than nine US FDA inspections for late-phase oncology trials. Mestastop aims to conduct this trial on sixty primary colorectal cancer patients who have undergone surgery and/or chemotherapy. The randomised controlled, double-blinded trial is expected to run for at least two years, and the company intends to initiate patient recruitment as soon as approval is received. Dr. Arnab Roy Chowdhury, founder and director of Mestastop, said "The novelty of the Mestastop approach in preventing cells from colonising in the secondary axis has a tremendous potential to impact how we treat cancer, and we all believe that this will help a lot of patients in the future." 2025 has been an eventful year for Mestastop. Two of its initial patents have been approved in India and the USA, and the company has also filed for two new international patents for its two potential clinical candidates. It is currently working on a novel discovery programme with a first-in-class target for metastasis and will present new data at the upcoming European Association of Cancer Research meeting in June 2025.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26121/hyderabad-emerges-as-one-of-the-top-global-centres-of-life-sciences-manufacturing-activity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26121/hyderabad-emerges-as-one-of-the-top-global-centres-of-life-sciences-manufacturing-activity.html Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 CBRE, world’s leading real estate consulting firm, has released its report, ‘Global Life Sciences Atlas,’ profiling some of the world’s most important life sciences hubs—traditional and emerging- and examining investment and construction trends impacting the life sciences industry.  The growing prominence of the life sciences industry has significantly impacted the growth of real estate development globally, with more than 35 million sq. ft. of lab/research and development (R&D) properties under construction last year. While US markets top the world’s largest life sciences R&D centres, other mainstays can be found in Asia-Pacific (Hyderabad, Beijing, Shanghai, Greater Tokyo), Canada (Toronto, Montreal) and Europe (Cambridge, U.K., Paris). As per the findings, Hyderabad emerged as a prominent global centre of life sciences manufacturing activity in India. In the APAC region life sciences landscape, India has a leading position, driven by the expansion of pharmaceutical, biotech and medical devices companies. The report points out that Hyderabad is the key contributor and largest life sciences manufacturing and R&D cluster, undertaking research, training, and manufacturing. The city accounts for nearly one-third of the country’s pharmaceutical production, one-fifth of its pharmaceutical exports, and one-third of global vaccine output. Gross office leasing space by life sciences firms in India increased by ~56% Y-o-Y to about 5.8 million sq. ft., witnessing the highest-ever leasing activity by the sector. This growth has been driven by several factors, including increased foreign direct investment (FDI), enhanced manufacturing capabilities, a cost-effective talent pool, greater emphasis on R&D, and demographic trends such as a rising population and increasing life expectancy.  This momentum is being further reinforced by the Government of Telangana through progressive governance and strategic public-private partnerships. The recently launched Life Sciences Policy 2023–2028 offers a range of fiscal incentives and ready-to-use infrastructure to attract investment. Mega projects such as Hyderabad Pharma City—envisioned as the world’s largest integrated pharma cluster—and the Medical Devices Park are further cementing the city’s leadership as a comprehensive, end-to-end life sciences powerhouse. As per the report, innovation, evolving healthcare needs, and demographic shifts are driving increased demand across the pharmaceutical, biotech, and med-tech industries. Globally, leading hubs such as Boston-Cambridge, the San Francisco Bay Area, Beijing, Shanghai, and Cambridge (UK) are shaping the next wave of life sciences growth. In the Asia-Pacific region, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, and Greater Tokyo have emerged as the largest markets for life sciences labs and R&D space.   Looking ahead, India’s life sciences sector is on a clear trajectory of accelerated growth, powered by a convergence of strategic policy frameworks, rising global demand, and innovation-led development. Hyderabad’s continued expansion of integrated life sciences infrastructure, coupled with India’s growing presence in the global supply chain, positions the country to play a defining role in shaping the next decade of healthcare and biotech innovation. As new clusters emerge and existing ecosystems mature, India is set to become a global benchmark for end-to-end life sciences excellence, from research to large-scale manufacturing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26109/govt-announces-first-of-its-kind-public-funded-bio-foundry-at-icgeb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26109/govt-announces-first-of-its-kind-public-funded-bio-foundry-at-icgeb.html Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Addressing the "International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology" (ICGEB) Board Meeting of Governors, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, dedicated India’s first of its kind public funded DST-ICGEB ‘Bio-foundry’ in New Delhi. The facility will serve as a platform for scaling up bio-based innovations in collaboration with startups and researchers. ICGEB has 69 member countries and plays a key role in biotechnology-led sustainable global development through research, training, and technology transfer. The Minister described India as the emerging global biotech destination and said, this is the most appropriate venue for such deliberations at a time when India has much to contribute to the world community. Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned the development of India’s 1st of its kind Indigenous generation antibiotic for monotherapy in bacterial pneumonia Nafithromycin, backed in part by DBT-BIRAC. He also cited the creation of diagnostic kits for Dengue and HIV. Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), highlighted India’s growing leadership in the biomedical and bio-industrial sectors, emphasising recent initiatives that are shaping the future of these domains.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26080/dbt-birac-announce-joint-call-for-proposals-on-bio-ai-hubs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26080/dbt-birac-announce-joint-call-for-proposals-on-bio-ai-hubs.html Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have issued a Joint Call for Proposals on Bio-AI for establishing मूलांकुर hubs under BioE3 Policy for Biomanufacturing. Bio-AI hubs are proposed to be established across academia and industry to provide critical and novel research leads impacting Health, Agriculture and Environment through conglomeration of AI and Biology. The Letter of Intent (LoI) for Bio-AI is uniquely designed to utilise AI in Biology for solving key biological challenges in Biomolecular Design, Sustainable Agriculture, Synthetic Biology, Ayurveda and Genome Diagnostics. Therefore, the problem statements in these domains as well as possible research solutions are invited from multi-disciplinary teams with research expertise across fields of synthetic biology, AI/ML and Computation to address complex biological research challenges. The problem statements are to be addressed by data-driven, cutting-edge, multi-disciplinary programmatic research initiatives for projected outcomes. The Union Cabinet approved the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, & Employment) Policy, in August 2024, for ‘Fostering High-Performance Biomanufacturing’ across the country.  Subsequently, The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved continuation of the two umbrella schemes of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), merged as one scheme-‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio- RIDE)’ with a new component namely Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry. With in the ambit of “High -Performance Biomanufacturing”, establishment of Bio-AI hubs for building of  data driven and cutting edge paradigms  in the areas of Health, Agriculture and Environment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26069/sunact-opens-its-first-facility-in-mumbai-offering-car-t-cell-therapy-for-solid-state-tumours.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26069/sunact-opens-its-first-facility-in-mumbai-offering-car-t-cell-therapy-for-solid-state-tumours.html Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 SunAct - Advanced Cancer Therapies, the oncology startup founded by Dr Vijay Patil and Dr Ashay Karpe, aimed at making the world’s most advanced and innovative cancer care accessible and affordable in the country, has launched its third facility in India and the first in Mumbai city, at the Dr. Gupte Surgical Hospital in Khar (West). The new centre will offer India’s first CAR-T cell therapy for solid-state tumours along with various therapies which will be introduced in India via SunAct. SunAct's Khar centre will not only offer CAR-T for haematological cancers like Lymphoma, Leukemia and Myeloma, but it is also India’s first CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumours, a revolutionary approach previously unavailable in the country. In addition to this milestone, the centre will provide TCR (T-Cell Receptor) Therapies; TIL (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte) Therapies; Gamma Delta T-Cell Platforms; Gene Therapies; Bone Marrow Transplantation & Clinical Trials. Addressing a question on SunAct’s plans for the future, Kushagra Sharma, CEO, SunAct-Advanced Cancer Therapies said, “We definitely aim to expand all over India including in Maharashtra. The idea is to spread awareness through marketing, through social media and also to spread awareness among more and more doctors that these treatments are now available in India.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26036/indian-research-institutions-and-oxford-nanopore-to-collaborate-on-genomic-centres-of-excellence-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26036/indian-research-institutions-and-oxford-nanopore-to-collaborate-on-genomic-centres-of-excellence-.html Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 UK-based Oxford Nanopore Technologies, the global company behind a new generation of nanopore-based molecular sensing technology, has signed Letters of Intent with the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (BRIC-CDFD), and the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (BRIC-NIBMG), which commit to the establishment of two new Indian Centres of Excellence (CoE) in genomics. Signed in the presence of the Secretary for DBT, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, the landmark CoEs will help to position India as a regional leader in advanced genomics, and are expected to span rare disease, cancer, and infectious disease surveillance, to support India’s national ambitions in addressing these public health issues. The CoEs will create opportunities for education and support skills development and training in sequencing technologies. The first Letter of Intent, signed in collaboration with BRIC-CDFD, will see the two partners enter into a R&D collaboration in rare disease research, which will facilitate the deployment of Oxford Nanopore’s sequencing technologies for research, education, and clinical applications. This will enable BRIC-CDFD to benefit from cutting-edge advancements in genomics and to validate Oxford Nanopore sequencing for rapid characterisation of rare genetic diseases in the Indian clinical context. In a separate agreement with BRIC-NIBMG, the parties agree to leverage the technology to implement new pipelines and multi-omics applications, including advancing research initiatives in key public health areas, such as maternal and child healthcare through newborn screening, and supporting the study and development of genomic applications in oral cancer. In addition, BRIC-NIBMG will use the Oxford Nanopore technology for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance as part of the wider ‘One Health’ agenda. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26008/south-india-gets-first-centre-of-excellence-for-car-t-cell-therapy-and-bone-marrow-transplant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/26008/south-india-gets-first-centre-of-excellence-for-car-t-cell-therapy-and-bone-marrow-transplant.html Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a landmark collaboration that bridges visionary science with decades of clinical excellence, SunAct Cancer Institute and Smita Memorial Hospital, founded by the Father of Medical Oncology, Dr Suresh H. Advani (Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan), have announced the opening of South India’s premier Centre of Excellence in CAR T-Cell Therapy and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Smita Memorial Hospital in Thodupuzha, Idukki district, Kerala. The newly launched Centre introduces India’s first CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumours, a major milestone in global oncology and currently unavailable elsewhere in the country. In addition to CAR-T, the Centre will offer TCR (T-Cell Receptor) Therapies; TIL (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes); Gamma Delta T-Cell Platforms; Gene Therapies; and a dedicated Paediatric Oncology Programme The Centre will also accelerate access to Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT), clinical trials, and new immunotherapies, reinforcing a shared commitment to next-generation care. The partnership is focused towards creating equitable access to elite therapies across underserved regions; launching internationally benchmarked clinical trials from tier-2/3 cities; building a training ecosystem to develop the next generation of oncologists, researchers, and cell and gene therapy (CGT) specialists; and attracting global partnerships for joint research, biomanufacturing, and IP co-development. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25924/rx-propellant-unveils-new-research-and-innovation-campus-in-genome-valley.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25924/rx-propellant-unveils-new-research-and-innovation-campus-in-genome-valley.html Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Rx Propellant, India’s premier life sciences infrastructure platform backed by Actis, has unveiled 1GV, a cutting-edge 136,000 sq. ft. research and innovation campus built over 1.8 acres in Genome Valley, Hyderabad. This launch marks another milestone in Rx Propellant’s unwavering commitment to advancing India’s life sciences ecosystem and shaping its future.  The story of 1GV is deeply intertwined with the origins of Genome Valley, one of Asia’s largest life sciences clusters. This site, long before it became 1GV, was where the first brick was laid, setting the foundation for the region’s remarkable growth. Over the years, this campus has been instrumental in scientific breakthroughs, witnessing and contributing to the evolution of India’s pharmaceutical, biotech, and contract research industries. This campus is a continuation of the legacy of the evolution of the Indian pharmaceutical and biotech industry, as 1GV is built on the historical grounds of the first construction in Genome Valley.  1GV is a beacon of modern life sciences infrastructure, designed to integrate sustainability at its core. With LEED Platinum & IFC EDGE Advanced Pre-Certification, the campus reflects a commitment to environmentally responsible development. Its world-class facilities are built for adaptability, scalability, and long-term growth, providing an optimal environment for life sciences enterprises. Beyond infrastructure, 1GV offers a suite of collaborative spaces designed to enhance connectivity, comfort, and well-being. “The launch of 1GV marks a significant expansion of Rx Propellant's owned portfolio, now totaling three campuses, and reinforces our leadership in India's life sciences infrastructure. This strategic addition in Genome Valley, a key hub, strengthens our presence in Hyderabad and contributes to our broader pan-India vision of providing cutting-edge, sustainable infrastructure to support the sector's growth,” said Milind Ravi, CEO of Rx Propellant. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25911/andhra-pradesh-seeks-greater-collaboration-with-centre-to-boost-biotechnology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25911/andhra-pradesh-seeks-greater-collaboration-with-centre-to-boost-biotechnology.html Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Andhra Pradesh’s Health Minister, Y. Satya Kumar, called on Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh in the national capital, seeking greater collaboration in the field of biotechnology. During their discussion, the two leaders explored ways to upscale biotechnology-related projects in the state and enhance ongoing initiatives with central support. Satya Kumar highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to leveraging biotechnology for healthcare advancements and industrial applications. He stressed the need for increased cooperation to bring cutting-edge innovations to the state. Dr Jitendra Singh assured full support from the Centre, reaffirming that biotechnology remains a priority sector under the present government. He emphasised the transformative potential of biotechnology in sectors like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable StartUps, noting that Andhra Pradesh could play a crucial role in driving such advancements. Dr Jitendra Singh noted that, over the years, Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a key player in India’s biotechnology sector, in areas such as biopharmaceutical research, marine biotechnology, and agricultural biotech solutions. The State hosts several biotech incubators and research institutions that have been instrumental in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. With initiatives like the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) funding and national biotech missions, Andhra Pradesh has witnessed significant growth in biotech startups and industry partnerships, the Minister said. The renewed push for collaboration aims to further integrate the state into India’s broader biotechnology roadmap, he added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25904/govt-announces-creation-of-regional-birac-centres-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25904/govt-announces-creation-of-regional-birac-centres-across-india.html Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 At a high-level meeting of the Department of Biotechnology, Union Minister of Science and Technology (S&T) Dr Jitendra Singh announced the creation of Regional BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) Centres across India, in collaboration with States, to accelerate startups and biomanufacturing, and thus harness the biotech potential in different parts of the country. The Minister emphasised the need for comprehensive mapping of states based on their biotech potential and directed the department to collaborate with them in establishing Bio E3 (Economy, Environment and Employment) Cells highlighting that Assam is the first state to establish a dedicated BIO E3 cell. These specialised cells will provide necessary support for fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and scaling up biotech ventures. Dr Jitendra Singh stressed that the Tripartite arrangement- a synergy between Research Infrastructure, Startups, and Industrial R&D- is the way forward for India’s biotech sector. He directed the department to prioritise setting up Core R&D Facilities equipped with state-of-the-art biomanufacturing capabilities to facilitate pilot validation, upscaling, and commercialisation of promising biotech innovations. Dr Jitendra Singh instructed the Department of Biotechnology to establish early industry linkages and work towards a 4P Model (Public-Private-People Partnership) for accelerating biotech growth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25864/indias-bioeconomy-hits-165-7-b-in-2024-with-moderate-decline-in-growth-momentum.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25864/indias-bioeconomy-hits-165-7-b-in-2024-with-moderate-decline-in-growth-momentum.html Fri, 21 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The India Bioeconomy Report 2025, developed by the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), was unveiled by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh, at the 13th Foundation Day celebration of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), in New Delhi on 21 March, 2025. According to the report, India's Bioeconomy continues to expand reaching $165.7 billion in 2024. In 2023, the bioeconomy registered a 10% growth, while in 2024, it has registered 9.7% growth. The report reveals that the BioIndustrial segment has contributed nearly half of the total bioeconomy (47.2%), followed by biopharma standing at 35.2%. In terms of States contribution to the bioeconomy, Maharashtra again takes the lead with $35.45 billion, followed by Karnataka ($32.4 billion) and Telangana ($19.9 bilion). "In just 10 years, India's bioeconomy has expanded from a modest $10 billion to $165.7 billion, far surpassing our initial target of $150 billion by 2025," Dr Jitendra Singh stated quoting IBER 2025. The report highlighted the progress made by the bioeconomy sector and as per the report, the sector is contributing 4.25% to the overall GDP. The sector has shown a CAGR of 17.9% over the past four years, showcasing India’s potential as a global biotech powerhouse. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25860/bharat-biotech-launches-indias-only-vertically-integrated-cell-and-gene-therapy-viral-production-facility-at-genome-valley.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25860/bharat-biotech-launches-indias-only-vertically-integrated-cell-and-gene-therapy-viral-production-facility-at-genome-valley.html Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL), a pioneer in affordable indigenous vaccine development and manufacturing, has announced the launch of India’s only vertically integrated, purpose-designed Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) Infrastructure & Viral Vector Production Facility at Genome Valley, expanding its expertise from vaccine innovation to leading-edge regenerative and personalised therapies that promise hope for millions. This facility ushers in a new era of gene and cell therapies to tackle scientific challenges such as targeted gene expression, immune system modulation, and long-term cell survival. The work will span from boosting immune responses against cancer to ensuring that therapeutic proteins are safely accepted in patients with genetic diseases like hemophilia. The 50,000-square-foot dedicated state-of-the-art CGT facility represents the next milestone in BBIL’s long-standing mission to deliver targeted, life-saving treatments that address unmet clinical needs globally by concentrating on critical conditions such as hematological malignancies and inherited blood disorders. Outlining the purpose behind establishing India’s only vertically integrated cell and gene therapy facility, Dr Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman, Bharat Biotech said, “Gene and cell therapies represent some of the most intricate, scientifically advanced treatments available today, involving sophisticated processes that require expertise in precise genetic manipulation and specialised manufacturing capabilities." Multiple specialised teams, spanning process development, production, quality assurance, and quality control, will collaborate under one roof to drive the clinical translation of novel therapies. Full-scale operations are on track to commence as the facility finalises regulatory approvals and completes the remaining build-out phases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25849/cellogen-therapeutics-develops-indigenous-bi-specific-3rd-generation-car-t-cells-for-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25849/cellogen-therapeutics-develops-indigenous-bi-specific-3rd-generation-car-t-cells-for-cancer-treatment.html Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a major breakthrough for India’s biotech sector and cancer treatment, Delhi-based biotech startup Cellogen Therapeutics has secured regulatory approval for the patent of the world’s first, indigenously developed Bi-Specific 3rd Generation Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR T) cells. This milestone positions India as a key player in advanced cell and gene therapies and offers new hope to patients battling blood cancers. Cellogen Therapeutics’ pioneering CAR T cell technology represents a transformative advancement in cancer immunotherapy. Unlike conventional CAR T cell therapies, which target a single antigen, Cellogen’s bi-specific platform engages two tumour-specific antigens simultaneously, enhancing treatment precision and reducing the risk of side effects such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. Cellogen Therapeutics has secured $2 million in funding from NATCO Pharma Limited, which has acquired a 5.38% stake in the company. The startup is preparing for clinical trials in collaboration with Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. The trials will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the therapy, with Cellogen engaging regulatory authorities, healthcare institutions, and global partners to accelerate the treatment’s availability. The startup’s research is supported by leading institutions, including the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, and NATCO Pharma. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/25837/rossari-biotech-leads-indian-industrial-enzymes-ranking-survey-for-2022-23.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/25837/rossari-biotech-leads-indian-industrial-enzymes-ranking-survey-for-2022-23.html Sun, 16 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 BioSpectrum Top Industrial Enzymes Companies 2023* (Revenue) Mumbai-based Rossari Biotech Ltd with sales revenue of Rs 1661.36 crore leads the Indian Industrial Enzymes Industry ranking survey for 2022-23 Bengaluru-based Novozymes* South Asia Private Limited with sales revenue of Rs 10 crore stands at second position followed by Thane-based Advanced Enzyme Technologies Limited with sales revenue of Rs 566.09 crore (at third position).   * (Chr. Hansen and Novozymes have joined forces to create Novonesis)   Bengaluru-based Iosynth Labs witnessed highest percentage growth in 2022-23 financial year recording 108 per cent growth followed by Mumbai- based Rossari Biotech recording 55 per cent (second place) and Aumgene Biosciences registering 29 per cent growth (third place).     BIOSPECTRUM INDUSTRIAL ENZYMES SURVEY AND METHODOLOGY BioSpectrum India, a leading B2B media platform in Lifesciences space, has completed a survey of the Indian Industrial Enzymes Industry with companies specialising in food & beverage, textile, pharmaceutical, food processing, leather, detergents, paper and pulp and bioenergy. We highlighted the companies (both MNCs and domestic players) based on their achievements in the past financial years. We have collected information on income / sales revenue figures about listed companies from stock exchange and financial agencies and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). #The revenues considered for the analysis are of Industrial Enzymes products sales. #For all the ranking purposes, we have taken the Industrial Enzymes business only into consideration. Wherever 'Revenue is mentioned, it means, sales turnover from Industrial Enzymes products division. Therefore, revenue wherever mentioned is not necessarily the total sales turnover of the company. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/25838/rossari-biotech-leads-indian-industrial-enzymes-ranking-survey-for-2023-24.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/25838/rossari-biotech-leads-indian-industrial-enzymes-ranking-survey-for-2023-24.html Sun, 16 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 BioSpectrum Top Industrial Enzymes Companies 2024* (Revenue) Mumbai-based Rossari Biotech Ltd with sales revenue of Rs 1,838.18 crore leads the Indian Industrial Enzymes Industry ranking survey for 2023-24 Bangalore-based Novozymes* South Asia Private Limited with sales revenue of Rs 42 crore stands at second position followed by Thane-based Advanced Enzyme Technologies Limited with sales revenue of Rs 660.53 crore (at third position).   * (Chr. Hansen and Novozymes have joined forces to create Novonesis) Mysuru-based Kaypeeyes Biotech Private Limited witnessed highest percentage growth in 2023-24 financial year recording 264 per cent growth followed by Bengaluru - based Novozymes South Asia Private Limited (now Novonesis) recording 38 per cent (second place) and Enzyme India from Chennai registering 36 per cent growth (third place).     BIOSPECTRUM INDUSTRIAL ENZYMES SURVEY AND METHODOLOGY BioSpectrum India, a leading B2B media platform in Lifesciences space is doing a survey of the Indian Industrial Enzymes Industry with companies specializing in food & beverage, textile, pharmaceutical, food processing, leather, detergents, paper and pulp and bioenergy. We highlighted the companies (both MNCs and domestic players) based on their achievements in the past financial years. We have collected information on income / sales revenue figures about listed companies from stock exchange and financial agencies and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). #The revenues considered for the analysis are of Industrial Enzymes products sales. #For all the ranking purposes, we have taken the Industrial Enzymes business only into consideration. Wherever 'Revenue is mentioned, it means, sales turnover from Industrial Enzymes products division. Therefore, revenue wherever mentioned is not necessarily the total sales turnover of the company. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25813/karnataka-government-allocates-rs-57-cr-to-rebuild-bangalore-bioinnovation-centre-after-fire-damage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25813/karnataka-government-allocates-rs-57-cr-to-rebuild-bangalore-bioinnovation-centre-after-fire-damage.html Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Government of Karnataka has allocated Rs 57 crore for the reconstruction of the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC), which suffered extensive damage due to a fire on January 14, 2025. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the Karnataka Budget 2025, reinforcing the state’s commitment to revitalizing its biotech ecosystem. Located in Electronics City, the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre serves as a vital incubation hub for biotechnology startups and research initiatives. The fire caused severe damage to high-end laboratory equipment and valuable research materials, disrupting the progress of numerous startups and research projects. Recognizing the centre’s critical role in Karnataka’s biotech sector, the government has prioritized its restoration. Of the Rs 57 crore allocated, ₹20 crore has been specifically earmarked for FY26 to facilitate phased reconstruction and re-equipment of the centre. This financial commitment underscores the government’s dedication to fostering innovation, supporting biotech entrepreneurs, and strengthening Karnataka’s position as a global biotechnology hub. The Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre has been instrumental in advancing biopharma, agritech, medtech, and industrial biotech solutions. The reconstruction efforts will not only restore lost infrastructure but also upgrade facilities to better serve the next generation of biotech innovators. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25817/msd-unveils-new-facility-in-us-to-increase-vaccine-production-capacity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25817/msd-unveils-new-facility-in-us-to-increase-vaccine-production-capacity.html Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has announced the opening of a new, $1 billion, 225,000-square-foot facility dedicated to vaccine manufacturing at its Durham, North Carolina site in the US. This expansion of the Durham plant is a crucial component of the more than $12 billion Merck has invested toward US capital investment since 2018 focused on expanding domestic manufacturing and research and development capabilities and creating new jobs in the US, with another $8 billion of US capital investment expected by 2028. "Expanding our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Durham marks a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen our production and manufacturing capabilities in the US," said Sanat Chattopadhyay, executive vice president and president, Merck Manufacturing Division. "The cutting-edge technologies employed here empower our workforce and underscore our leadership in innovation to support patients everywhere." The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility leverages best practices and learnings from across the Merck Manufacturing Division network as well as new technical and digital capabilities including data analytics, generative AI, 3D printing and a training centre equipped with a digital twin – a virtual model of the shop floor manufacturing process systems – to accelerate new employee training and simulate process changes before they are implemented. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25795/techinvention-to-introduce-quantooms-cutting-edge-rna-manufacturing-solutions-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25795/techinvention-to-introduce-quantooms-cutting-edge-rna-manufacturing-solutions-in-india-.html Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 TechInvention Lifecare has announced a strategic collaboration with Belgium-based Quantoom Biosciences. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formally signed during the Belgian Economic Mission to India recently. As part of this collaboration, TechInvention is introducing Quantoom’s cutting-edge RNA manufacturing solutions to India with a strong focus on accessibility, scalability, and affordability. This advanced suite of technologies is designed to de-risk and accelerate the development of RNA-based vaccines. Complementing this, TechInvention will leverage its translational research expertise, regulatory know-how, and GMP manufacturing capabilities to streamline developing, scaling, and commercialising novel RNA-based products. This partnership represents a transformative milestone in India’s biotechnology landscape, establishing end-to-end mRNA production capabilities at TechInvention’s forthcoming EU-GMP-approved facility, the Global Collaborative Centre for Medical Countermeasures (GCMC), in Mumbai. With a One Health approach, this collaboration extends beyond human health to encompass animal and environmental health. The technology is designed for environmental sustainability, integrating modular, low-carbon-footprint mRNA systems that support global decarbonization efforts. It aligns with worldwide initiatives to enable access to next-generation RNA technologies, ensuring that low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) benefit from locally manufactured, cost-effective, and scalable solutions. This collaboration positions India as a hub for next-gen RNA-based vaccines, driving global partnerships for equitable healthcare. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/25767/our-goal-is-to-make-new-molecules-with-new-mutations-to-develop-an-rsv-vaccine-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/25767/our-goal-is-to-make-new-molecules-with-new-mutations-to-develop-an-rsv-vaccine-in-india.html Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 At the outset, congratulations for winning the prestigious Tata Transformation Prize 2024. What are your plans post this achievement?  We will be using the prize money to make the antigens for the RSV vaccine and to test them in small animals for their ability to elicit neutralising antibodies and to protect the animals from viral challenges. Once we have the results in hand, we will engage with other partners to take the final formulation forward, first into clinical trials and subsequently commercialisation. Our immediate industry partner is Mynvax, which is a startup that I co-founded a few years ago, and we work closely with them.    Could you shed light on the RSV vaccine that your lab is working on?  Talking about our approach; on the RSV virus, there's a protein called the F protein which is one of the two major surface proteins of the virus, that helps the virus to infect cells. The challenge is that we need to make it in the proper shape because it's a very unstable protein and during the process of infection it undergoes a change in its shape. Thus, we need to focus on that pre-infection shape, and make mutations to increase both the level of expression and to tie it down into the correct shape, that will permit the virus to enter the host cells. We know that antibodies elicited by this form of the protein prevent infection. Currently, we are in the process of screening the F protein for different kinds of mutations that will stabilise it in the correct shape. Once the molecule is identified, we need to engage with other partners; it has to be produced under GMP conditions, following which we have to do safety toxicity studies prior to subsequent clinical trials which we expect to initiate after 2-3 years.   What are the current challenges facing the RSV vaccine space in India and globally, and how is your research addressing those challenges? The main challenge is that the current vaccines are priced at around $300 per dose. RSV vaccines in the west have only been approved about a year ago, one from Pfizer, one from GSK and an mRNA one from Moderna. There is also a lot of IP around the vaccines. In order to strike a difference, our goal is to make new molecules with new mutations. Since the RSV surface protein is quite unstable, this is not easy.  Early attempts to make an RSV vaccine in the 1960s failed because of a lack of understanding of this issue.   Besides RSV vaccine development, what other projects are you working upon? Are there any industry partnerships in the pipeline for commercialising your research projects? We have a flu vaccine for which Mynvax has completed a clinical trial in Australia. We also have another version of the vaccine, which will be starting trials in India and then in the EU in the next couple of years. Those are the two immediate things that we have. We earlier developed thermostable vaccines to combat COVID-19 as well as other sarbecoviruses. For those, there is no commercial interest at the moment but we have them available, should there be another outbreak.    Dr Manbeena Chawla (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25745/global-companies-to-open-new-centres-in-hyderabad-across-life-sciences-and-tech-sectors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25745/global-companies-to-open-new-centres-in-hyderabad-across-life-sciences-and-tech-sectors.html Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A series of announcements were made by global companies that took part in the 22nd edition of BioAsia 2025, Asia’s largest life sciences and healthcare conference, themed ‘Catalysts of Change – Expanding Global Healthcare Frontiers, Transforming Healthcare with Innovation, Collaboration and Progress’. While MSD from US has announced the opening of a global tech centre in Hyderabad; US-based Agilisium, a company revolutionising pharma sector by leveraging data-driven insights, has launched its new office at RMZ Spire, Hyderabad. The company has also established a Life Sciences and Innovation & Talent Development Lab. On the other hand, ALS, an Australia-based global leader in testing, inspection, certification, and verification solutions, is establishing a state-of-the-art Bio Pharma cGMP testing lab in Genome Valley; and Taiwan-based company Lotus is setting up its 2nd R&D centre in Hyderabad. For Lotus, the new R&D centre will be located in Genome Valley, covering 20,000 square feet and employing around 100 people. The project will be developed in two phases, with the first phase expected to be operational by Q2 2025 and the second phase completed by Q4 2025. To facilitate this expansion, the company has established a new subsidiary called Meishi Pharma Services Private Ltd with an investment of Rs 36 crore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25724/miltenyi-biotec-inaugurates-indias-first-cell-and-gene-therapy-coe-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25724/miltenyi-biotec-inaugurates-indias-first-cell-and-gene-therapy-coe-in-hyderabad.html Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Miltenyi Biotec, a global leader in cell and gene therapy (CGT) solutions, has launched India’s first-ever dedicated cell & gene therapy centre-of-excellence (CoE) in Hyderabad. With this launch, Miltenyi Biotec reinforces its commitment to India. It also furthers the vision of the company to advance cutting-edge biotechnology and foster innovation in India’s rapidly growing life sciences sector. Spanning 1,800 sqm in Genome Valley, India’s leading life sciences hub, MITC (Miltenyi innovation and technology centre) is designed to advance cell and gene therapy development. It will foster innovation by integrating expertise, best practices, and cutting-edge technologies to combat diseases, including cancer. The facility features a showroom with advanced MACS instruments, a CliniMACS Prodigy platform for therapy development and manufacturing, and interactive training opportunities. It will serve as a collaborative hub, hosting seminars and workshops in immunology, stem cell biology, cancer, and other key areas. MITC was inaugurated by Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary for the Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (ITE&C), and Industries & Commerce Departments of the Government of Telangana and Dr Kathrin Misera-Lang, Consul General (interim) of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of India, Chennai, along with other dignitaries. D Sridhar Babu, IT and Industries Minister of Telangana emphasised, “This facility strengthens our healthcare ecosystem and supports our vision of making Telangana a global leader in advanced biotechnology and healthcare solutions, particularly in cell and gene therapies.” Dr Boris Stoffel, Chief Commercial Officer, Member of the Board, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, added, “MITC will drive advancements in biomedical research, supporting the scientific and medical community in developing new therapies for diseases with limited treatment options. It will enable close collaboration with researchers, physicians and industry providing them with the tools and expertise needed to deliver transformative therapies to patients.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25719/tata-institute-for-genetics-and-society-announces-strategic-alliance-to-advance-research-in-rare-genetic-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25719/tata-institute-for-genetics-and-society-announces-strategic-alliance-to-advance-research-in-rare-genetic-disorders.html Sun, 23 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Avestagenome Project International Pvt. Ltd. (AGENOME) & Avesthagen Limited, in partnership with the Bengaluru-based Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), have signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement to advance research and development in rare genetic disorders, with a focus on the Zoroastrian Parsi community. This partnership aims to deepen the understanding and develop targeted solutions for conditions such as congenital deafness, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and other rare disorders requiring further investigation, ultimately contributing to the development of new products that benefit the global community. The research partnership will leverage AGENOME’s extensive Biobank, which holds 4,700 blood samples from the Zoroastrian Parsi community, a valuable resource for studying genetic diseases. Of these, 350 samples have already been sequenced, marking a critical step toward uncovering genetic markers that contribute to rare disorders. This Biobank, combined with TIGS’ expertise in functional genomics and molecular biology, will help drive innovations in early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions. Additionally, AGENOME’s prior research partnership with the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) on neurological disorders such as Schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease has already laid a strong foundation in understanding complex genetic conditions. The current partnership with TIGS further strengthens this effort, bringing together cutting-edge research in multiple disease areas. By integrating insights from both partnerships, this initiative is poised to make significant contributions to the broader field of genetic research and disease management. Key focus areas of this research partnership include- Leveraging genome data to identify novel and relevant markers for developing diagnostic and screening assays (using CRISPR technologies) at a population scale; Substituting enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with the development of mRNA-based treatments where applicable; Jointly assessing the potential for in vivo gene therapy for diseases relevant to the population based on genome data insights; and Identifying genetic variants that influence drug efficacy and safety, contributing to advancements in precision medicine. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25699/leucine-rich-bio-expands-global-reach-with-new-partnership-in-brazil.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25699/leucine-rich-bio-expands-global-reach-with-new-partnership-in-brazil.html Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Leucine Rich Bio, South Asia’s first microbiome company, has announced a strategic partnership with Precision Diagnosticos, a leading diagnostics firm based in Brazil. This collaboration will bring BugSpeaks, Leucine Rich Bio’s flagship microbiome testing technology, to the Brazilian market, enhancing access to cutting-edge microbiome diagnostics and personalised health solutions across both regions. BugSpeaks is an advanced gut microbiome analysis tool designed to detect microbial imbalances that can contribute to conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and digestive disorders. Through this partnership, Precision Diagnosticos expertise and extensive distribution network will help expand the availability of microbiome testing in Brazil, empowering individuals to take proactive steps toward better health. In addition to expanding microbiome testing, the partnership will drive educational campaigns to raise awareness about gut health and its crucial role in overall well-being. Healthcare professionals will receive specialised training and resources to integrate microbiome testing into clinical practice, ensuring the technology’s widespread and effective use.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25696/iit-g-signs-mou-to-promote-c-phycocyanin-production-technology-for-health-pharma-sectors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25696/iit-g-signs-mou-to-promote-c-phycocyanin-production-technology-for-health-pharma-sectors.html Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a major step towards bringing sustainable biotechnology solutions from lab to market, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with K.N. Bioscience (India) Pvt. Ltd., for the large-scale commercialisation of C-Phycocyanin production from Spirulina biomass. The MoU was signed by Prof. Rohit Sinha, Dean Research & Development, IIT Guwahati, and Sudha Reddy, Founder and Managing Director, K.N. Bioscience (India), with Prof. Debasish Das, lead scientist behind the technology. C-Phycocyanin is a natural blue pigment derived from Spirulina, a type of cyanobacteria that grows using carbon dioxide and sunlight. It has multiple industrial applications, such as a natural blue food colorant, replacing synthetic dyes in confectionery, ice cream, and beverages; a nutraceutical and pharmaceutical compound, with anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-diabetic properties; a fluorescent marker for diagnostics; a cosmetic ingredient for skin rejuvenation and wound healing; and a protein-rich aquafeed and poultry supplement for enhanced growth and disease resistance. Despite its immense potential, widespread adoption of this pigment is limited due to its high production costs and inefficiencies in extraction and purification. Currently, only a few Indian companies work with high-value microalgal products like phycocyanin and omega-3 oils, but this innovation opens doors for new industry players, boosts job creation, and strengthens India’s biotechnology industry. From a global point of view, this advancement can position India as a key exporter of this valuable compound. The technology has been successfully demonstrated at flask level experiments, 5L fermenter trials and 100L air lift flat plate photobioreactor. Additionally, a patent has been granted on the downstream process, developed by IIT Guwahati researchers for maximum extraction of C-phycocyanin from spirulina biomass and its purification to analytical-grade standard. Currently, the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) stands at 6, indicating its near-commercial viability. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25661/ixp-launches-maiden-rs-200-cr-fund-to-fuel-biotech-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25661/ixp-launches-maiden-rs-200-cr-fund-to-fuel-biotech-innovation.html Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 IXP, a Lifesciences VC backed by JV Ventures, has announced the launch of it’s first fund to invest in early-stage companies. The fund aims to build a portfolio of B2B companies ranging from Pre-seed to Series A stages. The IXP Lifesciences Catalyst Fund is targeting a corpus of Rs 200 crore with a greenshoe option of Rs 100 crore. The fund plans to create a portfolio of 20-25 companies addressing gaps in the market for both services and products. Within the lifesciences sector, the fund will invest across innovation in areas such as pharma, biotechnology, medical technology, speciality chemicals, agrotechnology and nutraceuticals. Ketki Tulpule, Ph.D., CIO at IXP said, “IXP was born out of a need we saw in the Indian startup ecosystem. In fact, we conducted a pan-India survey to understand the pain points of biotech’s for an outside-in perspective. The sector is nuanced, and requires investors with scientific expertise, industry knowledge, and operational experience to help biotech’s succeed. We are glad to have onboarded industry veterans as council members and advisors who add to the scientific heft of the fund”. Vishal Goel, Partner at IXP and Co-founder of JV Ventures commented, “The Indian Lifesciences industry is dynamic with large untapped potential. Through IXP Venture Studio, we will co-create companies along with scientists for ideas addressing unmet needs in the market. Unlike traditional VCs, IXP has a hands-on approach through active participation from concept to scale. The Ventureprenuer Program has been designed to transform scientists into founders”. Jasmeet Chhabra, Partner at IXP and Co-founder of JV Ventures added, “The success of biotech’s hinges on many factors, not just capital. These early-stage companies require access to larger ecosystems for laboratories, networks and R&D services which we provide through PoweRx, the Lifesciences vertical of JV Ventures. This differentiates IXP from other funds as it leverages synergies within the group to create a winning proposition for portfolio companies.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25656/herbalife-india-collaborates-with-iit-madras-to-launch-plant-cell-fermentation-technology-lab.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25656/herbalife-india-collaborates-with-iit-madras-to-launch-plant-cell-fermentation-technology-lab.html Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Herbalife, a premier health and wellness company, community and platform, has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras to establish the Herbalife-IITM Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab at the campus under Herbalife’s CSR initiative. The agreement signing ceremony took place at IIT Madras in the presence of Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, and Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean - Alumni & Corporate Relations, IIT Madras and other IIT-M representing members. This partnership aligns with the Indian government's Bio-E3 policy, aimed at establishing India as a global hub for bio-manufacturing and advancing Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The lab will serve as a catalyst for innovation, capacity building, and industry collaboration in the wellness sector while also fostering entrepreneurship. The Centre of Excellence – Herbalife Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab, is focused on pioneering sustainable solutions for high-quality herbal raw materials and phytochemicals. The facility will be a centre to produce sustainable herbal raw materials using plant cell fermentation technology, ensuring high-quality phytochemicals and drive innovation in nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and Ayush formulations, contributing directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG3 - Good Health & Well-Being). The collaborative effort will leverage plant cell technology to enable vitro cultivation of medicinal plants under controlled conditions, ensuring year-round availability, purity, and bioactive consistency. In addition to this, Advanced bioreactor-based scaling will facilitate large-volume production in minimal space, overcoming land constraints and long harvesting cycles associated with traditional farming and the green extraction technologies will drive sustainability in bioactive compound production. The Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab predominantly has 5 key focus areas, Innovative Research to handle R&D, translational research, and blue-sky projects; Sustainable Biomanufacturing to handle the scalable plant cell fermentation for herbal extracts; Technology-Driven Solutions in the silico screening for phytochemical discovery and repurposing; Conservation Efforts in the production of somatic embryos and plant materials for field cultivation of endangered medicinal species; and Ecosystem Engagement to support hackathons as well as accelerator programs to drive innovation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/25635/pioneering-sustainable-innovation-dr-nagaraj-rao-on-rrr-labs-journey-and-future-vision.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/25635/pioneering-sustainable-innovation-dr-nagaraj-rao-on-rrr-labs-journey-and-future-vision.html Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530   In an interview with BioSpectrum India, Dr. rer. nat. Nagaraj Rao, Director of RANE RAO RESHAMIA LABORATORIES PVT LTD (RRR Labs), delves into the company’s inspiring journey—from its origins as a venture by three first-generation entrepreneurs to becoming a niche innovator in sustainability-driven biotech and industrial solutions. Dr. Rao discusses the company's groundbreaking work in platinum recovery, nanosilver applications, and industry collaborations, as well as the strategic vision for 2025, including the launch of a new facility in Navi Mumbai. He also reflects on the challenges of scaling a deep-tech enterprise and how Indo-German partnerships can bolster India’s biotech ecosystem. Can you share the story behind the founding of RRR Labs?  RRR Labs was founded by three first generation entrepreneurs, as our name suggests, who had studied together in Mumbai. Success in group activities such as inter-collegiate science exhibitions and rural camps inspired us to venture into industry. What inspired you to venture into research and innovation? I think there were several reasons. With backgrounds in chemistry and pharmaceutical and fine chemical technology, I got an opportunity to develop a stable, all-purpose skin cream in my very first job with a global FMCG company in Mumbai, which became a best-seller. During my years of study and research in Germany, I was keenly interested in various subjects including biochemical engineering and organic/medicinal chemistry. The large network of former students in the German University where I taught as well as friends and colleagues from my doctoral and post-doc Research Institute and in industry gave a sense of motivation assurance to venture into doing something different in India. RRR Labs is known for its focus on sustainability and cutting-edge technologies. Could you elaborate on the unique solutions your company offers and how they stand out in the industry? Circular economy is in fashion only now, although it is absolutely necessary in every industry. In the field of Surface Coating Technologies, we developed equipment and processes for recovering precious metals for reuse, with quick returns on investment. Platinum remains a critical raw material for certain anti-cancer drugs, apart from various other industrial applications. Our recently developed eco-friendly, non-hazardous process for onsite cleaning and recovery of platinum metals from caprolactam and nitric acid plants, which is awaiting patent approval, eliminates the use of mineral acids and is poised become a global game changer in the industry. In the field of Life Sciences, we have recently filed a patent application for medical use of nanosilver incorporated in natural textiles. What challenges did you face in establishing and scaling RRR Labs? The beginnings in the early 1990’s after a long stay in Germany were quiet challenging, especially because while we had local experience in the service industry, we were new into the manufacturing business. Capital was scarce and we ploughed back all profits for the growth of business for several years. We used to manufacture a bulk drug for some years but had to give it up due to cheap imports from China. This made us realise that in certain fields of business, large capital investments and large-scale production are very critical. We had to choose between expanding our production capacities with large borrowings and  remaining small and focussed. We consciously chose to focus on niche products and niche markets.  What helped you to overcome these challenges? Doing business with customers in Europe in general was easier compared to doing business with local customers, though things have improved here since recent times. Since we are active in different areas of industry, ranging from Life Sciences to Defence Hardware and Surface Coating Technologies, technical employees have to be trained considerably and for a long time, before they can start thinking holistically. Consistent support and encouragement from the family helped in overcoming many of the challenges we faced over the years. Collaboration is key in the biotech and healthcare industries. Can you discuss any notable partnerships or collaborations that have significantly impacted your company’s growth? Biotech and Healthcare being capital intensive industries and our focus being on niche products and niche markets, our collaborations are slightly different in nature. We have as yet not ventured into manufacturing. Working with small and mid-size European biosciences companies and research institutes has been mutually beneficial. Personal contacts and long-standing relationships have helped us to forge partnership with reputed, innovative companies. I had the privilege of being a visiting faculty for bioprocess technology for the first Masters course, started in 1993 at the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai (formerly UDCT), for fifteen years and many of those students occupy leading positions in industry today. Although all fields of technology have always excited me, I have been focussing more on biotechnology since some years and the response of the Indian industry has been very positive, particularly from companies which manufacture Biosimilars and Vaccines in India. It is heartening to note here that we are getting encouraging signs from Indian research institutes and universities, at a time when the biotech industry’s sentiments are a bit different than during the COVID-19 pandemic. You seem to value your relationships in Germany a lot? How could it help the Indian biotech industry?   There are several innovative biotech companies and research institutes in Germany, whose offerings could be of great relevance to Indian companies. Although such companies meet potential partners from India, particularly at conferences and exhibitions, our field requires more than just sales and marketing inputs. Although English is becoming the language of communication, there are several cultural and communication gaps, which can lead to failures or delays, and which require to be addressed quickly and professionally. As we look ahead to 2025, what are RRR Labs' strategic goals and priorities, and how do you plan to drive innovation and sustainability in the coming year? We shall soon be inaugurating a 10,000 Sq ft facility in Navi Mumbai with continued emphasis on new product development. We shall also be strengthening our cold storage capacities to meet local requirements. Simultaneously, we are working on increasing our intellectual property bank with new patent applications.   (ankit.kankar@mmactiv.com ) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25619/iit-m-launches-first-of-its-kind-cancer-genome-database-to-transform-cancer-research-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25619/iit-m-launches-first-of-its-kind-cancer-genome-database-to-transform-cancer-research-in-india.html Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) in collaboration with Karkinos Healthcare, Mumbai, the Chennai Breast Clinic and Cancer Research and Relief Trust, Chennai, has announced the completion of the Indian breast cancer genome sequence generation and released the ‘Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas’ (BCGA). The institute has made this database publicly accessible at bcga.iitm.ac.in to researchers and clinicians in India and abroad. The research was led by the Institute’s Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, which was funded under the Government of India’s ‘Institutions of Eminence’ initiative. Elaborating on this initiative, Project Coordinator Prof. S. Mahalingam, Head, Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, IIT Madras, said, “This database will be an invaluable resource to identify cancer-specific biomarkers in India, which will enable early detection of breast cancers. Further, it will also be very useful to identify novel drug targets for developing better treatment strategies specific to the Indian population.” This Genome Atlas also provides knowledge on the genetic basis of cancer progression and evolution and may help the biomedical research and healthcare system in India shift toward a vision of “personalised medicine” which may improve the standard of medical care by including an individual’s genetic and molecular information in the clinical decision-making process. The analysis was performed under the aegis of National Center for Precision Medicine in Cancer, an initiative between IIT Madras and Karkinos Healthcare to accelerate interdisciplinary research and development of affordable cancer care solutions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25625/indias-first-ferret-research-facility-opens-in-translational-health-science-and-technology-institute.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25625/indias-first-ferret-research-facility-opens-in-translational-health-science-and-technology-institute.html Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 India's commitment to cutting-edge biomedical research and innovation has taken a significant leap forward with the dedication of the nation's first Ferret Research Facility, the launch of the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI data repository, and the execution of a key technology transfer agreement. The events, held at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in the NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, were presided over by Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Director General, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council and Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The newly inaugurated THSTI Ferret Research Facility, a state-of-the-art establishment adhering to the highest biosafety and research standards, marks a pivotal moment in India's fight against infectious and non-communicable diseases. This pioneering facility will serve as a crucial resource for vaccine development, therapeutic testing, and research into emerging infectious diseases, significantly bolstering India's pandemic preparedness strategy and positioning the nation at the forefront of global scientific endeavors. Dr Gokhale launched GARBH-INi-DRISHTI, the DBT Data Repository and Information Sharing Hub at THSTI. This groundbreaking platform, developed under the GARBH-INi programme, provides access to an unprecedented wealth of clinical data, images, and biospecimens collected from over 12,000 pregnant women, newborns, and postpartum mothers. As one of South Asia's largest maternal and child health databases, GARBH-INi-DRISHTI will empower researchers worldwide to conduct transformative research aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Its foundation lies in collaborative efforts across India's leading research institutions and hospitals, representing a powerful synergy of expertise. Furthering the drive to translate research into tangible benefits, THSTI executed a Technology Transfer Agreement with Sundyota Numandis Probioceuticals. This agreement facilitates the commercialisation of THSTI's innovative, genetically defined synthetic microbial consortium, Lactobacillus crispatus. Isolated from the reproductive tracts of women enrolled in the GARBH-INi cohort, this consortium holds immense promise for nutraceutical applications, promoting overall health and well-being through targeted microbiome-based interventions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/25589/how-india-is-pulling-in-european-life-sciences-sector-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/25589/how-india-is-pulling-in-european-life-sciences-sector-.html Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The total global pharma market in calendar year 2023 was $1508 billion and is expected to touch $1544 billion in 2024 registering a growth of 2.4 per cent. North America, the leading region with an expected share of $511.79 billion in 2024 is likely to see an increase of 3.73 per cent over previous year’s share of $493.38 billion. Asia Pacific is the leading region in terms of percentage growth of 3.86 per cent in 2024 over the previous year’s growth rate of 3.14 per cent with a share of $467.04 billion in 2024 as against $449.69 billion in 2023 and $436 billion in 2022. The European region which recorded a growth rate of 4.95 per cent in 2023 with a share of $410.71 billion in 2023 will witness a flat growth in 2024 as its share will be around $410.71 billion, according to the IQVIA report. The global generic market that holds 32.65 per cent of the total pharma market as per Fitch Solutions has touched $492.78 billion in 2023. India is predominantly a generic player. Major generic producers in the world besides India, include China producing $100-110 billion, USA producing roughly $ 65-70 billion, Germany producing $ 20-22 billion, Russia producing $14-15 billion. India’s generic share in the global generic market is $ 44.78 billion ($21.53 billion exports + $23.25 billion domestic) working out to a percentage share of 9.2 per cent. India’s exports of pharmaceuticals during April 2023 till March 2024 has been to the tune of $27.84 billion with a growth of almost 9.66 per cent. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico region continues to be the topmost region as an exporting partner for India with share of $9,569.52 million in financial year 2023-24 registering growth of 14.64 per cent over previous year’s share of $8,347.24 million. Exports to the region of Europe has grown by 11 per cent and is accountable for more than 20 per cent of India’s exports. Europe has a strong and robust pharma industry and in fact, it is the very crucible from which the global modern pharma industry has evolved. Considering this growth, 2371 pharma companies have received Certification of Suitability (CEP) from European regulatory authorities (as of April 2024) and 1943 pharma companies have got accreditation from UK MHRA (The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) and Market authorisations.  This progress has been witnessed due the strong relations between India and European Union (EU) that has a cooperation agreement with India dating from 1994, which allows the setting up of specialised subgroups, including on pharmaceuticals. In 2005, the EU and India adopted a joint action plan for the India-EU strategic partnership, endorsing the establishment of a working group on pharmaceuticals. This working group started its activities in July 2006, with annual meetings ever since.  The European Medicines Agency (EMA) supports India in applying international standards, particularly for good manufacturing practice (GMP) and clinical trial activities, and facilitates capacity building and regulatory contacts. Due to these activities, among the top 10 Indian pharmaceutical export destinations five are from the European region namely UK (second), Netherland (fourth), France (fifth), Belgium (seventh) and Germany (eighth).  Taking the advantage of these agreements at the government levels, the European companies have been investing in R&D and manufacturing facilities, as well as opening Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India. Through these approaches, leading European pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies are actively expanding their footprint in India. Their strategies include fostering research and development (R&D), investing in Contract Research Organisations (CROs) and Contract Development Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs), and establishing partnerships to enhance large-scale production capabilities. These collaborations focus on areas like healthcare innovation, digital health, biotechnology, vaccine production, biosimilars, and biologics manufacturing, essential for global healthcare resilience.  Many European companies have not only been sourcing products from Indian manufacturers for years, but have been now setting up their own production facilities in India. As many pharma companies turn to more collaborative business models, India having strong IT talent and skill sets in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cloud computing, IoT, big data, analytics and many new areas is likely to play an increasingly important partnering role.   In July 2024, Sanofi, a French multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company announced a €400 million ($437 million) investment in its GCC in Hyderabad, while Denmark's Novo Nordisk, in October 2024, partnered with AI startups and expanded its leadership team, planning an increase in its workforce by 2025 to handle vast clinical trial datasets. UK-based AstraZeneca is investing Rs 250 crore to expand its GCC in India, underscoring its commitment to leveraging India's talent pool and enhancing its global operations.  It may be noted that Sandoz, a Swiss company that focuses on generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars and now the generics arm of Novartis, has two manufacturing plants and a research centre for developing formulations and processes, based in Thane. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a British multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company has facilities based in Mumbai and Nashik. The GSK operates in India through its subsidiary, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd, offering a range of prescription medicines and vaccines across various therapeutic areas. GSK has a longstanding presence in India, contributing to the healthcare sector through its products and initiatives. Roche, the Swiss pharmaceutical firm has entered into promotion, marketing, and distribution partnerships with Indian companies Cipla and Entero. These collaborations aim to improve access to Roche's oncology, rheumatology, immunology, and nephrology medicines in India. Mid-tier global pharma companies are present as well – Lonza, and Ethypharm all have manufacturing or research facilities in India.    Healthcare Innovation and Digital Health  The rapidly expanding technological infrastructure in India is creating a strong base for enabling global pharma companies to enhance their operations, drive innovation, and achieve cost efficiencies, earning India a significant competitive advantage. The country's robust IT infrastructure supports various aspects of operations, including R&D, data management, and digital health initiatives.  For instance, Swiss giant Roche is harnessing India’s robust technology ecosystem to forge ahead in the digital landscape, crafting innovative solutions that resonate on a global scale. Roche has been actively collaborating with India's life sciences industry to enhance healthcare access and innovation.  Roche has expanded its digital pathology open environment through strategic collaborations aimed at supporting pathologists and scientists in cancer research and diagnosis by leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies. Roche initiated its first Digital Center of Excellence in India, in Pune early 2024 - a co-location for Roche Information Solutions, Roche Diagnostics Solutions R&D, and Roche Informatics teams encompassing a diverse team of professionals from data engineers and software engineers to architects and user-experience professionals working to build cutting edge products in digital healthcare. Roche Information Solutions India evolved from Roche’s 2017 acquisition of Viewics’, a startup with its engineering centre in Pune. To cite a similar example, AstraZeneca’s Global Innovation & Technology Centre (GITC) in Chennai drives the company's digital journey and technology innovation, housing over 50 per cent of its global IT staff. GITC offers services in software engineering, cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, cloud, hyper-automation, AI/ML, extended reality, and IoT. To this end, in July 2024, AstraZeneca India Private Limited (AZIPL), the GCC of AstraZeneca, announced an investment of Rs 250 crore ($30 million) to expand its GITC, which includes close to 1,300 roles focused on driving innovation, enhancing efficiency, and streamlining operations across the company globally. In July 2024, the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), the technology business incubator of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK), entered into an agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim India, a leading global pharmaceutical company, to foster a partnership for fostering healthcare innovations. Boehringer Ingelheim’s grant supports Manastik Technologies, an SIIC-incubated startup focused on developing India's inaugural tele-neurorehabilitation app for multidisciplinary dementia care and diagnosis, focussing on the unmet need for comprehensive mental health strategies to address the growing burden of dementia and other mental health disorders in India. Using DADT (Dementia Application and Diagnosis & Tracking) technology, Manastik caters to the dementia ecosystem by providing those in need with personalised help curated by experienced doctors and neurohealthcare professionals. Boehringer has pledged a grant to Manastik to validate their app, raise awareness, and conduct dementia screening campaigns nationwide in India. Boehringer Ingelheim India has also signed an MoU with RED.Health ambulance services, the emergency care expert, to strengthen emergency pre-hospital stroke care services in India. This collaboration aims to advance emergency healthcare and support timely, life-saving medical interventions, advancing stroke care and adding value to the Stroke Care Eco-system in the country.  Bengaluru-based Ayush Hospital Soukya is set to embark on its first global expansion since its inception in 2002. Addressing the growing global demand for integrative medicine, Soukya will establish its first international unit in Portugal with an investment of Rs 220 crore. The state-of-the-art residential medical institute, expected to be operational by late 2027, will offer its unique treatment approach combining traditional, time-tested natural systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Yoga, Naturopathy, and other complementary therapies for treating various chronic and lifestyle conditions.    Biotechnology When we look at the biotechnology space, Merck Life Science in India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GeNext Genomics, an emerging biotech company. This collaboration creates a unique competitive edge by combining local expertise with global biomanufacturing capabilities. By partnering with Merck for their world-class expertise in biomanufacturing, Genext Genomics can now offer comprehensive solutions that support the growth of India’s biotech ecosystem. Bengaluru-based SKAN Research Trust (SKAN), promoted by Indian entrepreneur Ashok Soota, has announced a joint research project with the UK-based Wellcome Sanger Institute and the University of Newcastle, to study early somatic mutations in blood stem cells that researchers believe drive several cancerous and non-cancerous conditions. SKAN Research Trust, and UK-based Quadram Institute Bioscience have announced a collaborative initiative to apply the cutting-edge TraDIS-Xpress platform to study the action of traditional medical compounds on bacteria, thereby aiding in the reformulation and development of novel antibacterial regimens. TraDIS-Xpress is Quadram’s proprietary genetic sequencing platform that is at the forefront of efforts to uncover new antimicrobial agents and develop better prebiotics and probiotics for health promotion.  On the other hand, in an innovative initiative aimed at propelling healthcare innovation forward, the Technology Development Board (TDB) from Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India has granted Rs 75 lakh to Peptris Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and the Foundation for Neglected Disease Research (FNDR), Bengaluru in March 2024 for a project "ANAGRANINF - Development of a Novel Class of Antibiotics Against Gram-Negative Bacterial-Infections." The project is a joint effort between Indian and Spanish companies, with ABAC Therapeutics Sl serving as the Spanish Project Lead. Miltenyi Biotec, a global biotechnology company headquartered in Germany  announced a few strategic collaboration/partnership plans aligning with the Indian industry last year. The German company partnered with the Faridabad-based Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in July 2024. This collaboration aims to enhance research and development in cell and gene therapy, focusing on cancer and sickle cell disease. The partnership encompasses capacity building, technology transfer, training programmes, and joint research initiatives to translate scientific advancements into medical therapies. Earlier in 2024, Miltenyi Biotec also signed an MoU with BIRAC, a public sector enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). This agreement is designed to facilitate the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and other CGT services in India.  The collaboration focuses on making advanced therapies more accessible and affordable by promoting local development and manufacturing, aligning with India's 'Made in India' initiative in the CGT sector. These strategic initiatives underscore Miltenyi Biotec's interests in advancing biomedical research and therapy in India through collaboration with local institutions and investment in state-of-the-art facilities. The company plans to catalyze the development of CAR T-cell therapies, with the prospect of implementing centralised and point-of-care CAR T-cell treatments across Indian hospitals. This initiative aligns with Miltenyi Biotec's goal to bring new therapies to patients with high unmet medical needs. These strategic initiatives underscore Miltenyi Biotec's dedication to fostering innovation and collaboration within India's life sciences sector, aiming to enhance healthcare outcomes through advanced cell and gene therapies. In October 2024, the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) from Denmark has signed a partnership with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), under the aegis of the India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH), to address the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) across the One Health spectrum. As part of this partnership, ICARS will provide funding support over the next five years, along with technical expertise and a network for implementation research in collaboration with C-CAMP, aligning with India’s National Action Plan on AMR (NAP 2.0). Additionally, ICARS and C-CAMP will work together to mobilise further funding to expand their efforts and create a wider impact. This collaboration can be deemed as a cluster-to-cluster collaboration, between the two independent research and knowledge centres.    CROs and CDMOs  Besides biotechnology, we witnessed partnerships between India and the EU in CRO and CDMO sectors during last year. Akums Group, a Delhi-based CDMO, has announced a strategic long-term agreement with a globally renowned pharmaceutical company to manufacture and supply pharmaceutical formulations in the European market. Under this collaboration, Akums Group will produce and supply multiple SKUs of oral liquid formulations, which the partner company will market across various European countries.  Veeda Lifesciences (earlier called Veeda Clinical Research), an Ahmedabad-based full-service CRO, has acquired Heads, a privately held European CRO, which specialises in conducting clinical trials in oncology. The acquisition provides Heads with a strong operational platform and an opportunity to expand its expertise and capabilities to the Indian and South-East Asian markets. India's diverse demographic profile provides a unique opportunity to conduct clinical trials, especially in therapeutic areas including oncology, diabetes, hypertension, infectious diseases, and special diseases. With this acquisition, Veeda’s global pharmaceutical and biotech clients can now leverage the unique and unparalleled suite of early to late-phase CRO services across Europe, the US, and Asia Pacific.  Piramal Pharma Solutions, the CDMO business under Piramal Pharma Limited (PPL), with operations in North America, Europe and Asia announced the opening of an expanded ADC manufacturing facility in Scotland; The commissioning of the facility represents the culmination of a £45 million investment.  Mumbai-based Blockchain-As-A-Service company Qila.io has partnered with global clinical research centre Mascot Spincontrol to bring about transparency in clinical research through blockchain. The collaboration aims to ensure that clinical trial data is secure, transparent, and tamper-proof so that the integrity of research outcomes is maintained. Mumbai-based Mascot Spincontrol is a clinical research centre formed through a joint venture between Mascot Universal and Spincontrol France. The European Company KrKA and Laurus Labs announced a joint investment of Rs 2000 crore in Genome Valley, a high-technology business district located in Hyderabad, for the establishment of finished pharmaceutical products and biopharmaceutical manufacturing in the cluster.  Roche has partnered with Cipla to promote, market, and distribute its oncology and rheumatology/immunology drugs in India. This collaboration aims to improve access to treatments for complex diseases. In collaboration with Entero, Roche focuses on the nephrology segment, ensuring wider availability of its nephrology drugs across the Indian market.   Vaccines The collaboration is not restricted to CRO and CDMO sectors, but externed to vaccine areas as well. France-based Valneva SE, a specialty vaccine company, and Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) announced an exclusive license agreement for Valneva’s single-shot chikungunya vaccine that enables the supply of the vaccine in Asia. The companies will work urgently to bring the vaccine to the Indian market, and certain other Asian countries, subject to local regulatory approvals. Under the agreement, the companies will conduct a technology transfer of the current drug product manufacturing process.  Besides, SII is joining a growing Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) network of vaccine producers in the Global South to support more rapid, agile, and equitable responses to future public health disease outbreaks. The addition of SII to the Norway-based CEPI manufacturing network will be a significant boost to vaccine production efforts in Global South regions and will mean the world is better prepared to achieve the 100 Days Mission to develop new vaccines against known or novel infectious diseases within three months of a pandemic threat being recognised. India’s global pharma leader Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has entered into an exclusive partnership with Sanofi Healthcare India to promote and distribute their vaccine brands across private markets in India. Under the arrangement, Dr. Reddy’s will have exclusive rights to promote and distribute Sanofi’s well-established and trusted paediatric and adult vaccine brands Hexaxim, Pentaxim, Tetraxim, Menactra, FluQuadri, Adacel, and Avaxim 80U.    Academic research-driven collaborations The collaboration and partnerships are not restricted to firms but extended to research and academic institutions as well. Horizon Europe, the European Union's flagship research and innovation program for the period 2021-2027, designed to address global challenges and enhance Europe's competitiveness, has established several partnerships with Indian academic and research institutions to promote collaboration in life sciences. Joint projects are aimed to focus on developing rapid vaccine manufacturing pipelines, addressing AMR, and enhancing preparedness for future pandemics. The primary goals of Horizon Europe in the context of EU-India collaboration in life sciences include advancing healthcare research, enhancing researcher mobility and co-funding, and promoting joint research initiatives to tackle global health challenges, including disease prevention, diagnostics, and treatment.  Facilitating the exchange of researchers and innovators between the EU and India to foster knowledge sharing and capacity building is an important factor of the Horizon Europe initiative. For example, Indian researchers are eligible for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellowships, which support mobility and training for researchers at all career stages. This facilitates Indian researchers' participation in European research projects and vice versa. Indian institutions like Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), DBT, and DST are participating in a co-funding mechanism to fund and develop joint research projects and healthcare innovation.   In August 2024, the CSIR in India and the European Union launched a co-funding initiative under the MSCA Staff Exchanges, part of the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. This scheme enables CSIR institutes to engage in joint research projects with European partners, facilitating the secondment of scientific and technical staff to European research organisations for knowledge-sharing and collaborative activities. The funding, available from 2025 to 2027, aims to promote balanced researcher mobility and foster long-term collaborations between India and Europe.  Initiated and funded by the French government, the 'Franco-Indian Campus in the Field of Life Sciences for Health' project brings together over 60 French and Indian universities, research institutions, labs, hospitals, startups, and corporates to jointly develop and deliver higher education and research programmes in life sciences for health. The campus aims to become a hub for cutting-edge research, development, and innovation across the 'One Health' paradigm, addressing global health challenges through a multidisciplinary approach. The initiative saw collaborations/partnerships in the past year including several notable Indian educational research institutes like IIT-Delhi, IISER, Asoka University, VIT Vellore, JIPMER Pondicherry, CIMAP Lucknow, NCBS, and  Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. And, in a nutshell, these Indo-French collaborative initiatives based in the past one to two years, and continuing into the upcoming year aim to address societal needs and tackle global health challenges by advancing the training of individuals and fostering innovation -   Establish a multidisciplinary Franco-Indian virtual campus to address evolving societal needs by integrating research in fundamental biology with engineering, chemistry, physics, applied mathematics, bioinformatics, and social sciences. Tackle global health challenges, such as infectious diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers, through complex, multidisciplinary approaches encompassing genomics, neurosciences, ecology, and social sciences. Foster innovation via the ILIADE platform, which focuses on analyzing the pharmaceutical properties of plants using advanced techniques like artificial intelligence and offers specialized academic programs in medicinal plants and AI applications for health data. Advance research and training in molecular biology and therapeutic innovation by leveraging cutting-edge tools in bioinformatics and artificial intelligence. On similar lines, in November 2024, University College London (UCL) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, launched a new phase of their strategic partnership to expand innovative work in healthcare. The collaboration focuses on co-creating significant new research capabilities in areas such as digital health, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, and medicine. The partnership includes plans for collaborative PhDs, faculty exchanges, and research fellowships, aiming to train future physicians and advance healthcare solutions.  A partnership between the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) and India’s DBT offers Indian researchers access to EMBO funding schemes, enhancing opportunities for the Indian scientific community. EMBO and DBT are conducting a nationwide dissemination exercise to raise awareness about these schemes. The CSIR has multiple exchange agreements with DAAD, Germany, enabling annual scientist visits and fostering collaboration.  India has bilateral Science & Technology (S&T) cooperation agreements with 83 countries, actively collaborating with 44 nations, including the EU, France, Germany, and the UK. Three bi-national S&T Centers operate under intergovernmental agreements with France, Germany, and the USA. The Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR/CEFIPRA) facilitates integrative collaborations across Indian science ministries, and the Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) focuses on advanced industrial research partnerships and developing joint knowledge pools to address global challenges. India is engaging in numerous bilateral agreements to promote biomedical research, with partnerships including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).    No Turning Back India has signed many agreements with countries of the European Union on a bilateral basis and in  consortium. India has been working on a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries comprising Switzerland, Iceland, Norway & Liechtenstein. India- EFTA signed a TEPA in March last year. TEPA will give impetus to “Make in India” and Atmanirbhar Bharat by encouraging domestic manufacturing in the pharmaceutical sectors, among others. Complementing the above scenario, it is worth mentioning that India's advantages, including cost-effective manufacturing, a skilled workforce, and a growing but robust research ecosystem, are making it an attractive destination for outsourcing and joint ventures. These collaborations have led to the development of innovative healthcare solutions and have expanded market access for both Indian and European firms. The collaboration between India and Europe in the life sciences sector has emerged as a cornerstone for global healthcare innovation, offering significant advancements in therapeutics, vaccines, and biologics. Over recent years, this partnership has expanded across academic research, contract research and manufacturing, and healthcare resilience efforts, fostering mutual growth and international progress. India and Europe have established robust collaborations in the life sciences sector through academic research partnerships as well. These collaborations encompass joint research initiatives, funding schemes, and institutional partnerships aimed at advancing scientific knowledge and addressing global health challenges. The India-Europe collaboration in life sciences has evolved into a dynamic partnership fostering innovation, investment, and shared expertise. While significant strides have been made in contract research, vaccine production, and biosimilars, there remains potential for greater collaboration in new drug discovery sciences. As European companies expand their R&D and manufacturing presence in India, the mutual focus on academic research and healthcare resilience positions this partnership as a global leader in life sciences innovation.    Shivani Thakar shivani.thakar@biospectrumindia.com  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/25590/the-ecosystem-of-gujarat-is-ready-to-promote-deep-tech-areas-of-biotech-product-development-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/25590/the-ecosystem-of-gujarat-is-ready-to-promote-deep-tech-areas-of-biotech-product-development-.html Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 How does the GSBTM plan to leverage infrastructure and incentives under the current policy to position the state as a globally competitive biotechnology hub? Known for its entrepreneurship spirit, Gujarat has continued to be one of the preferred investment destinations for Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Good Governance Index (GGI), Energy & Climate Index, Startup & LEADS ranking. The state contributes 40 per cent to India’s total cargo throughput with ~8.2 per cent in India’s GDP (as on FY2022-23 on current price). The state accounts for $12 billion (2023) with 8 per cent share of Bio-economy, way above ~4 per cent state-wise average contribution of Bio-economy, amongst top 5 states of India in terms of Bio-economy contributors. This is the result of its top-class trunk and core infrastructure coupled with a safe and sound social environment in attracting top entrepreneurs from various parts of the country and abroad.  Gujarat showed great foresight, by setting up a dedicated mission office two decades ago, the  Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM) followed by eco-system strengthening initiatives like Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU) – Asia’s first ever dedicated biotechnology university and one of the top 5 public incubators Savli Technology and Business Incubator (STBI) with dedicated biotechnology parks for greenfield and brownfield spaces. These initiatives indicate Gujarat’s readiness to attract top biotech players in one of the thriving biotech ecosystems. GSBTM not only operates different schemes for facilitation of biotechnology, but is also the single window clearance office for all purposes, bringing in ease of doing business. An additional advantage to the biotechnology business in the state is the Biotechnology Policy 2022-27. The policy offers substantial incentives such as 25 per cent capital assistance with a ceiling of Rs 200 crore for mega projects, operational assistance for research initiatives, and employment generation schemes like Aatmanirbhar Gujarat Rojgar Sahay.    Could you elaborate on specific initiatives like the Gujarat Genomics Initiative or the Marine Bioresource Centre, and how they are progressing? The Department of Science and Technology, in  2017, created GBRC by merging several initiatives including Gujarat Genomics Initiative, Marine Bioresource Centre etc. GBRC is established with a vision to undertake cutting edge translational research in the diverse areas of biotechnology including healthcare, agriculture, marine and industrial biotechnology. Today GBRC is undertaking several international, national and state funded research projects with more than Rs 100 crore outlay. The GBRC team was part of the highly competitive Global Challenge Research Fund programme of UK Research and Innovation, One Health Poultry Hub. Some of the National flagship research programmes of GBRC include, Genome India Initiative, Genomic Selection Network for Dairy Cattle and Buffalo Breeds in Gujarat, Network Programme on Antimicrobial Resistance, Superbugs and One Health etc. During COVID-19, GBRC team contributed in genome sequencing of SARS-COV-2, establishing waste water epidemiology, understanding host pathogen interaction, identifying the virus from non-human hosts resulting in efficient pandemic management in the state. Recently, the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of  India has sanctioned a large consortium project under Deep Ocean Mission where GBRC is in lead role, extending the works of Marine Bioresource Centre. GBRC also acts as a shared laboratory facility by extending its existing infrastructure to relevant stakeholders through an online booking system.   The Biotech Policy (2022-2027) aims to attract Rs 20,000 crore in investments and create 1.2 lakh jobs by 2027. What strategies are being implemented to meet these ambitious goals, and what progress has been made so far? The policy is loud on the strategy, where it has spelled out the Mega Projects, Ecosystem Strengthening and Special Projects. These categories of projects would see a capital support of up to Rs 200 crore and an Operational Expenditure support of up to Rs 125 crore. The interest subsidy on Term Loan @7 per cent on borrowings up to  Rs 100 crore and @3 per cent on borrowings above Rs 100 crore, is a strong contribution of the state government to get the economy rolling for the biotech space, eyeing the target investment of Rs 20,000 crore. The past edition of the policy incentives has seen approximately 16 times the investment by the private sector, on the government contribution. GSBTM having dedicated arms for facilitating entrepreneurship and HRD development coupled with handholding support for BT unit establishments showcases the great support system for incoming investments. This feat gives the state government confidence that the goals set in the new policy are attainable. In July 2023 and December 2023, GoG has inked MoUs worth ~Rs 9000 crore with an expected employment generation of 3000, in the biotech sector. More than 20 companies have committed this investment and will be contributing to the sectors and products, most important for the state.  Employment Generation Incentive, i.e. Aatmanirbhar Gujarat Rojgar Sahay, is a new element added to this edition of the policy, which focuses on engaging local manpower, with a one time incentive of Rs 50,000 per male and Rs 60,000 per female CTC, to the companies establishing base or expanding in the state. The EPF Assistance of the policy also is providing a generous support of 100 per cent EPF support for female employees and 75 per cent EPF for male employees.    Mega projects are a highlight of the policy. Could you share insights into any ongoing or upcoming mega biotech projects in Gujarat, and their expected contribution to the state's bioeconomy? Mega biotech projects in Gujarat are pivotal for driving the state’s bioeconomy. Some very thoughtful initiatives have come up in this section of applications. These involve rDNA vaccines, RNA interference vaccines, Fermentation based APIs and rDNA therapeutic enzymes. Not only the size of these operations, but, the technological leap that these projects could bring to the sector in the state, would be enormous, setting new trends in biotechnology. These projects are expected to generate significant revenue by operating in volumes, create high-value jobs, and establish Gujarat as a global biotech leader. Their multiplier effect on ancillary industries will further boost the state’s economic and innovation landscape.   How do you envision the biotech landscape evolving in Gujarat, particularly in emerging sectors like synthetic biology, gene therapy, and bioinformatics? The ecosystem of Gujarat to promote these deep tech areas of biotech product development is ready. The Biotech Park in Vadodara, Savli Technology and Business Incubator and the upcoming infrastructure project to support the sector are all set to support research and developmental activities in these areas. GBRC has developed a comprehensive facility in the bioinformatics space, which serves an end-to-end solution in bioinformatics research. The centre is also the central data repository for One Health Programme and AMR Network Project of the state. The state has also expanded the super-computing abilities by installing 16 super computers in different institutes of the state. These super-computers are spread across the state and contribute to research and capacity building.   The private sector in the biotech space is investing heavily in the areas of synthetic biology and gene therapy, and have already initiated product development which is focused on customised therapeutics. As it is known that these products require a delivery partner to reach the product to the end user, the private sector is playing a pivotal role in doing the same.  The state is ready to embrace these new era technologies, and place Gujarat on the world map with its products. Gujarat is well-positioned to be at the forefront of these transformative sectors.   With the introduction of the Gujarat Biotech Start-Up Venture Fund (GBSVF), what impact do you foresee on biotech startups in Gujarat, especially in terms of funding and scaling up? The Gujarat Biotech Start-Up Venture Fund is a game-changer for biotech startups and clearly declares the proactive risk taking appetite of the state government. Unhesitant, the state government has contributed approximately 9 per cent to the corpus of the Rs 150 crore fund. The fund is still building up, and is in its investment phase. It provides equity-based financing to early-stage startups and MSMEs, addressing critical funding gaps. By fostering innovation and reducing financial barriers, GBSVF enables startups to develop, validate, and commercialise their technologies. The fund is supporting startups in upcoming technology areas, making the biotech ecosystem more vibrant and setting up a new league of deep tech startups in the state.    How does the state ensure alignment of its biotech initiatives with national programmes like ‘Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech UNaTI Mission’ and global trends in biotechnology innovation? ‘Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech UNaTI Mission’ was launched in 2019, for 5 years, which was focused on  delivering technologies that are important for the country, like safe child birth, affordable vaccines, nutrition for all, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Clean Energy. GSBTM with its three pillars of execution, namely, research and development supporting 100+ projects, human resource development, skilling 2000 students annually and business development, is working towards these goals. The network project on AMR is a key catalyst in surveying, identifying and providing control strategies to stop spread of AMR in the environment. The programme aims at continuous surveillance and communicating the same to relevant stakeholders, for better results.  The Biotechnology Policy has identified Biofuels as a special project, providing a special package of grants to propel the sector. The recognition of this technology as an important contributor to Clean Energy, and government initiative to encourage entrepreneurship in this area, falls in congruence with UNaTI mandate. The strength of vaccines to make a society disease free, thus reducing the economic burden of diseases in a society is well understood by the state. State grown Zydus Lifesciences was the first to launch ZyCoV-D, which was a children-safe Corona vaccine to be developed in India.    Ankit Kankar ankit.kankar@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/25591/govt-should-facilitate-low-interest-loans-or-vc-funding-specifically-for-biopharma-startups-small-enterprises.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/25591/govt-should-facilitate-low-interest-loans-or-vc-funding-specifically-for-biopharma-startups-small-enterprises.html Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 What are the key objectives of your recent collaboration with Merck? How will this partnership foster innovation and strengthen India’s position in the global biotech market? The partnership combines Merck's biomanufacturing systems with GNG's Clone Development and HIND Antibody Library to drive biopharmaceutical innovation and position India as a hub for advanced R&D. The GNG-Merck collaboration creates a unique competitive edge for both companies by integrating local expertise with global biomanufacturing capabilities. Furthermore, Merck's expertise in both Upstream Processing (USP) and Downstream Processing (DSP) will support us in areas of biologics production, optimising cell culture yields, and refining end products to meet international standards.   This partnership is set to innovate and strengthen India’s biotech landscape: Platform Processes for Novel mAbs and Other Molecules: With Merck’s advanced bioprocessing systems installed at GNG, we’re positioned to efficiently develop and produce novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other therapeutic molecules. These processes ensure consistent, high-quality products that meet the highest global standards. Supporting Clone Development Services from India: With the integration of Merck’s systems into GNG’s Clone Development platform, we’re set to become a go-to provider for scalable clone development services. This will cater to a wide range of biotech firms, both in India and abroad. Infrastructure for Startups: Our collaboration creates a solid infrastructure for biotech startups, providing end-to-end support—from process development to clinical-phase production. This ensures that biotech startups in India can focus on innovation while we handle the complexities of scaling up. Future Scale-Up and Commercial Manufacturing: With Merck’s decades of expertise in drug development and manufacturing, GNG is well-positioned to advance its capabilities in scaling up production and preparing for commercial manufacturing. This strategic collaboration enables GNG to explore and pursue the commercialisation of its proprietary New Biological Entities (NBE) and biosimilar candidates, ensuring a robust pathway from development to market readiness.   What other plans are in store at GNG for driving innovation? We envision GNG as an emerging leader in novel and biosimilar asset development both as its own pipeline as well as contract research in the coming years. In line with this vision, GNG plans to expand its reach and impact across global biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and therapeutic antibody discovery and development. Some of our strategic goals include:  Scaling the HIND Antibody Library: We aim to expand the HIND Antibody Library’s scope to encompass a diverse range of therapeutic targets, positioning it as a vital tool for novel drug discovery and collaborative research from India. Strengthening Biosimilar and Biologic Production: Leveraging our collaboration with Merck and seeking strategic partnerships, we look forward to expanding GNG’s biosimilar offerings to meet the demand for affordable, high-quality biologics in domestic and global markets. Currently one being in pre-clinical studies supported by the National Biopharma Mission, BIRAC. Expanding Diagnostic and Custom Antibody Solutions: As precision medicine continues to gain prominence, GNG plans to develop new diagnostic and antibody solutions for emerging diseases and personalised treatments. Our aim is to be steadfast in our mission to drive innovation and contribute to the future of biotechnology by offering cutting-edge solutions that can transform global healthcare.   Would the new BioE3 policy prove to be a gamechanger for the future of biotechnology in India? Building a robust biomanufacturing ecosystem in India is crucial for accelerating innovations in bio-based product development. With the nation’s bioeconomy projected to reach $300 billion by 2030, the startup community plays a pivotal role in driving this transformation, fostering technological advancements, and addressing industry challenges. In this context, the BioE3 Policy— ‘Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment’—represents a transformative milestone for India’s biotech sector. By fostering innovation-driven R&D and championing sustainable biomanufacturing, this policy not only aligns with global climate goals but also positions India at the forefront of the circular bioeconomy.  Furthermore, the BioE3 policy will play a pivotal role in enhancing and amplifying the life sciences sector by building a skilled workforce and creating new employment opportunities, thereby strengthening the country’s research capabilities and technological expertise. Additionally, by addressing key infrastructure needs, the policy aims to streamline scaling-up processes, making biotechnology advancements more accessible and cost-efficient. Overall, this policy is a step in the right direction for India’s life science industry. As we continue to support the emerging biotechnology startup community, the advent of this policy will boost our motivation to drive the Circular Economy revolution by 2047.   Though biotech innovation is increasing in our country with technological advancements, innovators still face multiple challenges. What are your views on this and expectations from the government? In recent years, India’s biopharma industry has witnessed significant growth, fuelled by technological advancements, research, and increased manufacturing capabilities. Although the industry holds immense growth potential, it is crucial to tackle challenges that may hinder progress.  Securing adequate funding and managing budgets effectively are significant hurdles for Indian biotech startups. The sector is further challenged by complex regulatory landscapes, high production costs, limited access to advanced technologies, and a shortage of specialised talent in critical domains. Adding to these issues is the urgent need for enhancing the laboratory infrastructure to support research and development. GNG has been  grateful to BIRAC for supporting the development of one of our assets through the National Biopharma Mission Grant. Unlocking the industry’s full potential requires strategic policymaking, a stronger focus on research and innovation, and robust public-private partnerships. Recognising these critical challenges and addressing them decisively at both global and local levels is crucial for driving the next wave of advancements.  We believe the government plays a crucial role in unlocking the full potential of the biotech sector. To drive meaningful growth, a proactive approach is needed to strengthen public-private partnerships, advancing research and technologies, skill development, and constant industry/stakeholder initiatives will amplify the potential of the biotech industry.   Additionally, strengthening ties between academia and industry is essential to drive innovation and build valuable partnerships in research and technological advancements. Government policies that prioritise skill development, empower scientists, and promote R&D can help cultivate a culture of continuous innovation within the sector.  When speaking specifically for Biopharma, the government should develop and implement a comprehensive biopharma policy that incentivises research, innovation, and production and streamline regulatory frameworks to reduce bottlenecks in drug approval and manufacturing processes. The government should facilitate low-interest loans or venture capital funding specifically for biopharma startups and small enterprises. Currently, BIRAC is the only body that does it, but we need more and more government bodies to come up with biopharma-focused financial instruments to attract investors.   Dr Manbeena Chawla (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25582/merck-expands-peenya-facility-in-bengaluru-for-biotech-advancements.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25582/merck-expands-peenya-facility-in-bengaluru-for-biotech-advancements.html Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Merck Life Science in India has recently announced the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Peenya, Bengaluru, marking a significant milestone in its strategy. The expansion will transform Peenya into a key manufacturing hub for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, strengthening Merck’s capabilities in production and supporting the growing needs of its customers worldwide. To commemorate this milestone, Merck hosted an inaugural ceremony at the Peenya site, bringing together company leadership, customers and key stakeholders. Senior leaders including, Tony Qiu, Head of APAC Region, Global Plant Operations, ISCO, Merck Life Science; Prasanna NK, Site Director- Peenya, Bengaluru, Merck Life Science; Aditya Sharma, Head of Process Solutions, India Region, Merck Life Science; and Dhananjay Singh, Managing Director of Merck Life Science shared insights on the expansion project and emphasised the importance of building sustainable capabilities in Asia and India for future growth. The Peenya facility expansion also reflects Merck's ongoing commitment towards India and supporting the government’s "Make in India" initiative. This move reinforces Merck’s dedication to manufacturing world-class, globally compliant products in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25568/immuneel-therapeutics-unveils-indias-first-global-car-t-cell-therapy-for-non-hodgkins-lymphoma.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25568/immuneel-therapeutics-unveils-indias-first-global-car-t-cell-therapy-for-non-hodgkins-lymphoma.html Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant step forward for India’s cancer treatment, Immuneel Therapeutics has unveiled Qartemi, country’s first global CAR T-cell therapy for adult B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL), a group of blood cancers. A personalised therapy for adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-NHL, Immuneel, a Bengaluru-based cell and gene therapy startup, addresses a critical gap in India’s cancer immunotherapy landscape. This groundbreaking therapy, benchmarked to global standards, is now available locally, offering renewed hope to patients for whom conventional therapies including chemotherapy prove ineffective. India faces a rising burden of blood cancers, with around 120,000 new cases and over 70,000 deaths annually from leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Amidst the increasing incidence of blood cancer cases, Qartemi, a pioneering CAR T-cell therapy from Immuneel Therapeutics, stands as a lifeline, representing the need for advanced treatment in CAR-T therapy becomes increasingly critical.  Immuneel initiated India’s first CAR T-cell therapy trial in 2022 for a novel autologous CD19 directed CAR T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed / refractory B cell malignancies. The IMAGINE trial was conducted across Narayana Hospital in Bengaluru, Apollo Cancer Hospital in Chennai and PGIMER in Chandigarh. The results from the IMAGINE trial showed that the efficacy and safety of Qartemi is similar to CAR T-cell therapies approved by the USFDA. Immuneel’s IMAGINE Phase 2 trial achieved 83.3% ORR at Day+90, setting a new benchmark for CAR T-cell therapy in India The startup has partnered with leading hospitals, including Narayana Health, Apollo Hospitals, CMC Vellore & Ludhiana, Manipal Hospitals, RGCIRC Delhi, SGPGI Lucknow, Amrita Hospital Faridabad, HOC Vedanta Ahmedabad, Cytecare Bangalore, Sparsh Bengaluru, Marengo Asia Hospitals among others, to provide Qartemi to their patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25533/pm-narendra-modi-highlights-completion-of-genome-india-project-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25533/pm-narendra-modi-highlights-completion-of-genome-india-project-.html Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his remarks about the Genome India Project via video message today. During the occasion, he said today India had taken a historic step in the field of research. He added that the Genome India project was approved 5 years ago and our scientists have diligently worked and completed the project despite the challenges posed by the Covid Pandemic. Modi remarked that more than 20 illustrious research institutions such as IISc, IITs, CSIR and DBT-BRIC have played a major role in this research. He added that the data consisting of the genome sequences of 10,000 Indians was now available at the Indian Biological Data Center. Modi expressed confidence that this project would prove to be a milestone in the field of biotechnology research and congratulated all the stakeholders involved in the project. He noted that this project has successfully created a diverse genetic resource by sequencing the genomes of 10,000 individuals from various populations.The Prime Minister noted that this data will now be available to scientists and researchers, aiding scholars in understanding India's genetic landscape. He emphasised that this information will greatly assist in policy-making and planning for the country. Prime Minister underlined that there was lack of awareness in India about many genetic diseases that are passed from one generation to another and the Genome India Project would aid in developing effective treatments for all such diseases in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25444/dbt-supports-first-in-human-gene-therapy-using-lentiviral-vectors-for-severe-hemophilia-a.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25444/dbt-supports-first-in-human-gene-therapy-using-lentiviral-vectors-for-severe-hemophilia-a.html Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 In a note-worthy scientific achievement for medical science in India, the first-in-human gene therapy using lentiviral vectors for severe hemophilia A has demonstrated transformational results. Supported by the Department of Biotechnology, this innovative therapy was developed by the Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR) at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, a translational unit of BRIC-inStem. The single-centre study has successfully produced zero annualised bleeding rates in all five enrolled participants while enabling prolonged production of Factor VIII, eliminating the need for repeated infusions. Hemophilia A, a severe bleeding disorder caused by the deficiency of clotting Factor VIII, significantly affects patients' quality of life, leading to spontaneous bleeding episodes. Although rare, India bears the world’s second-largest burden of hemophilia, with approximately 136,000 cases. Current treatments require frequent Factor VIII replacement therapy, which faces challenges such as high costs, venous access in children, and low patient acceptance. The gene therapy approach developed by CSCR involves the use of a lentiviral vector to introduce a normal copy of the Factor VIII gene into autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). These modified HSCs generate blood cells capable of producing functional Factor VIII over extended periods. The trial, involving five participants, observed zero annualized bleeding rates over a cumulative follow-up of 81 months, correlating Factor VIII activity with vector copy numbers in the peripheral blood. Participants were monitored for six months following the gene therapy. Results showed a strong correlation between Factor VIII activity levels and the vector copy number in peripheral blood. Remarkably, all five participants achieved a zero annualized bleeding rate, sustained over a cumulative follow-up period of 81 months. This achievement underscores the long-term efficacy and safety of the therapy, offering renewed hope for patients with severe Hemophilia A. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25388/mapmygenome-unveils-groundbreaking-study-on-genetic-variants-linked-to-longevity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25388/mapmygenome-unveils-groundbreaking-study-on-genetic-variants-linked-to-longevity.html Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based MapmyGenome, a leader in genetic testing and personalised health solutions, has announced the publication of its latest research in NPJ Aging (Nature.com). The study, titled 'Genetic Variants Associated with Longevity in Long-Living Indians,' explores the genetic factors contributing to healthy ageing and long life spans in the Indian population. In a pioneering effort, the study analysed data from GenomegaDB, the most extensive genetic database of Indians, focusing on individuals aged 85 years and older, referred to as Long Living Individuals (LLIs). By comparing LLIs with younger controls (18-49 years), researchers uncovered key genetic variants contributing to ageing and longevity, and resistance to various diseases. The study confirmed the significance of the FOXO3A gene, a well-known marker for longevity in Japanese, German, and French centenarians, in the Indian population as well. Variants linked to slower heart rate (MYH6), reduced risk of osteoporosis and shorter body height (ESR1), and decreased risks of schizophrenia (RIMS1-KCNQ5) and anxiety (HSPA5) were notably more frequent in LLIs. Conversely, variants associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (GORAB-PRRX1) and biliary disorders (ABCC2) were less frequent in this group. By identifying genetic variants unique to Indian LLIs, the study adds a critical dimension to global aging research. It emphasizes the diversity in genetic factors influencing longevity and underscores the importance of population-specific studies in understanding the broader genetic landscape. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25370/india-launches-first-indigenous-antibiotic-nafithromycin-to-combat-drug-resistance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25370/india-launches-first-indigenous-antibiotic-nafithromycin-to-combat-drug-resistance.html Wed, 20 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 In a ground breaking step for India’s biotechnology sector, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh formally launched the first indigenous antibiotic Nafithromycin for drug resistant infections. The antibiotic Nafithromycin has been developed with the support of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a unit of the Department of Biotechnology and has been brought to market under the trade name Miqnaf by pharma company Wockardt. It is the country's first indigenously developed antibiotic aimed at tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Dr Jitendra Singh described the three-day treatment regimen of Nafithromycin as a game-changer in addressing drug-resistant pneumonia, a condition responsible for over two million deaths globally each year. India, which bears 23% of the world’s community pneumonia burden, faces challenges with existing treatments, including widespread resistance to drugs like azithromycin. The new antibiotic, developed by Wockhardt with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), is ten times more effective than current options and offers a safer, faster, and more tolerable solution for patients. Nafithromycin’s efficacy stands out as it targets both typical and atypical pathogens, offering a potent solution where no new antibiotic in this class has been developed worldwide for over three decades. Remarkably, it is ten times more effective than azithromycin and achieves comparable outcomes with just a three-day regimen, as validated by clinical trials. The development of Nafithromycin represents 14 years of dedicated research and an investment of ₹500 crores, with clinical trials spanning the US, Europe, and India. Supported by BIRAC under its Biotechnology Industry Partnership Program (BIPP), the initiative showcases the power of public-private collaboration in advancing healthcare innovation. Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted that the drug is now awaiting final approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for manufacturing and public use, marking a major leap forward in India’s fight against AMR. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25366/merck-life-science-inks-mou-with-genext-genomics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25366/merck-life-science-inks-mou-with-genext-genomics.html Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Merck Life Science in India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GeNext Genomics, an emerging biotech company. The MoU was signed between Aditya Sharma, Head of Process Solutions, India Region, Merck Life Science; Dr Ashwin Kashikar, Managing Director, Genext Genomics; Supriya Kashikar, Founder & CEO, GeNext Genomics and Ravi Kashikar, Chairman and Founder of Ankur Seeds. This collaboration creates a unique competitive edge by combining local expertise with global biomanufacturing capabilities. By partnering with Merck for their world-class expertise in biomanufacturing, Genext Genomics can now offer comprehensive solutions that support the growth of India’s biotech ecosystem.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25319/cphi-pmec-india-2024-poised-for-record-breaking-attendance-with-50000-pharma-executives.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25319/cphi-pmec-india-2024-poised-for-record-breaking-attendance-with-50000-pharma-executives.html Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 CPHI & PMEC India (26th- 28th November, 2024) – the largest pharma event in India  –  returns next month, with a record attendance of over 50,000 pharma executives expected from more than 150 countries.   The news is a further boon for India – widely identified by analysts as a key beneficiary of recent macro tensions – as a strong CPHI & PMEC India is a leading indicator of growth for the country in the year ahead. In fact, emphasizing this shift in prospects, this year’s event will be the largest ever, with more than 2,000 exhibitors (hundreds more than previous editions).   Supporting India’s growth trajectory, the newly released CPHI Annual Survey 2024 once again ranks India as the top ‘growth nation’ for the upcoming 12 months, solidifying its lead over other major pharma hubs. This growth is driven by positive developments in the CDMO sector and an anticipated surge in CRO services accelerated by initiatives like BIOSECURE. Mirroring this trend, India also topped the CDMO table for predicted ‘growth over the next three years’ and finished only narrowly behind  the USA  for ‘overall competitiveness.   Olga Ponomareva-Stepnaya, Brand Manager of CPHI & PMEC India, commented: “It has been an incredibly positive year for the Indian pharma industry, and we are witnessing this firsthand with a record attendance, including over 5,000 international participants. On the show floor we are seeing a wide breadth of local ingredient suppliers, alongside many new advanced equipment providers as the country and regional partners seek to wider their supplier base and modernize equipment during this period of growth.”   CPHI India has responded to rising demand by launching several new initiatives, including the Connections Programme, offering a dedicated service for attendees seeking high-value deals. The programme is designed to help connect international key buyers with the right exhibitors and make high-value deals following feedback was challenging to meet the right supplier at such a large event.’   Reflecting wider industry trends, the event has also seen increased interest in start-up companies and will host a dedicated space for emerging enterprises disrupting the pharmaceutical landscape in India. The campaign forms part of Informa’s wider commitment to innovation with similar start-up programmes launched at other global CPHI events.   To help attendees capitalize on growth opportunities, the event’s conference agenda will feature xx sessions covering spanning two separate streams: the day one ‘Pharma Manufacturing Conclave’ and the day two ‘Pharma Sustainability Conclave’. Topics include key issues from biosimilar supply chains, manufacturing infrastructure for next-gen therapeutics, to addressing critical sustainability challenges in Indian pharma and new approach to green chemistry and pharm regulations.   The India Pharma Awards 2024, now in its 11th edition, will recognize excellence across 13 categories, celebrating the contributions of industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries from across the Indian pharmaceutical sector. The awards ceremony will take place on the evening of 28th November 2024 at the Expo Centre.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/25306/will-boosting-biofoundries-transform-indias-biomanufacturing-landscape.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/25306/will-boosting-biofoundries-transform-indias-biomanufacturing-landscape.html Thu, 31 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 India has come up with multiple initiatives to support and set up biofoundries, including the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy, the Bio-RIDE scheme, and the Vigyan Dhara scheme. The BioE3 Policy lays out plans for accelerating the transition to biomanufacturing by promoting integrated use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitalisation with ‘omics’, and upstream biotechnology innovations through bio-AI hubs, biofoundries, and biomanufacturing hubs across the country. With the new BioE3 Policy in place, coming years will provide insight into how biofoundries will play a role in boosting innovation, scale-up and commercialisation of bio-based products. In addition, with a Global Biofoundry Alliance now established to coordinate biofoundry activities and innovations worldwide, the question arises: how is India positioned in this rapidly evolving field, and what role do biofoundries play in India’s biomanufacturing initiatives? Let's explore.   Why do we need biofoundries? Biofoundries represent a new paradigm in biotechnology research, focusing on efficiency, scalability, and innovation. At their core, these facilities bring together automation, artificial intelligence, high-throughput screening, and advanced analytics to accelerate biological research and product development. The ability to genetically reprogram organisms for various applications—from producing sustainable biofuels and pharmaceuticals to biodegradable plastics and agricultural enhancements—gives biofoundries a pivotal role in shaping the future of biotech industries. The emergence and evolution of engineering biology, and its potential to address multiple global challenges is associated with the rise of biofoundries.  Biofoundries are changing how laboratories approach engineering biology. For example, synthetic biology combines biological, engineering, and computational principles to create complex biosystems. To do this, scientists relied until recently on bibliographic research and previous knowledge to design and build constructs, essentially one by one. This process is time-consuming and expensive and can be compared with the early mechanical engineering steps where the production chain was almost completely manual.   Biofoundries aim to accelerate academic and translational research, especially in engineering/synthetic biology, by enabling researchers/companies access to automation and high-throughput equipment including process scale-up, computer-aided design software, and other new workflows and tools. Iterative Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) biological engineering cycles allow researchers to test large-scale genetic designs and apply Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) to enhance the design process. Other goals include building a robust engineering/synthetic biology industry and accelerating the commercialisation of engineering/synthetic biology and biomanufacturing process engineering.    Innovation in biomanufacturing, to develop new biologics, vaccines, gene therapies, and diagnostics, is underway across the globe. Biofoundries are proving to be instrumental in revolutionising biotechnology for healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability - from personalised therapies and advanced biologics in healthcare to synthetic fertilisers and sustainable bio-based materials in agriculture.  In terms of throughput, current exemplars, as highlighted in ‘Building a global alliance of Biofoundries’ published in Nature Communications, 2019, include the Edinburgh Genome Foundry, which for example can process over 2000 DNA assembly reactions per week, twenty times the throughput of a single person without automation. At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, iBioFAB can build up to 1000 TALEN constructs per day at <$3 each, 0.3 per cent of what it might otherwise cost. Moreover, iBioFAB can perform multiplex genome-scale engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a fully automated manner, greater than ten times the throughput of a single person without automation. Working with small companies, the London DNA Foundry, Singapore SynCTI Foundry, and US DOE Agile BioFoundry now provide cost-effective access to expensive equipment and the necessary expertise for product prototyping and commercial process validation, which are often required to secure additional capital investment.    India's Growing Biomanufacturing Landscape India has long been recognised for its strengths in pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly in the production of generic drugs and vaccines. In recent years, the country has expanded its focus to include biomanufacturing, the large-scale production of biologically derived products. India is also expanding into the cell and gene therapy space. The BioE3 policy also highlights precision biotherapeutics as a thematic area of focus. Government initiatives for biotech infrastructure reflect India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in biomanufacturing though biofoundries.  Biofoundries are uniquely positioned to accelerate these efforts, as India seeks to enhance its position in the global biotech supply chain. The automation provided by biofoundries can reduce the time and cost associated with biomanufacturing, giving Indian companies a competitive edge in scaling up production. India’s biotechnology ecosystem is growing rapidly, with strong support from both the government and private sectors. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has been instrumental in fostering innovation through grants, research centres, and collaborations. Biofoundries would fit naturally into this ecosystem by complementing existing research facilities and biomanufacturing plants. For India, this level of automation could enhance the efficiency and scalability of biomanufacturing processes. While a relatively unexplored concept in the country yet, how India’s promising biotechnology landscape and favourable policy framework can enable growth of advanced biofoundries is yet to be seen.  Dr Pawan K Dhar, Executive Director, CVJ Centre for Synthetic Biology & Biomanufacturing said, “India’s rich and diverse bio-economy—focusing on areas like sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and environmental biotechnology—will fuel the growth of localised biofoundry applications. These applications will address key national and global challenges such as food security, pollution, biomaterials, and efficient bioresource management. What’s exciting is that the rise of low-cost, high-throughput screening technologies will make these advancements accessible to smaller institutions and startups. This democratisation of bioengineering resources will spur innovation across sectors, placing India at the cutting edge of bio-based manufacturing on the global stage.” The Government of India has introduced several Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes aimed at enhancing domestic manufacturing and attracting significant investments in the life sciences-related sectors. Additionally, initiatives like ‘Make-in-India’, the National Biopharma Mission (NBM), as well as new provisions from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), to name a few, are set to boost innovation and technological prowess.  Recent significant developments include the approval of the BioE3 Policy for biomanufacturing and the approval of the BioRIDE scheme. These initiatives highlight establishment of biofoundries, in boosting bio-innovation and high-performance biomanufacturing. By providing a platform for rapid prototyping and scaling biomanufacturing processes, biofoundries can support the growth of Indian biotech startups, enhance the country’s production capabilities, and drive innovation in bio-based industries.  Sharing his views Dr Premnath Venugopalan, Director, Venture Center said, “I think the Biofoundry facilities and capabilities will be especially important for startups looking at emerging opportunities in biopharma (cell and gene therapies, biosimilars, living therapeutics etc), agriculture and nutrition (agrobiologics, climate resilient agriculture), energy and environment (biorenewable chemicals and fuels, sustainable ingredients), blue economy (marine chemicals and materials, aquaculture etc) and other such areas.” By integrating biofoundries into India’s biotechnology infrastructure, the country can accelerate the development of cost-effective, and sustainable solutions for healthcare, agriculture, and environmental challenges. Dr Dhar further said “The growing availability of funding to establish biofoundry infrastructures in India opens up tremendous possibilities, as the country is on its way to becoming a global leader in biotechnology and biomanufacturing. Over the next 5 to 10 years, we can expect to see a rise in biofoundries that bring together academic research, industry collaboration, and government support. These hubs of innovation will likely focus on automating synthetic biology processes, speeding up the development of new biological systems, and leveraging AI to drive breakthroughs in biomanufacturing using sophisticated computational models.”   Global scenario : The Global Biofoundry Alliance (GBA) The Global Biofoundry Alliance (GBA) was formally launched on May 9, 2019 in Kobe, Japan to enable the sharing of experiences and resources and for working together to overcome shared challenges and unmet scientific and engineering needs. The GBA is a community collective of publicly funded Biofoundries across the world. The members of the GBA are a test-bed for new technologies and the development of skills. The advanced infrastructure allows researchers to adopt cutting-edge high-throughput workflows and enable accessibility for startups, SMEs, and academic researchers alike. Signing members of the GBA include research institutions, research funding agencies, or other entities that operate non-commercial biofoundries, as well as other organisations that actively support public-funded biofoundries. The parties have non-overlapping missions with for-profit entities.  The Alliance includes member countries like the USA, Singapore, China, Australia, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom biofoundry destinations like Edinburgh, London, and Manchester, and India. Out of the prominent member countries of the GBA, India perhaps stands as a relative newcomer, with ‘Biofoundry India’ from Delhi representing the country at the GBA. The objectives of the GBA include- Develop, promote, and support non-commercial biofoundries established around the world, Intensify collaboration and communication among biofoundries, Collectively develop responses to technological, operational, and other types of common challenges, Enhance visibility, impact, and sustainability of non-commercial biofoundries, and Explore globally relevant and societally impactful grand challenge collaborative projects.   GBA: What It Means for India The establishment of the GBA marks an important milestone in the coordination of biofoundry activities across the world, promoting collaborations among biofoundries in different countries. For India, participation in this alliance could be beneficial, in terms of an enhanced access to cutting-edge technologies, expertise, and international partnerships. By being a part of the GBA, Indian biofoundries can tap into a global network of innovation, accelerating the country’s ability to meet both domestic and international demands for biotech products. This also could also position India as a strategic player in the global biotech supply chain, especially as the need for sustainable, scalable solutions in healthcare and agriculture continues to grow.   Challenges and way forward While biofoundries hold incredible promise, academic researchers may face several hurdles in fully tapping into their potential. Researchers coming purely from a biological background adapting to automation and advanced technologies on one end, to managing the massive amounts of data generated by Biofoundries on the other, will find it difficult to work at biofoundries. Explaining challenges working at biofoundries, Dr Dhar said, “One of the biggest challenges is a mental disengagement with the traditional slow and steady model of performing cellular edits and waiting for the response that can take weeks together. Moving to a biofoundry approach would call for a new way of thinking and designing experiments. In addition, the high cost of establishing biofoundry infrastructure can be difficult for smaller labs with limited budgets. One way to overcome this is through by establishing hub and spoke model across the nation and enhancing collaborative efforts between universities, industries, creation of shared, open-access resources that empower researchers at an affordable cost. For those coming from a purely biological background, adapting to automation, robotics, and AI might feel overwhelming. To bridge this gap, academic institutions will need to invest in cross-disciplinary programmes that teach both technical and computational skills, ensuring researchers are well-equipped to navigate the biofoundry landscape.” He also added that managing the massive amounts of data generated by biofoundries presents its challenges, in that establishing clear guidelines around data sharing, ownership, and intellectual property will be crucial factors. “By developing transparent frameworks for handling these aspects, researchers can collaborate more freely and make the most of the breakthroughs biofoundries offer”, he said.  Dr Gaurav Singh, CEO of Blockchain for Impact (BFI) highlighted some other challenges that will be encountered in establishing biofoundry infrastructures and promoting the Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) approach in India. He said, "High capital investment in building state-of-the-art biofoundries requires significant upfront capital investment in cutting-edge equipment and technologies like synthetic biology, automated screening, and genetic engineering. In addition, a limited expertise and talent pool, the biotechnology workforce often lacks specialised skills in areas like bioinformatics, AI-based modelling, and advanced bioprocess engineering, which are crucial for DBTL."  He also added that the gaps in collaborations between academia, startups, and industry are currently fragmented in the Indian biotech sector and that effective DBTL workflows require strong coordination between these elements. "The regulatory framework is still evolving around novel synthetic biology techniques, which can slow down DBTL-driven innovations. In terms of data infrastructure, the lack of a centralised data repository and bioinformatics platforms makes the learning phase of the DBTL cycle less efficient. Addressing these challenges through public-private partnerships and targeted government interventions can significantly accelerate the establishment of biofoundries and the adoption of DBTL," he added.    Meanwhile, sharing his views on how biofoundry infrastructure will strengthen the DBTL approach, to drive biotech innovation and high-performance biomanufacturing Dr Dhar said “Biotechnology is often a game of trial and error, relying on a mix of educated guesses and probability. Driven by hypothesis, scientists design a plan of editing cellular traffic, based on past experience, and hope to get predicted results. Even today, genetic engineering is still largely probability-driven. But with the pressure to deliver faster results, there’s a need for a more precise, engineering-focused approach to turn ideas into outcomes more quickly. This is where DBTL cycle within a biofoundry comes in.” Dr Dhar pointed out that the biofoundries are revolutionising how we innovate in biotech. With automation, AI, and robotics at the forefront, they enable researchers to test a wide range of ideas at an accelerated pace. This not only improves the Design phase, where new biological systems are imagined and refined, but also brings precision and speed to the entire process. By allowing for high-throughput experiments and rapid prototyping, biofoundries drastically reduce the time it takes to turn an idea into a real-world product. “The most profound shift happens in the Learn phase. Biofoundries use machine learning to analyse vast amounts of data from experiments, uncovering insights that would be impossible to see manually. This powerful feedback loop doesn’t just speed up the DBTL process—it also leads to more efficient, sustainable, and scalable manufacturing, ultimately transforming the way we approach biotechnology,” he added.  On these lines, initiatives like the BioE3 Policy lay heavy focus on collaborations for bioinnovation and entrepreneurship. Dr Premnath said that the Venture Center brought together stakeholders including industry, academia, startups and suppliers to meet in the run-up to the BioE3 Policy announcement.  “These have led to some collaborations and joint programmes to contribute to the goals of the BioE3 Policy. Besides a collaboration between Venture Center and National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune in Biopharma Manufacturing, several industry led and academia partnered initiatives are being planned in the Pune region. The Venture Center also plans to expand its ability to support startups in emerging areas of climate resilient agriculture, food and feed, and industrial biotechnology”, he said. Startup ecosystem will play an important role in these networks. The country’s total biotech startup base has expanded to 8,531 companies. The base grew from 3,397 companies in 2019. How this vast startup ecosystem can strategise to leverage biofoundries to innovate in areas like synthetic biology, biopharmaceuticals, and industrial biotechnology can be crucial factors.  Dr Premnath added, “Indian startups need to leverage biofoundries to quickly test out and scale new ideas in emerging areas of market opportunity.  Biofoundries can play a useful role after the Proof-of-Concept stage in moving ideas to market faster and in helping generate evidence for feasibility and data for Proof-of-Value. This can be crucial for fund raising for startups. For example, in the biopharma sector, startups will need to have access to platform technologies enabling cell and gene therapy as well as facilities that help companies generate samples for human clinical studies. Pilot scale facilities to scale up synthetic biology-based ideas in producing sustainable ingredients for the FMCG industry will be important.” Establishing and running a biofoundry in India may require more than just financial and technical resources; it could necessitate integrating both physical and digital infrastructures while addressing organisational and operational challenges.  An article titled 'Building Biofoundry India: challenges and path forward' published in Synthetic Biology in 2021, talks about the challenges in the path of building 'Biofoundry India', among other factors. The article highlights that adopting a large resource base in a biofoundry will require re-educating the science administrators, granting agencies, institutions and individual scientists, to embrace shared facilities. The facility must balance providing cost-effective services with offering hard-to-find technical expertise to attract users. BI (Biofoundry India) plans to create several models for client engagement while maintaining equipment access for internal stakeholders. Additionally, BI aims to work with the Global Biofoundry Alliance to become a leader in software maintenance, support, and data analysis platforms, while addressing long-term challenges like securing and retaining personnel through collaborative projects and career development within the facility.   Catalysts for India's Biotech Future India is at a crucial juncture in its biotech journey, and biofoundries offer the technological infrastructure needed to take biomanufacturing to the next level. By embracing biofoundry technology and automation, India can strengthen its position as a global leader in biotechnology.  “We hope that the biofoundry facilities proposed in the BioE3 Policy will expand the translation capabilities of incubators in the country across multiple sectors”, said Dr Premnath.  Participation in the Global Biofoundry Alliance, combined with national initiatives supporting biotech growth, will enable the country to leverage biofoundries to drive innovation, create sustainable biomanufacturing solutions, and meet growing global demand for biotech products. On this path, biofoundries will not only enhance India’s biomanufacturing capabilities but also contribute significantly to the country’s broader goals of becoming a biotech powerhouse and a key player in the global bioeconomy.  Shivani Thakar  shivani.thakar@biospectrumindia.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25295/thermo-fisher-scientific-and-telangana-govt-to-establish-bioprocess-design-centre-for-novel-biotherapeutics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25295/thermo-fisher-scientific-and-telangana-govt-to-establish-bioprocess-design-centre-for-novel-biotherapeutics.html Sun, 27 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangana to establish a Bioprocess Design Centre (BDC) in Genome Valley, Hyderabad.  Totalling 10,000 sq. ft., the Bioprocess Design Centre will become operational in early 2025 and serve as a benchmark to accelerate the development and manufacturing of innovative biotherapeutics in India and Asia-Pacific region. The Centre will feature state-of-the-art labs as well as training hubs to drive scientific research. Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for ITE&C and I&C Departments, commented, “The establishment of this Bioprocess Design Centre reflects the state’s progressive policies and collaborative approach to building a robust biopharma infrastructure. With over 1,800 companies, Telangana is leading the way in making India a global hub for biopharma innovation." Thermo Fisher will equip the centre with advanced workflow capabilities across upstream and downstream research, cell culture media development, single-use scale-up manufacturing, and product validation.  Tony Acciarito, President, APJ, Thermo Fisher Scientific, said, "Our partnership with the Government of Telangana will strengthen India's biopharma manufacturing capabilities, accelerating the development of breakthrough therapeutics and advancing healthcare solutions that will benefit patients globally."  Earlier this year, Thermo Fisher also partnered with leading bio-incubators to set up five Centres for Innovation at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bengaluru, Atal Incubation Centre - Centre for Cellular Molecular Biology (AIC-CMB), Hyderabad, Aspire Bionest, Hyderabad, IIT Bionest, Guwahati and KIIT-TBI, Bhubaneshwar. These centres are providing startups access to Thermo Fisher’s advanced technologies and expertise, significantly reducing the time to market for new biopharma products.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25291/eyestems-pioneering-dry-amd-treatment-receives-positive-recommendation-from-drug-safety-monitoring-board-dsmb-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25291/eyestems-pioneering-dry-amd-treatment-receives-positive-recommendation-from-drug-safety-monitoring-board-dsmb-.html Wed, 23 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based company Eyestem Research, focused on creating scalable cell therapies for incurable diseases, has announced a positive outcome of the Drug Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) review for the first cohort of its Phase one trial to treat Geographic Atrophy secondary to Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration, marking a milestone for Indian science and medical research. Eyestem’s lead product, Eyecyte-RPE™, is a patented suspension of retinal pigment epithelium cells aimed at combating geographic atrophy arising from Dry AMD. This pioneering treatment marks a major milestone in the global fight against vision loss, as it has the potential to replace damaged retinal cells. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived Eyecyte-RPE developed by Eyestem, can help replace the damaged or lost retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and potentially enable tissue regeneration in the diseased retina. In addition, stem cells can perform multiple functions, such as immunoregulation, prevention of apoptosis in sensory neurons, and secretion of neurotrophic factors. The cells are derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, are allogeneic in nature, and can be stored for long periods of time. In a joint statement, Dr. Rajpal Vohra (AIIMS, Delhi), Dr. Raja Narayanan (LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad), Dr. Rushikesh Naigonkar (Sri Ganpati Netralaya, Jalna), and Dr. Rohan Chawla (AIIMS, Delhi), retinal surgeons involved in the study, said “We are truly excited to see the excellent safety profile of Eyecyte-RPE and early indications of efficacy lead us to believe that this therapy has the potential to be transformational for patients. We look forward to recruiting the second cohort of patients and are excited to be part of the team that brings such innovative therapies closer to patients that need it most.” The preclinical safety and efficacy studies of Eyecyte-RPE™ have yielded highly encouraging results in three internationally recognised labs in India, Singapore and the US. The therapy demonstrated significant beneficial effects on the degenerating retina in animal models without any major safety concerns, indicating its potential value for combating Dry AMD.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/25209/boosting-innovation-collaboration-entrepreneurship-with-bioe3-policy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/25209/boosting-innovation-collaboration-entrepreneurship-with-bioe3-policy.html Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bharat’s BioEconomy is worth almost $300 billion and is among the top destinations for biotechnology worldwide and the third largest destination for biotechnology in the Asia Pacific. India’s BioEconomy reached an estimated $151 billion by 2023 and has witnessed an exponential increase in valuation in the past eleven years, with COVID-19 giving the industry a much-needed push. Today, India is poised as one of the leading destinations for bio innovation and biomanufacturing and hence identified as a sunrise sector and a key part of India’s vision of reaching a $5 trillion economy by 2027.  The government introduced the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy—a strategic framework designed to propel India into the next era of industrialisation through high-performance biomanufacturing. The BioE3 Policy was approved on August 24, 2024, by the Union Cabinet for “Fostering High-Performance Biomanufacturing”. The policy chalks a strategic roadmap to making India a global biomanufacturing hub by promoting high-performance biomanufacturing through innovation for the development of bio-based products and building an infrastructure that enables scale-up and commercialisation.  The policy aims to empower Indian institutions, universities, startups, and industries to engage in transformative innovations by boosting domestic biomanufacturing capabilities by enabling synergy between science, technology, engineering, and manufacturing. The policy lays out plans for accelerating the transition to biomanufacturing by promoting integrated use of AI, digitalisation with ‘omics’, and upstream biotechnology innovations through bio-AI hubs, biofoundries, and biomanufacturing hubs across the country.  The six thematic areas of focus highlighted in the BioE3 Policy include bio-based chemicals and enzymes, functional foods and smart proteins, climate-resistant agriculture, carbon capture and utilisation, futuristic marine and space research, and precision biotherapeutics. Out of these six, the area of focus relevant to life sciences industries that BioSpectrum will aim to explore is Precision Biotherapeutics. ‘Precision Biotherapeutics’ is of special focus and interest to the healthcare and biopharma sectors. The policy draws attention to biologics/biotherapies like Cell and Gene therapy, mRNA therapeutics, monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapy, as well as next-generation vaccines.  “To successfully implement the BioE3 Policy, various ministries and departments are collaborating and sharing resources. For instance, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will support AI-based biomanufacturing, while the Indian Council of Agricultural Research will focus on developing agribiologicals. Other ministries like New and Renewable Energy, Space, Health, Pharmaceuticals, and Earth Sciences will play critical roles in ensuring the policy’s success,” said Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology.  The minister further said “Powered by the visionary BioE3 policy, I strongly believe that Bharat would emerge as a global biotechnology powerhouse with significant contribution of Bioeconomy to our shared vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047”.    BioE3 for Biomanufacturing  Biomanufacturing involves the use of biological systems to produce commercially relevant products. The world is at the cusp of a new industrial revolution driven by bio-innovation, and biotechnology will strongly influence future bio-based manufacturing, many nations like the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Finland, and other European countries, have put forward their policies, strategies, and roadmaps to set up a robust framework for biomanufacturing. An efficient and sustainable biomanufacturing ecosystem can form the backbone for biotechnology innovation and an infrastructure that truly enables the translation of innovations to society at large. Fostering these aspects will be necessary for a holistic and sustainable infrastructure that is well-positioned to achieve key milestones in high-performance biomanufacturing and robust commercialisation of such innovative biotechnology products. “The BioE3 Policy positions biomanufacturing as a crucial solution for sustainable growth”, remarked Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Director General, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) and Chairman, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). “This BioE3 policy is about scaling up – Scaling up of the ambitions of startups to become successful entrepreneurs, scaling up of their programmes to become successful products, and scaling up of capabilities so that we can change the ecosystem in the world”, he said.   Emerging technologies, like synthetic biology and artificial intelligence, present opportunities to accelerate the growth of bioeconomies. For instance, applying AI algorithms and machine learning tools to biological applications has been changing the outcomes biology can provide. If established models from countries leading the bioeconomy game are to be drawn inference from, fuelling biotech innovations brewing at the interface of advanced technology, biology, and bioprocess engineering could drastically speed up the development of commercial outcomes for healthcare. In that sense, generative biology presents limitless improvements and has already started delivering game-changing outcomes. Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC said, “Strategic reforms, harmonised with regulatory reforms and global standards, need to be defined for facilitating production and commercialisation of novel bio-based products. The convergent and multi-disciplinary research for biomanufacturing at scale entails multiple elements of regulatory interface and approvals. Proactively engaging with all stakeholders to identify such challenges and facilitating stakeholder interactions to pursue potential solutions will be crucial – to create a convergence between biotechnology, engineering, and digitalisation. Implementation of this biomanufacturing initiative will be through a public-private co-creation model that combines expertise in academia, startups, and industry through inter-ministerial coordination. The BioE3 policy aims to achieve this through collaborations with international partners, research institutions, universities, government agencies, and public-private partnerships with startups and Indian industries, further enabling the growth of an economically and environmentally sustainable bioeconomy and contribute for making Bharat self-reliant.” The introduction of the BioE3 Policy comes at an interesting time for India's biotechnology sector, for focused industrialisation of ‘bio-based products’.   Deeming the policy as a pivotal moment in India’s biotechnology landscape, Prof. K VijayRaghavan, former Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, spoke primarily about the policy’s implications for successfully scaling up biotech innovations and its importance in helping the country move towards domestically developed products. He further said “India has already showcased its capacity to innovate in biotechnology, especially in vaccine development and agricultural biotech. However, scaling these innovations to meet both domestic and global demands requires a robust biomanufacturing ecosystem. The BioE3 policy addresses this need by fostering indigenous biomanufacturing capabilities. By building cutting-edge infrastructure, promoting skill development, and encouraging collaboration between research institutions, startups, and industry, this policy sets the stage for India to become a biomanufacturing powerhouse.” Remarking on the prospect of India becoming a global biotechnology leader by leveraging this policy, G S Krishnan, President of the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) stated, “The national Bioeconomy’s growth with get further momentum with the newly unveiled BioE3 policy of the Department of Biotechnology. It is just the right catalyst to push our BioEconomy to a higher orbit by harnessing the power of biomanufacturing. The COVID-19 response demonstrated India’s vaccine manufacturing prowess and BioE3 has the potential to replicate this success in many other sectors of our industry, particularly in the emerging areas of alternate proteins, biofuels, cell and gene therapy and so on.”   By India, for India Precision medicine and personalised healthcare are rapidly gaining traction globally. Broadly, precision medicine comprises detailed molecular characterisation of disease states using the biologic omics platforms to better individualise diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics, utilising individuals’ factors like genetic, environmental, and lifestyle data to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Alongside concerns of data-sharing and patient privacy, equitable access to treatments is a major contemporary hurdle in truly manifesting large-scale effective precision medicine provision in India.  Unmet medical needs and inefficiencies drive healthcare innovation with the goal of protecting and promoting health for individuals and society at large. Non-communicable diseases are on the rise in the Indian population. The prevalence of deadly infectious diseases, along with the potential of numerous epidemic or pandemic-causing pathogens is a challenge. The prevalence of genetic disorders, and rare diseases such as sickle cell anaemia, muscular dystrophy, thalassemia, and haemophilia also poses a challenge for our society and healthcare system. The scenario not only presents opportunities but also necessitates, diving deep to act on the untapped potential for high-degree innovation and building a robust infrastructure for effectively translating health innovations to society at large.  India’s biotech sector is poised to achieve new heights. India’s biotechnology prowess, coupled with its leadership position in the biopharma sector, positions India to be a frontrunner in leading the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ of bio innovation.  “Over the next decade, a lot of diseases that are currently incurable will start becoming treatable due to the advent of cell and gene therapy. It will be imperative for every country to create an indigenous platform from which a large ecosystem of companies and academia can do research to bring therapies to people in need,” said Dr Jogin Desai, Founder and CEO, of Eyestem Research while talking about how high-performance, innovation-driven biomanufacturing collectively set to boost the precision biotherapeutics space in India, particularly cell therapy. “Biomanufacturing is a critical bottleneck in development of cell and gene therapies and I am delighted that the policy is targeting it as one of the key initiatives. Several such initiatives exist in the UK (Catapult networks), and Canada (Centre for Commercialisation of Regenerative Medicine) besides state-level networks in the US which have led to the flourishing of such therapies in those countries. I hope India will soon see a similar cohort of innovation-driven companies”, he added.  Highlighting some prominent challenges India's biotech sector is facing in developing and achieving a successful transition of innovative cell therapies from lab-to-market and pre-commercialisation, Dr Desai said, “Two main challenges for such therapies hobble the sector. The first is the ability to productise the science i.e. the transition from research-led protocols to predictable GMP scale protocols. Second is the absence of a large ecosystem of knowledgeable funders from the VC community.” While Dr Rahul Purwar, Founder and CEO, ImmunoAct remarked on the fact that extremely high costs of such therapies is a hurdle we need to overcome. He stressed that innovation in India and indigenous production through solid public-private partnerships (PPP) across Indian academia and industry would be important to bring down costs.  “If biomanufacturing can be done in a PPP format, it will make these therapies more affordable. We need to accelerate examples of such collaborations multifold now, and this is where the BioE3 policy will help”, he said.  “Another important aspect to consider when talking about cell and gene therapy is the accessibility of the therapies. Only 10 per cent of our population can afford these therapies. Including (our) cell and gene therapies in Government healthcare access programmes, such as Ayushman Bharat and reduction in the high GST on oncology therapies, can also make cell and gene therapies affordable”, he added.  Large-scale biomanufacturing and the successful scale-up and commercialisation of innovations are critical to making biotherapeutic therapies more affordable. By optimising production processes and achieving economies of scale, manufacturers can reduce the cost per unit of complex biologics, biosimilars, and advanced therapies. This, in turn, could lower the overall price of therapies, making cutting-edge treatments accessible to a broader population and addressing healthcare affordability on a global scale. Technological advances in biotechnology have empowered companies to stay competitive by enabling efficient, cost-effective, and scalable production processes. A seamless integration of these approaches could stand as a crucial factor for our Biotech landscape. Strengthening supply chain efficiencies while driving innovation in biotherapeutics and other life sciences sectors would benefit from an infrastructure provisioning for technology-driven high-performance biomanufacturing.   Emphasising the policy’s focus on self-reliance in biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and biologics, Prof. Raghavan said, “The pandemic underscored the need for nations to secure their supply chains, especially in health-related manufacturing. Biomanufacturing will enhance India’s ability to respond to future pandemics and reduce dependence on imports for critical products, fostering economic resilience.” India is an established leader in vaccine manufacturing and supply to the world. But, encouraging innovation, providing more financial initiatives and streamlining regulatory processes will benefit Indian companies engaged in the development and production of biological products, opined Dr K Anand Kumar, Managing Director of Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), while lauding the BioE3 policy for its comprehensive approach to enhancing the biomanufacturing ecosystem in India. Dr Kumar also highlighted the policy’s alignment with IIL’s objectives and a broader mission of advancing healthcare solutions while achieving self-sufficiency. “The BioE3 policy complements IIL’s vision of advancing public health through indigenous vaccine development and biomanufacturing. It supports our efforts to scale up production capabilities and enhance our research initiatives,” he stated. In the context of biomanufacturing ‘by India for India’, factors in addition to innovation could be significant contributors to shaping a forward-looking biotechnology landscape. Krishna Mohan Puvvada, Regional President – MEIA, Novonesis said, “The BioE3 policy envisages the path for India towards becoming a global leader, adopting and expanding the biomanufacturing ecosystem. The policy also aims to effectively steer the transition to a circular economy. Biomanufacturing will enable high-skilled job creation and intensify entrepreneurial momentum towards a knowledge-based industry sector. This initiative will accelerate India’s ambition towards de-carbonisation targets by encouraging the Indian industry to shift towards more sustainable production processes.” Sharing his views Aditya Sharma, Head of Process Solutions, India Region, Merck Life Science said, “The BioE3 policy’s focus on advancing biomanufacturing will not only benefit life sciences but also bolster the related sectors, contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous economy. Advancements in some strategic segments such as cell and gene therapy will be amplified with suitable interventions aligning with global scientific research. We truly believe that with key drivers such as public-private-partnerships; appropriate FDI incentivisation; skill development with global practices, learnings, industry-ready curriculums; identifying and supporting key projects with less-paper more-trust approach, and constant industry/stakeholder consultation will amplify the potential of BioE3 policy across all the players in India.”   By India, for the world  India is set to emerge as a global leader in biomanufacturing. Recognised for its vast capabilities in producing biopharmaceuticals, biologics, and biotherapeutics at scale, and as one of the largest suppliers of vaccines and biosimilars, India’s biomanufacturing prowess would be underpinned by a robust infrastructure, skilled workforce, and competitive cost advantages. With a growing emphasis on innovation, the country continues to strengthen its position as a key player in the global supply chain, driving advancements in precision therapeutics and biologics. India's role in biopharma is critical to ensuring global healthcare access, particularly in emerging markets.  Sharing views on impact of BioE3 policy on Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CDMO) sector Alex Del Priore, SVP Manufacturing Services, Syngene, opined, “Over the next few years, the competitive landscape for Indian CDMOs is expected to undergo significant evolution, primarily propelled by the increasing emphasis on biologics and advanced manufacturing technologies. Indian manufacturers are producing biologics approved by US FDA and EMA which underscores adherence to international quality standards and fosters confidence in the sector. The burgeoning demand for biologics will serve as a pivotal growth catalyst, with Indian CDMOs such as Syngene, equipped with comprehensive capabilities in this domain, poised to seize a larger market share. Technological advancements like perfusion, continuous processing and automation will play a critical role in enhancing production efficiency and CDMOs in India investing in these areas are well-positioned to lead the market and capitalise on emerging opportunities. Further, the capabilities to produce peptides, oligonucleotides, plasmid DNA, mRNA enable the CDMOs to stay at the cutting edge of therapies. Continued government support through initiatives like the BioE3 policy, PRIP (Promotion of Research & Innovation in Pharma-MedTech sector) scheme and PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme will further bolster the capabilities of Indian CDMOs, enhancing their competitiveness globally.” Expressing his thoughts on the policy Dr Vishal Warke, Director- R & D (Cell Biology & Hydroponics), HiMedia Laboratories said, “To become a global manufacturing hub as well as a supplier, we need to have excellent quality at affordable prices. That can only come with economies of scale. Our national intent is not just about boosting our biotech sector, it's about making India a global hub for import substitution to furthering Atmanirbhar Bharat to Bharat Nirbhar Vishwa.” Dr Warke further said that with this policy, India is taking a giant leap forward in transforming the nation’s biomanufacturing landscape. “The policy focuses on fostering innovation in critical areas like precision biotherapeutics (among others). The policy aims accelerated technology development and commercialisation to biomanufacturing hubs, bio-AI centres, and biofoundries. We need to set up a foundation for a massive scale-up, which is now provisioned for in the BioE3 policy.  The policy is a game-changer for India, positioning us at the forefront of the global biotechnology revolution and paving the way for a prosperous self-reliant future,” said Dr Warke.  Hailing the BioE3 policy as the Government's bold initiative to establish India as a global leader in biomanufacturing, Chakravarthi AVPS, Advisor International Affairs, Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) and Chairman, Federation of Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs (FOPE) stressed upon factors that will give impetus to make this initiative a success. “While the policy lays out an ambitious and promising vision, its success will hinge on addressing several existing challenges. These include overcoming regulatory delays, ensuring infrastructure readiness, and bridging the skill gap within the biotech sector. Effective implementation of these measures will be crucial for the policy to achieve its full potential. If executed successfully, the BioE3 policy could significantly transform India’s bio-economy and propel the country to the forefront of global biotechnology and healthcare innovation, establishing it as a major player in these critical sectors”, he added.  With the BioE3 policy for high-performance biomanufacturing, India is aiming to step into the ‘next phase’ to become one of the top global hubs for biomanufacturing. With the momentum the policy is set to provide, how Indian players in large-scale commercial production of therapeutics, next-gen vaccines, biosimilars and novel biologics will capitalise on the opportunity to be a global leading supplier will be an interesting journey. Bruna Magnago, Senior Fellow, India-Brazil Chamber of Commerce (IBCC) shares, "The BioE3 policy will likely attract global investments into India’s bio-based API sector, and Brazilian companies could capitalise on these opportunities by investing in joint ventures or technology transfer initiatives. This would deepen bilateral trade ties, as Brazil continues to seek reliable sources of APIs, especially in the post-pandemic context where supply chain resilience is paramount. As India strengthens its bio-based pharmaceutical industry, both India and Brazil are increasingly focusing on regulatory convergence and reliance initiatives. By aligning regulatory frameworks, particularly for bio-based APIs, businesses in both countries could benefit from streamlined market entry and faster regulatory approval processes, paving the way for smoother cross-border transactions. India’s shift towards bio-based APIs under the BioE3 policy is expected to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian pharmaceutical exports. For Brazil, this opens up avenues to import high-quality, bio-based APIs at competitive prices, reducing dependency on traditional synthetic APIs and contributing to cost-effective, sustainable healthcare solutions." "We at Supriya Lifescience view the new BioE3 policy as a means to ‘shift the gear’ for the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) sector and one that aligns with our expanding growth and vision for sustainable innovation. BioE3 Policy places us in the best position due to our current path which has included huge boosts in production capabilities. It will enable us to apply state-of-the-art (SOTA) technology to our operations concerning both productivity and sustainability as envisaged by the policy through the setting up of regenerative bioeconomies and biomanufacturing cities. While welcoming the prospects opened by the BioE3 policy, we would also like to stress our intentions to create partnerships with academic centres, research institutes, and industry members. These collaborations will help us to advance transformative research programmes and collaborate on expertise that will expand and enhance the industry’s biomanufacturing capabilities and the development of new therapeutics", said Shivani Wagh, Joint Managing Director, Supriya Lifescience.   Biosuppliers Boosting Biomanufacturing Biosuppliers play a critical role in enhancing biomanufacturing by providing essential raw materials, equipment, and technologies that enable efficient and scalable production of biologics, biosimilars, vaccines, and other biotherapeutics. Their contributions span across upstream and downstream processes, offering innovations in areas like single-use technologies, bioreactors, filtration systems, and advanced analytical tools that ensure quality and regulatory compliance. In the context of the growing demand for biologics and emerging therapies such as cell and gene therapies, biosuppliers are crucial in accelerating production timelines while reducing costs. By fostering collaborations with biopharma companies, investing in R&D, and improving supply chain resilience, they can help streamline production processes, minimise contamination risks, and maintain high safety and efficacy standards. As the biotech industry evolves, biosuppliers are positioned as key partners in driving technological advancements, ensuring consistent manufacturing capacity, and supporting the global expansion of biomanufacturing capabilities. V Sankaranarayanan, Managing Director, VFL Sciences opined, “The BioE3 policy is a welcome move by the government, and it is the need of the hour for India. This policy will attract more biosupplier companies to invest in India. This will also kindle entrepreneurship among the youth, and we can expect more startups to come into the biosupplier area. Biosuppliers are a very important part of this policy as equipment, consumables and reagents will be needed in large quantities to support the programme. Currently, India is depending more on imported products in this space, and the funds from the government for such programmes are very limited. In order for the programme to be a grand success, the government should support the biosuppliers from India.” Sharing views about the primary obstacles biosuppliers face when scaling up innovative bioprocesses for large-scale production, commercialisation of precision biotherapeutics and biologics, Sankaranarayanan said, "The biosupplier industry is evolving, however, the market is currently very small. Due to the smaller market, we are not able to attract the best talent. Engineers with better experience in developing innovative products are very limited in India. As the market evolves and more players come into the market, I feel this will develop automatically. India currently lacks any government research lab which supports the biosupplier industries. We don’t have labs that are working on novel instruments. There is very little happening on the instrumentation part for life sciences."  Elaborating on how biosuppliers can capitalise on the momentum the policy is set to provide to drive high-performance biomanufacturing and large-scale production capabilities, he further said, " It is a good time for Indian companies engaged in the production of such instruments to upgrade the quality of the product as well as the support infrastructure to grow the business. I also expect more people with global experience to join Indian companies to support them with the knowledge and process. I also hope more global companies come forward and work with Indian manufacturers to develop the industry further. With the scale improving it is possible for global companies to set up their own manufacturing facilities in India. Overall it is going to be a very interesting time for Indian biosuppliers." Sharing his perspective about the challenges biosuppliers face in scaling up innovative bioprocesses for large-scale production of precision biotherapeutics and biologics, Dr Girish Mahajan, Senior Vice President - Microbiology Department, HiMedia Laboratories said, “While some industrial R&D facilities can begin optimising from the start using highly automated, synchronised mini-bioreactor systems, the cost is prohibitive for many new developers. As the scale increases by factors of 5x or 10x, nearly every parameter contributing to the complexity of the molecules must be carefully optimised. Scaling up cell cultures presents significant challenges due to variations in growth and performance at larger volumes, often leading to inconsistent yields and product quality. Additional technical hurdles include modifying bioreactor designs and mitigating contamination risks.” He further said, “High-end analytical tools are required to measure key variables in (production of) therapeutic molecules, and the cost of equipment or outsourcing these analyses further adds to the expense. Logistical issues also arise, including the high costs of purifying biologics to meet stringent quality and regulatory standards. Even if these hurdles are overcome, the feasibility of the project is often questioned based on the yield. For instance, achieving an optimised yield of 3.5 g/L may not be commercially viable if the minimum required yield is 5 g/L. For academic research institutions, such projects are feasible only with full funding support for the necessary advanced infrastructure.” With regards to how the BioE3 policy framework can strengthen the link between biotechnology research, scale-up, and commercialisation, he said, “The policy, promotes the development of advanced biomanufacturing technologies such as single-use bioreactors, perfusion systems, and wave bioreactors, which are critical for cost-effective and scalable production. The policy ensures collaboration between academia, industry, and regulatory bodies, increasing the likelihood of bringing new biotherapeutics from the research stage to market. By streamlining regulatory processes and offering subsidies for infrastructure development, BioE3 aims to accelerate the scaling and commercialisation of biologics, particularly in areas like precision medicine and biotherapeutics.”   No time like present  The Government of India has introduced several Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes aimed at enhancing domestic manufacturing and attracting significant investments in the life sciences-related sectors. Additionally, initiatives like ‘Make-in-India’, National Biopharma Mission (NBM), as well as new provisions from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), to name a few, are set to boost innovation and technological prowess. The country’s total biotech startup base has expanded to 8,531 companies in 2023. The base grew from 3,397 companies in 2019. India is also witnessing an increase in the number of incubators and knowledge parks in the biotechnology landscape.  As highlighted by DBT BIRAC’s  India BioEconomy Report (IBER) 2024, MSMEs remain the backbone of India’s BioEconomy, despite certain challenges. Their contributions are vital for the sector’s growth and resilience, and with continued support and development, they are well-positioned to sustain their crucial role in the industry’s future.  The IBER 2024 also highlights that Indian BioEconomy’s drivers are rooted in diverse segments like BioPharma, BioIndustrial, and BioServices. This adaptability positions the India BioEconomy for continued success. Some of the key upcoming trends include global biosimilars market, therapeutics innovation and sustainable bio-industrial practices. Tech integration in the bio IT/research services will also be a major driver in the coming years.  Expanding global acceptance of Indian-made biosimilars presents a lucrative opportunity for the BioPharma sector to capture a larger market share in developed countries. Continued advancements in BioPharmaceuticals, personalised medicine, and precision treatments are expected to propel the therapeutics segment forward. Integration of advanced technologies like bioinformatics, data analytics, and artificial intelligence in bioresearch services is poised to accelerate, enhancing research capabilities and driving growth in BioIT/Research Services.  The picture this paints certainly points to the notion that it is going to be an interesting, perhaps revolutionising time for Indian biotechnology, albeit challenges and hurdles that will need to be overcome. How the BioE3 Policy for biomanufacturing will lead this revolution, time will tell.   Shivani Thakar shivani.thakar@biospectrumindia.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25183/tech-leaders-converge-in-delhi-ahead-of-bengaluru-tech-summit-2024.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25183/tech-leaders-converge-in-delhi-ahead-of-bengaluru-tech-summit-2024.html Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 As a prelude to the 27th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2024, scheduled from 19-21 November 2024 at Bangalore Palace, a dynamic open industry dialogue was held in Delhi on 24 September, led by Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka. BTS 2024 is organised by the Department of E, IT and Bt, Govt. of Karnataka and Co-hosted by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI). Priyank Kharge was joined by Dr Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology; Arvind Kumar, Director General, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI); Darshan H.V, IAS,Managing Director, Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka; Gurneet Tej, Resident Commissioner, KB, New Delhi; Shailendra Tyagi, Director, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Bengaluru and Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman of MM Activ- the Event Curator of Bengaluru Tech Summit. The Delhi Industry Meet gathered leaders from key sectors such as IT, Deeptech, Electronics, Telecom, EV, Biotech, Gaming, and Animation, representatives from various trade missions, heads of prominent R&D institutes as well as various Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) partner countries.  Bengaluru Tech Summit is recognised as a pivotal platform in the global technology landscape, solidifying Bengaluru and Karnataka's roles as innovation leaders. This pre-event dialogue was held in Delhi to engage national stakeholders and expand the summit’s reach beyond regional boundaries. Priyank Kharge stated, “This year’s summit will cover a broad spectrum of topics within IT, Electronics, Biotechnology, Startups, and the Global Innovation Alliance tracks, ensuring comprehensive dialogue on the future of technology. Introducing the new ESDM (Electronics System Design and Manufacturing) track marks a significant step in reinforcing Karnataka’s role as a leader in advanced manufacturing."  Dr Ekroop Caur emphasised, “Bengaluru Tech Summit has evolved beyond being a Karnataka event—it is now a national platform. We encourage and invite the entire Indian Electronics, Technology, and Biotechnology sectors to participate, showcase their innovations to a global audience, and leverage this opportunity to accelerate their business growth.” With 85 sessions and over 460+ speakers from industry, research and academia, BTS 2024 Conference promises in-depth exploration and dialogue. Flagship programmes at BTS 2024 will include the CEO Conclave, Startup Conclave, and Fireside Chats with renowned industry leaders. Special emphasis will be placed on B2B meetings to foster structured networking and engagement, with the BTS Event App providing seamless access to schedules and updates. The International Exhibition at BTS 2024 will feature 700+ exhibitors, including focused pavilions such as Corporate & Industry, Global Innovation Alliance, Startup Zone, and MSME Pavilion. Special sectorial pavilions will highlight breakthroughs in Biotech, Healthtech, Spacetech, Mobility, Greentech, Fintech, and more, with delegations from 40+ countries expected to participate, making BTS 2024 a truly global event.   Photo Caption: L to R: Jagdish Patankar , Executive Chairman of MM Activ; Shailendra Tyagi , Director, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI); Dr Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology; Priyank Kharge , Minister for IT, Bt, and RDPR, Government of Karnataka; Arvind Kumar, Director General, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI); Gurneet Tej , Resident Commissioner, KB, New Delhi; Darshan, H.V, IAS, Managing Director, Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS)   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25163/cabinet-approves-bio-ride-scheme-to-support-cutting-edge-research-and-development-in-biotechnology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25163/cabinet-approves-bio-ride-scheme-to-support-cutting-edge-research-and-development-in-biotechnology.html Wed, 18 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, has approved continuation of the two umbrella schemes of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), merged as one scheme-‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio- RIDE)’ with a new component namely Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry. The scheme has three broad components: a) Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D); b) Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED) c) Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry The proposed outlay for the implementation of the unified scheme ‘Bio-RIDE’ is Rs 9197 crore during the 15th finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Bio-RIDE scheme is designed to foster innovation, promote bio-entrepreneurship, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in biomanufacturing and biotechnology. It aims to accelerate research, enhance product development, and bridge the gap between academic research and industrial applications. The scheme is part of the Government of India’s mission to harness the potential of bio-innovation to tackle national and global challenges such as healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and clean energy. Implementation of Bio-RIDE Scheme will - · Promote Bio-Entrepreneurship · Advance Innovation · Facilitate Industry-Academia Collaboration · Encourage Sustainable Biomanufacturing · Support researchers through Extramural funding · Nurturing Human Resource in Biotechnology sector Further, to enable Circular-Bioeconomy in the country, a component on Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry is being initiated in alignment with ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)’ launched by the PM to propel mitigation of global climate change by incorporating green and friendly environmental solutions in every aspect of life.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25158/birac-collaborates-with-indian-venture-and-alternate-capital-association.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25158/birac-collaborates-with-indian-venture-and-alternate-capital-association.html Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), in collaboration with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), hosted a pivotal roundtable at Global Bio-India 2024, held in New Delhi from 12th to 14th September. The roundtable convened 20 leading biotech experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to explore emerging trends and investment opportunities in India’s burgeoning biotechnology sector. The discussion, chaired by Vishwajeet Sahay, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, India & co-chaired by Dr Manish Diwan, Head - Biofoundry, NCR Biotech Cluster & IVCOL at BIRAC, Mission Director - Make In India Biotech sector, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, spotlighted the increasing need for growth-stage capital to support biotech startups with longer gestation periods. Investors emphasised that co-investment strategies and mobilising domestic capital pools are critical to scaling biotech ventures in India. Commenting on the outcomes of the roundtable, Dr Manish Diwan said, “Private equity and venture investments in biotech innovations are growing. TThe recent approval of India's BioE3 policy by the Union Cabinet is very timely and will catalyse the much-needed infrastructure growth and attract investments for bio-innovations and bio-manufacturing. Private and corporate investors are critical partners in supporting this growth momentum for 'Viksit Bharat'.” Thr roundtable saw the launch of the Fund Of Funds (AcE Funds) Booklet, highlighting the successful performance of the initiative since its inception in FY 2017-18 with a corpus of Rs 150 crore. The roundtable underscored the importance of strengthening mentoring programmes, with investors and incubators supporting biotech startups. Initiatives like BIRAC’s Entrepreneurship in Residence (EIR) and the DBT’s i3c BRIC-RCB Ph.D. Programme aim to build a highly skilled talent pool in biosciences.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25138/4th-edition-of-global-bio-india-puts-spotlight-on-biomanufacturing-global-partnerships-and-cutting-edge-innovations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25138/4th-edition-of-global-bio-india-puts-spotlight-on-biomanufacturing-global-partnerships-and-cutting-edge-innovations.html Fri, 13 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Global Bio-India (GBI) 2024 opened in New Delhi on 12th September as a much bigger event as compared to 2023 with participation from 30+ countries, 500+ exhibitors, 5000+ delegates, 1000+ startups, B2B, B2G, G2G meetings and much more. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Global Bio India Conference, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh said “There are a billion reasons to invest in India, the reasons being India has 60% share of global vaccine production, it has the 2nd highest number of US FDA approved manufacturing plants outside the US. Opportunities for investments are available in Bio-Pharma, Bio-Agri, Bio-Industrial, Bio-energy, Bio-Services and Med-Tech.” The event also saw the launch of the BioEconomy report 2024, prepared for 'Make In India Facilitation Cell for Biotechnology' of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), by Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE). The event also witnessed the official launch of the BioE3 policy recently approved by the government. The goal of the Policy is to fast-track innovation-to-technology in a sustainable manner by weaving together fragmented activities under the umbrella of biomanufacturing and to incentivise concrete options to build a sustainable future. BIRAC signed Letter of Intent with 9 leading international organisations in biotechnology namely- United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP); UK Research and Innovation (UKRI); Danaher India; Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology (MIBL); La Trobe University; Blockchain for Impact (BFI); US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF); IBioM (Indian Biotech MSME and Startup Foundation); and Bharat Startup and Innovation Society (BSIS)- Bharat Startup Festival. Further, special booklets namely BIRAC Compendium of Products and Technologies 2024, Insights into BIRAC Equity Fund and Amrit Grand Challenge JanCARE Innovations Report were also launched during the inaugural session of GBI 2024. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25139/indias-bioeconomy-reaches-151-b-in-2023-able-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25139/indias-bioeconomy-reaches-151-b-in-2023-able-report.html Fri, 13 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The India BioEconomy Report (IBER 2024), prepared for 'Make In India Facilitation Cell for Biotechnology' of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), by Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) was released during Global Bio India 2024 event in New Delhi on 12th September. India’s BioEconomy had another stellar year, reaching $150.97 billion ($151 billion) in 2023. This growth highlights the sector’s increasing significance as it now accounts for 4.25% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $3.55 trillion in 2023 calendar year. In 2023, India’s BioEconomy registered a 10% growth rate. In 2023, India’s BioEconomy was characterised by a strong industrial focus, with BioIndustrial and BioPharma collectively accounting for over 83% of the sector’s value. Indian startups have developed over 800 products and raised more than $600 million in follow-on funding. However, while 2022 saw 31 deals totaling $938.8 million, 2023 saw a dip, with only 16 deals worth $199.6 million. On a positive note, the MedTech sector witnessed robust Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) growth, rising from $370 million in 2022 to $480 million in 2023. In contrast, FDI in pharmaceuticals dropped from $2 billion to $1 billion in the same period, signaling shifting investment priorities. The report highlights that the number of biotech startups in India is expected to surge from 8,531 in 2023 to an impressive 35,460 by 2030. This growth will significantly boost employment, with the BioEconomy projected to create 35 million jobs. According to the report, the top five states for biotech startups are Maharashtra (1,421), Karnataka (1,054), Telangana (872), Delhi (875), and Uttar Pradesh (699). These states account for over 50% of all biotech startups in India. In summary, the BioEconomy’s projected rise to $30 trillion by 2050, within a global economy valued at $228 trillion, represents a significant increase in its economic share from 4% to 13%. This transformation highlights the BioEconomy’s expanding role in driving sustainable economic development and underscores the need for strategic investments and supportive policies to maximize its potential and integrate it into the broader economic framework. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25126/bengaluru-based-eyestem-completes-first-set-of-patient-injections-for-its-pioneering-dry-amd-treatment-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25126/bengaluru-based-eyestem-completes-first-set-of-patient-injections-for-its-pioneering-dry-amd-treatment-.html Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0530 Indian cell therapy company Eyestem Research announced the completion of its first set of three patient injections for its RPE suspension therapy for Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This debilitating eye disease is a leading cause of blindness in individuals over 60, impacting an estimated 196 million people globally. Eyestem’s lead product, Eyecyte-RPE, is a patented suspension of retinal pigment epithelium cells aimed at combating geographic atrophy arising from Dry AMD. This pioneering treatment marks a major milestone for Indian biotechnology and the global fight against vision loss, as it has the potential to replace damaged retinal cells. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived Eyecyte-RPE, developed by Eyestem, can help replace the damaged or lost retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and potentially enable tissue regeneration in the diseased retina. In addition, stem cells can perform multiple functions, such as immunoregulation, prevention of apoptosis in sensory neurons, and secretion of neurotrophic factors. The cells are derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, are allogeneic in nature, and can be stored for long periods of time. This marks Eyestem taking their first product developed from induced pluripotent stem cells into clinical development. Led by Dr Rajani Battu, Chief Medical Officer, Eyestem, this first in-human trial will involve 36 patients across three of reputable ophthalmology centres in India. In a joint statement, Dr. Rajpal Vohra (AIIMS, Delhi), Dr. Raja Narayanan (LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad), Dr. Rushikesh Naigonkar (Ganpati Netralaya, Jalna), and Dr. Rohan Chawla (AIIMS, Delhi), retinal surgeons involved in the study, said “Dry AMD and associated vision loss present a massive burden on patients in India and abroad. We are excited about supporting this research which has the potential of helping such patients. It is a matter of great pride that such an innovation is coming out of India for the world and hope that this is the start of a new age of medicine where India leads the way.” Since 2017, Bengaluru-based Eyestem has developed a scalable cell therapy platform for incurable diseases and is moving its flagship product for Dry AMD into human trials. The preclinical safety and efficacy studies of Eyecyte-RPE have yielded highly encouraging results in three internationally recognised labs in India, Singapore, and the US. The therapy demonstrated significant beneficial effects on the degenerating retina in animal models without any major safety concerns, indicating its potential value for combating Dry AMD. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25110/karnataka-showcases-bts-2024-to-global-partners.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25110/karnataka-showcases-bts-2024-to-global-partners.html Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, Government of Karnataka, under its Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) initiative, recently hosted the GIA Meet to promote the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024 (BTS 2024) to its Global Innovation Alliance partner countries & international trade mission representatives. The Meet, held in Bengaluru, was graced by Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT, Bt, Government of Karnataka. The GIA is an initiative of the Department of Electronics, Information Technology (IT), Biotechnology (Bt), and Government of Karnataka. The platform aims to create partnerships with leading countries in the field of technology and innovation. This programme was conceptualised in 2017 under the Karnataka Unit for International Co-operation (KUIC), and the GIA partners have grown exponentially, from 10 countries in 2018 to 30+ countries in 2024. The GIA Meet aimed to strengthen international cooperation, foster innovation, and invite global participation in the upcoming BTS 2024 scheduled from November 19-21, 2024, at the iconic Bangalore Palace. International partners were invited to bring their country delegations, including both ministerial, academic, R&D and corporate representatives, participate in the exhibition by setting up country pavilions to showcase their technological capabilities, hold meetings with representatives from various nations, and conduct focused sessions under the Global Collaboration Track in the conference. In her presentation Dr Ekroop Caur, Secretary to Government, Department of E, IT, Bt, and S&T, Government of Karnataka said, “GIA has been a key pillar in promoting Karnataka’s status as a global innovation hub, fostering partnerships with over 30 countries worldwide. Through these partnerships, Karnataka has successfully established itself as a vibrant centre for technology and innovation, creating a conducive environment for startups, entrepreneurs, and global corporations alike. The GIA Meet marks the start of global outreach efforts to ensure robust international participation in this as well as the future editions of Bengaluru Tech Summit.” Dr Ekroop Caur presented an overview of the event along with new GIA initiatives which will be tailored to the requirements of the partner countries. She spoke about how the Government of Karnataka is actively enhancing its global engagement through several key initiatives aimed at fostering international collaboration for the state's vibrant startup ecosystem. The Global Innovation Alliance Market Access Programme (GIA MAP) has successfully facilitated physical exploratory visits for growth-stage Karnataka startups to five countries—UAE, Singapore, Belgium, Australia, and Germany—across various tech segments, supporting 42 startups. Notably, the recent edition in North Rhine Westphalia, Germany, announced a Welcome Package offering €10,000 in financial support to Karnataka-based startups. In addition, the GIA Mixer, a monthly event launched in August 2024, focuses on promoting collaboration with a new country each month, with the pilot edition featuring DeepTech and Fintech startups pitching to Australian counterparts. Furthering its commitment to nurturing innovation, the Department is in discussions with the UK’s Catapult Network and Paris’s Station F incubator to bolster Karnataka’s Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and support the growth of its startups. The Department has recently launched a newsletter: 'The Innovation Chronicle': a monthly guide to key events, initiatives, and industry highlights in ESDM, startups, IT, and biotech through different sections like Breaking news, Department Hub, Industry in Focus, Luminary talks, among many other interesting insights from the Department. The GIA meet also featured addresses from the Consul Generals including Hilary McGeachy, Consul General, Australia; Eske Rosenberg, Consul General, Denmark; Orli Weitzman, Consul General, Israel; Nakane Tsutomu, Consul General, Japan; Jonas Brunschwig, Consul General, Switzerland; Chrisopher Hodges, Consul General, USA; James Godber, Deputy Head of Mission, UK; Anne Cremers, Deputy Consul General, Netherlands and Raghu Rajappa, Honorary Consul, Poland. Besides, Heads of International Trade Missions & different provinces of countries participated in the event including Finland, France, Germany and Italy. They expressed their commitment to fostering deeper engagement with Karnataka's thriving innovation ecosystem and participating in Bengaluru Tech Summit. BTS 2024 is set to bring together global thought leaders, industry executives, technology experts, policymakers, and investors to explore the latest trends and developments in technology and innovation. As the event approaches, it heralds a new era of unbound technological innovation and expansive global collaboration.   Photo caption: Dr Ekroop Caur, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, and Science & Technology; Priyank Kharge, Minister of IT & Bt, Government of Karnataka and several Consul Generals at the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) Partners Meet, BTS 2024 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25093/tm-media-wins-elets-pharma-leadership-award-for-leading-biotechnology-company.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25093/tm-media-wins-elets-pharma-leadership-award-for-leading-biotechnology-company.html Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 TM Media, a brand of Titan Biotech, has been recognised as the Leading Biotechnology Company at the 6th Elets Pharma Leadership Awards.The award ceremony was held on August 30th at Novotel Juhu in Mumbai and was organised by Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd. This award is a testament to TM Media's commitment to excellence in biotechnology and its innovative solutions. The company's dedication to research, development, and providing cutting-edge products has been instrumental in its success. Udit Singla, the Vice President of TM Media, stated, “We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award. It’s a recognition of our team’s hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit. This award inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of biotechnology and to deliver groundbreaking solutions that positively impact the world.” The Elets Pharma Leadership Awards recognise organisations and individuals that have made significant contributions to the pharmaceutical industry. The awards are a platform to showcase innovative ideas, best practices, and technological advancements. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25065/bharat-biotech-unveils-next-gen-oral-cholera-vaccine-hillchol.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25065/bharat-biotech-unveils-next-gen-oral-cholera-vaccine-hillchol.html Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) has announced the launch of HILLCHOL (BBV131), a novel single-strain Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV). HILLCHOL was developed by Bharat Biotech under license from Hilleman Laboratories (funded by Merck, USA and Wellcome Trust, UK), to combat cholera, a significant advancement in global health. Currently, only one manufacturer supplies OCVs worldwide, resulting in a yearly deficit of ~40 million doses. To mitigate this global shortage of oral cholera vaccine, Bharat Biotech has established large-scale manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar with a capacity to produce up to 200 million doses of HILLCHOL. While cholera is preventable and treatable, global cases and deaths have risen steadily since 2021. From early 2023 to March this year, 824,479 cases and 5,900 deaths were reported in 31 countries. HILLCHOL vaccine is administered orally on Day 0 and Day 14 and is suitable for individuals older than one year. It is presented as a single-dose respule and should be stored between +2°C and +8°C. HILLCHOL is presented in a mono-multidose format, one of the first such presentations for vaccines. The launch of the HILLCHOL vaccine is the result of extensive international collaboration involving Hilleman Laboratories, Bharat Biotech, the University of Gothenburg and Gotovax AB. Ever since it was founded by Wellcome and MSD, Hilleman Laboratories is proud of its role in this joint effort and its dedication to advancing global health equity through affordable, high-impact and sustainable solutions for those who are most susceptible to this disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25056/government-gives-nod-to-bioe3-policy-for-fostering-high-performance-biomanufacturing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25056/government-gives-nod-to-bioe3-policy-for-fostering-high-performance-biomanufacturing.html Sun, 25 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal ‘BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing’ of the Department of Biotechnology. The salient features of BioE3 policy include innovation-driven support to R&D and entrepreneurship across thematic sectors. This will accelerate technology development and commercialization by establishing Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs and Biofoundry. Along with prioritising regenerative bioeconomy models of green growth, this policy will facilitate expansion of India’s skilled workforce and provide a surge in job creation. Overall, this Policy will further strengthen Government’s initiatives such as ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy & ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ and will steer India on the path of accelerated ‘Green Growth’ by promoting ‘Circular Bioeconomy’. The BioE3 Policy will foster and advance future that is more sustainable, innovative, and responsive to global challenges and lays down the Bio-vision for Viksit Bharat. To address the national priorities, the BioE3 Policy would broadly focus on the following strategic/thematic sectors: high value bio-based chemicals, biopolymers & enzymes; smart proteins & functional foods; precision biotherapeutics; climate resilient agriculture; carbon capture & its utilisation; marine and space research.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25048/3rd-edition-of-india-vaccine-leaders-conclave-inaugurated-by-dr-krishna-ella.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25048/3rd-edition-of-india-vaccine-leaders-conclave-inaugurated-by-dr-krishna-ella.html Thu, 22 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The 3rd Edition of the India Vaccine Leaders’ Conclave (IVLC) officially kicked off today at the prestigious Pune Vivanta By Taj, marking another milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to advance vaccine development and deployment. The event, organized by Blue Tech Media, is being held on August 22nd and 23rd, 2024, bringing together leading minds and industry stakeholders in the vaccine ecosystem. The Conclave was inaugurated by Chief Guest Dr. Krishna Ella, Founder and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech International. Dr. Ella, a pioneering figure in the vaccine industry, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the critical role of innovation, collaboration, and resilience in the face of global health challenges. His insights set the tone for a series of thought-provoking discussions and presentations that will unfold over the course of the two-day event. The agenda for IVLC 2024 includes sessions on cutting-edge vaccine research, public health policy, and strategies for improving vaccine accessibility in India and beyond. Industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals are set to engage in dynamic conversations aimed at shaping the future of vaccines in the region. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25030/global-bio-india-2024-to-take-place-on-12-14-september-2024-in-new-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/25030/global-bio-india-2024-to-take-place-on-12-14-september-2024-in-new-delhi.html Wed, 14 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 "Next Industrial Revolution will be Bioeconomy driven”, said Union Minister, Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh at the Curtain Raiser ceremony of ‘4th edition of Global Bio India 2024’ at National Media Centre, New Delhi. Global Bio-India, a Mega International event for national and international biotech stakeholders, is a strategic initiative by the Department of Biotechnology and its Public Sector Unit, Biotechnology Industry Assistance Research Council (BIRAC) to propel and position India’s biotechnology sector into the global spotlight. The Global Bio-India 2024, the largest biotech event in the country will be held on 12-14 September, 2024 at Hall No. 5, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi High level business and technical delegations would be able to witness India’s growing bio-economy and growth trajectory supported through Government of India’s policies and continued support commitment integrated with the private' sector. This is expected to provide a boost to both "Make In India" and "Startup India" national missions for the biotech sector. Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, noted that companies in the biotechnology sector have achieved a valuation of Rs 75,000 crore over the past 10 years. He further highlighted that biotechnology is one of the sunrise sectors, with nearly 28,000 proposals currently being evaluated for upscaling. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24983/13th-edition-of-bengaluru-india-nano-opens-with-focal-theme-nanotechnology-for-sustainability-climate-energy-and-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24983/13th-edition-of-bengaluru-india-nano-opens-with-focal-theme-nanotechnology-for-sustainability-climate-energy-and-healthcare.html Fri, 02 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The 13th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO, organised by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Science & Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS), and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), was inaugurated on 2 August by Siddaramaiah,  Chief Minister of Karnataka,  in the presence of  D K  Shivakumar,  Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) of Karnataka. This year's theme, ‘Nanotechnology for Sustainability: Climate, Energy, and Healthcare’, has set the stage for a diverse array of participants, including researchers, scientists, academicians, industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students.  A highlight of the inaugural ceremony was the felicitation of Bharat Ratna Prof C N R Rao, FRS, Honorary Chairman of VGNT and Linus Pauling Research Professor, and Honorary President of JNCASR, Bengaluru, in gratitude of his enduring contribution advancing science and celebrating his 90th birthday year. Prof Rao has been the driving force behind this event. The distinguished gathering also included  N S Boseraju,  Minister of Science & Technology and Minor Irrigation, Government of Karnataka; Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Ltd; Chairperson, VGBt, Government of Karnataka;  Rizwan Arshad,  Member of the Legislative Assembly - Shivajinagar Assembly Constituency, Karnataka;  Prof Navakanta Bhat, Chair, Vision Group on Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka, Dean, Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Professor, CeNSE, IISc, Bengaluru; Prof Anil Kumar P S, Chair, Conference Executive Committee, Dean, Administration & Finance & Professor, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru; Dr Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, and S&T, Government of Karnataka,  Pavan Kumar Malapati, IAS, Director, Dept. of Science & Technology, Managing Director, Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS), Bengaluru and  Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman of MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications and the Event Curator of Bengaluru India Nano. CM Siddaramaiah, in his inaugural address, said "I urge our scientists and engineers to innovate solutions in nanotechnology for critical areas such as food and energy security, water purification, healthcare, and waste management. Addressing the challenges posed by urbanisation and environmental hazards requires robust international collaboration and a strong link between academia, industry, and research to advance this promising technology for the benefit of humanity." N S Boseraju,  Minister of Science & Technology said, “This prestigious nanotech event in the country serves as a platform for networking and exchanging knowledge on the new frontiers of science and technology. The nanotechnology sector has a crucial role in making the world more sustainable. Beyond climate, energy, and healthcare, two other significant global challenges are food and water security. We hope to focus on these challenges in the next edition of Bengaluru India Nano. Our government, Chief Minister  Siddaramaiah and DCM  D K  Shivakumar, is making all-out efforts to develop Karnataka as a major player in the Nanotechnology sector. We will provide all the necessary support for growth of this sunrise industry in the state.” The 3-day mega event included a one-day pre-conference tutorial followed by two days of multitrack conference. The pre-conference tutorials held on Day 1 offered in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in various aspects of nanotechnology, catering to both beginners and seasoned professionals. Topics covered included Nano Fabrication, Nano Characterization, and Nano Biology.  On Day 2, the opening plenary featured Prof Pulickel Ajayan, Chair of the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering at Rice University, USA, who explored the transformative impact of nano-engineered materials on technology. Prof Arindam Ghosh from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, who is also the recipient of Prof C N R Rao Bengaluru INDIA NANO Science Award, delivered an insightful plenary talk. The "Nano for the Young" lecture, an initiative by Bharat Ratna Prof C N R Rao aimed at inspiring nanotechnology students, was led by Prof Ashok K Ganguli, Director & Professor of Chemical Science at IISER Berhampur, and Dr B L V Prasad, Director of the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Research, India. The conference focused on key topics like ‘Nano in Climate’, presented by Dr Rajeevan Madhavan Nair, Former Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Science and Vice Chancellor of Atria University; Prof Vinayak Sinha, IISER Mohali and Dr Christian George, Deputy Director at IRCELYON, France; ‘Nano in Healthcare’ presented by Prof Dhirendra Katti, Director of IIT Goa; Dr Jiban Jyoti Panda, Associate Professor, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali and Prof Biman B Mandal, IIT Guwahati; ‘Nano in  Energy’ presented by Prof Nitash Balsara, The Charles W Tobias Professor in Electrochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, USA, Prof R Kothandaraman, Professor, IIT Madras, India; Dr K Ramesha, Director of CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute; and Prof Kanishka Biswas, JNCSAR, India.  The Global Innovation Alliance Partner Countries of Karnataka, including USA, Netherlands and Germany also conducted sessions in the Conference.  The Poster Showcase, a highlight of Bengaluru India Nano, was a vibrant walkway of discovery featuring innovative research from over 200 bright young researchers across academic and research institutions like various IITs, BITS Pilani, University of Mysore, SASTRA Deemed University, CSIR National Physical Laboratory, IISER, JNCASR, IISc- Bangalore, JAIN University, NIT Rourkela, REVA University, Bangalore University, Institute of Chemical Technology- Mumbai, TamilNadu Agriculture University- Coimbatore, Vellore Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology to name a few. The Exhibition inaugurated today showcased the latest innovations, products, and technologies in nanotechnology. With over 50 leading companies, research institutions, and startups presenting their cutting-edge nanotech products and services, it was a brilliant display of scientific and industry advancements. The glittering Awards Ceremony featured the presentation of prestigious honours, including the Bengaluru INDIA NANO Innovation Award, Karnataka DST Nanoscience Fellowships and Exhibitor Awards.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24961/iit-mandi-establishes-bionest-centre-to-drive-biotech-and-healthcare-innovation-in-himalayan-region.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24961/iit-mandi-establishes-bionest-centre-to-drive-biotech-and-healthcare-innovation-in-himalayan-region.html Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has announced the establishment of the BioNEST-IIT Mandi Catalyst Centre, a Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)-sponsored initiative aimed at nurturing entrepreneurial ventures in the biotechnology and healthcare sectors. With an initial funding of Rs 5 crore, this initiative aims to address social, economic, and ecological challenges unique to India, leveraging the strategic advantages of IIT Mandi's geographical location and robust ecosystem. The primary objective of the BioNEST-IIT Mandi Catalyst Centre is to create a focused incubation initiative that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship in biotechnology and healthcare. Situated in the Himalayan region, the centre aims to position itself as a hub of excellence, attracting national and international attention and partnerships. Leveraging IIT Mandi’s access to diverse biodiversity and traditional medicinal knowledge, the initiative will address regional and global health challenges. The BioNEST-IIT Mandi Catalyst Centre will primarily focus on healthcare and biotechnology, particularly addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in the Himalayan region. Key focus areas include: Healthcare Innovation: Developing solutions for disease detection, affordable healthcare, medical devices, prosthetics, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Biotechnology: Exploring new avenues in medical science, drug discovery, biotechnology applications, bioactive compounds, supplements, and functional foods for health and wellness. The BioNEST-IIT Mandi Catalyst Centre will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure for advanced research and development, leveraging expertise from engineering, biological sciences, and healthcare to foster multidisciplinary innovation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24945/office-of-principal-scientific-adviser-launches-v-labs-initiative-to-revolutionise-rd-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24945/office-of-principal-scientific-adviser-launches-v-labs-initiative-to-revolutionise-rd-in-india.html Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map), an initiative from the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, has launched a ground-breaking platform called ‘V-LABS’ (Vertically Aggregating Labs). This revolutionary programme aims to connect researchers, startups, and industries with a vast network of labs and equipment across diverse sectors. This will save the researchers, industry and startups the prohibitive capital expenditure of purchasing advanced equipment. At the national level, this prevents the duplication of scarce resources in the research institutions. As part of this initiative, I-STEM hosted a new series of events called ‘OORJA’. This V-LAB series aims to aggregate equipment across various domains or verticals, incorporating insights from data analytics, including demand forecasting. The primary objective of the OORJA series was to onboard high-end energy-based equipment onto the I-STEM portal. The ‘V-LABS’ initiative represents a paradigm shift in scientific resource allocation. It facilitates this shift through a series of events and workshops. Through V-LAB, I-STEM meticulously curates information on scientific and engineering equipment and labs. This curated data will be integrated into the I-STEM portal, enabling researchers, startups, and industries to efficiently discover and access the resources they require. Furthermore, I-STEM will leverage data analytics to identify high-demand scientific areas, allowing for expedited action and optimized resource utilisation. The vision of I-STEM is to create a future where one million New-Age researchers, brimming with ideas, are seamlessly connected to a network of 10,000 cutting-edge labs across India. By the end of 2024, I-STEM aims not only to connect individuals to equipment but also to ignite a collaborative ecosystem where startups, industries, and academia co-create the next wave of innovation.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24911/asias-first-health-research-related-pre-clinical-network-facility-opens-in-faridabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24911/asias-first-health-research-related-pre-clinical-network-facility-opens-in-faridabad.html Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, inaugurated Asia’s first health research-related 'Pre-clinical Network Facility' under the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) at the Regional Centre of Biotechnology under the aegis of the Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has selected BRIC-THSTI as a pre-clinical network laboratory based on its capability to handle BSL3 pathogens. It will be the 9th such network laboratory across the globe and the first such laboratory in the whole of Asia. The other labs are located in the US, Europe and Australia. The experimental Animal Facility is one of the largest small animal facility in the country with a housing capacity of about 75,000 mice, including immune compromised mice and other species such as rat, rabbit, hamsters, guinea pigs etc. Dr Jitendra Singh also inaugurated the 'Genetically Defined Human Associated Microbial Culture Collection (Ge-HuMic) Facility' to act as a repository for providing microbial cultures to research institutes, universities, and industries for research and development. The facility will serve as a Nodal Resource Centre that will foster national and international collaborations between academic institutions, hospitals and industry. It will also serve as a repository of genetically characterised specific pathogen-free animals (including cryopreserved embryos and sperm) for the use of researchers within the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24898/bts-2024-to-position-bengaluru-at-the-forefront-of-global-tech-innovation-collaboration-from-nov-19-21.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24898/bts-2024-to-position-bengaluru-at-the-forefront-of-global-tech-innovation-collaboration-from-nov-19-21.html Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The 27th edition of Asia’s largest Technology Show, Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2024, will be held from November 19-21 2024 at the iconic Bangalore Palace, and will once again position Bengaluru at the forefront of global tech innovation & collaboration. BTS 2024 is expected to have participation from 40+ countries, with 460+ Speakers in over 85 Sessions, 5000+ Delegates, 500+ Startips, 700+ Exhibitors, with an overall expo footfall of 50,000+. With the continued event theme "Breaking Boundaries”, the theme of BTS 2023, the BTS 2024 takes forward this vision, creating “unbound” (the theme for this year’s summit) opportunities for idea exchange, business growth, and international collaborations.” BTS2024 will feature a Hackathon where problem statements from various government departments will be presented. Industry partners will provide necessary infrastructure, support, and mentorship to startups pitching solutions. The selected startups will have the opportunity to present their innovative solutions at BTS2024. The multi-stage Conference at BTS 2024 will serve as a vibrant hub for the exchange of new ideas. Spanning six focused tracks over 3 days, the Conference will cover IT & Deep Tech, Biotech & Healthtech, Startup Ecosystem, Global Innovation Alliance, India-USA Tech Conclave and newly added Electro-Semicon track. The Conference will host over 85 sessions featuring 460+ speakers. Each of these tracks are curated by a committee of experts from the industry, research and academia. Special programmes like the CEO Conclave, Startup Conclave, and Fireside Chats with renowned personalities will also be featured. This year, there will be an increased focus on B2B meetings, allowing delegates and companies to engage in more structured and productive sessions. Attendees can schedule meetings with the prospects well in advance and connect with participants seamlessly during the event. The exciting lineup for BTS will be conveniently accessible through a dedicated Event App. The app will also provide real-time updates and personalised recommendations to enhance the overall event experience. The International Exhibition with over 700 Exhibitors at BTS2024 will be a major hightlight with focused pavilions on Corporate & Industry, Global Innovation Alliance, Startup Zone, STPI National Showcase, MSME Pavilion, R&D Pavilion (Lab to Market), Leading States of India, Karnataka Showcase and Technology Parks. This year there is a special emphasis for the sectorial pavilions such as Biotech & Healthtech, Electro & Semicon, Telecom, Spacetech, Mobility, Greentech, Edutech, BFSI & Fintech and Animation & Gaming. BTS 2024 will honor achievement and excellence at a prestigious Awards Ceremony, featuring accolades such as the STPI IT Export Awards, Smart Bio Awards, Startup & Investor Awards, and more. BTS 2024 anticipates hosting several international Delegations from Global Innovation Alliance Partner Nations. The Global Collaborations Track in the Conference will feature sessions curated by the GIA Partner Countries. Tech nations worldwide will showcase their technological prowess in the International pavilion in the Exhibition.   Photo caption: Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka, unveiling the 27th Edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024 brochure along with other dignitaries at the Breakfast Meet with CEOs from the industry on July 12 in Bengaluru ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24865/able-inks-mou-with-messe-muenchen-india-for-upcoming-analytica-anacon-india-india-lab-expo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24865/able-inks-mou-with-messe-muenchen-india-for-upcoming-analytica-anacon-india-india-lab-expo.html Thu, 04 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) and Messe Muenchen India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the upcoming trade fair analytica Anacon India & India Lab Expo.   As a part of this MoU, ABLE will extend the invitation and encourage their members and other leading companies in Agribiotech, Bio-pharma, Industrial biotech, Bioinformatics, leading Research and Academic Institutes and Equipment Suppliers to attend and participate in analytica Anacon India & India Lab Expo scheduled in Hitex Hyderabad from 26th to 28th September 2024. ABLE will curate a list of special buyer delegation of top management/ procurement heads/ Directors/ CEO/ R&D / QA / QC / Purchase heads from leading companies from Pharma, Research & Biotech industry, at analytica Anacon India and India Lab Expo 2024. ABLE will also collaborate to organise student innovation programmes during analytica Anacon India & India Lab Expo 2024 in Hyderabad. The collaboration is another effort by ABLE to support its valued members and the whole Indian biotech community to benefit from having another world-class platform to showcase their innovative products and solutions along with networking activities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24857/camouflaging-as-a-dead-enzyme-vegfr1-holds-key-to-medical-solutions-for-colon-and-renal-cancers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24857/camouflaging-as-a-dead-enzyme-vegfr1-holds-key-to-medical-solutions-for-colon-and-renal-cancers.html Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers have decoded the molecular mechanism in which a cell surface receptor belonging to the family of enzymes that bind growth factors, regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, survival, metabolism, and migration, prevents cancers. This enzyme called VEGFR1 withholds self-expression (autoinhibited) in the absence of a ligand—for example hormones. The research can show the way for developing medical solutions for colon and renal cancers by using molecules that preferentially stabilises the inactive state of VEGFR1. Cell surface receptors like Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTK) are crucial for converting extracellular signals (from chemical cues like growth factors, generally referred to as ligands) to tightly regulated cellular response. Ligand binding to extracellular receptors activates intracellular coupled enzymes (tyrosine kinases). The activated enzyme, in turn, adds phosphate group to several tyrosine molecules that function as an adaptor for assembling a signalling complex. The formation of the signalling complex regulates diverse cellular functions like cell growth, development, and host immune response. Spontaneous activation of RTKs, in the absence of ligands, is often linked to multiple human pathologies like cancers, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Researchers are exploring how a cell maintains an autoinhibited state of the enzyme and why such autoinhibition is breached during the progression of human pathology. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, investigated one such RTK called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR). The VEGFR family of receptors is the key regulator of the process of generating new blood vessels.  This process is essential for functions like embryonic development, wound healing, tissue regeneration, and tumor formation. Various malignant and non-malignant diseases can be treated by targeting VEGFRs. The researchers were intrigued by the fact that two members of family VEGFR 1 and VEGFR 2 behaved quite differently. While VEGFR 2, the primary receptor regulating process of formation of new blood vessels, could be spontaneously activated, without its ligand, the other member of the family VEGFR 1 cannot be spontaneously activated even when overexpressed in cells. It camouflages as a dead enzyme VEGFR1 and binds with ten-fold higher affinity to its ligand VEGF-A than VEGFR2. This ligand binding induces a transient kinase (speeding up chemical reactions in the body by an enzyme) activation. Probing into why one member of the family is so spontaneously activated and the other autoinhibited, Dr Rahul Das and his team from IISER Kolkata found that a unique ionic latch, present only in VEGFR1, keeps kinase autoinhibited in the basal state. The ionic latch hooks the juxtamembrane segment onto the kinase domain and stabilizes the autoinhibited conformation of VEGFR1. Exploring the mechanism of the autoinhibited state of VEGFR 1 the researchers proposed a crucial role for cellular tyrosine phosphatase in modulating VEGFR1 activity. The research carried out at the Analytical Biology Facility at IISER Kolkata with its DST-FIST supported ITC and stopped-flow fluorimeter, highlighted the therapeutic potential of phosphatase modulators in regulating VEGFR1-mediated pathological formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) which takes place in cancer. This discovery published in the journal Nature Communication may open new avenues for developing therapeutic interventions against pathological conditions due to the spontaneous activation of VEGFR signalling. The small molecules targeting the autoinhibited state will have a higher potential for treating cancers like human colorectal carcinoma and renal cancer, where VEGFR1 is overexpressed. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24849/announcing-the-biotech-innovations-suppliers-conclave-2024-unleashing-the-future-of-biotechnology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24849/announcing-the-biotech-innovations-suppliers-conclave-2024-unleashing-the-future-of-biotechnology.html Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530   The biotechnology industry's most anticipated event, the Biotech Innovations & Suppliers Conclave 2024, is set to take place on August 23rd, 2024, at the CIDCO Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. This landmark event, hosted by BioSpectrum India, promises to bring together the brightest minds and leading companies in the biotech sector to showcase groundbreaking innovations and forge strategic partnerships. Discover the Latest Innovations The Conclave will feature an impressive lineup of exhibitors, including top-tier biotech suppliers and cutting-edge innovators. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to explore the latest advancements in biotechnology, from novel research tools and laboratory equipment to pioneering bioprocessing technologies and bioinformatics solutions. This is the perfect platform for companies to demonstrate their products, engage with potential clients, and stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving biotech landscape. Inspiring Keynote Sessions Renowned thought leaders and industry pioneers will take the stage to share their insights and visions for the future of biotechnology. Keynote sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including sustainable biotech practices, advancements in personalized medicine, the impact of artificial intelligence on biotech research, and strategies for navigating the regulatory landscape. These sessions are designed to inspire and equip attendees with the knowledge to drive innovation in their respective fields. Networking Opportunities The Biotech Innovations & Suppliers Conclave 2024 is not just an exhibition – it is a hub for networking and collaboration. With dedicated networking sessions, roundtable discussions, and business matchmaking opportunities, attendees can connect with peers, potential partners, and industry leaders. Whether you are looking to form strategic alliances, seek investment opportunities, or simply share ideas, the Conclave offers the ideal environment for meaningful interactions. Workshops and Technical Sessions In addition to the exhibition and keynote sessions, the Conclave will host a series of hands-on workshops and technical sessions. These sessions will provide practical insights into the latest technologies and methodologies, offering participants the chance to enhance their skills and apply new techniques to their work. Topics will include advanced genomic editing, bioinformatics tools, bioprocess optimization, and more. Awards and Recognitions The event will also celebrate excellence in the biotech industry with the Biotech Innovation Awards. These awards will recognize outstanding contributions and breakthroughs in various categories, including Best Emerging Biotech Company, Most Innovative Product, and Excellence in Bioprocessing. Nominations are open, and winners will be announced during the gala dinner on the final evening of the Conclave. Join Us at the Biotech Suppliers and Innovators Conclave 2024 Mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable experience at the Biotech Suppliers and Innovators Conclave 2024. Whether you are a supplier, innovator, researcher, or investor, this event offers unparalleled opportunities to gain insights, showcase your innovations, and connect with the global biotech community. For more information and to register, visit https://www.biospectrumindia.com/biotech-suppliers-and-innovators-conclave-2024 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24852/bengaluru-to-host-13th-edition-of-bin-2024-on-nanotechnology-for-sustainability-climate-energy-and-healthcare-on-aug-1-3.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24852/bengaluru-to-host-13th-edition-of-bin-2024-on-nanotechnology-for-sustainability-climate-energy-and-healthcare-on-aug-1-3.html Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru, the IT capital of India, will be hosting the 13th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO (BIN) 2024, India’s flagship event in the Nanotech sector from August 1 for three days on the theme “Nanotechnology for Sustainability: Climate, Energy, and Healthcare”. N S Boseraju, Minister of Minor Irrigation and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka officially announced the launch of BIN 2024 at a curtain raiser programme held in Bengaluru on July 2 in presence of  Prof. Navakanta Bhat, Chair, Vision Group on Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka, Dean, Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Professor, CeNSE, IISc, Bengaluru; Prof. P S Anil Kumar, Chair, CEC - Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024, Dean, Administration & Finance, Professor, Department of Physics, IISc, Bengaluru; Dr Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka; and Pavan Kumar Malapati, IAS, Director, Department of Science & Technology & Managing Director, KSTePS, Government of Karnataka and Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications, the Event Curator of Bengaluru INDIA NANO.  Organised by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Science & Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), after a gap of four years due to COVID-19, the BIN 2024 will witness participation of 700+ registered delegates, 75+ expert speakers in over 25 conference sessions. The conference will address cutting-edge developments in nanotechnology and its applications in climate, energy, healthcare and electronics & semiconductors by eminent experts from around the globe through keynote speeches and engaging panel discussions. Some of the distinguished speakers and leaders addressing at the conference include Prof. Pulickel Ajayan - Chair, Department of Materials Science and Nano Engineering, Rice University; Balajee Sowrirajan - Managing Director, Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR); Prof. Neetu Singh - Professor & Head, Center of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi; Prof. Dhirendra Katti - Director, Indian Institute of Technology Goa; Prof. Nitash Balsara - The Charles W. Tobias Professor in Electrochemistry, University of California, Berkeley & many more. The BIN 2024 will also have Pre-conference Tutorials offering in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in various aspects of nanotechnology, catering to both beginners and seasoned professionals. The Pre-conference Tutorial will delve into key topics including Nano Fabrication, Nano Characterisation, & Nano Biology. A unique initiative for Nanotechnology students is the Nano for the Young Programme, launched by Bharat Ratna Prof. C.N.R. Rao. Besides there will be The Poster Showcase at the event which will give an opportunity to more than 175 young researchers from academia & research institutions to display their innovative research posters. The Exhibition will showcase the latest innovations, products, and technologies from leading companies, research institutions & startups in the field of nanotechnology. 50+ organisations will be showcasing their innovative Nanotech products & services.   Picture Caption: (from L-R): Jagdish Patankar , Executive Chairman, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications;  Dr Ekroop Caur , Secretary to Government, Dept. of Electronics, IT, Bt and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka; Prof. Navakanta Bhat, Chair, VGNT, Government of Karnataka, Dean, Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Professor, CeNSE, IISc, Bengaluru; N.S. Boseraju, Hon'ble Minister of Minor Irrigation and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka; Prof. P.S. Anil Kumar, Chair, CEC - Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024, Professor, Dept. of Physics IISc, Bengaluru; Pavan Kumar Malapati, Managing Director, KSTePS, Government of Karnataka unveiling the brochure of the 13th Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024 at the Curtain Raiser event held at The Lalit, Bengaluru, on July 2, 2024. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24853/nanotechnology-holds-the-promise-to-deliver-small-sized-but-high-impact-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24853/nanotechnology-holds-the-promise-to-deliver-small-sized-but-high-impact-solutions.html Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 “If we were to identify the greatest challenges facing humanity today, climate change, energy depletion, and health crises would undoubtedly top the list. Sustainability is not just a buzzword, but is now an impending necessity. The impacts of climate change are increasingly visible, manifesting in rising temperatures, natural calamities, and widespread displacement. Nanotechnology holds the promise to deliver small-sized but high impact solutions, which can potentially revolutionise our approach to the global issues,” said N S Boseraju, Minister of Minor Irrigation and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka. Speaking at the Curtain Raiser of the 13th Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024 (BIN 2024) event held in Bengaluru on July 2, Boseraju said that the world is grappling with severe economic and environmental consequences of energy crises. While industries are striving to develop green and clean energy solutions, these efforts alone may not be sufficient to achieve true sustainability. Health challenges, highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, have exposed critical vulnerabilities in healthcare systems globally. This pandemic was neither the first nor will it be the last; thus, our preparedness and resilience are of utmost importance. With this background, the theme for this edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024 which is being held after a gap of four years due to COVID-19 is “Nanotechnology for Sustainability: Climate, Energy, and Healthcare”. The 13th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO promises to be a landmark gathering, bringing together a diverse array of participants including researchers & scientists, academicians, industry captains, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students. The Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024 will witness participation of 700+ registered delegates, 75+ expert speakers in over 25 conference sessions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24816/skan-wellcome-sanger-institute-and-university-of-newcastle-to-study-early-stem-cell-mutations-in-rare-blood-disorder.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24816/skan-wellcome-sanger-institute-and-university-of-newcastle-to-study-early-stem-cell-mutations-in-rare-blood-disorder.html Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based SKAN Research Trust (SKAN), promoted by Indian entrepreneur Ashok Soota, has announced a joint research project with the UK-based Wellcome Sanger Institute and University of Newcastle, to study early somatic mutations in blood stem cells that researchers believe drive several cancerous and non-cancerous conditions. The research collaboration will extend cutting-edge stem cell genomic analysis to cancer subtypes such as Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), an immune cell disorder that largely afflicts children aged between 0 to 15 years. The research project titled Deciphering the Origins of Langerhan Cell Histiocytosis and Related Histiocytic Neoplasms will be led by Dr Jyoti Nangalia, Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Wellcome-MRC Stem Cell Institute. The study will examine the timestamp of the genetic mutations that drives LCH and the presentation of its clinical symptoms. Researchers will work with leading LCH treating research centres worldwide to cover LCH driven by different genetic mutations with SKAN specifically creating a large cohort of Indian children for the study. The study comes at a time when researchers are still grappling with understanding how some genetic mutations that drive LCH result in lesions appearing in different parts of the body at different times. Researchers hope that the study will pave the way for better understanding the disease's progression and possible early interventionist strategies for its management. Newcastle University and its Principal Investigator, Prof. Matthew Collin, who have played a major role in establishing diagnostic and blood monitoring pipelines for LCH, (now adopted by the UK NHS Genomic Medicine Services), will also be part of this collaboration. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24769/skan-research-trust-and-quadram-institute-bioscience-to-develop-novel-microbial-therapies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24769/skan-research-trust-and-quadram-institute-bioscience-to-develop-novel-microbial-therapies.html Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 SKAN Research Trust, promoted by Indian entrepreneur Ashok Soota, and UK-based Quadram Institute Bioscience have announced that they will apply the cutting-edge TraDIS-Xpress platform to study the action of traditional medical compounds on bacteria, thereby aiding in the reformulation and development of novel antibacterial regimens. TraDIS-Xpress is Quadram’s proprietary genetic sequencing platform that is in the forefront of efforts to uncover new antimicrobial agents and develop better prebiotics and probiotics for health promotion.  The joint study titled the Application of TraDIS-Xpress in Microbiology for Healthy Living will be led by Quadram Principal Investigator, Prof.  Mark Webber and SKAN’s Deputy Director, Dr Yogesh Shouche. The project is part of a larger Comprehensive Partnership Agreement between the two organisations that have ongoing international collaborations focused on gut health and developing gut microbial therapies to alleviate ageing and neurological diseases like Parkinsons. An important aspect of the international collaboration is sharing the latest technologies in the study of the gut microbiome to augment Indian research capabilities. As part of this study, SKAN researchers will be trained on the TraDIS Xpress platform at the Quadram Institute in Norwich Research Park. This will facilitate the generation of data from large Indian cohorts that will aid in the development of India-specific therapies. Such data generation is also expected to hasten the TraDIS-Xpress platform's development and amplify its applications' scope.   Image caption- Ashok Soota, Chairman & Managing Trustee of SKAN (L) and Prof. Ian Charles, Director of Quadram Institute Bioscience (R)   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24763/federation-of-asian-biotech-associations-faba-invites-applications-for-two-prestigious-awards.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24763/federation-of-asian-biotech-associations-faba-invites-applications-for-two-prestigious-awards.html Wed, 12 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) is inviting applications for two prestigious awards- Dr. Yellapragada Subbarow FABA Young Innovator Award 2024 - Sponsored by NATCO Pharma Dr. Yellapragada Subbarow GEM Award for Doctoral Students - Sponsored by Govin Capitals Here are the important dates for the awards: Nomination Deadline: 15th July 2024 Finalists Announced: 10th August 2024 Award Ceremony: 18th August 2024 Dr. Yellapragada Subbarow FABA Young Innovator Award 2024, honoured with an unrestricted research grant of Rs 5,00,000, recognises and celebrates young scientists under 35 years who have made innovative contributions in drug discovery or the translation of research into impactful prototypes/products in biotechnology.  Dr. Yellapragada Subbarow's contributions to healthcare have been transformative. His relentless pursuit to understand and combat 'tropical sprue' led him to the discovery of folic acid as a remedy for this debilitating disease. On the other hand, Dr. Yellapragada Subbarow GEM (Govin Entrepreneurship Management) Award for Doctoral Students in Life Sciences stands as a mark of excellence for outstanding doctoral students who excel in their scientific work with potential for significant societal impact. FABA encourages applications that demonstrate basic and applied research with the potential or demonstrated utility for addressing unmet needs as evidenced by peer-reviewed scientific publications, patents or feasibility product studies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24706/avesthagen-inks-mou-with-national-centre-for-biological-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24706/avesthagen-inks-mou-with-national-centre-for-biological-sciences.html Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Bengaluru-based National Centre for Biological Sciences-Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (NCBS-TIFR) and Avestagenome Project International Private Limited & Avesthagen Limited. This partnership aims to promote joint academic research, and development activities of mutual interest, laying a strong foundation for groundbreaking advancements.The 10000 Avestagenome Project is a global, longitudinal, multi-omics, multi-generational population biobank and database of the endogamous Zoroastrian-Parsi population. The 10000 Avestagenome Project enables development of qualified biomarkers and therapies using Systems Biology and ML/AI driven algorithms for Cancers, Metabolic Disorders, Autoimmune & Neurological conditions associated with ageing and longevity and inherited rare genetic conditions ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24691/aiims-bhopal-partners-with-tata-institute-for-genetics-and-society-for-research-innovation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24691/aiims-bhopal-partners-with-tata-institute-for-genetics-and-society-for-research-innovation-.html Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, and the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Bengaluru. This collaboration aims to foster cutting-edge research and innovation in the field of genetics and environmental health. The MoU was signed by Professor (Dr) Ajai Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, and Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director of TIGS.                                                                       On this occasion, Professor Singh emphasised the critical need to explore the intricate relationship between diseases and the environment. He highlighted the importance of understanding how environmental factors impact DNA and the potential mechanisms to mitigate these effects.  Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director of TIGS, outlined the mission of TIGS to promote health equity by developing science-based solutions to address challenges in human health and agriculture. He emphasised TIGS's commitment to preventing infectious diseases and providing affordable, high-quality diagnosis and treatment for rare genetic disorders. Dr Mishra remarked, "By adopting cutting-edge science and technology, TIGS is striving to solve the social problems of the country."       This partnership between AIIMS Bhopal and TIGS Bengaluru is expected to pave the way for significant advancements in the field of genetics and environmental health, contributing to the development of innovative solutions for some of the most pressing health issues facing society today. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24685/dbt-along-with-cepi-organises-second-advanced-course-in-vaccinology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24685/dbt-along-with-cepi-organises-second-advanced-course-in-vaccinology.html Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Institute of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (iBRIC, an organisation of the Department of Biotechnology or DBT, Government of India)—Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI)—has organised the 2nd THSTI Advanced Course in Vaccinology (TiVaC) along with Norway-based Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) from May 27–June 1, 2024, at the iBRIC-THSTI, Faridabad campus. The 6-day course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the concepts and steps involved in the design, development, and commercialisation of vaccines and is open to both Indian and international participants. With the support from CEPI, 10 young researchers and professionals from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt and Rwanda are attending the 2nd TIVaC. The 1st TiVaC was held in May 2023, at the iBRIC-THSTI campus. The focus of the training would be on- basic biology and immunology of vaccine development; pre-clinical research; clinical trial design, including statistical processes; regulatory clearances and procedures; manufacturing; and quality compliance. Training in the principles of vaccinology and immunology is a crucial aspect of appropriating global leadership in vaccine development. Keeping in view the same, the iBRIC-THSTI has opened the vaccinology course to young researchers and professionals from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). During the inauguration of the course, Dr G. Karthikeyan, Executive Director of the iBRIC-THSTI, stressed the need for training in advanced fields of research and the need for training programmes to enhance both institutional and national capacity in this area. He stated that “The iBRIC-THSTI would consider the possibility of setting up more short-term intense training programmes for national and international researchers.”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24601/able-inks-mou-with-emerging-biopharmaceutical-manufacturers-network-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24601/able-inks-mou-with-emerging-biopharmaceutical-manufacturers-network-.html Wed, 08 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Emerging Biopharmaceutical Manufacturers Network (EBPMN) to promote cross-border innovation, investment, and technological exchange in India and low and middle-income countries. The understanding is expected to benefit ABLE & EBPMN member biopharma companies in expanding their businesses with introductions to potential business partners, clients, etc. The MoU will (1) foster promotion technology and technology-based investment and business expansion in India and low and middle-income countries, (2) enhance the global access of biopharmaceuticals by facilitating local manufacturing capacity in India and low and middle-income countries, and (3) supporting collaborative research and development in areas of common interest between members of the two organisations.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24583/himedia-collaborates-with-wadhwani-research-center-for-bioengineering.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24583/himedia-collaborates-with-wadhwani-research-center-for-bioengineering.html Fri, 03 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 HiMedia Laboratories has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with the Wadhwani Research Center for Bioengineering (WRCB) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, marking a significant milestone in its mission to enhance accessibility to biotherapeutics. This partnership represents a fusion of expertise, innovation, and dedication, aimed at addressing critical healthcare needs and revolutionising the field of biotherapeutics. The HiMedia Bio Innovation Lab, spearheaded by Dr Vishal Warke, Director- R&D (Cell Biology & Hydroponics) and his team, is at the forefront of applied research, focusing on pioneering solutions that will reshape healthcare accessibility. Through this collaboration, both organisations will be leveraging cutting-edge technologies and multidisciplinary approaches to drive impactful advancements in biotherapeutics.   The HiMedia Bio Innovation Lab serves as a hub for collaborative research, bringing together experts from diverse fields to tackle complex healthcare challenges. One of the key focus areas of the HiMedia Bio Innovation Lab is the development of advanced biotherapeutics for a range of medical conditions. Through rigorous research and development efforts, the company working towards creating accessible and effective treatments that can improve patient outcomes and quality of life.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24496/wtc-genome-valley-inks-mou-with-ikp-knowledge-park-to-strengthen-life-sciences-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24496/wtc-genome-valley-inks-mou-with-ikp-knowledge-park-to-strengthen-life-sciences-sector.html Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 World Trade Center (WTC), Genome Valley has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad. This strategic alliance marks a pivotal moment in IKP's shared commitment to fostering innovation and advancing the life sciences sector in Telangana and India. The collaboration aims to strengthen and amplify innovation to scale the life sciences sector in Telangana. The MoU enables WTC Genome Valley and IKP to fuel the economic development of the region through a range of trade services, webinars, conferences, events, market access programmes trade delegations etc that help companies explore international markets. IKP's collaboration with WTC Genome Valley, an esteemed member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) headquartered in New York, represents a concerted effort to bolster trade services promotion, facilitate global connections for domestic enterprises, and orchestrate insightful webinars addressing innovation and investment prospects. Through this partnership, IKP aims to harness the extensive network and resources of WTCA to empower local companies with unparalleled access to international markets and opportunities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24454/eyestem-to-start-human-trials-for-pioneering-dry-amd-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24454/eyestem-to-start-human-trials-for-pioneering-dry-amd-treatment.html Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Eyestem, a Bengaluru-based cell therapy company at the forefront of regenerative therapy, has received approval from India’s Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) to commence human trials for Eyecyte RPE, aimed at combating geographic atrophy arising from dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Dry AMD, a leading cause of vision loss in the ageing population of people over 50, has long been a challenge due to the limited availability of effective treatments and the high costs associated with emerging therapeutic options. However, Eyestem’s Eyecyte RPE™ therapy, which aims to replace lost or damaged retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, represents a transformational shift in aiming to tackle the disease. It aims to preserve and potentially improve sight for patients in the early stages of dry AMD and arrest vision loss for those in the later stages.    “There is no treatment for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to dry AMD anywhere in the world that can offer the potential of improvement in vision. I am hopeful that we will be able to demonstrate safety/efficacy for our product and eventually bring succour to millions of patients in India and abroad,” remarked Dr Rajani Battu, Chief Medical Officer, Eyestem. India has 40 million patients who suffer from dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). Worldwide, the number of dry AMD patients is about 170M. The more severe version of this disease is geographic atrophy, which is one of the largest causes of legal blindness for people over 50 years of age. As of now, no therapy is available that can aim to arrest and reverse the loss of vision associated with the same. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24448/how-telangana-is-targeting-innovation-beyond-generics-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24448/how-telangana-is-targeting-innovation-beyond-generics-.html Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 As per the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (TSIIDC) report, Telangana is home to over 800 life sciences companies with a combined value of $ 50 billion spread across multiple segments.. Among them, more than 200 plus sites are US FDA-approved, which is the highest number of such firms located in a region anywhere in the world. As per the Industries department report, in the past 9 years, Telangana has attracted more than Rs 29,000 crore in investment in the life sciences segment and created direct and indirect jobs for more than 4.5 lakh people in the state. Overall, Telangana has witnessed a whopping 23 per cent growth rate compared to India’s 14 per cent growth rate in the life sciences segment. Currently, Telangana boasts of a global vaccine manufacturing hub in India, producing 1/3 of the global vaccine supplied from the state to the world countries. Owing to high demand during the COVID-19 period, the vaccine manufacturing capacity of biotech companies from Hyderabad has been enhanced from 9 billion doses in 2014 to 14 billion doses in 2024. In addition to this, Hyderabad has more than 20 Life Sciences and Medtech incubation centres which is the highest for any city in India. In the year 2022-23, Telangana achieved the distinction of having direct centres of four among the top global life sciences companies which include Novartis, BMS, Roche, and Sanofi. According to Ajay Kallam, Principal Secretary of Industries Department, Government of Telangana, the state has the best ecosystem for establishing the life sciences companies. “There’s a need to attract investors in the innovator and new product development segment, which will pave the way for attracting more small and big research-based institutions aligning with the needs of big players”, says Kallam. Despite these achievements, the one big thing that is missing in the life sciences sector in the state is companies investing in discoveries and inventions of innovative drug molecules to treat complex diseases threatening global healthcare. Dr S V Krishna Prasad, CEO of Cito Healthcare, says, “Although Telangana currently leads the nation in generic pharmaceuticals and contributes significantly to India's pharmaceutical exports, the real growth lies in cultivating a robust base for manufacturing and marketing innovative drugs globally”. Dr Prasad urges a departure from the prevalent practice of copying off-patented drugs and emphasises the critical need for continuous research and development to discover new molecules that can effectively address a variety of global health challenges. “Except for Dr. Reddy Laboratories, not a single entity from Telangana has dared to carry out clinical trials for the new molecule. Even for Dr. Reddy’s, the molecule which it was working on had to face failure in the phase-3 trials, ever since then, there is no major entity that has taken any notable steps towards finding out new drugs,” adds Dr Krishna Prasad. Expressing similar sentiments, Laxmi Prasanna, Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs at Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), points out that despite the financial strength of many pharmaceutical firms in Telangana, there is a reluctance to invest in the discovery or invention of new drug molecules. While the state boasts over 400 US FDA-approved manufacturing units producing generic medicines and vaccines worth $4.5 billion, Laxmi Prasanna notes a lack of confidence to innovate, positioning the life sciences sector behind its Western counterparts. “No doubt India has emerged as the Pharmacy of the World in producing and supplying affordable and good quality medicines to the world, but real recognition comes only from the original work that we can deliver. Our life sciences industry must move beyond our conventional practices and take advantage of technology and try to develop new medicines to treat diseases that have no cure to date,” observed Laxmi Prasanna. Over the past four decades, the Telangana life sciences sector has indeed achieved notable milestones, with more than 800 large Indian and global pharma companies setting their bases in and around Hyderabad, Telangana state has set its target of enhancing its drug manufacturing capacity from the current $4.8 billion to $19.1 billion by the end of 2030.   Genome Valley: The Global Hub for Life Sciences  Telangana holds the distinction of being the pioneering state in India to establish the country's first systematically developed life sciences Research and Development (R&D) cluster, known as Genome Valley. It stands as India's premier organised cluster dedicated to Life Sciences R&D and Clean Manufacturing endeavours. The cluster is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including Industrial/Knowledge Parks, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Multi-tenanted dry and wet laboratories, and incubation facilities. With over 200 companies calling it home, Genome Valley has cultivated a scientific workforce exceeding 15,000 professionals. Its occupants include renowned global entities such as Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Ferring Pharma, Chemo, DuPont, Ashland, United States Pharmacopeia, Lonza, and numerous others. The cluster's success lies in its commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the field of life sciences. In FY 2017-18, Genome Valley was accorded with Industrial Area Local Authority (IALA) status. The IALA status enables single-point administration of the cluster, which will allow companies in Genome Valley a single-point contact for all Government approvals and further facilitate infrastructure development.  Encompassing an expansive area of 120 acres, Genome Valley hosts numerous prominent global companies spanning 18 countries worldwide. Notably, it accommodates three of India's largest vaccine manufacturers: Bharat Biotech, Biological E, and Indian Immunologicals. Distinguished as the European hub of India, Genome Valley serves as the operational base for major European corporations, including Novartis, Sandoz, Lonza, Ferring, Chemo, GSK, and others. The cluster features over 2.5 million square feet of multi-tenanted laboratory facilities, with a 500,000-square-foot facility available for lease by March 2021 and an additional 1.5 million square feet currently under development. Acknowledged as the premier cluster in India, Genome Valley secured the top rank in the ‘Life Sciences Real Estate – Opportunities & Hotspots in India’. Furthermore, an additional 120 acres of land is earmarked for industries as part of Genome Valley Phase 3 in Siddipet of Medak district. Dr SP Vasireddi,  Non-Executive Chairman and founder of Vimta Labs noted that despite pharma and life sciences players having deep pockets it is sheer reluctance and fear of loss that is acting as a big hindrance for life sciences players to invest in new drug molecule discovery. He stressed that the state and central governments must support funding in this direction and bring in innovative policy decisions to encourage more and more players to venture into new drug development projects. Vinay Kumar Nandicoori, Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) also highlighted that the private pharma players who are keen on new drug discovery can foster partnerships with CCMB and utilise the vast research data available and use the services of lead scientists at the same time they could use and take advantage of new and emerging technologies like data analysis and Artificial Intelligence. Highlighting the historical struggles to lay the foundation for the life sciences ecosystem, R K Agarwal, National President, the Bulk Drug Manufacturers of India (BDM) acknowledges the challenges faced by associations in the early 1990s. The concerted efforts of various pharma and life sciences associations, despite hurdles such as tough environmental regulations and financial burdens, have resulted in the creation of a strong life sciences ecosystem in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. As Telangana envisions becoming a state-of-the-art hub for life sciences in India by 2030, industry experts assert that the true measure of success will be the state's ability to transition from a focus on generic drugs to pioneering innovative solutions. The future of life sciences in Telangana lies not in replication but in the pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries and inventions that will shape the landscape of global healthcare.   Amguth Raju (hyderabad@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24409/dst-provides-rs-75-lakh-worth-grant-to-peptris-technologies-fndr-for-innovative-antibiotic-development-project.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24409/dst-provides-rs-75-lakh-worth-grant-to-peptris-technologies-fndr-for-innovative-antibiotic-development-project.html Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Technology Development Board (TDB) has penned an agreement with Peptris Technologies and the Foundation for Neglected Disease Research (FNDR), Bengaluru. Under the agreement, the Board has sanctioned a grant of Rs 75 lakh towards the project "ANAGRANINF - Development of a Novel Class of Antibiotics Against Gram-Negative Bacterial-Infections," against the total project cost of Rs 1.5 crore. This collaborative endeavour is believed to foster innovation in the field of healthcare. The project is a joint effort between Indian and Spanish companies, with ABAC Therapeutics Sl serving as the Spanish Project Lead. Led by the Department of Science & Technology and the Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation, E.P.E. (CDTI), the bilateral programme aims to drive market-driven research and technology development while fostering partnerships and business-led collaborative projects between the two nations, thereby propelling innovation in healthcare forward. The project’s primary objective is to develop a novel lead compound, particularly an antibiotic, adept at inhibiting the FabI enzyme and combatting critical gram-negative pathogens. Harnessing the power of proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) tools and adhering to stringent guidelines, the project aims to produce a series of compounds that not only exhibit enhanced efficacy but also align with the rigorous criteria laid out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) infections. The selected hit molecule MMV1578564 has exhibited promising activity against gram-negative pathogens, serving as a foundation for further research and development efforts. Further, the project aims to identify a candidate that meets WHO's innovation criteria, ensuring a new chemical structure, no cross-resistance with existing commercial classes, a novel target, and a novel mechanism of action. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24384/biotech-pavilion-at-startup-mahakumbh-to-focus-on-knowledge-exchange-and-collaboration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24384/biotech-pavilion-at-startup-mahakumbh-to-focus-on-knowledge-exchange-and-collaboration.html Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Startup Mahakumbh, the premier event uniting the Indian startup ecosystem, has announce the inclusion of a Biotech Pavilion in its upcoming edition. This pavilion marks a significant step in fostering innovation and collaboration within the biotechnology sector, offering a platform for startups to showcase their groundbreaking solutions and connect with industry experts. Distinguished keynote speakers from the industry will share their insights, providing a holistic view of the current landscape and future trends. Interactive discussions and workshops led by seasoned experts in the biotech and healthtech domains will offer invaluable learning experiences for attendees.Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Director and CEO of C-CAMP and lead for the Biotech Pavilion at Startup Mahakumbh, said, "The Biotech Pavilion at Startup Mahakumbh will serve as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration within the biotechnology sector. We are thrilled to provide startups with a platform to showcase their innovations, connect with industry experts, and access the resources they need to succeed."The key speakers and mentors at the Biotech pavilion include:  Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC Dr Vijay Chandru, Co-founder, Strand Lifesciences Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO & Director, C-CAMP Dr Ezhil Subbian, CEO & Co-Founder, String Bio Dr Anand Anandkumar, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Bugworks Research India Pvt Ltd Dr Neeraj Jain, Country Director – India, Director - Growth Operations, Asia, Middle East and Europe, PATH Sriram Natarajan, Founder Director & CEO, Molbio Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd Krishna Mohan Puvvada, Regional President - Middle East, India, and Africa, Novonesis Guhesh Ramanathan, CEO, IIM Visakhapatnam FIELD Dr Anu Acharya, Founder and CEO, Mapmygenome Dr Malathi Lakshmikumaran, Executive Director, Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan Attorneys The Biotech Pavilion at Startup Mahakumbh, taking place from 18 to 20 March in Delhi, will feature a range of exclusive sessions and networking opportunities tailored to the needs of biotech startups. Highlights of the pavilion include:  Specialised Go-To-Market Strategies Session: Tailored sessions focusing on national and international market outreach strategies, essential for biotech startups aiming to scale their business globally. Exclusive Reverse Pitches: Investors from the Biotech and Pharma sector will engage in reverse pitches, offering valuable insights and potential funding opportunities to participating startups. One-on-One Mentoring: Personalised mentoring sessions on Intellectual Property Rights and Legal Advisory, providing startups with crucial guidance on protecting their innovations and navigating legal challenges. Networking Opportunities: The pavilion will provide direct access to industry leaders, heads of R&D Labs, investors, and fellow startups, fostering valuable connections and collaborations.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24354/rare-genetic-diseases-research-summit-calls-for-collaboration-to-conquer-challenges.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24354/rare-genetic-diseases-research-summit-calls-for-collaboration-to-conquer-challenges.html Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Rare Genetic Diseases Research Summit (REDRESS) 2023 concluded with a resounding call to action, urging researchers, clinicians, pharmaceutical companies, and patient advocacy groups to join forces and tackle the challenges of rare genetic diseases (RGDs). The final session, aptly titled "Progress and Way Forward in RGD Field," saw Prof. Thelma, a scientist from the University of Delhi, deliver a powerful message: "Give to the society what we have in hand." Her words resonated with the audience, highlighting the collective responsibility to improve diagnostics, therapeutics, and overall care for RGD patients in India. The session delved into various aspects of the RGD landscape, with Dr Deepa Bhat, a genetic counsellor, emphasizing the need for practical solutions like expanded government schemes and public-private partnerships. She stressed the importance of incorporating diverse expertise, including psychologists, public health experts, and clinicians, into teams addressing RGD issues. Sri Harsha, a parent of a child with RGD, shared his personal experience, highlighting the critical role of government intervention and access to specialized healthcare facilities in managing his child's condition. Dr K. Thangaraj, a geneticist, brought a unique perspective, explaining how his research on population evolution in India revealed the existence of distinct sets of RGDs in each community due to endogamy practices. He emphasized the crucial role of population genetics research in raising awareness and preventing future occurrences of these diseases. The session chair, Dr Vijay Chandru, proposed leveraging AI to bridge the gap between community workers and tertiary healthcare providers. He also emphasized the need for cost-effective solutions and innovative technologies, like gene therapy, to ensure their accessibility to patients. Prof. Thelma echoed this sentiment, advocating for mandatory Newborn Screening for 50-60 treatable disorders to facilitate early diagnosis. The discussion revealed a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the RGD field. Dr Radha Rama Devi and Dr Bhat highlighted the stigma surrounding RGDs, adding an additional layer of suffering for patients. Closing the summit, Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director of TIGS, thanked the diverse group of participants and emphasized the ongoing commitment to finding solutions for RGDs. He outlined key takeaways, including: Early diagnosis: Making prenatal and newborn screening mandatory for treatable disorders. Treatment: Exploring repurposed and low-cost drugs, establishing infrastructure for drug testing, and fostering collaboration partnerships between government, administrative and private stakeholders - both in R&D and policy Teamwork and collaboration: Building strong partnerships between researchers, clinicians, and industry stakeholders. Science and R&D: Utilizing cutting edge technologies such as CRISPR and mRNA technologies to bring down costs and ensure quality manufacturing. Funding: Exploring philanthropic funding, CSR initiatives, and the National Research Foundation. Information and databases: Creating a federation of databases and leveraging digital tools for virtual consultations. Dr Mishra concluded with a message of hope, stating that "a few success stories are all that are needed for this model to go forward." With the enthusiasm and expertise displayed at REDRESS 2023, the future of RGD research in India appears bright, offering a glimmer of hope for countless individuals and families affected by these debilitating conditions.   Saveetha Meganathan, Shweata Hegde, Surabhi Srivastava    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24353/research-innovation-and-hope-for-genetic-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24353/research-innovation-and-hope-for-genetic-diseases.html Tue, 05 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A vibrant group of experts delved into the challenges and opportunities in developing effective therapies and diagnostics for Rare Genetic Diseases (RGD) at the session on “Enhancing RGD Therapy and Research Environment”. Dr Taslim ignited the discussion, emphasizing the transformative power of innovation in delivering both therapeutics and diagnostics for RGDs. He stressed the crucial role of evidence-based research, urging its translation into tangible social impact. He also highlighted the need for robust investments in science and technology, nurturing a virtuous cycle of good science fueling further advancements. Intellectual property rights expert Dr Rita Sarin shed light on the financial hurdles hindering RGD drug development. She explained the lengthy, expensive process of creating a drug molecule, a major deterrent for pharmaceutical companies due to low returns. She delved into the intricacies of licensing and various patent types, emphasizing the healthcare industry's focus on primary patents due to limitations on secondary patents in India. Dr Sarin also showcased inspiring examples of successful indigenous and generic medications, while proposing valuable solutions. These included integrating research pipelines and fostering collaborative research, paving the way for either industry-academia partnerships to drive innovation or affordable API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) supplies through collaborations between innovative firms and the Indian pharmaceutical sector. Dr Jogin Desai brought the spotlight to retinitis pigmentosa, a rare congenital retinal disease. He highlighted the devastating consequences of undiagnosed cases due to insufficient data, stressing the societal costs of inaction. He advocated for integrating genetic insights into societal knowledge, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of these often-overlooked conditions. His concluding remarks focused on key areas for improvement, including: Establishing a robust regulatory framework and addressing cost concerns through a homegrown innovation ecosystem. Approving in vitro experiments for RGD research, potentially reducing dependence on animal models. Enabling GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)-like production facilities. Developing both a validated safety model and a gene-agnostic model. Dr Ajay Singh broadened the lens, emphasizing the need for a diverse RGD ecosystem encompassing investors, NGOs, manufacturers, researchers, industry players, and patient advocacy groups. He underscored the fact that a staggering 80% of diseases have a genetic component, highlighting the collective responsibility to tackle this widespread challenge. Dr Sadhna Joglekar provided a global perspective, presenting a landscape study of advancements in rare disease drug research from 1950 to 2023. She underscored the significance of collaborative decision-making and incentivizing rare disease drug development. Recognizing the complexities in research planning and execution, she advocated for overcoming these hurdles to accelerate progress. Dr Nabendu Chatterjee shed light on government initiatives through ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), outlining the various ways in which the government is supporting RGD research and addressing crucial gaps: Early diagnosis Epidemiological data collection Therapeutics availability and affordability Awareness and expertise development Dedicated research initiatives To address the critical challenges of therapeutic availability and affordability, Dr Chatterjee suggested increasing grants, fostering collaboration, and strengthening networking efforts. He further elaborated on existing government initiatives such as genomics projects, networking between patient advocacy groups and other stakeholders, therapeutics development for inherited rare diseases, and the National Apex Committee: National Consortium for Research and Development on Therapeutics in Rare Diseases (NCRDTRD). He concluded by outlining potential future directions, including prioritizing early diagnosis, developing novel or indigenous treatments, establishing a national registry, and characterizing rare diseases in the Indian context. The latter part of the event resonated with personal stories from patient advocacy groups. Moumita Ghosh of the Cure SMA Foundation of India shared the heart-wrenching journey of her daughter with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy), highlighting the struggles in accessing proper care and treatment. She spoke passionately about the organization's mission and how they support individuals with SMA. Kritida Oza, living with Sjogren's disease, shared her experiences and the challenges faced by patients with this rheumatic condition for which no specific therapy exists. Her plea for equal opportunities and acknowledging patients' perspectives added a powerful human touch to the discussion. The event offered a potent mix of expert insights and lived experiences, illuminating the path towards a brighter future for those living with RGDs in India. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and a supportive ecosystem, we can ensure that no one is left behind in the quest for effective therapies and a better quality of life.   Esha Srivastava and Saveetha Meganathan   Click here to read the next article on REDRESS 2023 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24307/international-conference-on-advances-in-3d-cell-culture-highlights-indulge-innovate-inspire.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24307/international-conference-on-advances-in-3d-cell-culture-highlights-indulge-innovate-inspire.html Fri, 03 Feb 2023 13:45:00 +0530 The International Conference on Advances in 3D Cell Culture, held on the 2nd and 3rd of February 2024, brought together leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals for a groundbreaking exploration of the latest advancements in 3D cell culture technologies. The conference, hosted at the prestigious Taj The Trees, featured a dynamic agenda that encompassed a product launch, engaging talk sessions, platform sessions, unique poster presentations and exciting industry exhibitions. Day one of the conference began with the inauguration ceremony with the lamp lighting by the convener, Dr. Prajakta Dandekar Jain, the co-convener, Dr. Ratnesh Jain, the vice-chancellor of the Institute of Chemical Technology, Dr. Annirudha Pandit and the esteemed guests of honour, Dr. V. Radha and Dr. Shilpa Vohra. Following this, the guests of honor delivered inspiring words, setting a positive tone for the conference's start. The conference sessions commenced with the Advances in organoids and tumoroid developments: Characterizations and Applications session that encompassed talk sessions by national and international industry and academic experts. The talks were followed by an engaging panel discussion highlighting the assessment and existing technologies.    The launch of India’s first leading automated instrument for organ-on-chip technology, Aurganoform™, set an enthusiastic tone for the subsequent sessions.  The second talk session post lunch was on 3D bioprinting for the development of artificial organs where the speakers delved into biofabrication, infectious diseases, biocompatibility and the prospects in the field of 3D bioprinting. The session concluded with a thought-provoking panel discussion between dignitaries from start-ups and industries. The third and final session of the day, probably one of the main novelty factors for this conference, was on AI-ML and imaging in 3D Cell Culture. This session emphasized on the fact that we live in the technology era and the applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in image processing and data analysis in the field of 3D Cell Culture are limited only by imagination.  On the second day, the focus shifted to the session on Organ-on-chip for preclinical and biological research. This session involved talks on microfluidic systems for dental, oral and craniofacial research, 4D tissue models and cancer-on-chip systems. The panel discussion among the leading start-up and industry representatives that followed was simply enlightening. The prime features of the second day were the platform sessions such as the Contract Research Organization (CRO) showcase and a start-up pitch session titled Future of Alternatives to Animal Models. These sessions provided a platform for emerging companies to showcase their groundbreaking contributions to the field, fostering collaboration and innovation. Another main highlight of this conference was the talk session on the Regulatory guidelines for alternative to animal testing methods. Governmental representatives from India and Japan along with international industry representatives discussed the current state of regulatory affairs and the potential next steps to better acceptance of 3D Cell Culture techniques.  In addition to the engaging sessions, the conference hosted a vibrant industry exhibition, where leading companies showcased their latest products and services. Attendees had the opportunity to explore cutting-edge technologies and network with industry leaders, further promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange. Another key aspect of the conference was the poster presentation session, where researchers could share their latest findings and discoveries. The quality of the posters was outstanding, reflecting the depth and breadth of research being conducted in the field of 3D cell culture right from nanobots for tumor studies to bacterial chemotaxis in 3D microfluidic devices to rapid spheroid generation using microfluidics to bioink formulations. The conference concluded on a high note with an award distribution ceremony honoring the best posters presented during the event. Recognizing outstanding contributions to the field, these awards underscored the commitment to excellence and innovation displayed by the participants. The International Conference on Advances in 3D Cell Culture proved to be a resounding success, fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and advancing the frontiers of 3D cell culture research. The event showcased the commitment of the scientific community to pushing boundaries and finding innovative solutions to address challenges in the field. For more information about the conference and upcoming events, please visit https://www.3dculture.events/.   Nanomedicine Research Group (NRG) Institute of Chemical Technology 3dcellculture@nano-medicine.co.in  +91 87791 97872   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24306/hands-on-training-workshop-on-advances-in-3d-cell-culture.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24306/hands-on-training-workshop-on-advances-in-3d-cell-culture.html Thu, 01 Feb 2024 13:45:00 +0530 The Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai organized a four-day long hands-on training workshop on Advances in 3D Cell Culture from 29th January 2024 to 1st February 2024. The workshop was a part of the 2nd edition of the 3D Cell Culture Workshop and Conference series that began with its digital version in 2022 organized by Dr. Prajakta Dandekar Jain, UGC Assistant Professor of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology at ICT. The workshop was attended by 25 participants from a diverse background ranging from Academia i.e. PhD scholars, Post-doctoral fellows,  researchers, professors, and scientists from life science and biopharma backgrounds, registered start-ups, and MSMEs and industries. The participants were selected based on their responses to general questions regarding their experience in the field in the registration form and their curriculum vitae aligning with the topic of the workshop. The main aim of the workshop was to introduce 3D Cell Culture techniques and their advantages and applications in research and testing. The effort here was to educate and motivate participants to explore the potential of 3D Cell culture techniques in their research problems as well as to educate them on the need for alternatives to animal models in research and testing. The four days of Hands-on training workshop covered a diverse set of topics like Organ-on-chip technology taught by experts from Azar Innovations from Netherlands, 3D Bioprinting, organoid and spheroids development and high-content imaging, analysis and interpretation of 3D cell culture platforms using sophisticated instruments. The workshop was designed with an amalgamation of lectures, demonstrations, hands-on training, question and answer sessions by national and international academic and industrial experts.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24315/gm-modi-science-foundation-prix-galien-2024-india-honour-excellence-in-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24315/gm-modi-science-foundation-prix-galien-2024-india-honour-excellence-in-innovation.html Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Galien Foundation, a premier global institution since 1970, heralds a rich legacy of recognising outstanding achievements that improve the global human condition through innovative drugs and other treatments. Created in honour of Galien (129 CE - c. 216), the father of medical science and modern pharmacology, the Prix Galien Award is regarded as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in biopharmaceutical research. The first edition of this prestigious award has entered India in partnership with the GM Modi Science Foundation and was held on March 3rd, 2024, at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi. The event witnessed the presence of SP Singh Baghel, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The winners across different categories included- Best StartUp and Digital Health Solution (Parisodhana Technologies for Neonatal Hypothermia Prevention Warm Blanket); Best Medical Technology (Biocon for Pichia Pastoris platform); Best Product for Rare/Orphan Diseases (Indian Institute of Technology Bombay for CAR-T cell therapy); Best Biotechnology Product (Bharat Serums and Vaccines for Trinbelimab); Best Academic/Public Sector (AIIMS+IIT-D NeuroEngineering Collaboration for NeuroMentor). “The mission of Galien Foundation is to be the premiere event where humanitarians and innovators at the forefront of biomedical research gather annually to honour highest achievements,” said Bruno Cohen, Chairman of the Galien Foundation   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24352/basic-and-clinical-research-redress-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24352/basic-and-clinical-research-redress-2023.html Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530   The theme basic and clinical research had two editions I and II at the REDRESS 2023.  The edition I was curated to highlight the contemporary development in basic, clinical and translational fronts of rare genetic disorders (RGD) in India whereas the edition II consisted of Indian speakers from abroad who shared their expertise on selected segments of RGD. The sessions began with clinical overviews by Dr Anju and Dr Radha Rama Devi followed by mechanistic and genomic research presentation by Dr. Shaji, Dr. Binukumar, Dr. Srinivas and Dr. Pratibha. The diagnostic modality on focus was optical genome mapping with two presentations – scientific aspects covered by Dr Alka and clinical utility by Dr. Karthik. The session ended with patient advocacy group presentation of Parvathy from Krishnan Family Foundation. Dr Anju Shukla opened her talk with an overview of trends in rare genetic disorders in the past decade by quoting the milestones in diagnosis and discovery due to next generation sequencing, prevention enabled by detection techniques, prenatal and preimplantation testing alongside multidisciplinary care. The major challenges cited were huge burden, lack of training - expertise and collaborative efforts in our country. Dr Shukla discussed two RGD cohorts, Myelin abnormalities in central nervous system consisting of hypomyelination and demyelination. Currently, there are 406 monogenic and four mitochondrial disorders, and 410 genes associated with leukodystrophy. They are a spectrum disorder yet one third of them are not listed under leukodystrophy. She shared a collaborative Indian publication of leukodystrophy with 250 individuals from 226 families from 10 cities. The study reported 68% diagnostic yield and identified population specific variants for Aicardi Goutieres syndrome where 3 patients from south, western and north India had the same variant. She summarised different therapeutic strategies like hematopoietic stem cell transplant, steroidal therapy, supplements, along with emerging ones – RNA, gene, small molecules, and protein therapies. Disorders of epilepsy – About 142 families enrolled with diagnostic yield of 52% of which 38 families benefitted with therapeutic implication. A novel gene association in KCNH5 was reported and the case was listed in GeneMatcher. This led to international collaboration with Northwestern university, Chicago and a joint publication. Another interesting finding was sequence variant in SNRPN, an imprinted gene which was only known to have methylation disturbances associated with Prader Willi Syndrome. Dr Shukla mentioned about Center for Rare Disease Diagnosis, Research and Training, a DBT Wellcome India Alliance collaborative program to further RGD research in India. Rama Devi gave a glimpse of her journey and the progress in metabolic disorders and newborn screening from 1980s till present. She discussed the diverse nature of RGD, with most of them life threatening and remaining undiagnosed. The estimated burden is 72- 96 million in India and the average time for diagnosis is 7 years. No effective treatment is available for many of the disorders and less than 5% have therapies. She emphasised on how finding the right diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving quality of the life of patients. She discussed few case scenarios where early intervention has enabled near normal life to children with metabolic disorders. Research of several types including treatment, diagnosis and screening is the need of the hour to mitigate this disease burden. Dr Radha also presented the trends in therapeutics and treatments of inborn errors of metabolism that have supplements and treatment available in India including PKU diets, disorders that are expensive and inaccessible like ERT and how repurposing of drugs is the arena where the clinical and academic focus needs to be shifted. Dr R.V. Shaji presented about iPSC-based disease model for learning disease mechanism and drug screening for hematological disorders. Using CRISPR-Cas9 based genome editing technique he described how multiple genes involved in Fanconi anemia and Diamond Blackfan anemia can be screened. Further he also described how hematopoietic lineages derived from the disease iPSC lines can mimic the hematopoietic anomalies and bone marrow failure observed in the patients and are better than mouse models. Using this platform his group identified a drug molecule that improved the disease phenotype in Fanconi Anemia hematopoietic cells. Finally, he also described how base editing can be efficiently used for incorporating specific mutations in iPSCs, a technique, they have efficiently used to generate disease iPSC lines for DFA and congenital dyserythropoietic anemia. Dr Srinivasarao Repudi presented about modelling and studying development epileptic encephalopathy type 28 in mouse models. His study demonstrated how loss of Wwox, a tumor suppressor gene in mouse causes spontaneous seizures, ataxia, growth retardation, microcephaly, kyphosis of early onset and feeding difficulties. As the Wwox knockout mice dies in 3 weeks, using neuron specific knockout model, he demonstrated neuron associated defects such as defect in oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation. Further to develop therapeutic interventions, he showed that delivering the Wwox gene by AAV9 results in rescue of neuron defects, promotes neuron survival and improves myelination. RNA sequencing – electron microscopy showed myelination is highly regulated process. Neuronal WWOX deletion causes epilepsy. WWOX restoration in brain leads to reversal of growth retardation. Dr Binukumar presented about Wilson Disease (WD) research programme at IGIB. WD is a disorder of copper metabolism and primarily affects the liver and neurons The global prevalence is 1 in 10,000 to 30,000. ATP7B is the associated gene and carrier frequency is 1 in 90. He shared genetic spectrum of variants in WD which is about 4000 across the globe with major being variants of uncertain significance. Few of the essential databases and resources in the analysis, validation and reporting workflow are Clinvar, COSMIC, HGMD. LOVD, mutalyzer, ACMG and AMP guidelines . The IndiGen data for WD is a variant registry that carrier frequency and prevalence in India. IndiGen reports 1 in 69 in India to be carrier and 1 in 18678 to be affected with WD which is second largest in the world. IGIB also hosts WilsonGen, a database for Wilson disease from the 128 processed samples of 238 received for analysis. Dr Binu summarised the workflow for variant prioritization and structural variants along with hotspots and structural variants of ATP7B in Indian WD patients. He presented an interesting algorithm for genetic burden testing of rare variants using Testing Rare variants using Public Data. Insilico models for molecular dynamic simulation of variants using alpha fold protein structures and functional assay with ATP7B knockout-HEK293T cells using CRISPR cas9 is developed for analysing VUS. At the diagnostic front, targeted, scalable and cost effective NGS based diagnosis should be implemented. Dr Binu proposed creating an ecosystem for clinical genomics in India, with WD as an example, wherein WilsonGen has variant database with AMP, ACMG curation, iCROWD has genomic research in WD with whole exome data, targeted variants to be developed by the diagnostic industry, functional validation of VUS and finally cell therapy for patient’s iPSC model system and platforms for drug discovery of rare diseases. Dr Pratibha Bhalla, opened session II presenting her research on thymus hypoplasia in kids affected with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (DS) also known as Di George syndrome covering aspects of disease mechanism and therapeutic strategies. DS is caused due to 1.5 Mb to 3Mb deletion on 22q11.2 leading to haploinsufficiency of 106 genes including TBX1. Affected individuals suffer with thymus hypoplasia, congenital heart defect, hypoparathyroidism, facial anomalies, and neurological disorders. The 22q11 region prone to rearrangement and the aetiology is majorly de novo in occurrence. The prevalence is 1 in 2148. Thymus is a gland involved in immunity and its size is determined by age, stress, DS and FOXN1 mutations. Small thymus causes low T cell count leading to recurrent infections. Most DS patients develop normal but reduced T cell subsets. Her lab developed mouse model of DS with hypoplastic thymus lobes. Fetal thymic organ culture revealed development abnormalities showed hypoplastic epithelial and mesenchymal cells. To identify functionally incompetent stromal cell population, reaggregate thymic organ culture was performed wherein normal mesenchymal could restore hypo plasticity of DS thymuses. Single cell RNA sequencing revealed overexpressed transcripts in mesenchymal population and elevated deposition of collagen in DS. Mouse models, Human DS thymuses have slight elevations in collagens thus revealing a potential therapeutic target. Minoxidil which is FDA approved for the treatment of high blood pressure and hair loss inhibits collagen crosslinking. In utero mouse models showed successful restoration. She concluded her talk by proposing these drugs to be repurposed for DS as compared to expensive In utero gene and stem cell therapy.   Optical Genome Mapping   Dr Alka Chaubey from Bionano, USA explained the principles and work-flow of the contemporary technology of optical genome mapping (OGM). She illustrated the clinical utility of OGM in improving diagnostic yield especially in disorders with autism, developmental delays and dysmorphism. She gave a visual overview of evolution of cytogenetic techniques. OGM provides ~1000 times more bands in the form of labels and can detect chromosomal abnormalities as small as 500 bp. OGM can help detect variant classes like aneuploidy, deletion, duplication, translocation, inversion, absence of homozygosity, repeat expansion and contraction. She stated structural variants are important contributors to the mutational landscape of inherited disorders, including retinal diseases where OGM can diagnose 1/3rd of undetected cases. Other examples include reclassification of Duchenne muscular dystrophy variant of uncertain significance, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors in two silings with germline retrotransposon insertion in SMARCB1 and a novel fusion detection in B acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A study using OGM in South Carolina for neural tube defects reported diagnostic yield of 10%. She concluded her presentation on remarkable note of combining OGM and short read sequencing can unlock several diagnostic puzzles. Dr Karthik in session I had presented on clinical utility of OGM especially in diagnosis of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. He gave an overview of ease of sample preparation for OGM with just loading of ultra-high molecular weight labelled DNA on the chip for imaging. At the analysis front, digital molecules are captured, a consensus optical map is generated and compared with the reference. OGM is automated and performs with more than 95% sensitivity. For clinical reporting, denovo variants, ~500 bp is the resolution cut off whereas for somatic changes it is 5KB, and for Inversion it is~30KB. Beginning with FSHD, an autosomal dominant myopathy with 4-10/100,000 cases prevalence involving microsatellite contraction, from their cohort, 23 patients were confirmed with OGM. Another case of Hemophilia A where whole exome sequencing was negative, OGM helped in identifying inversion in intron 22. In a case with developmental delay, dysmorphism, a balanced translocation was identified in chromosome 12 showing ~16mb, fusion depicting copy number gain. Other examples included fragile X and disruption of AUTS2 gene among others. The challenges with OGM include lack of adequate reference data, inability to detect structural variants across acrocentric region and poorly labelled regions.   Parent Advocacy Group Parvathy from Krishnan Family Foundation, USA shared her family's journey with constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD) with her son being diagnosed at a very young age with ampullary cancer, jejunal cancer, two incidences of small bowel cancer and rectal cancers. CMMRD is an autosomal recessive disorder caused due to two mutant alleles of EPCAM gene. Having a single affected allele is enough to cause hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome, to the family’s dismay, both parents were heterozygous for the variant allele. This was followed by their daughter who in addition also inherited several other recessive alleles and affected with not only CMMRD but also Bardet Biedl syndrome, Factor VII deficiency and other debilitating conditions leading to her untimely passing away at the age of 4 years. Parvathy emphasised the need for genetic counselling and extended family screening in inherited conditions and shared how several family members including herself have undergone the cascade testing and are under periodic surveillance. The family has shown unusual resilience in the face of this medical complexity and are supporting several others who are similarly affected with family support, surveillance implementation, rare disease registry. They are also proactive in facilitating centralized repository for biosamples, are striving to implement policies to create ICD codes for CMMRD, coverage for surveillance protocols and spreading awareness about the disorder in several forums. Parvathy concluded that PAGs are forthcoming to participate in research studies to accelerate the diagnosis, treatment, and management of RGDs.   Gayatri Rangarajan Iyer & Vasanth Thamodaran   Click here to read the next article on REDRESS 2023 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24351/rgd-landscape-and-diagnostics-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24351/rgd-landscape-and-diagnostics-in-india.html Sun, 03 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The REDRESS session, "RGD Landscape and Diagnostics in India," chaired by Prof. B K Thelma of Delhi University, featured clinicians, researchers, ICMR officials, and patient advocates. Dr Meenakshi Bhat from the Centre for Human Genetics (CHG) delivered the keynote. Speakers included experts like Dr. Ratna Dua Puri from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, Dr Ashwin Dalal from the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics in Hyderabad, Dr Swarkar Sharma from the Central University of Jammu, Dr Subasree Ramakrishnan from NIMHANS in Bengaluru, and Dr.Amlin Shukla from the National Registry of Rare and Other Inherited Disorders-ICMR New Delhi, addressing global RGD challenges. Vikas Bhatia, representing a patient advocacy group, shared a moving personal journey. This diverse session highlighted diagnostic advancements and patient-centric perspectives, showcasing India's progress in tackling rare genetic diseases. Dr Bhat emphasized that approx. 400 rare diseases are the most prevalent in India. While 3 million people in Karnataka are affected by rare diseases, she commended Karnataka state for being at the forefront, consistently funding rare disease therapy since 2016. The CHG evaluated 30,000 patients since 2006, maintaining a comprehensive data repository. Notably, 44 patients with LSDs (lysosomal storage disorders) received enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). She shared the challenging journey of a young Pompe disease patient, highlighting the struggles in obtaining an accurate diagnosis, treatment, and subsequent investigations. Dr Bhat stressed the multi-systemic impact of rare diseases, placing a significant financial burden on families for supportive care. She drew attention to India's revised clinical trial rules by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and underscored the pressing need for public awareness and a stronger societal support system for children grappling with rare diseases. Dr Ratna Dua Puri gave a retrospective overview of last two-decades particularly focusing on Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathies in India. The early work involved characterizing these disorders with traditional techniques like enzyme assays which itself was difficult to perform. However, the introduction of dried blood spots revolutionized enzymatic and molecular diagnoses in remote areas. Later, NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) ushered into a transformative era that resolved cohort studies related to unexplained intellectual disabilities, which she demonstrated through compelling case studies. She also highlighted that variant of uncertain significance is the greatest challenge for definite diagnosis. The importance of using varying diagnostic strategies for identical disorders was also highlighted in her talk. The presentation acknowledged the ICMR-funded Indian Undiagnosed Disease Program (UDP), comprising four genetic centers aimed at refining diagnostic practices. She concluded by emphasizing not only the diagnostic odysseys for rare diseases but also the necessity for informed management and the application of transformative therapies in patient care. Dr Ashwin Dalal highlighted India's substantial contribution to the RGD burden due to its vast population. He underscored the absence of a specific rare disease definition due to inadequate epidemiological data. Traditional diagnostics have shifted towards cytogenetics and NGS, yet treatment cost remains a challenge. Dr. Ashwin emphasized determining RGD prevalence and carrier frequency using technologies like exome sequencing. He spoke about various country-level initiatives like India's Rare Disease Policy under which 12 centres of excellence have been established across the country. The policy categorizes RGD into three groups, granting eligible patients financial aid and offering up to 50 lakhs for select patients but remains a temporary solution. The Rare Disease Portal archives patient data for crowdfunding, while the National Health Mission prioritizes birth defect screening for a comprehensive preventive strategy. The pediatric rare genetic disorder mission spans 16 centers, focusing on early diagnosis, genetic counseling, and functional assessment of novel genes using models like Drosophila, Zebrafish, and cell lines. Dr Swarkar highlighted the diverse genetic makeup among ethnic groups in different areas of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The region's diverse populations possess unique genetic traits contributing to specific genetic disorders within these communities. The geographical complexity, combined with frequent endogamous marriages, can increase the occurrence of certain genetic disorders due to limited genetic diversity. Understanding these variations is vital for identifying and managing prevalent genetic disorders in the J&K region. Tracing ancestry plays a pivotal role in comprehending these communities. Dr Swarkar cited instances from various villages: Dhadkai, known for prevalent deaf and mute residents, Arai with a rare hand disfigurement condition, and Pralkot, a village with a high incidence of deaf and mute individuals. He emphasized the significance of 'Project JK DNA' in gathering crucial clinical data to advance research and comprehension of rare genetic disorders in the area. Dr Subasree Ramakrishnan talked about her research focused on frontotemporal dementia (FTD). She highlighted FTD's complexity and variability within the population, discussing its heritable nature and use of genetic testing like the Goldman score. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and whole exome sequencing (WES) were preferred for diagnosis, studying a cohort of 162 patients exhibiting FTD symptoms at an average age of 56. She emphasized four main genes associated with FTD mutations—MAPT, GRN, SQSTMI, and C9ORF72—acknowledging the importance of understanding these genetic factors for improved diagnosis and management in India. Amlin Shukla presented an overview of the National Registry of Rare Diseases. The objectives of the registry include understanding the burden of rare diseases, integrating care, collecting socio-demographic data, identifying natural disease history, supporting research, and connecting stakeholders.  She highlighted efforts by various groups to collect epidemiological data through an ICMR website invitation, with 21 centers currently reporting to the registry. She mentioned that the registry is currently on resource-limited settings and includes specific disorders with available treatments. Currently, the registry has approximately 11,000 enrollments, covering 160 diseases across 28 states and 8 union territories. She clarified that currently, the registry is hospital-based, and accurate prevalence cannot be determined. She stressed the importance of systematic data collection. It aims to expand based on geographical representation and the number of rare disorders in the future. Dr. Shukla concluded by underlining the registry's potential to aid policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and patient groups, while addressing challenges faced in its establishment, including the lack of community-based data, software development, and data entry duplication control. Vikas Bhatia from MERD India Foundation engaged the audience with a compelling personal story of being a father to children affected by metabolic disorders. He highlighted the need for timely disease detection for effective treatment and prevention, advocating for drug production in India. Additionally, he advocated for NGS for diagnostics, genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and a comprehensive strategy involving awareness, government-patient collaboration, and genetic insurance to aid those affected by rare metabolic disorders.   Runa Hamid, Harvinder Kour Khera   Click here to read the next article on REDRESS 2023 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24350/indian-orphan-drug-market-opportunities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24350/indian-orphan-drug-market-opportunities.html Sat, 02 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 With a similar commitment towards rare genetic disease (RGD) support, the theme of the REDRESS second day panel discussion was “ Indian Orphan Drug Market: Opportunities”. The session was chaired by Dr Thangaraj (CCMB, Hyderabad) and prominent panellists Dr Charu Gautam (IQVIA, Ahmedabad), Dr Anil Kukreja (AstraZeneca, Bengaluru), Sharmila Mulpur (National Insurance Company, Bengaluru), Parameshwaran Sitaram (Sanofi), Dr Monika Pahuja ( Indian Council of Medical Research, Headquarters, New Delhi), Samir Sethi ( Member, Indian Rett Syndrome Foundation), Sri Harsha (Indian Prader Willi Syndrome association). One of the primary objectives of the panel session was to offer definitive policies and assume accountability for subsidising pharmaceuticals targeting rare genetic diseases. Globally, the orphan drug market was estimated to be $140,000 million in 2020, and $450,000 million in 2030. The one-time treatment costs for rare diseases range from several lakhs to crores, in Rs. Given the emphasis on insurance expenditures during discussions, it was proposed that these expenses be structured to encompass all facets related to rare genetic diseases. Currently, some of the insurance policies cover the costs of clinical trials. However, since RGDs have genetic origin and are considered as ‘pre-existing’ conditions, several challenges are faced by the patients to cover their treatment costs under insurance. However, new borne with a genetic disorder is covered under insurance, post 90 days of birth, if the parents are covered under maternity policy. Currently, rheumatic and dental treatments are not covered under insurance policies in India. It was suggested to include these as the costs of treatment are exorbitant. There were comprehensive suggestions for addressing the needs of RGD patients by approaching insurance coverage for outpatient care. For instance, some patients with SMA need lifelong respiratory care, similarly, individuals with Gaucher’s disease need to cover expenses for blood transfusions etc. These coverages should be brought under the umbrella of insurance for RGDs. Another important highlight of the discussion was centred around clinical trials in India for orphan drugs. The panel focused on the important regulatory requirements for biosimilar trials in India. Every life is precious and clinical trials should be formulated in India similar to the new Western policies of flexible trials. New designs that incorporate phase 0/1 trials into the spectrum of phase 2 can be accepted, thus skipping the need for separate clinical trials for each phase. Also, separate clinical trials for biosimilars need to be formulated to achieve effective approval for a new trial.  It was suggested that a few of the regulations need to be considered to conduct clinical trials in India which include proof of efficacy similarity against the reference biological product, identification of risks associated with differences in biosimilars and the reference products. Furthermore, an insightful novel idea was put forward by the panel which suggested that instead of looking for the similarities in science, switch to the differences that can lead to resourceful identification of variations in assessing the genotoxicity and immunogenicity related to the drugs. Introducing drug repurposing through proper academic research and proof of concept can be aspired for efficient orphan drug development research. Because of the low number of affected populations with RGDs, they have been recognised in the Orphan Drug Act which is formulated for drugs with a limited market. With the narrow market, drug manufacturers need some incentives to invest in this cause. Therefore, government of India need to formulate certain laws to boost the production of these drugs indigenously. Another point of discussion was the possible challenges that can come across in developing therapies in the form of market challenges or small population sizes for RGDs. Even after developing therapies, the challenge of the market comes with high costs and with the idea of developing drugs for a small population, the industry interference is limited. This can be tackled by introducing smart acceleratory pathways from government funding and certain waivers for clinical trials. There is a need to look through a global perspective, and the stringent rules that hinder pharmaceutical companies from looking into RGD need to be amended.   Saniya Mehraj, Shivranjani Moharir, V Rajesh Iyer   Click here to read the next article on REDRESS 2023 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24267/whats-shaking-up-indias-life-sciences-real-estate-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24267/whats-shaking-up-indias-life-sciences-real-estate-sector.html Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 In 2021,  a California-based life sciences real estate development company acquired Hotel Buckminster. This acquisition was done to redevelop the closed hotel into a life science lab space. Again in May 2021, a facility that housed the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive was transformed into a new life sciences lab on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley.  During the same year in India, a Canadian Pension Fund along with a Singapore-based wealth and asset management firm jointly invested $100 million (Rs 7.5 billion) in life sciences R&D facilities in Genome Valley, Hyderabad. This investment, according to reports, proved to be a stepping stone for more equity investments in this segment. On February 6, 2024, life sciences real estate developer, Rx Propellant announced an initial investment of $75 million in phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai Research (NMR) District, as part of its continued regional expansion strategy across India.  In all the four developments mentioned above, it is clear that post-pandemic, the demand for life sciences-related real estate has significantly increased. Both greenfield and brownfield projects have surged, as the pandemic fuelled the demand for locally manufactured pharma and medical products.  India, in the last few decades, has witnessed the IT and manufacturing sectors invest heavily in real estate and infrastructure. But in the post-pandemic era, we see life sciences companies require space to innovate, for R&D, and manufacture at scale.    Fast-evolving life sciences market  India is one of the fastest-growing life sciences markets in the world and the sector is poised to see multi-fold growth by 2030 led by a fast-increasing population, rising life expectancy, a strong industrial base and inclusive government initiatives. In addition, India’s demographic dividend, strong industrial base and policy push are known to be the growth drivers for the life sciences sector in the country.  The increasing government spending on the healthcare sector, cost benefits in terms of affordable manpower & real estate expenses, and the availability of a large talent pool are the catalysts of life sciences growth in India. Schemes like Production Linked Incentive (PLI)  have boosted domestic manufacturing which  has resulted in the need for more space in industrial and tech parks. Also, global exports of pharmaceutical and biotechnology products and medical devices from the country have forced many companies to invest in capacity building and human resources.  Notably, India ranks second globally in terms of the number of US FDA-certified plants located outside the US, closely followed by China. Strengths of this kind and the constantly evolving sector are  furthering the requirement for large-scale  manufacturing, MSMEs, wet laboratories, R&D hubs, incubators, and data centres  coupled with other IT & ES support.  Over the next decade, it is estimated that the requirement for life sciences R&D real estate in India is likely to grow to somewhere between $16 billion (Rs 1,200 billion) and $34 billion (Rs 2,550 billion) as per conservative and optimistic scenarios.   Push from PEs and VCs India’s life sciences R&D real estate is emerging as a high-potential asset class for institutional investors. Aided by exponential global demand growth, geopolitical environment, policies initiatives, and skilled workforce this sector is rapidly transforming.  Atul Bhardwaj, Business Head, Lighthouse Canton Real Estate, indicates that both domestic and international investors are demonstrating a strong interest in India's life sciences real estate market. According to Bhardwaj, private equity firms, venture capitalists, and real estate developers are actively investing significant capital in the development of specialised facilities to meet the requirements of life sciences companies. He says, “Biotechnology parks and clusters are emerging as key focal points for life sciences research and manufacturing in India. These specialised hubs offer world-class infrastructure, shared amenities, and a collaborative ecosystem that encourages innovation and cooperation among industry stakeholders, academic institutions, and research organisations.” Citing one other compelling factor of the life sciences real estate market to surge, Bhardwaj, says, “This sector's operational model does not accommodate the concept of working from home, which presents a compelling opportunity for real estate developers. The recent pandemic underscored the resilience of the pharmaceutical sector. While many industries, including office realty, experienced significant disruptions, the pharmaceutical sector's demand for space significantly increased, further cementing its critical role in the global economy.” Arvind Nandan, Managing Director – Research & Consulting, Savills India, says, “Venture Capital funding into the life sciences industry in India stood at $448 million (Rs 34 billion) in 2021 through August, almost 3x of the annual average of the previous years, making it clear that this segment will play a pivotal role in the overall growth of the Indian Real Estate industry.”   Adopting the asset light model We know that globally organisations across all sectors – be it small or big – are undergoing massive digital transformation and smart business strategies that are sustainable and cost-effective are implemented. Owing to that, businesses are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to scale up faster, which has given rise to many alternate models of operations, including the concept of going asset-light.  Asset-light model offers a strategic approach where companies minimise their ownership of physical assets (such as buildings or land). Companies go asset-light by owning fewer capital-intensive assets compared to their operational assets. By doing this, life sciences companies focus on their core competencies (such as research, development, and production) and avoid heavy investments in real estate.  Merck & Co., Inc. (MSD outside the US and Canada) is a prime example of an asset-light pharmaceutical company. Merck collaborates with specialised Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs) for various stages of drug development and production. By leveraging external partners, they avoid heavy capital expenditure on building and maintaining several of their own manufacturing facilities. Sharing his view on the asset light model, Rx Propellant’s CEO Milind Ravi, says, “While traditionally dominated by ‘user-owned’ models, an evident but slow shift to ‘asset-light’ options in India indicates growing demand for agile growth-ready infrastructure. With its increased focus on innovation, India’s life sciences market is expected to grow threefold in the next decade, reaching $130 billion by 2030. This in turn is set to generate demand for over 100 million square feet of specialised infrastructure across several existing ecosystems including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Vizag, and Pune among others.” Another aspect to asset-light operations is the advantage companies draw from sharing infrastructure elements. Atul Bhardwaj opines that the model of providing comprehensive amenities under one roof offers significant benefits to companies by eliminating the need for capital expenditure on individual pieces of equipment such as chillers and DG sets. This approach, he says, not only reduces the initial capital outlay but also lowers the overall opex for companies, as costs related to maintenance, security, and technical manpower are shared.  “This cost model is particularly advantageous, as it would otherwise be a substantial financial burden for a company to bear alone for its standalone unit. Real estate developers who offer high-quality infrastructure can further reduce a company's upfront expenses by providing essential utilities like nitrogen generators and vacuum systems. A multi-tenanted building thus emerges as a mutually beneficial arrangement for both developers and tenant companies,” says Bhardwaj.    Sustainable infrastructure  In almost every industry, the board members, shareholders advocate the importance of the mandates of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) of business operations. The threat of climate change has prompted many industries to develop environmental strategies to reduce their carbon footprints, with the life sciences industry on the top of the pyramid. Being climate conscious has brought in new concepts in smart buildings and other digitally supported facilities and infrastructure models. Open floor plans, shared workspaces, and flexible furniture are some of today’s trends that are known to foster interaction and knowledge sharing, similar to what's seen in modern IT work spaces. This shift in life sciences too encourages cross-disciplinary research, faster problem-solving, and quicker innovation and most importantly sharing resources. “Emerging trends in innovation have seen an increase in demand for next-gen spaces with flexible workspaces, integration of wet lab-computation stations, highly sensitive zones for increasingly sophisticated equipment and process flow optimisation. New developments designed to accommodate such variables offer sustainable long-term solutions,” Milind Ravi opines from his experience. Also, leading life sciences companies in India prefer to operate from large-scale clusters that can meet both their office and R&D needs. Startups and MSMEs are also increasingly opting to locate themselves in prominent clusters with a clear industrial positioning and abundant R&D resources. Genome Valley (Hyderabad) and Electronic City (Bengaluru) are great examples of such collaborative ecosystems. So, if, today, we were to walk into any of India’s life sciences parks, we would be delighted to see those spaces being built on modern modular designs having mobile equipment and reconfigurable layouts, with amazing aesthetics and classy landscaping. What will also be evident is that the traditional life sciences technicians confining themselves to sterile laboratories would be ancient. Today’s workplaces recognise the need for a more holistic environment with sprawling cafeterias, breakout huddles, and interactive/entertainment spaces. Apart from being modern with the changing times, such amenities are considered by the HR department as a way to attract and retain talent.   Leasing: a preferred business model  Savills, in its report titled ‘Unlocking Opportunities: Life Sciences and Real Estate in India’, indicates that leasing properties to the biotech industry can provide a steady stream of rental income and long-term investment potential for real estate developers.  Since life sciences is a rapidly growing and promising sector with significant investments and advancements, by leasing to them, real estate companies become part of their growth story, giving them the advantage of increased long-term value and brand association. Leasing also brings about several advantages to realtors. Life sciences companies typically require specific and tailored facilities, leading to lesser turnover compared to other commercial leases. This translates to reduced management costs and higher occupancy rates. Also, life sciences companies often require long-term leases due to the complex nature of their facilities and research projects. This stability translates to predictable and dependable income for the real estate companies. Speaking from his company’s perspective, Milind Ravi, says, “We bring a very inclusive approach to support companies of all scales not just with infrastructure, but a gamut of ecosystem services that play a pivotal role in their overall experience. We lease laboratory spaces on tailored models based on the need, timelines, intended use and life-stage of our tenant partners. Our standard offering constitutes modular spaces in shared or dedicated formats – in both ‘warm shell’ and ‘plug-and-play’ models as part of integrated and life science-focussed clusters. Apart from this, we also deliver built-to-suit campuses in required specifications of the tenant.” “While our facilities are built for multi-tenancy where each organisation can work independently, we are also working towards developing co-working laboratory spaces with shared equipment and amenities. These are becoming increasingly popular, especially among startups and small research teams,” says Milind Ravi.    Growth is certain A report titled ‘Life Sciences Industry & Real Estate Perspective 2024: Putting Asia Pacific under the microscope’ by global real estate company JLL sheds light on India’s pharma industry's growth trajectory. While the pandemic undeniably spurred investment due to the vaccine race, the report emphasizes that interest was already on the rise owing to the ongoing breakthroughs in areas like immuno-oncology and neonatology. This pre-existing momentum, fuelled by technological advancements, has directly translated into increased commercial real estate leasing within the pharma sector. This may be true to India’s life sciences sector too.  JLL stresses on the fact that when companies get funding from venture capitalists, they need lab space in order to deliver as soon as possible. Also, sizeable investments bring with them a plethora of life sciences jobs, which can also spur development of housing, retail and other urban amenities that serve the people who live and work for the expanding companies. From Bhardwaj’s inputs we can infer that India has a robust domestic market, bolstered further by the Government of India's ‘Jan Aushadhi’ scheme, aimed at providing quality generic medicines at affordable prices to its citizens. As the third-largest exporter of pharmaceuticals by volume and the thirteenth by value, the demand for space is going to grow.  While the pharma industry presents sufficient scope, the medical device industry is not any less. Considered as the sunrise sector, the medical devices industry is estimated to reach $50 billion by 2030. In the last five years, the export of medical devices has been increasing at a rate of 9.37 per cent. India’s policy to allow 100 per cent foreign investment under an automatic route in the medical devices sector has helped attract significant investments, which has further pushed the demand for real estate. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the medical device industry in India has also helped augment the domestic manufacturing and in reducing dependence on imports. Hence, manufacturing hubs are being set up in many economic zones of the country.   We can therefore conclude with the evidence that there is immense potential for life sciences real estate development to surge in India. Though the country has limited core life sciences real estate investable stock at present, majority of the growth will come from developing new facilities that entail typical development and leasing risks. The stakeholders, however, forecast an increasing investor appetite for Indian life sciences real estate as the sector gains scale over time.   Anusha Ashwin   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/24280/effectively-eliminating-drug-resistant-tb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/24280/effectively-eliminating-drug-resistant-tb.html Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 India has the highest burden of TB, with two deaths occurring every three minutes from the disease. The country recorded a staggering 28 lakh cases in 2022, accounting for 27 per cent of the global cases, according to WHO.  India initiated the TB Free India campaign with the ambitious goal of eradicating TB by 2025, a milestone set five years earlier than the target outlined by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Despite facing setbacks due to COVID-19, the nation doubled down on its efforts, resulting in notable progress. The India TB Report 2023 heralded 2022 as a pivotal year in TB surveillance, noting a significant achievement with a record-high notification of 24.2 lakh TB cases, representing an increase of over 13 per cent compared to 2021. The latest WHO Global TB Report 2023 acknowledged and praised India's efforts in its fight against TB, particularly highlighting the effectiveness of its case detection strategies. The report emphasised that India's intensified case detection strategies led to the highest-ever notification of cases in 2022, surpassing pre-COVID levels. The government's key initiatives, such as specialised active case finding drives, the scaling up of molecular diagnostics to block levels, decentralisation of screening services through Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, and private sector engagement, have significantly reduced the gap in missing cases.   Road to elimination   While the country has made remarkable progress in its fight against TB, the adoption of additional strategies such as shorter treatment regimens, the development of vaccines, and a renewed focus on nutrition could prove to be game-changers in its goal of eliminating TB for good. The BPaL regimen, composed of Bedaquiline, Pretomanid and Linezolid, presents a promising alternative for a shorter, safer and more tolerable treatment option for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). Lasting only 26 weeks, it contrasts sharply with conventional DR-TB treatments, which can span 18 to 21 months and entail the consumption of over 4,000 to 5,000 tablets. Endorsed by the US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) in 2019 and the WHO in 2022, the BPaL regimen has been implemented in more than 70 countries, including South Africa, Ukraine, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. “The older, conventional regimen for drug-resistant TB included prolonged use of injections with other drugs. This was associated with increased incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), implementation challenges under the programme and inconvenience to the patients. The new TB drug regimen uses the newer oral drugs like Bedaquiline, Delamanid or Pretomanid, or the repurposed drugs such as linezolid, clofazimine, etc. These regimens are injection free and have lesser pill burden leading to more acceptance among the TB patients besides reducing the implementation challenges due to the use of injections. They have the ability to kill the actively multiplying drug-resistant TB bacteria faster and a sustained killing of the bacteria to prevent the recurrence of the TB disease among the patients. These regimens have shown improved treatment success rates under field conditions under the national programme,” said Dr Rupak Singla, Head of Department, National Institute of TB & Respiratory Diseases, New Delhi. Dr Singla further said “To combat the adverse drug reactions of these regimen, specially due to drug linezolid, various regimens using different dosages and durations of linezolid have demonstrated reduced incidence of ADRs maintaining the efficacy of the regimen. Hence, these newer treatment drug regimens could reduce the global burden of drug-resistant TB. However, the requirement of a good quality laboratory network, availability and higher cost of the drugs continue to pose a challenge.”  The new regimen is shorter, easier on patients and improves treatment adherence, resulting in better outcomes compared to previous drug regimens.  Talking about the potential implications of the new TB drug regimen on India’s TB control efforts, Dr Singla stated, “The cure rate for previous conventional TB regimen for multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB) was to the tune of around 50 per cent and for Extensively drug-resistant-TB (XDR-TB), less than 30 per cent. The new TB drug regimen has the potential for significant improvement in treatment success rates for MDR-TB as well as XDR-TB.”  In India the national data shows that more than 36,000 drug-resistant TB patients have been initiated on shorter oral Bedaquiline-containing regimen and more than 92,000 patients have been initiated on longer oral regimen till date. Treatment success rates of shorter oral regimen for the cohort April-September 2022 (around 12,000 patients) is 69 per cent and of longer oral regimen for the cohort January-September 2021 (around 15,000 patients) is 71 per cent. The improved success rates of new drug regimens is likely to translate into less number of deaths due to TB, reduced period of infectiousness of TB patients and reduced transmission of TB to others in the community leading to reduced incidence of TB. Studies at the 2023 Union World Conference on Lung Health affirm WHO-endorsed regimens' effectiveness, surpassing traditional 18- to 24-month treatments. The goal is to urge high-burden DR-TB countries to update guidelines and offer shorter treatments to all patients in need. Only 40 per cent of the 410,000 people with DR-TB in 2022 had access to the shorter regimen, as per a WHO report.  A group of experts in the country have stressed the need for introducing the BPaL regimen in the TB control programme of the country. Blessina Kumar, CEO, Global Coalition of TB Advocates, New Delhi emphasised the potential cost savings associated with its adoption, citing studies estimating a global annual savings of $740 million. With India accounting for a significant portion of global multi-drug, rifampicin-resistant (MDR/RR-TB) treated patients, she suggested that the country could save nearly $250 million per year through the implementation of this regimen. India will likely roll out the new regime soon.    TB Vaccine  Vaccination holds promise as a game-changer for TB elimination. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is conducting phase III trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two vaccines: VPM1002 and MIP (Mycobacterium indicus pranii). VPM1002 is a live vaccine based on recombinant BCG, modified for better safety and efficacy. MIP or Immuvac, originally developed for leprosy, is a whole-cell TB vaccine candidate. The trial aims to assess the effectiveness of these vaccines in preventing TB disease, among 12,721 individuals exposed to TB at home (referred to as household contacts). Enrollment for the study is complete, with participant follow-up currently ongoing, according to the pipeline report 2022 by the Treatment Action Group.  Bharat Biotech is partnering with the Spanish firm BIOFABRI to develop, manufacture, and distribute a new tuberculosis vaccine across over 70 countries in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The TB vaccine candidate by Bharat Biotech is set to enter phase-III trials soon. A Lancet study highlighted the pivotal role of nutrition in TB management. The  Reducing Activation of Tuberculosis by Improvement of Nutritional Status (RATIONS) trial demonstrated that providing food baskets to TB patients and their households reduced all forms of TB by nearly 40 per cent and infectious TB by almost 50 per cent. In 2018, the Indian government launched the 'Nikshay Poshan Yojana,' a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme to offer nutrition support to TB patients. Since its inception, the scheme has disbursed approximately Rs 2613 crore to over 95 lakh TB patients. India has indeed made significant strides in addressing TB; however, the battle against the disease is far from over. Despite enhanced detection and surveillance efforts, there's  a need to adopt newer strategies to combat TB effectively. Advances in R&D of vaccines, access to newer drug regimens, enhanced focus on nutrition will all help in propelling TB elimination goals.    Ayesha Siddiqui  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24349/rare-genetic-diseases-policy-and-insurance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24349/rare-genetic-diseases-policy-and-insurance.html Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The second Rare Genetic Disease Research Summit (REDRESS) 2023 spanned two consecutive days, the 23rd and 24th of November 2023 involving panel discussions on each day about different themes. The Day one panel discussion was themed “Rare genetic disease policy and insurance” and was chaired by Samir Sethi (Member, Indian Rett syndrome Foundation and Chairman of advocacy committee group, ORDI ) and distinguished panelists - Dr Vishwanath Pingali (Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad), Dr Neerja Gupta (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi), Prof. Sanjeev Jain (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru), MNabendu Das (Centogene, Greater Noida) and Dr Shakila N (Department of health and family welfare, Government of Karnataka, Nodal Officer for Sickle Cell Mission, Karnataka). The session was initiated with the introduction of panellists followed by discussions. The rare disease policy, which is an important framework set up by the government, was made in 2017 and was updated in 2021. The discussion highlighted the need for understanding what the policy offers and how it can be improved further. There are certain Centres of Excellence (CoEs) established by the government for rare disease diagnosis and treatments. Since these CoEs are tertiary care multi-speciality centres that are later designated as CoEs, there are some challenges associated with the system. The first challenge is to sensitize the medical staff, who otherwise receive patients with multiple medical manifestations, for the rare diseases. Due to heterogeneity of the conditions of the rare disease patients, it is difficult to tell the exact number of rare disease patients visiting the centres. Also in such conditions, the patients need to visit multiple wards and it is thus time consuming and is difficult for the patients as well as the clinicians. The procurement of the medicines, the associated paperwork, delays in receiving the drugs and the changes in the required dosage of the medicines that are weight dependent, are other associated challenges. The discussion also highlighted the importance of assortment and standardization of rare diseases definition and classification, which, due to lack of epidemiological data, is not clear in the existing rare disease policy. It was suggested that there should be a universal consensus on the parameters that classify a certain genetic condition as rare. To attract recognition and support, setting up a standard is necessary. The CoEs maintain the registry of the rare disease patients that can be used to get the prevalence data necessary for research and development. The proposition to incorporate RGDs into academic curriculum, complementing the existing courses accessible on the IAMG (Indian Academy of Medical Genetics) website, was advocated by the panellists.  Also, establishing a well-structured Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) can be brought forward which is crucial for diagnosing patients, particularly those residing in remote locations, to prevent unnecessary travel. One effective measure is the doorstep collection of samples, minimizing the need for patients to commute. The panel deliberated on the pivotal role of the government in the management and treatment of Rare Genetic Diseases (RGDs). Emphasizing the necessity of establishing unequivocal policies, the discussion underscored the government's responsibility to subsidize pharmaceuticals dedicated to the treatment of rare genetic conditions. A crucial observation underscores the potential of Government laboratories to motivate private industries to engage in the development of therapeutics for rare genetic diseases.  The need to address awareness of RGDs among people can be a milestone in dealing with respite care and disease management apart from therapeutics and diagnostics. With the RGD patient-friendly infrastructure, the focus should be on the primary concern of the patients. With the democratisation of knowledge after COVID-19, it's easier to create awareness of the therapeutics and discovery of potential drugs for RGDs. If more companies in India are established to tackle drug discovery, there will be an increase in treatment, in other words, the treatment won't be rare and hence the costs will be brought down without compromising the quality, as witnessed in the past 4-5 years. Supportive care should be the prime focus of the government, and the pavements and infrastructures should be RGD patient friendly. To avoid patient inconvenience, tele-calling facilities should be particularly formed for people suffering from RGD. Once the RGD prevalence data is clear, it can pave the way for the interests of startup builders in diagnostics and therapeutics.   Saniya Mehraj, Shivranjani Moharir, V Rajesh Iyer   Click here to read the next article on REDRESS 2023 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24291/telangana-unveils-world-economic-forums-centre-for-fourth-industrial-revolution-at-bioasia-2024.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24291/telangana-unveils-world-economic-forums-centre-for-fourth-industrial-revolution-at-bioasia-2024.html Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 On the concluding day of BioAsia 2024 on 28th February, Hyderabad witnessed the inauguration of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), marking a significant milestone in the state's journey towards innovation and technological advancement in healthcare and life sciences. Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, addressing the gathering, articulated the objectives of C4IR Telangana, emphasising its role in creating over 10,000 new job opportunities in health-tech, alongside fostering research and development (R&D) and manufacturing jobs. He outlined plans to nurture 20-25 emerging companies and startups, while also aiming to generate 10-25 novel ideas through its registry. Furthermore, Minister Babu shared the government’s vision to enhance the local workforce by skilling nearly 50,000 graduates over the next five to six years, equipping them with industry-ready capabilities for life sciences research and manufacturing. He announced the commencement of the pilot batch of the skilling initiative, featuring specialised courses in medicinal chemistry and analytical chemistry within a week. Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan commended BioAsia for fostering a platform that encourages innovations catering to India's affordability factor in healthcare. She underscored the importance of early diagnosis and prevention, particularly in light of technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI) facilitating easier diagnosis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24294/bioasia-2024-honours-5-startups-revolutionising-healthcare-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24294/bioasia-2024-honours-5-startups-revolutionising-healthcare-in-india.html Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Amidst the vibrant atmosphere at BioAsia 2024 in Hyderabad, the spotlight shone brightly on five exceptional startups, out of 75 recognised nationwide, for their groundbreaking innovations in the healthcare sector. These top innovators were honoured for their outstanding contributions to advancing healthcare access, revolutionising technology, and enhancing patient care. Plebc Innovations Pvt Ltd: This pioneering startup founded by Dr Krishna Prasad, is making waves with its teleoperated robotic ultrasound system, poised to revolutionise healthcare access in rural areas.  ZedBlox ActiPod: Leading the charge in cold chain solutions for healthcare, ZedBlox ActiPod led by Rao Korupolu - Co-Founder, CEO, has emerged as a trailblazer in developing unbreakable cold chain solutions.  UR Advanced Therapeutics Pvt Ltd: Spearheading innovation in biomaterials for tissue engineering, UR Advanced Therapeutics founded by Adinarayana Reddy Yerrapureddy and Reddy,  focuses on endoregenerative cornea, offering transformative solutions for ocular health.  Descign: Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, Descign from Hyderabad founded in 2020 by Dr Vishal Gupta, is at the forefront of digitalising life sciences and healthcare.  Lamark Biotech: Dedicated to bringing life-saving medicines within reach globally, Lamark Biotech from Tamil Nadu, led by Vaibhav Bhatia Ph.D., Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer,  is making significant strides in pharmaceutical innovation.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24348/rare-genetic-diseases-research-summit-redress-2023-unveiling-the-power-of-multi-stakeholder-engagement.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24348/rare-genetic-diseases-research-summit-redress-2023-unveiling-the-power-of-multi-stakeholder-engagement.html Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 In the complex realm of rare genetic diseases (RGDs), millions in India navigate a terrain of hardship and isolation. The Rare Genetic Diseases Research Summit (REDRESS) 2023 hosted by the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) and the Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI), along with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) as our knowledge partner, was our second national summit. This unique platform serves as a powerful catalyst for a multi-pronged approach in uniting stakeholders to accelerate diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for RGDs in India using cutting edge science and technology. Building upon the success of its inaugural year, REDRESS 2023, held on November 23rd and 24th, aimed for even greater impact. Over 50 diverse voices resonated throughout the summit, echoing from the halls of government ministries to the labs of groundbreaking researchers. Dignitaries, renowned clinicians, passionate patient advocates, and innovative industry pioneers joined forces with dedicated basic scientists and promising start-up representatives. The collective focus traversed the RGD spectrum, delving into the intricacies of basic research, cutting-edge MedTech advancements, and the complexities of running clinical trials and navigating regulatory policies. REDRESS 2023 spotlighted the vital roles of diagnostics, policy research, and industry investment in propelling progress forward developing cost-effective therapeutics. The opening session set the stage, with powerful voices leading the charge. Dr. Rakesh Mishra, Director of TIGS championed the vital need for a homegrown approach, emphasizing the importance of societal acceptance in tackling RGDs and the need to bring our collective resources and expertise to the table. Mr. Prasanna Shirol of ORDI, speaking from the heart, painted a poignant picture of the hope and challenges faced by RGD patients and their families. He highlighted how this hope is now moving towards a strong research focus, coupled with policy advocacy for acceptance. Dr BS Charan, representing the government, acknowledged the struggles faced by the community while showcasing concrete steps, such as the National Policy for Rare Diseases and the expansion of Centres of Excellence, to address these challenges head-on. He highlighted several steps to improve access and bring these patients closer to available solutions. However, REDRESS 2023 did not merely preach from a podium. The agenda vibrated with the pulse of collaboration. Researchers exchanged crucial insights across various RGDs, forging bonds that promise to bridge research gaps and accelerate the development of life-changing diagnostics and treatments. The need for policy reforms, ensuring easier access to healthcare and research opportunities for patients, resonated throughout the halls, finding passionate advocates in patient groups and policymakers alike. Empowering patients to participate in research and decision-making processes was another key theme, recognizing their indispensable role in shaping the future of RGD research. The impact of REDRESS transcends the confines of the two-day event. The discussions, collaborations, and action points set in motion the pathways to accelerate solutions in the RGD field. With each REDRESS summit, the hope flickers brighter, promising a future where rare diseases are no longer rare in terms of attention, resources, and, most importantly, hope.   Saveetha Meganathan and Surabhi Srivastava   Click here to read the next article on REDRESS 2023   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24262/miltenyi-biotec-to-open-cell-and-gene-therapy-centre-of-excellence-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24262/miltenyi-biotec-to-open-cell-and-gene-therapy-centre-of-excellence-in-hyderabad.html Tue, 27 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 German firm Miltenyi Biotec is launching operations in India with its first office and investing to set up Miltenyi Innovation and Technology Center as Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Hyderabad. This COE will be one of its first of its kind in India where scientists, researchers, industry experts and clinicians can get classroom to hands-on trainings on cell and gene therapy approaches right from proof of concept to pre-clinical / clinical development and commercialisation. This CoE also will provide Indian researchers, scientists and clinicians easier access to expertise, research, and manufacturing solutions. Each year, more than 10,000 patients are treated with cell products using Miltenyi Biotec’s technologies. More than  950 investigational new drug (IND) applications as well as investigational device exemptions (IDE) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are using Miltenyi Biotec’s technologies and platforms.  In doing so, the company is well poised to enable local development and manufacturing in India to drive affordable and accessible CGT therapies by academia and industry for Indian as well as global patients. Dr Boris Stoffel, Miltenyi Biotec’s Managing Director, highlighted that the company intends to seek opportunities to catalyse development of CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T cell clinical development and manufacturing, with the prospect of bringing centralised and point-of-care CAR T cell therapy to hospitals across India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24257/techinvention-lifecare-invests-15-m-into-global-collaborative-centre-for-medical-countermeasures-in-navi-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24257/techinvention-lifecare-invests-15-m-into-global-collaborative-centre-for-medical-countermeasures-in-navi-mumbai.html Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant stride towards enhancing global health security and pandemic preparedness, TechInvention Lifecare has announce the ground breaking of its Global Collaborative Centre for Medical Countermeasures (GCMC) with an investment of approx. $15 million. The centre is strategically located close to the upcoming international airport in Navi Mumbai. GCMC has been acknowledged for its global significance at the 2nd World Local Production Forum in The Hague on 6-8 November 2023, organised by the WHO. The objective of GCMC is well aligned to WHO’s call to action, CEPI’s 100 days mission, India’s National Biotechnology Development Strategy (2020-2025), and other global key initiatives. This facility will serve the needs of both public and private organisations, such as academic institutes, startups, MSMEs, and R&D organisations, to provide a comprehensive ecosystem, facilitating the transition from R&D to GMP-scale production for pre-clinical/clinical batches with required regulatory approvals.  GCMC is a unique eco-friendly centre to cater to crucial medical countermeasures, the entire cycle of vaccine development, from strain to supply, biotherapeutics and diagnostics for both human and veterinary segments, while ensuring sustainable manufacturing.  Syed S. Ahmed, Director and CEO of TechInvention, said, “The current challenges posed in biologics equity arise from the disparity in translational research dissemination from the centres of excellence to the regional manufacturing ‘hub and spoke’ model setups. We believe that GCMC would be the needed intervention, strengthening the hubs by providing ‘scaled-up’, regulatory-approved, cost-effective, and free of IP infringement Biosolutions sourced from both indigenous research and centres of excellence worldwide”.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24264/iit-k-licenses-innovative-bone-regeneration-technology-to-canada-based-conlis-global.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24264/iit-k-licenses-innovative-bone-regeneration-technology-to-canada-based-conlis-global.html Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Conlis Global Inc. for licensing of an innovative new technology that promotes bone healing and regeneration. Conlis Global Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Canada that helps to bring products from R&D to the market. The MOU was signed by Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of Resources and Development IIT-K, and Dr Sumrita Bhat, CEO, Conlis Global Inc.  The technology, “Nano Hydroxyapatite-Based Porous Polymer Composite Scaffolds for Bioactive Molecule Delivery in Musculoskeletal Regeneration” has been developed by Prof. Ashok Kumar and his team from the Department of Biological Sciences & Bioengineering at IIT-K. The novel Nano Hydroxyapatite based Porous Composite Scaffolds technology is biodegradable and has osteoinductive (bone healing process) and osteopromotive (material for new bone growth) properties for bone regeneration. They are highly biocompatible resulting in good cell material interaction with osteoblast cells (cells responsible for mineralisation of bone during bone formation and bone remodelling), exhibiting a high mechanical strength and interaction between the polymer network and the solvent. These functionalised scaffolds can be used as fillers in large size bone defects, without compromising the connectivity and structural defects, oxygen and blood circulation thereby enhancing tissue formation, mineralization, and rapid defect healing. It can also be used as bone substitute, overcoming autograft limitations. The primary objective of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the existing remedies, other alternatives have been associated with infection and immune related complications. Henceforth, this technology provides an approach for the delivery of bone active molecules, antibiotics or any other drug for combating the bone pathologies, reconstruction of irregular bone defects and for dental applications as well. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24220/ai-and-biotechnology-lead-funding-in-india-with-advanced-materials-emerging-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24220/ai-and-biotechnology-lead-funding-in-india-with-advanced-materials-emerging-report.html Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The India Deep Science Tech report is an in-depth analysis of the latest investment trends in the sector. For the first time ever, Ankur Capital and Tech Sprouts provide a ringside view of building IP-led technology companies from seed to commercial scale. Deep science tech innovations are driven by fundamental advances in four fields: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biotechnology, Advanced Materials and Electronics & Photonics. The new report deep dives into the investment trends, key breakthroughs in the space, and emerging opportunities in each technology vertical.  The report reveals that AI and biotechnology have historically dominated India's funding landscape (80% of total investments since 2010), with advanced materials gaining momentum in recent years. ‍Investments in India's biotechnology sector surged post COVID-19, with nearly $900 million allocated between 2013-2023, driven by a focus on therapeutics, diagnostics, and sustainable agri-food technologies. Key investments include Molbio Diagnostics' and Bugworks'. The agri-food industry has seen growth in innovations like biostimulants and alternative proteins, with notable investments in companies like String Bio and Sea6 Energy. M&A, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, offer exit pathways in the sector.  Recent years have seen a notable increase in follow-on funding for early AI ventures, with 2022 witnessing five investments exceeding $10M, underscoring a growing interest despite a slowdown in fresh investment. Indian deep science AI companies have predominantly focused on spectral image and genomic data analysis for applications ranging from diagnostics to robots to satellite imagery. According to the report, investment in deep science tech startups has consistently doubled every three years since 2010, with projections to surpass $10 billion by 2029, indicating robust growth and investor confidence. The number of investment rounds exceeding $5 million has doubled every three years. Since 2017, follow-on rounds have outpaced fresh funding, signaling investor commitment to doubling down on scale-up.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24211/biocair-expands-operations-in-india-by-opening-office-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24211/biocair-expands-operations-in-india-by-opening-office-in-bengaluru.html Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Biocair, an award-winning global life science logistics expert, has announced the opening of its office in Bengaluru on February 13, the company’s fourth office in India.  Spread over 2500 square feet, Neha Naik, General Manager Biocair India, inaugurated the new office in the presence of customers and key partners. Biocair has a presence in the country since 2021 with its corporate office in Mumbai, and other locations in New Delhi and Chennai.  Neha said “The pharma business in India is worth about $50 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $100 billion by 2030 - we want to be part of this growing market. With an increasing customer base, Biocair India’s team of logistics experts provide 24/7 collection, delivery and support including weekends and holidays, with on-site training available. With the opening of the Bengaluru office, we are eagerly looking forward to further collaborating with our customers and moving science forward in India. “ Commenting about Biocair’s unique partnership approach, Ms. Naik said “Our local experts based in India assist with regulatory and documentation requirements for import/export. The result is a new offering that enables operational and supply chain excellence in the rapidly expanding Indian R&D and healthcare sectors.” Biocair has built up a unique, client-centric approach by employing scientists in front-line logistics positions and assembling a team of best-in-class industry experts in quality, cold chain and regulatory compliance. As members of the many regulatory associations such as UK Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and The International Air Transport Association (IATA), and having certifications such as ISO 9001:2015 and wholesale dealer licence from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Biocair is extensively qualified to manage time and temperature-sensitive biopharma materials. Since 1986, Biocair has established a global reputation as a leading GDP logistics specialist within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and life sciences sectors. With around 550 colleagues worldwide providing specialist logistics services to more than 160 countries through a global network of partners, Biocair offices are located in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, USA, South Africa, China, Singapore and India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24178/iit-g-pioneers-nanotech-advancements-in-healthcare-with-new-clean-room-facilities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24178/iit-g-pioneers-nanotech-advancements-in-healthcare-with-new-clean-room-facilities.html Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, S. Krishnan recently inaugurated the groundbreaking SWASTHA project and the state-of-the-art ISO 5 and 6 Clean Room Facilities at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati’s Centre for Nanotechnology. Supported by MeitY, the Centre of Excellence on SWASTHA, "Smart Wearable Advanced nanoSensing Technologies in Healthcare ASICs," aims to revolutionise healthcare through advanced nanoelectronic theranostic devices. The project aims to deliver high-quality products and prototypes in micro/nano electronics and nanomaterials, with a focus on healthcare and energy applications. It emphasises innovation, scientific collaboration, and technological progress. The state-of-the-art ISO 5 and 6 Clean Room Facilities are the first of their kind in the North Eastern region of India. They are dedicated to promoting awareness and training in micro/nano electronic fabrication, facilitating industrial research and development, and supporting the Indian Nanoelectronics Users Programme (INUP). Jointly sponsored by MeitY and IIT Guwahati, these facilities create a controlled environment suitable for nanoelectronics and nanomaterial fabrication, semiconductor devices fabrication, quantum technologies development, enabling fundamental and translational research. Housed with the state-of-the-art equipment for device fabrication and development, including Electron Beam Lithography and Reactive Ion Etching, this enables the development of devices such as Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), Organic and hybrid photovoltaic devices, Field-Effect Transistor (FET), Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW), and Microfluidic-based Sensors, utilising advanced fabrication techniques. The project and facilities are geared towards high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Deep-Tech invention and innovation, startup support, entrepreneurship development, long-term sustainability, capacity building, revenue generation, and collaboration with experts in India and abroad for both academia and industry professionals.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24180/bioasia-2024-collaborates-with-ministry-of-micro-small-and-medium-enterprises.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24180/bioasia-2024-collaborates-with-ministry-of-micro-small-and-medium-enterprises.html Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 With BioAsia slated to be organised in Hyderabad from February 26-28, the event has announced a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, to spotlight India's prowess in the life sciences sector. The 21st edition of BioAsia 2024 is anticipated to draw over 3,000 participants from more than 50 countries, with significant registrations already pouring in despite the event being seven weeks away. Nearly 200 companies have enrolled for the exhibition, aiming to exhibit groundbreaking advancements and cutting-edge technologies in healthcare. Notably, the event will feature prominent government dignitaries, industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and other delegates, exploring the theme of "Data & AI: Redefining Possibilities" to discuss reshaping the future of healthtech delivery in the country. By partnering with MSME, BioAsia 2024 aims to become a premier platform for fostering growth and innovation within the MSME sector. According to Sridhar Babu, Minister for Industries, Government of Telangana, this collaboration underscores BioAsia’s commitment, aligning with the government's vision to promote the growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises, pivotal to India’s burgeoning life sciences industry. As part of the collaboration, BioAsia will host a dedicated MSME Pavilion, providing a unique opportunity for Micro, Small, and Medium-Scale Enterprises to forge partnerships, expand businesses, and showcase India’s prowess in the global life sciences arena. Through the Procurement and Market Support (PMS)-Market Access Initiatives of the Development and Facilitation Office (DFO), the cost of participation for MSMEs is subsidised up to 100 per cent. "The new government of Telangana is dedicated to fostering the growth of MSMEs as the driving force of our economy. BioAsia 2024 will provide a great platform for MSMEs to thrive, innovate, and contribute to the advancement of the life sciences sector in the state," said the Minister. He expressed optimism that this collaborative endeavour would enhance technical acumen, bolster infrastructure, optimise resource utilisation, and lay a strong foundation for future growth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24122/can-organoids-usher-in-cheap-and-effective-cancer-therapeutics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24122/can-organoids-usher-in-cheap-and-effective-cancer-therapeutics.html Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Dozens of science and technology development payloads returned to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) as SpaceX’s 29th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission, contracted by NASA, successfully concluded on December 22, 2023. More than 30 payloads sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory returned on this mission, many of which were life science investigations aimed at benefiting humanity by improving care for patients on Earth. One among the payloads was an investigation from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), which studied microgravity's effects on stem-cell derived brain organoids (lab grown replicas of human organs). The brain organoids were employed as surrogates, where the lab-grown brain models derived from human stem cells served as windows into the human brain’s response to space-related stressors. The researchers believe that the results from this study could possibly lead to new ways to treat dementia, Alzheimer's, and other neurodegenerative conditions.  By definition, organoids are three‐dimensional (3D) miniaturised versions of organs or tissues that are derived from stem cells and have the potential to self‐organise and differentiate into 3D cell masses, recapitulating the morphology and functions of their in vivo counterparts. Organoid culture is an emerging 3D culture technology, and organoids derived from various organs and tissues, such as the eyes, brain, lung, heart, liver, and kidney, have been developed across the world by researchers for various medical purposes.  When compared with traditional bidimensional (2D) culture, organoid culture systems have the unique advantage of conserving parental gene expression and mutation characteristics, as well as long‐term maintenance of the function and biological characteristics of the parental cells in vitro. All these features of organoids open up new opportunities for drug discovery, large‐scale drug screening, and precision medicine.  Further, organoid technology has emerged as a rapidly growing field that has the potential to revolutionize the way diseases are studied and treated. This emerging technology has improved the chance of translatability of drugs for preclinical therapies and mimicking of the complexity of organs, proposing numerous approaches for human disease modelling, tissue engineering, drug development, diagnosis, and regenerative medicine.  Organoid technology stands out as having a major market, with a lot of scientific and business advancements in the fields of stem cells and tissue regeneration. A report by Future Market Insights predicts a 13 per cent CAGR for the global organoids industry between 2023 and 2033, driven by their increasing role in drug discovery, personalised medicine, and disease modelling. By 2033, the market is expected to reach $205.3 million, significantly expanding from its 2023 value of $60.4 million.    Why India is Bullish on Organoid Tech  Organoid technology in India may be at a nascent stage, but some significant developments are undeniably taking place. Several research institutions in the country are actively exploring organoids for various applications like drug discovery, disease modelling, and personalised medicine. Initiatives like the Department of Biotechnology's ‘Mission Innovation for Drug Discovery’ is further fuelling this research landscape.  Before we go ahead onto knowing some of those details on organoid-based research activities taking place in India, we need to know where organoid technology scores better than other drug testing technologies. Firstly, organoid technology provides researchers with a platform for conducting laboratory studies on living diseased tissue, which is impossible to accomplish in patients. It can create human modelling systems in a petri dish, which can be used to develop and test medications before they go through costly clinical trials.  Secondly, the ban on animal testing in various regions and the growing ethical concerns over animal source usage is contributing to the rise in organoid tech. The low translational efficiency of animal models to humans is drawing a lot of attention towards organoids and organ-on-chip. Few years back, a road-map was drawn by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) regarding alternatives to animals in research in India and it also held a special session in January 2018 to discuss latest developments in new human-relevant model systems. Sharing a few pertinent points about the advantages of organoid technology, Dr Dwijit GuhaSarkar, Lead Scientist, Organoid Laboratory, Tata Translational Cancer Research Centre (TTCRC), Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, says, “Animal models, though more physiologically and clinically relevant and being an in vivo (inside body) system, suffers from several limitations. The test (e.g., drug response) can be influenced by the animal system, which is often different from the human system. It is usually highly expensive, time consuming and definitely not scalable for high throughput screens. Whereas, Patient Derived Organoids (PDOs) are developed from human primary cells. While this is an ex vivo (outside body) system, it still recapitulates the 3D context of tissue microenvironment. PDOs also capture the individual differences (thus personalised model). Moreover, unlike animal models, organoids are scalable for high throughput drug screens within a turnaround time that is clinically relevant for personalised medicine. So, in short, this model system retains most of the advantages of both the conventional models.”   According to Dr GuhaSarkar, the pre-clinical testing of potential drug molecules will be much faster with organoid tech. He adds, “It will also be cost-effective as animal studies for large numbers of molecules is prohibitively expensive. Moreover, finding an alternative to animal use in research is ethically a better approach. Personalised medicine is a feasible idea with PDOs because of the clinically relevant turnaround time unlike animal studies.” Another point to consider is that India's diverse and large population provides a readily available source of biomaterial for organoid generation. This facilitates personalised medicine research and allows for studying various disease models relevant to the Indian context. Anushka Banerjee, Scientific Development and Communication Officer at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, says, “I believe, organoids provide a more physiologically-relevant environment in which we can study diseases and more importantly, accurate drug responses at the pre-clinical research stage, minimising late-stage development failures. This is complemented by genomic data analytics in relevant human – like models, that provides insights into underlying genetic causes and therefore, helps identify potential molecular drug targets and companion diagnostic biomarkers.” Several laboratories across the country are now increasingly leaning towards organoids. One of the notable pioneers is IIT Madras, which joined hands with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on some exciting organoid-based research, specifically focusing on growing human brain tissue. The researchers have developed a 3D printed bioreactor that enables the growth of human brain tissues to study the tissue in its growth and developmental stage. The study will facilitate in accelerating the medical and therapeutic discoveries for diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Also, researchers at the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) in Pune, India, have developed patient-derived brain organoids from paediatric glioblastoma, a highly aggressive and often fatal childhood brain cancer. These organoids capture the unique genetic and biological features of each patient's tumour, offering a more personalised approach to understanding and treating the disease. Not only are research studies happening at different institutions, but a few companies are also showing potential interest. In April 2023, InSphero AG announced that the company is making their patented Akura 96 and 384 Spheroid Microplates available to researchers in the Indian market by signing a distribution agreement with Bionova Supplies in biotechnology and scientific instruments.   Organoids, Genomics, and Cancer Therapeutics While cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, hurdles remain in bringing new cancer therapies to patients, with up to 97 percent  of drug candidates claimed to be failing in clinical trials. Hence, in this scenario, the synergy between organoid technology and genomics is revolutionising cancer therapy by offering a more precise and personalised approach. Researchers collectively opine that unlike traditional cell cultures, organoids have the ability to retain the intricate architecture and cell-cell interactions of their original tumours, mimicking their diverse genetic makeup and drug sensitivities. This allows researchers to study how different populations within a single tumour behave and respond to treatment, providing valuable insights into tumour evolution and resistance.  Organoids are giving a new lease of life to many rare cancers and its therapies that have no defined treatment pathways so far. Breakthroughs in understanding the cancer pathology and drug discovery using organoid in such cases go a long way. For example, in April 2023, scientists from the Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology and the Hubrecht Institute in the Netherlands reported that organoids and CRISPR-Cas9 permitted them to acquire more knowledge into the tumours biology and biological ramifications of various changes to DNA in fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), a rare form of child’s liver cancer. Dr Dwijit GuhaSarkar, being a scientist in the translational cancer research field, opines that in cancer, the most challenging issue is heterogeneity – the same type of cancer in different patients behave differently with respect to drug treatment. “Even within the same patient, tumour is not homogeneous and that is why, while some cancer cells are killed by a certain drug, other cancer cells can be resistant. These resistant cancer cells eventually cause recurrence, which often results in the patient's demise. PDOs are models that can recapitulate these genetic, epigenetic heterogeneity at a personalised level in the tissue culture system. Therefore, it is possible to find out what alternative drugs (already approved or new drugs) or new combinations of existing drugs can be effective for a particular patient's tumour which is otherwise resistant to the standard of care treatment”, adds Dr GuhaSarkar.  “Currently available alternative treatment approaches, such as monoclonal therapies or engineered cell (CAR-T) therapies are effective but extremely expensive and beyond the reach of most patients in India. PDO-based testing approaches can help identify alternative chemotherapeutic drugs that are indigenous developed or already approved for other treatments which can be repurposed without causing a significant financial burden to the patients.” While organoid technology might already be futuristic, the projected trend is pointing towards the convergence of organoids, genomics, and AI-based high-throughput screening (HTS). It is anticipated that the synergy of organoids, genomics, and AI-driven HTS holds immense promise for accelerating drug discovery and improving patient outcomes in fascinating ways. Progress in the field of AI/ML-based programmes has remarkably broadened the applications of 3D culture-based technologies, like many other fields, enabling handling of high throughput complex data analysis and drug response predicting model development. Scientist Anushka Banerjee cannot agree more on this development. She says, “The organoid-genomics duo technologies have immense potential, especially in drug development for cancer research and treatment. Personalised medicine is the cornerstone of the future of drug development. The combination of genomics and organoid research allows us to analyse patient-specific, tumour microenvironment, which enables accurate testing of potential drug response, while providing insights into genetic changes that drive the disease in each individual and therefore, personalised targets – personalised therapy. This overall systems biology-led synergy can enhance the efficacy and specificity of cancer treatments.”  Sharing some valuable knowledge on the synergy, Dr Vishnu Akhil Raj Kumar Yerra, Founder, Innovation Without Limits Garage, Raipur, says, “Organoid patterns can be analysed from various perspectives. For instance, examining the physical response of organoids to drug exposure – including changes in temperature, density, and other physical parameters – is crucial. Additionally, the analysis extends to biochemical parameters, ranging from ions to biomolecules, and encompasses various imaging techniques like ultrasound, elastography, thermal scanning, X-rays, and MRI. Histopathology remains a fundamental, gold-standard technique, utilising various staining methods to highlight changes pre- and post-drug exposure. Compiling these diverse parameters into a comprehensive dataset, which varies with different drug concentrations, is a complex task. Developing an intricate mathematical framework that can effectively correlate these parameters with drug efficacy in disease treatment is crucial for advancing our understanding”. Adds Dr Yerra, in the realm of biomolecules and organoid patterns associated with disease states, similarly complex architectures are required. These systems must be capable of processing varied variables and yielding meaningful insights into the organoid responses under different disease conditions. Thus, the integration of neural networks and artificial intelligence is vital for decoding and understanding the intricate patterns exhibited by organoids in response to drug treatments, patterns which are otherwise challenging to interpret.”    Leveraging Versatility of Organoids Ever since scientists have found ways of culturing organ-specific tissue from stem cells it has ushered in numerous abilities to change the way diseases are studied and treated. These mini lab organs are proposing big dreams, revealing cancer's and many other diseases’ hidden codes, eventually rewriting the future of personalised medicine. Organoid technology is certainly bringing a paradigm shift in biomedical research and drug development and its versatility and precision is opening new avenues for understanding complex diseases and discovering potential therapeutic interventions. While organoid technology comes with a huge set of advantages, it has its own limitations. Challenging culture requirements and a lack of commercially available cultivation media systems are limiting the experimental abilities. However, companies like Thermo Fisher are working towards addressing the limitations. In mid 2023, the company launched OncoPro Tumoroid Culture Medium Kit, which is their new off-the-shelf, modular tumoroid culture medium kit that is designed to make complex cancer models more accessible to researchers. Therefore, to imagine a world where rare diseases have cures, complex health conditions are better understood, and cancer treatment is specifically tailored to each individual, the power of organoids needs to be leveraged. By fostering open collaboration and integrating expertise in these cutting-edge technologies, the potential to supercharge disease-centric research and transform biomedicine is absolutely possible.    Anusha Ashwin   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24124/refocusing-on-rare-diseases-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24124/refocusing-on-rare-diseases-.html Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The scientific community has a critical role to play in accelerating rare disease research and contributing to improving diagnosis and treatment. Although innovations in sequencing technology and machine learning approaches are positively affecting diagnostic success, more coordinated efforts are needed to move towards effective therapies for this important, and underestimated, class of diseases, which is not so rare any longer. In November 2023, the Union Health Ministry authorised the sale of four generic medications for the treatment of rare diseases. This approval is a significant milestone in the fight against rare diseases in India. These approved indigenous products, along with other products yet to be approved, will aid patients suffering from rare diseases by improving quality of life as well as overall healthcare outcomes. However, a major obstacle to effectively combating rare diseases in India is the lack of awareness and inadequate diagnosis in the country, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. The four approved medications are used to treat Wilson’s disease, Gaucher’s disease, Tyrosinemia Type I and Dravet-Lennox Gastaut syndrome. Earlier, these therapies were imported to India and would cost Rs 1.8- 3.6 crore for annual treatment. With this approval, patients with rare diseases can now access these therapies at a significantly reduced cost of Rs 3- 6 lakh, which is 100 times less than the imported therapies. Over the next few months, the ministry is expected to release medications for additional rare illnesses, such as hyperammonaemia and phenylketonuria. Furthermore, in December 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of first gene therapies to treat patients with Sickle Cell Disease, a rare, debilitating and life-threatening blood disorder with significant unmet need. The new technical advances in rare disease genetics research that apply the latest technologies to improve diagnosis ensures an exciting time ahead but a lot more needs to be done. The rare disease research is currently very siloed and often organised around single disorders. A more integrated structure with appropriate support for researchers to coordinate across rare diseases is required to minimise redundant efforts, increase efficiency, potentially accelerate development and the implementation of successful therapies in India and around the world.   Challenges surrounding Research & Innovation for Genetic Diseases The estimated burden of rare genetic diseases is 72- 96 million in India and the average time for diagnosis is 7 years. No effective treatment is available for many of the disorders and less than 5 per cent have therapies. Thus, the right diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving the quality of the life of patients. Quoting an example, Dr Jogin Desai, Chief Executive Office, Eyestem Research says, “Retinitis pigmentosa is a rare congenital retinal disease which is significantly underdiagnosed due to lack of awareness leading to insufficient data and thus societal inaction. We need to integrate genetic insights into societal knowledge, and lay the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of these often-overlooked conditions.”  From the diagnostic perspective, the optical genome mapping test is garnering attention as a highly advanced diagnostic tool that uses cutting-edge technology to provide a comprehensive and accurate assessment of genetic changes in patients. Optical genome mapping can be used for accurate diagnosis where more common or traditional techniques fail. Explaining the clinical utility of optical genome mapping, Dr Karthik Bharadwaj, Scientist, Genetic disorders- Diagnostics, CSIR- Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) says, “Optical Genome Mapping is automated and performs with more than 95 per cent sensitivity. In a case of Hemophilia A where whole exome sequencing was not able to report a common mutation, optical genome mapping has helped in identifying inversion in intron 22. In another case with developmental delay, dysmorphism, a balanced translocation was identified in chromosome 12 showing ~16mb, fusion depicting copy number gain.  Other examples include fragile X and disruption of AUTS2 gene. However, the limitations with optical genome mapping include lack of adequate reference data, inability to detect structural variants across acrocentric regions and poorly labelled regions.”  On the other hand, big pharma companies, by virtue of their resources and influence, are making efforts in developing new drugs and therapies for rare diseases in India, but there are multiple challenges that lie ahead of them. Because of the low number of affected populations with rare genetic diseases, they have been recognised in the Orphan Drug Act 1983 which is formulated for drugs with a limited market. With the narrow market, drug manufacturers need some incentives to invest in this cause. Therefore, the government needs to formulate certain laws to boost the production of these drugs indigenously.  Another possible challenge that can come across in developing therapies is in the form of market challenges or small population sizes. Even after developing therapies, the challenge of the market comes with high costs and with the idea of developing drugs for a small population, thus the industry interference is limited. This can be tackled by introducing smart acceleratory pathways from government funding and certain waivers for clinical trials. There is a need to look through a global perspective, and the stringent rules that hinder pharmaceutical companies from looking into rare diseases.  According to Dr Rita Sarin, Advisor, Intellectual Property, “We cannot overlook the financial hurdles hindering drug development for rare diseases. The lengthy, expensive process of creating a drug molecule is a major deterrent for pharmaceutical companies due to low returns. Further, there are intricacies of licensing and patenting. To ensure success in indigenous medication development, collaborative research should be fostered by integrating research pipelines, paving the way for industry-academia to drive innovations.”  Adding his perspective, Dr Ashwin Dalal, Head, Diagnostics Division, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, highlights “India's substantial contribution to the rare genetic disease burden is due to its vast population and diversity. There is absence of a specific rare disease definition due to inadequate epidemiological data. Traditional diagnostics have shifted from cytogenetics to next generation sequencing (NGS), yet treatment cost remains a challenge. For determining disease prevalence and carrier frequency, technologies like exome sequencing can be used. Also, there are various country-level initiatives like India's Rare Disease Policy under which 12 centres of excellence (CoEs) have been established across the country . The National Policy for Rare Diseases categorises rare genetic diseases into three groups, granting eligible patients financial aid and offering up to Rs 50 lakh for select patients but that remains a temporary solution.”  Laying focus on the CoEs, these are tertiary care multi-speciality centres which come with their own set of challenges. The first challenge is to sensitise the medical staff for the rare diseases, who otherwise receive patients with multiple medical manifestations. Due to heterogeneity of the conditions of the rare disease patients, it is difficult to tell the exact number of rare disease patients visiting the centres. Also in such conditions, the patients need to visit multiple wards and it is thus time consuming and difficult for the patients as well as the clinicians. The procurement of the medicines, the associated paperwork, delays in receiving the drugs and the changes in the required dosage of the medicines that are weight dependent, are other associated challenges.   What's the right approach? With the democratisation of knowledge after COVID-19, it is easier to create awareness of therapeutics and discovery of potential drugs for rare disease. If more companies in India are established to tackle drug discovery, there will be an increase in treatment, i.e. the treatment would not be rare and hence the costs will be brought down gradually. But how do we translate this in the form of a permanent solution? "A few success stories are all that are needed for a model to go forward. We need to make prenatal and newborn screening mandatory for treatable disorders. Exploring repurposed and low-cost drugs is required, establishing infrastructure for drug testing, and fostering collaboration partnerships between government, administrative and private stakeholders - both in R&D and policy is required. Building strong partnerships between researchers, clinicians, and industry stakeholders; utilising cutting edge technologies such as CRISPR and mRNA technologies to bring down costs and ensure quality manufacturing; exploring philanthropic funding, CSR initiatives, and the National Research Foundation; and creating a federation of databases and leveraging digital tools for virtual consultations are some of the key strategies to be implemented”, says Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director, Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) India. A crucial observation underscores the potential of government laboratories to motivate private companies to engage in the development of therapeutics for rare genetic diseases.  The need to address awareness of these diseases among people can be a milestone in dealing with respite care and disease management apart from therapeutics and diagnostics. “Early diagnosis; epidemiological data collection; therapeutics availability and affordability; awareness and expertise development; and dedicated research initiative are some of the various ways in which the government is supporting rare genetic disease research. To address the critical challenges of therapeutic availability and affordability, there should be an increase in the number of grants, more collaboration, and networking efforts”, says Dr Nabendu Chatterjee, Biochemist, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric diseases. He further advocates for existing government initiatives such as genomics projects, networking between patient advocacy groups and other stakeholders, therapeutics development for inherited rare diseases, and the National Apex Committee: National Consortium for Research and Development on Therapeutics in Rare Diseases (NCRDTRD).  The need for policy reforms, ensuring easier access to healthcare and research opportunities for patients, is resonating across the ecosystem. It all requires integration in order to set in motion the pathways to accelerate solutions in the rare genetic diseases field.   Dr Manbeena Chawla (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com)   (Key takeaways of this article are based on the inputs provided by various experts at the Rare Genetic Diseases Research Summit (REDRESS) 2023 hosted by the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) and the Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI), along with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) as the knowledge partner, with BioSpectrum as the media partner)   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/24143/india-must-leverage-its-rich-resources-to-establish-phage-libraries-and-cocktails.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/24143/india-must-leverage-its-rich-resources-to-establish-phage-libraries-and-cocktails.html Tue, 30 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 How is research in India contributing to the development of novel bacteriophage-based technologies, such as phage engineering or phage cocktails? In India, a substantial number of laboratories are actively engaged in bacteriophage research. The pioneering efforts of Dr Chhiber, Dr Gopal Nath, Dr Urmi Bajpai, and others have laid a robust foundation for bacteriophage-related studies. Presently, more than 20 to 30 research facilities across the country are dedicated to isolating and characterising bacteriophages, with a specific focus on combating pathogens prioritised by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Notably, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has recently announced the establishment of a Phage Bank. This Phage Bank houses fully characterised bacteriophages and cocktails tailored for targeting all ICMR listed priority pathogens. While bacteriophage engineering is an emerging field in India, it is essential to highlight that substantial progress has been made in the study of endolysins. These enzymes, produced by phages, play a critical role in creating breaches in bacterial cell walls. Many research laboratories in India have successfully developed enhanced variants of endolysins with improved activity.   What is the current market size of bacteriophage-based products and therapies in India, and how is it projected to grow in the coming years? Estimating the market size of bacteriophage-based products in India presents a challenge due to their vast potential applications, ranging from phage therapy to aquaculture, poultry, and plant protection. Nevertheless, based on various estimates, it is projected to reach approximately $50 million by the year 2030. This growth is further substantiated by recent developments, such as the establishment of a new production facility in Nasik by Proteom Biotech, a Polish company. Additionally, several other companies are currently in the process of setting up pilot-scale plants for bacteriophage production, underscoring the increasing interest and investment in this promising field.   Bacteriophages have shown significant promise in tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) due to their ability to target and kill specific bacterial strains. Please elaborate on this statement and also share some examples from India-based success stories of AMR tackling phages and also add a note on its effectiveness compared to traditional antibiotics?  AMR is indeed a far more significant and pressing issue than it might initially appear, primarily due to underreporting. According to estimations, the toll of AMR could result in more than 10 million deaths by 2023. This looming crisis is exacerbated by the extremely limited availability of new antibiotics in the market, making it an incredibly challenging problem to address. In this dire context, bacteriophages are emerging as one of the most promising solutions to combat AMR infections. With the scarcity of effective antibiotics, bacteriophages offer a viable alternative. In India, there have been approximately 200 patients successfully treated with phage therapy, boasting an impressive success rate exceeding 80%. This number is steadily increasing as more clinicians and infection prevention specialists embrace this innovative technology. The adoption of bacteriophages holds significant promise in the fight against the growing threat of AMR.   Are there any unique indigenous bacteriophage strains or resources in India that offer a competitive advantage or research opportunities? Yes, India being highly populous country and various other factors do play a role in the bacterial diversity found in our wastewaters, hospitals waste waters and other environmental samples. This unique environment presents an exceptional opportunity to isolate a wide range of divergent bacteriophages. These bacteriophages can exhibit specificity towards various pathogens, making India an ideal setting for their discovery. It is imperative to leverage this rich resource to establish comprehensive phage libraries and cocktails. These collections can prove highly effective against a broad spectrum of bacterial infections. By tapping into the wealth of bacteriophages in India's diverse microbial ecosystems, we can potentially develop innovative solutions for combating infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance on a global scale. This approach holds great promise for the future of healthcare and pathogen control.   What is the regulatory landscape for bacteriophage-based therapies and products in India, and how is it evolving to accommodate this emerging field? The regulatory framework for bacteriophages and phage therapy is currently in its early stages of development in India. However, it is widely recognised that bacteriophages are a natural part of the human microbiome, and as such, they typically do not elicit significant immune responses or other adverse effects. This understanding aligns with the principles outlined in the Helsinki Declaration. Under the Helsinki Declaration, bacteriophages or phage therapy can be administered to patients on compassionate grounds. The primary requirements include certification from two treating clinicians and informed consent from the patient. This approach acknowledges the urgency and need for innovative treatments, particularly when conventional antibiotics may not be effective. Furthermore, the ICMR is actively engaged in shaping the regulatory framework for bacteriophages. Researchers are encouraged to provide additional data and insights to contribute to the development of a more comprehensive regulatory framework. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment to advancing phage therapy as a viable option for addressing infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance in India.   What are the challenges and limitations of using bacteriophages in India, such as issues related to production, purification, stability, and delivery methods?  The primary challenge lies in the realm of regulation. The absence of clear guidelines has led to hesitancy among clinicians to adopt this approach. Moreover, India currently lacks a dedicated phage bank or repository where fully characterised, ready-to-use bacteriophages are stored. Establishing such a repository is pivotal in making phage therapy a viable alternative. Interestingly, institutions like the BARC are taking steps to fill this gap. They are in the process of establishing a Phage Bank, housing fully characterised bacteriophages and phage cocktails, ready for deployment.  Furthermore, efforts are underway to set up production facilities capable of culturing up to 10 liters of bacteriophages. Nevertheless, the pressing need is for universally applicable protocols and production guidelines that can be uniformly implemented across all production facilities.   Can you share some information on the ongoing clinical trials or research projects related to bacteriophages in India, and what are their objectives and outcomes? Vitalis Phage, Delhi collaborates with numerous hospitals and clinicians in the practice of phage therapy, not as part of formal clinical trials. To the best of my knowledge, Dr Gopal Nath at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has conducted several clinical trials, primarily focused on chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and trauma wounds resulting from road accidents. The results of these trials have been highly promising.   What is the level of public awareness and acceptance of bacteriophages as an alternative to antibiotics in India, and are there any public health campaigns promoting their use? Awareness of phage therapy remains relatively low, even among clinicians who are only beginning to familiarise themselves with this innovative approach to infection treatment. However, recent conferences like International Conference on Bacteriophage Research and Antimicrobial Resistance (ICBRAR-2023) have played a pivotal role in disseminating information about phage therapy. As a result, an increasing number of clinicians are showing interest in adopting this alternative therapy. Nevertheless, significant challenges persist. Availability of comprehensive clinical data and the production of phages in laboratories compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards are key bottlenecks. Addressing these challenges is essential to further advancing the adoption of phage therapy and ensuring its effectiveness and safety in clinical settings. The combination of increased awareness and improved infrastructure can pave the way for more widespread and successful implementation of phage therapy in healthcare.   What are the funding and investment trends in the Indian bacteriophage sector, and are there any notable collaborations between academia, industry, and government agencies? While not yet widely prominent, there are indeed a few companies and research institutions that are making extensive strides in the field of phage therapy. For instance, Vitalis Phage has established collaborations with prestigious institutions like the Eliava Institute in Georgia, a globally renowned centre for phage therapy. In India, laboratories at institutions such as BHU (Banaras Hindu University), Panjab University, and research organisations like BARC are actively engaged in phage research, accumulating significant expertise in the field. The increasing visibility and significance of phage research suggest a growing interest and investment in this field in the coming years. As awareness and research efforts continue to expand, it is likely that phage therapy will become an even more prominent and promising approach in the fight against infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.   How do Indian researchers and companies compare internationally in terms of bacteriophage research and development? The growth and interest in phage research are becoming increasingly evident. Historically, there were only a handful of researchers dedicated to this field. However, the recent ICBRAR-2023 conference, which attracted around 300 researchers, signifies a notable shift. The attendance of such a significant number of participants demonstrates that the trend in phage research is on the rise.  Moreover, the emergence of many young investigators getting involved in phage research suggests a promising future for the field. It appears that phage research is entering an exponential phase of growth, driven by the enthusiasm and contributions of both seasoned researchers and the next generation of scientists. This bodes well for the continued development and application of phage therapy and its potential to address critical healthcare challenges related to infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance.   What intellectual property and patent trends are associated with bacteriophage-related innovations in India? Bacteriophages are natural entities, and this poses certain limitations when it comes to obtaining intellectual property (IP) protection for them. To the best of my knowledge, there haven't been specific patents granted for phages in recent times. However, researchers in the field of phage therapy and phage-related processes can explore opportunities for process patents. Process patents may cover various aspects of phage research and application, including methods of isolation, purification, characterization, and manufacturing. Additionally, processes related to the formulation and delivery of phage therapies could be considered for patent protection. While the genetic material of phages themselves may not be eligible for patenting, the innovative methods and processes developed in the course of phage research can potentially be protected.   Anusha Ashwin   Click here to read the next story on bacteriophages ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24132/second-clarion-call-for-genomics-users-experts-and-enthusiasts.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24132/second-clarion-call-for-genomics-users-experts-and-enthusiasts.html Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The 4th edition of Genomics India Conference (GIC), Genomics India 2024 is all set to take place at the Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence in Greater Noida from February 1 to 3, 2024. Genotypic Technology, a pioneering force in genomics since 1998, and Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence, a premier multidisciplinary research university established in 2011, are the co-host of this conference. Genomics plays a pivotal role in transforming healthcare, agriculture, environmental conservation, and more. Genomics India 2024 offers a platform to revolutionise these sectors. Renowned leaders in genomics from the U.S, UK, Europe, and Asia Pacific are expected to grace the occasion. A special satellite session dedicated to exploring the intersection of genomics and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will be held on February 1st. Titled "AMR in the Genomics Era: Genomic Surveillance and Prediction of Antimicrobial Resistance," this session promises to delve into scientific advancements and innovative strategies to address challenges posed by AMR. This satellite session is chaired by Dr Manoj Kumar Senior Principal Scientist of CSIR IMTech, Chandigarh and Co - chaired by Dr V Udhayakumar, Program Director, Integrated Serosurveillance Research, Emory University, Atlanta, USA. The conference will be inaugurated by Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary DBT, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India in the presence of Shri Shikhar Malhotra, Director, HCL Corporation and Chancellor, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence. The Startup session on Day 3, chaired by Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of BIRAC, will feature presentations by startups in Medtech and Genomics. In response to popular demand, a workshop on NGS Analytics and Genome Informatics will be organised on day 1, providing 100+ registrants with practical insights into Genome Informatics, covering essential topics from NGS data QC to assembly, annotation to variant calling, and interpretations and reporting. A special highlight of this workshop is the dedicated Epigenomics session and the Nanopore live sequencing run. The entire Genomics India Conference will be covered by the media partner BioSpectrum. Scientists and researchers are invited to present their findings during the Poster session on various topics related to Genomics applications in Research, Pharma Biopharma, and Agriculture. GIC2024 offers abundant networking opportunities and a chance to learn about the latest advances in genomics, particularly in multi-omic studies. This conference is a unique opportunity to interact with contemporary industry leaders in Genome Research and academic stalwarts from across the globe in Delhi NCR. Students and postdocs are encouraged to interact and network with fellow participants. The conference expects a strong attendance of 500 participants. As the Genomics India Conference unfolds, we are excited to announce a fascinating excursion to the Taj Mahal on February 4th. Join us on this enchanting trip to Agra, offering an opportunity to connect, network, and create lasting memories amidst the cultural richness of this architectural marvel. The Genomics India Conference 2024 edition is hosted by Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence and powered by Genotypic Technology in collaboration with DhitiOmics and QTLOmics. For more information, visit Genomics India Conference. To register visit: https://genomicsindia.co.in/registration/   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24112/p-d-hinduja-hospital-collaborates-with-immunoact-to-advance-cancer-care-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24112/p-d-hinduja-hospital-collaborates-with-immunoact-to-advance-cancer-care-in-mumbai.html Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 P. D. Hinduja Hospital, Khar is set for a monumental leap in cancer care with the introduction of cutting-edge CAR-T cell therapy. One of the first hospitals in Mumbai to collaborate with startup ImmunoACT, P. D. Hinduja Hospital, Khar intends to herald in a new age of cancer care in Mumbai. NexCAR19 (Actalycabtagene autoleucel) is India’s first indigenous gene-modified cell treatment for patients aged 15 and above with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma and B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is a breakthrough therapy that modifies immune cells, particularly T-cells, transforming them into potent cancer fighters known as CAR-T cells. This therapy, which is a second generation humanised CAR-T cell therapy, is autologous (patient-specific), and targets the CD19 protein, a biomarker that is overexpressed in certain B-cell cancers. This therapy is recommended for patients with B-cell lymphomas or B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia who have not responded to traditional therapies such as chemotherapy, resulting in a relapse or recurrence of cancer. Also called a living drug, the therapy gives considerable advantages and involves swift, single infusion treatment, improving the quality of life for many patients at almost one-tenth the cost commercially available worldwide.   Image caption- Gautam Khanna, CEO of P. D. Hinduja Hospital (left); and Shirish Arya, Co-founder & Director of Business Development and Corporate Strategy, ImmunoACT ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24094/sahyadri-hospitals-and-immunoact-join-hands-to-introduce-advanced-car-t-cell-therapies-in-pune.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24094/sahyadri-hospitals-and-immunoact-join-hands-to-introduce-advanced-car-t-cell-therapies-in-pune.html Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Sahyadri Hospitals, one of Maharashtra’s largest hospital chains, has announced a ground-breaking commercial collaboration with Mumbai-based startup ImmunoACT to introduce the CAR-T cell therapies in Pune. As one of the prominent healthcare facility, Sahyadri Hospitals, equipped with comprehensive haematology treatment centres, is set to provide access to NexCAR19 (Actalycabtagene autoleucel). This CAR-T cell therapy is designed to treat relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma and B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients aged 15 and above. NexCAR19, the first CAR-T therapy fully developed and manufactured in India, is now among approximately ten such therapies available commercially worldwide. While similar therapies can cost several hundred thousand dollars in the United States, it is planned to be offered at almost one-tenth of this cost. Outcomes in B-cell cancers, where one or more lines of treatment have failed, are generally dismal. Sahyadri's medical and haemato-oncologists intend to deploy NexCAR19 to enhance the standard of care, which currently includes chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, and bone marrow transplant. NexCAR19 will be initially available at Sahyadri's Deccan Gymkhana center in Pune, serving patients across western India and beyond.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24081/data-and-ai-to-command-centerstage-at-bioasia-2024.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24081/data-and-ai-to-command-centerstage-at-bioasia-2024.html Thu, 18 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The 21st edition of BioAsia 2024, which is fast gearing up to be held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), in Madhapur, Hyderabad, is expected to witness lead industry experts from the Life Sciences, Healthcare, Biotech, and Pharma sectors to delve on the challenges and opportunities offered by new age technologies including Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to organisers, the three-day forum is expected to delve into various themes including  ‘Transformative Innovation – R&D, Patent Paradox: India's Bid for Global R&D Dominance & IP Dilemmas, Leading the Health-tech Revolution - The Next Normal, India at the Frontier of Pharma Services, MedTech is the place to be, etc. It is understood from the organisers that this year’s event is expected to witness more than 3000 delegates participating from over 50 countries across the globe. Organised by the Government of Telangana, the marquee healthcare and Life Sciences event is all set for the grand unveiling on February 26th, 2024 and the extravagant industrial event is expected to draw crowds both nationally and internationally for the next two days on February 27 and 28th. As part of the preparations for the event, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for Information Technology, Industries & Commerce conducted a comprehensive review meeting with the concerned authorities and gave directions to make sure that the global event is held successfully highlighting the investment and business opportunities in the areas of Healthcare, Pharma, Biotech and Life sciences sector in Telangana. "BioAsia has emerged as a critical instrument for the development of the Indian and global life science and allied industries over the last two decades. We are thrilled to announce that several global CEOs will be attending BioAsia for the first time, underlining the event's rising prominence on the international stage. My team and I are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that BioAsia 2024 is grand and impactful," observed the Telangana Industry and Commence Minister. As a Global Flagship event of the Government of Telangana, BioAsia has emerged as a pivotal player in steering the life-sciences development journey in India, playing a crucial role in redirecting focus toward the advancements and challenges within the industry, observed Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries and commence government of Telangana. "Over the past 20 editions, BioAsia has played an unmatched role in sparking the renewed emphasis on the life-sciences industry, rekindling attention from regulation, corporate, startups, and allied sectors alike,” added Jayesh Ranjan, the Industry Principal secretary. This year’s event is expected to present itself distinctly by featuring not just prominent government dignitaries, industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and other delegates, but the organizers are also roping in more than 70 influential speakers, including global CEOs and industry leaders representing lead international life sciences and pharmaceutical companies. Some of them include David Ricks (CEO, Eli Lilly and Company), Dr Christopher Boerner (Incoming CEO, Bristol Myers Squibb), Geoff Martha (Chairman and CEO, Medtronic), Prof. Gregg Semenza (Nobel Laureate & Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine), among others. The event will also feature President and CEO, Olympus Stefan Kaufmann; CEO of Providence Dr Rod Hochman, M.D., Global Operating Partner of Advent International Stefan Stoffel, among others. David Ricks of Eli Lilly and Company is expected to deliver a Keynote address for the event. With expectations soaring high with an extraordinary line-up of speakers, BioAsia 2024 is projected to attract over 3000 participants, offering a dynamic platform for networking and collaboration. Further, the event will have an exhibition this year with more than 200 companies participating to showcase some of the most innovative, advancements and cutting-edge products. As the city of Hyderabad welcomes numerous globally influential leaders, the event is all set to provide a fertile ground for knowledge exchange and innovation in the life sciences and biotechnology sector. BioAsia 2024 will also offer a worldwide platform for promising startups in the pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, health-tech, and med-tech sectors to showcase their inventive concepts, opined Industry experts. “The 21st edition of BioAsia 2024 is certainly going to be a milestone event, as the presence of global leaders marks the vision to bridge the gaps in the healthcare industry and foster innovation in these critical sectors” noted Shakthi Nagappan, Director of Life Sciences, Govt. of Telangana and CEO of BioAsia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24058/indias-first-ai-park-and-ai-university-open-in-gandhinagar-gujarat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24058/indias-first-ai-park-and-ai-university-open-in-gandhinagar-gujarat.html Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Eros Investments, a leading Global Media, Entertainment & Technology portfolio of ventures, has announced the launch of Immerso AI Park in partnership with the Government of Gujarat and in line with the vision of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendrabhai Patel for Gandhinagar and GIFT city to become the epicenter of finance and technology business not only for India but for the world. This AI Park will become the foundation and the backbone of deep technology research, development and innovation. The strategy of the Immerso AI Park will be built on the foundation of Ethical AI with the largest archive of licensed training data and tokens from the Eros Investment Group and other partners in the world to promote the use of intellectual property in the development of Generative AI models.   These foundation models will be built across industry verticals, to be used by academia, startup ecosystem and large scale enterprise technology companies to further the Digital India charter.   The Immerso AI Park will feature Immerso AI University that will provide a full-fledged curriculum for Generative AI and Deep Technology, along with diploma courses for existing professionals to upscale their learnings.   Immerso AI Data Center along with strategic partners, will become the best-in-class cloud architecture and infrastructure for companies to be able to run high fidelity technology across generative AI, gaming, IOT and extended reality. The Immerso AI Park will also create a specific zone and opportunity for international deep technology and generative AI startups to incubate for purposes of research and training and provide significant opportunities for growth and collaboration. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24054/international-conference-on-advances-in-3d-cell-culture-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24054/international-conference-on-advances-in-3d-cell-culture-.html Wed, 10 Jan 2024 11:30:00 +0530 Traditionally, preclinical studies have been conducted using a combination of in vitro testing methods like 2D cell culture assays and animal models. However, more than 90% of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics that clear preclinical testing cannot make it past the early stages of the clinical trials. Thus, recently the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 was passed to encourage  alternative-to-animal methods like 3D Cell Culture models for preclinical studies. It is time that now we as a society take steps prevent or at least reduce animal cruelty as much as possible [1, 2, 3]. Click here to know more! To promote awareness about these models, the second edition of the Advances in 3D Cell Culture Workshop and Conference is being organized by the Institute of Chemical Technology, on 02 – 03 February 2023 in Mumbai, India. The first edition of this event was conducted digitally in 2022 which received an overwhelming response. That inspired us to plan the second edition on a larger scale and and in offline mode.  The organizing group is highly enthusiastic and inspired to promote alternative-to-Animal Models in research and testing. The group, called Nanomedicine research group (NRG), is led by Dr. Prajakta Dandekar Jain and Dr. Ratnesh Jain, professors at ICT. Dr. Prajakta is an expert in in-vitro cell models with extensive experience in 3D Cell Culture techniques like Organ-on-chip models, 3D Bioprinting, organoids and spheroids, etc. The event encompasses two segments, viz. a hands on training workshop from 29th January to 1st February at the Institute of Chemical Technology-Mumbai followed by the International Conference on 2nd and 3rd February at Taj The Trees hotel in Mumbai. Click here to view the event modules. The hands-on training workshop will span over four days, with the first two days being conducted in collaboration with Azar Innovations, a group of organ-on-chip expert trainers from the Netherlands, their first overseas training event in India. The third day will focus on organoid development and 3D bioprinting techniques. The fourth day will be conducted on the NIRRCH campus in Mumbai on High content imaging and GLP in 3D Cell Culture techniques. The workshop will be interspersed with detailed talks by international speakers, fun and exciting quizzes and games and will conclude with a certificate distribution ceremony. The workshop sponsors include BIRAC, DST-SERB, Merck and Revvity. The workshop is organized with the intent to make the participants not only well-versed in the 3D Cell Culture techniques, but to also provide them with the knowledge of its applicability in industry.  The International Conference on Advances in 3D Cell Culture spans a total of 2 days and will be held at Taj the Trees Hotel. The conference will consist of speaker sessions and panel discussion by esteemed academicians and industry representatives. Also being organised are sessions providing a stage to the flourishing start-ups and pioneering CROs working in the 3D Cell Culture domain. The conference will also provide a platform to the youth working in the 3D Cell Culture domain to present their revolutionary work that will ultimately contribute to a cruelty-free tomorrow. Additionally, this conference will provide an opportunity to network with the leading industries and service providers in the field of 3D Cell culture. Click here to view the Conference agenda. Such an extensive and advanced 3D Cell culture workshop and conference is being conducted for the first time in India. With this pioneering event, it is expected that more and more events will be conducted on innovative techniques and models to promote alternatives-to-animal models. Join this one-of-a-kind event and further your knowledge about the groundbreaking technology that is 3D Cell Culture!   Visit website here: https://www.3dculture.events/  Register for the conference now!  https://bit.ly/ConF3DCCSMM  Connect with us! LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Whatsapp   Get in touch! Email: 3dcellculture@nano-medicine.co.in Number: +91 87791 97872   See you at the conference!   References: Zushin PJH, Mukherjee S, Wu JC. FDA Modernization Act 2.0: transitioning beyond animal models with human cells, organoids, and AI/ML-based approaches. The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2023;133(21). doi:https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI175824 Chunduri V, Maddi S. Role of in vitro two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems for ADME-Tox screening in drug discovery and development: a comprehensive review. ADMET and DMPK. Published online October 11, 2022. doi:https://doi.org/10.5599/admet.1513 Wang H, Brown PC, Chow ECY, et al. 3D cell culture models: Drug pharmacokinetics, safety assessment, and regulatory consideration. Clinical and Translational Science. 2021;14(5):1659-1680. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/cts.13066 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24050/genepowerx-launches-ai-platform-for-big-data-analytics-and-drug-discovery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24050/genepowerx-launches-ai-platform-for-big-data-analytics-and-drug-discovery.html Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Uppaluri K&H Personalized Medicine Clinic has unveiled GeneConnectRx, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) platform launched by GenepoweRx, the diagnostic wing of K&H clinic. This revolutionary step in personalised medicine marks a paradigm shift, empowering healthcare providers to customize treatments based on individual genetic makeup. The launch ceremony at the startup's Hyderabad headquarters welcomed luminaries and industry leaders, underscoring the transformative potential of GeneConnectRx. The esteemed guests included Padma Bhushan Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman and Chief of Gastroenterology at AIG Hospitals; Penmetsa Venkata Subba Raju, Vice Chairman of AIG Hospitals; and Prof. Ch Mohan Rao, CSIR - Distinguished Scientist and Former Director, Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB). GeneConnectRx represents the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team comprising computational scientists, molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, and chemoinformaticians. Over two years, this team identified drug targets for complex medical conditions. Dr Nageshwar Reddy commented, "Personalised medicine must become standard practice in every hospital. Focused research in this space is crucial to provide accurate, effective, and affordable personalized medicine products to all individuals." "GeneConnectRx is poised to revolutionise AI-based drug discovery, propelling precision medicine. Our ongoing efforts focus on validating drug targets for Brain Cancer, Monogenic Diabetes, Parkinson's disease, High Cholesterol, and Autism. Our process patent application reflects our dedication to innovation," expressed Dr Kalyan Uppaluri from GenepoweRx. "Our collaboration with AIG Hospitals has resulted in groundbreaking initiatives like AIG's pharmacogenomics study. GeneConnectRx integrates internal data, global resources, and cutting-edge models to forecast potential molecules for revolutionary drug discovery," highlighted Dr Hima Challa.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24038/thermo-fisher-and-c-camp-establish-centre-of-excellence-to-foster-biotech-innovations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24038/thermo-fisher-and-c-camp-establish-centre-of-excellence-to-foster-biotech-innovations.html Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) recently announced a collaborative initiative to establish a Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for fostering innovation, accelerating breakthroughs in the biotechnology sector and enabling researchers to enhance their expertise and achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions.   As a part of this strategic partnership, C-CAMP will provide the necessary infrastructure at their premises to set up the Centre of Excellence. Thermo Fisher will equip the facility with advanced workflow-based solutions in flow cytometry and molecular biology and extend its expertise to offer research and training opportunities to scientists from start-ups under the C-CAMP umbrella, academia, and biopharma and biotech institutes. Amit Chopra, Managing Director, India & South Asia, Thermo Fisher Scientific said: "India’s bio-economy has consistently witnessed robust double-digit growth over the past decade, projected to reach $300 billion by 2030. There is a strong emphasis on promoting collaborations between public and private entities and establishing a robust network of bio-incubators and startups.” Welcoming the move, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Director & CEO, C-CAMP, said “We rely on Thermo Fisher’s extensive portfolio including Attune Flow Cytometer, imaging solutions (EVOS), ultra-low temperature freezers, incubators, centrifuges and sequencers to advance our work in molecular biology, cell biology, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry and genomics. This recent collaboration will further enable innovators, both within and outside of C-CAMP, to access state-of-the-art technical solutions, empowering them to pursue scientific knowledge and build technologies for a better India.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24027/lv-prasad-eye-institute-gets-patent-for-cell-therapy-designed-to-repair-damaged-cornea.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24027/lv-prasad-eye-institute-gets-patent-for-cell-therapy-designed-to-repair-damaged-cornea.html Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 In a pioneering development, the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in Hyderabad has been awarded a patent by the Patent Office, Government of India, for a groundbreaking cell therapy designed to repair damaged corneas caused by various corneal diseases. The patent, valid for 20 years under the Patents Act, 1970, heralds a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of corneal conditions.  The patented therapy relies on a unique composition of stem cells derived from the eye's surface and two clotting factors, intricately layered together. The inventors behind this innovative approach, Dr Sayan Basu and Dr Vivek Singh from LVPEI, represent a convergence of medical expertise and scientific research.  Corneal scarring, a consequence of infections or accidents that render the cornea opaque, leads to corneal blindness, a significant cause of vision impairment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Traditional solutions involve complex corneal transplants with lifelong management. The patented composition presents a potential alternative, utilising either the individual's own corneal stem cells or donor cells to repopulate the corneal surface with healthy, transparent cells.  One notable application of this therapy is in treating Keratoconus, a chronic condition causing the cornea to thin and change shape, distorting vision. By employing this patented therapy, there is a prospect of replenishing corneal collagen, the connective protein crucial for maintaining corneal shape. Strengthening the cornea through collagen replenishment could offer a promising treatment for Keratoconus.  Currently undergoing clinical trials, this pioneering 'cell composition' based therapy represents a significant milestone in the field of ophthalmology and cell-based treatment, holding the promise of transforming the landscape of corneal disease management.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24006/combating-amr-with-bacteriophages.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24006/combating-amr-with-bacteriophages.html Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 It is known that India faces a significant challenge when it comes to antibiotic resistance and the menace of superbugs (largely owing to overuse and misuse of antimicrobials). Reports say that the economic impact of superbugs is significant in our country. Even in the United States, treating antibiotic-resistant infections costs an estimated $2.2 billion in extra healthcare expenses each year. These costs include longer hospital stays, additional testing, and more expensive medications.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that as these superbugs become more prevalent, our arsenal of effective antibiotics will become less potent. This makes routine medical procedures such as surgeries, chemotherapy, and organ transplants riskier due to the increased likelihood of infection. This validates the immediate requirement as an alternative to antimicrobials and researchers trust their bet on bacteriophages as that alternative.  According to Rachna Dave, Founder & CEO of MicroGO, AMR is indeed a far more significant and pressing issue than it might initially appear, primarily due to underreporting. She says, “Estimates indicate that the toll of AMR could result in more than 10 million deaths by 2023. This looming crisis is exacerbated by the extremely limited availability of new antibiotics in the market, making it an incredibly challenging problem to address. In this dire context, bacteriophages are emerging as one of the most promising solutions to combat AMR infections. With the scarcity of effective antibiotics, bacteriophages offer a viable alternative. In India, there have been approximately 200 patients successfully treated with phage therapy, boasting an impressive success rate exceeding 80 per cent. This number is steadily increasing as more clinicians and infection prevention specialists embrace this innovative technology.”    India – The land of abundant bacteriophages Phages are natural predators of bacteria. They can infect and kill specific bacterial strains, making them valuable tools for controlling bacterial populations, especially harmful pathogens. Phages are known for being highly specific in their host range. Each phage typically infects only one or a few closely related bacterial species, which means they do not harm beneficial bacteria in the body. This specificity is advantageous for targeted bacterial treatment and avoiding disruption to the common microbiota of the host organism.  Sharing more facts on bacteriophages, Dr Satheesh K, Senior Research Scientist, India Diabetes Research Foundation & Dr A Ramachandran's Diabetes Hospitals, says, “Bacteriophages or phages thrive in environments like rivers and sewage-contaminated waters. These microscopic predators have a unique potential to latch onto particular bacterial species, inject their genetic material, and hijack the bacterial machinery to copy themselves, and in the long run causing the bacterial cellular to burst, and launch new phage particles. In essence, they are natural bacterial killers.” India is home to an abundant variety of phages. Researchers of the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, West Bengal, have detailed in a research paper that Bacteriophages are abundantly present in the river Ganga.  Atif Khan, Scientist, Water and Steam Chemistry Division, Biofouling and Biofilm Processes Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam, says, “India is considered to be the richest source of bacteriophages compared to any other country. If you like to talk about the competitive advantage, the opportunity lies in the phages of the bacterial host that rarely cause any diseases (Staphylococcus simulans). In case of multidrug resistant S. simulans infection, most of the labs and their surrounding environment may not have phages for this host. India could be a country where the phages can be found in a system like local sewage.” Presently, more than 20 to 30 research facilities across the country are dedicated to isolating and characterising bacteriophages, with a specific focus on combating pathogens prioritised by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).   Phage Banks and Phage Engineering In India, where antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are a significant public health concern and where biodiversity is high, the establishment of phage banks can be particularly important. These banks can contribute to the development of phage-based therapies, facilitate research into new phages, and aid in the control of bacterial infections in various settings, including healthcare, agriculture, and environmental management.  Furthermore, they can play a crucial role in advancing the understanding of phage biology and their interactions with bacteria in India's unique ecological and clinical contexts. According to Dr Hiren Joshi, Scientific Officer, Bhabha Atomic Reserach Centre, Kalpakkam, “It is imperative to leverage this rich resource to establish comprehensive phage libraries and cocktails. These collections can prove highly effective against a broad spectrum of bacterial infections. By tapping into the wealth of bacteriophages in India's diverse microbial ecosystems, we can potentially develop innovative solutions for combating infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance on a global scale. This approach holds great promise for the future of healthcare and pathogen control.” Dr Ranga Reddy Burri, President, Infection Control Academy of India opines, “Phages hold significant promise in addressing AMR due to their specificity, adaptability, and potential for personalised treatment. While there are success stories in India like AIIMS-ICMR PhageBank, ongoing research, international academia, industry collaborations, regulatory support, and clinical validation are crucial for realising their full potential as alternatives or complements to traditional antibiotics. Talking about the bacteriophage market Dr Burri says “The current market size of bacteriophage-based products and therapies in India is insignificant at the moment. Even globally the estimated size is less than $50 million. The rising threat of AMR and awareness about the benefits of phage therapy is expected to propel market growth. The use in agriculture, veterinary and consumption as phage probiotics will be major growth drivers. Aristogene, Gangagen, Sciinv Biosciences, Vital Therapeutics, Proteon Pharma are visible players in this market.” Sharing her thoughts on the market growth Rachna Dave, says “The growth is further substantiated by recent developments, such as the establishment of a new production facility in Nasik by Proteom Biotech, a Polish company. Additionally, several other companies are currently in the process of setting up pilot-scale plants for bacteriophage production, underscoring the increasing interest and investment in this promising field.” Adding her thoughts, Dr Ellie Jameson, Researcher, Bangor University School of Natural Sciences, UK says, “The next developments that will be expanded in India and across the globe are well stocked and characterised phage banks combined with a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility for phage production. These central repositories will hold thousands of characterised, sequenced phages to ensure that they do not contain any harmful elements, but that phages can be quickly accessed to treat 100s of different bacteria, as needed. There is a strong call to ensure that phages are manufactured to GMP standard so that phage therapy can be controlled as a drug for widespread use.” She further says “To step up phage therapy I foresee that a GMP facility for phage production will need to be established in India to keep cost manageable and enable production to meet demand. This will ensure each batch is identical and that endotoxin levels are negligible to prevent adverse effects. With these in place I believe that due to the positive stories of phage therapy it will continue to grow and work with our antibiotics to help more and more patients.”   Scope to expand from diagnostics to therapeutics  Phage engineering isn't always restrained to improving the phages themselves; it additionally opens doorways to growing novel phage-based equipment for various applications. For instance, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru have validated the capacity of engineered phages within combat in opposition to mycobacteria—the causative dealers of tuberculosis and leprosy.  By modifying the tail fibre proteins of a mycobacteriophage, they were able to apprehend distinctive receptors on the floor of mycobacteria. These engineered phages successfully lysed various lines of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae in both laboratory settings and in vivo.   Regulatory hurdles and market boundaries  India, though, has developed a National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) to address the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, plans that include strategies for promoting responsible antibiotic use, improving surveillance, and enhancing infection prevention and control need to be hastened along with making phage therapy a viable option. Also, Dr Burri says that regulatory authorities classify bacteriophages as biological substances and currently, there is no established framework that explicitly defines the role of bacteriophages in the context of medicinal products for human use in India and globally. Very few countries have clear regulatory pathways.  One such example is Georgia, where bacteriophages have been seamlessly integrated into the healthcare system as a standard medical practice, and a range of phage preparations are available over-the-counter, along with a more extensive selection of products supplied directly to medical practitioners. The US FDA also approved several phage treatments, which are employed in the food industry, largely in the dairy and meat industry, to combat bacterial growth. To fuel rapid progress towards phage therapeutics, as a sustainable antibiotic alternative, regulatory processes must be refined and should be pragmatic to reach a tipping point sooner. We cannot deny that India has made progress in adopting phage therapy, but to make it a more mainstream solution to combat AMR, concerted efforts in research, regulation, education, and infrastructure development are crucial. Collaboration between all the stakeholders and a dedicated approach from both government and private sectors will be essential. The funding into this sector is mostly from grants, philanthropy, altruistic researchers, and good Samaritans only.  There is a need to promote this therapy in the country. “The level of public awareness and acceptance of bacteriophages as an alternative to antibiotics in India is abysmal,” says Dr Burri and adds that compared to more established treatments like antibiotics. Even among healthcare professionals, the awareness is low, which is a significant deterrent to mainstreaming this alternative. Organisations like Society for Bacteriophage Research and Therapy, Infection Control Academy of India and others are working towards awareness and providing a platform for researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders to collaborate. Traditional life science and biotech companies have no participation in research or investments in this segment as the perceived demand is low and the risk of return is high. Maybe, providing incentives and financial support, including grants, tax incentives, or other financial benefits, to encourage investment for budding companies could be a possible way to lure them into phage therapy development. Hence, in conclusion, it can be said that India has to step-up and establish clear regulatory pathways for phage therapy, ensuring safety, efficacy, and quality standards. The country needs specific guidelines and protocols for the approval and use of phage therapy. It is also important for the government to facilitate collaborations between pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and government bodies to foster the development and distribution of phage therapeutics.     Anusha Ashwin   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24010/can-biotech-industry-hit-150b-by-leveraging-technology-innovation-startups-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/24010/can-biotech-industry-hit-150b-by-leveraging-technology-innovation-startups-.html Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 On December 2, India witnessed the first-ever meeting of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) Society after its registration on November 10, wherein Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, who chaired the meeting, said that time has come for defining "Bio-vision" for Bharat.  Describing BRIC meeting as a historical event in India's Biotech Ecosystem, where elite 14 institutions of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) are consolidating their efforts to impact the biotech R&D ecosystem, the minister said that BRIC will prospectively enrich India’s progress in every front including economy and employment.   Dr Jitendra Singh also pointed out that this is one of the first Departments in the Government of India to have successfully executed “Rationalisation of Autonomous Bodies” for process and performance enhancement of its Autonomous bodies. He said that Indian Bio-economy recorded 13 times increase in the last ten years.  It may be noted that in her Union Budget speech on February 1,  Nirmala Sitaraman, Finance Minister, observed that joint Public and Private Medical research should be encouraged via select  Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) labs for encouraging collaborative research and innovation. As a first step in that direction, DBT has formed BRIC Society.  As part of a slew of  significant changes that will be actualised by BRIC, each of the 14 subsumed BRIC Institutions will maintain their distinct research mandates, governed by one Governing Body, at BRIC. Institutes would be allowed utilisation of institutional lab space, not exceeding one third, for researchers from outside DBT institutes and their collaborators (from industry or other institutes) to carry out R&D for startups emerging out of institutional research. Dr Jitendra Singh also underlined that BRIC and its institutes can engage in public-private research partnerships and receive endowments including funds from non-governmental resources for research-related activities. This will help in achieving “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.”   As Global Centres of Research and Innovation Besides, at the beginning of 2023, Dr Singh launched the “One Week One Lab" Campaign of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), at the 108th Indian Science Congress held in Nagpur on January 6. Each of the 37 CSIR Labs spread across the country is dedicated to a different exclusive area of work and the “One Week One Lab" campaign offered an opportunity to each one of them to showcase the work being done by it so that others can avail of it and stakeholders learn about it. Common India will be turned into Global Centres of Research and Innovation in their respective fields of Specialisation.  Started with 5 laboratories in 1942, in its eight decades of journey CSIR has grown into an organisation with 37 labs of 3521 scientists, supported by 4162 technical staff, 2612 administrative and other support staff and about 5500 young scholars, that addresses every facet of scientific development required in the country. There is a plethora of technologies developed by the scientists and researchers of CSIR laboratories for the society, but many of them remain confined to the laboratories. There is a need to establish the resourceful connection of people (stakeholder/ entrepreneur/ student/ industry) to know more about the technologies for the advancement of the technology and the progress of the society.    Harnessing Technologies   The world is on the verge of ending the first quarter of the 21st century, said Dr Jitendra Singh, adding that the next few years will be an opportunity to vindicate that 21st century as India’s century. Spelling out thrust areas for the year 2023 in the context of science, technology and innovation on January 8, the minister said “Future belongs to technology blended with innovation and creative startups sustained through evolving technologies and new ideas.”  While inaugurating the 3rd Global Bio-India, mega international congregation on Biotechnology, on December 4, the minister said “Biotechnology will provide the “future value addition” to India’s economy in the years to come. Biotechnology will be the key to Amrit Kaal economy and also for making India a frontline nation in the world.”  India’s bioeconomy experienced robust growth in 2022, surging by 29 per cent to reach a substantial value of $137.24 billion.  Also, the year 2022 saw a rise in private equity and venture capital investments in the biotech industry, reaching a record-breaking $938.8 million, a 19 per cent growth compared to the previous year. The Indian biotechnology industry is expected to reach $150 billion by 2025 and has the potential to reach $270-300 billion by the year 2030. By 2025, the contribution of the Indian biotechnology industry to the global biotechnology market is expected to grow to 19 per cent. The Indian biologics market is forecasted to reach $12 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 22 per cent.  With just 55 startups in 2014 to over 6000 as of 2023, the entrepreneurial landscape of the biotech industry in India witnessed dynamic growth in the last couple of years. Startups are emerging as key drivers of bioeconomic development. The number of startups is expected to reach 10,000 by 2024. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana led the way in 2022, a year which saw a total of 1391 startups getting registered, reflecting a substantial 23 per cent growth from the previous year’s count of 1128.   India is boosting the biotechnology sector under various flagship programmes such as ‘Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme’, 'Make in India' and 'Startup India'. These government schemes and programmes coupled with the application of latest technologies such as Gene Editing and CRISPR, Cell and Gene Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Tissue Engineering and Bioprinting, Big Data, and Real World Evidence Trials, biotechnology industry in 2024 hope to develop innovative solutions in the meeting the unmet healthcare needs of the nation.    Collaborative Synergy  In addition to launching the new biologicals in the coming year, the biotech industry continues to witness a double-digit growth in the year 2024 by adopting or following the many well-established business approaches such collaboration with Full-Service and Specialty Contract Research Organisations (CROs), Outsourcing between Biotechnology firms (Bio-to-Bio) and M&A deals.  According to NoyMed CRO, biotechnology sponsors in 2024 are poised to embrace a significant trend: increased collaboration with both biometrics and full-service CROs. This strategic alliance allows access to specialised expertise, cutting-edge resources, and streamlined processes crucial for efficient drug development. By leveraging the strengths of CROs, biotech firms optimise costs, accelerate research timelines, and enhance innovation. This collaborative synergy between biotechnology firms and CROs not only expedites market entry but also ensures adherence to regulatory standards while focusing on core competencies. As the drug development landscape evolves, 2024 will mark the rise of a strategic paradigm shift: biotechnology companies will increasingly collaborate, forming synergistic partnerships. Driven by expertise in areas like gene editing, AI-powered discovery, and nanomedicine, these collaborations unlock significant advantages.  Efficiency grows as companies focus on their core strengths, accelerating development timelines and delivering life-saving therapies to patients faster. Resource optimisation takes centre stage, with shared expertise reducing overhead costs and fueling further advancements. Moreover, knowledge exchange thrives within these partnerships, fostering collaborative innovation and paving the way for groundbreaking solutions to intricate medical challenges. While challenges remain, such as intellectual property concerns and the crucial element of finding the right partners, the potential of this collaborative approach is undeniable. In 2024, NoyMed CRO further noted that the “cautious optimism” of 2023 might turn into a strategic focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the biotech industry. Investors, staying cautious due to external challenges, will likely be picky, seeking deals that offer clear value and specific growth opportunities. There could be more consolidation, especially in areas like gene editing and AI-driven discovery, where specialised skills are highly valued. However, the potential for increased deals exists due to the interest in new technologies like mRNA vaccines. Some companies aiming for a global presence might pursue M&A for market access, while others might surprise by acquiring promising research pipelines or startups. Navigating these uncertainties presents investment opportunities by identifying undervalued tech, anticipating regulatory changes, and predicting future successful treatments. The biotechnology industry, according to a report by NoyMed CRO, is currently navigating a complex landscape. While revenues have normalised after the COVID's surge, the looming patent cliff and increased regulatory pressures pose significant challenges. Despite these obstacles, the industry's long-term potential remains strong, fuelled by a robust innovation pipeline and opportunities for operational efficiency. Biotech companies can secure future growth and address market challenges by focusing on capital allocation, establishing beneficial partnerships, and leveraging technology. In conclusion, though the path forward is complex, the future of the biotechnology industry remains bright in 2024 due to its inherent strengths and dedication to innovation. With this India is not too far from reaching the league of top-10 countries in Biotech's global ecosystem.   Narayan Kulkarni narayan.kulkarni@mmactiv.com  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24022/biospectrum-india-brings-to-you-top-23-stories-of-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24022/biospectrum-india-brings-to-you-top-23-stories-of-2023.html Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24005/mestastop-solutions-and-vipragen-biosciences-sign-mou-to-improve-extensive-oncology-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/24005/mestastop-solutions-and-vipragen-biosciences-sign-mou-to-improve-extensive-oncology-services.html Tue, 26 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mestastop Solutions, a Bengaluru-based cancer drug discovery startup, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vipragen Biosciences, a contract research organisation (CRO) based in Mysuru, specialising in preclinical drug discovery and development services. Under this agreement, Vipragen and Mestastop will collaborate to improve the extensive oncology services of Vipragen, being delivered to their global customers, by using proprietary Mestastop platforms. The MoU establishes the terms and conditions under which the two parties will collaborate for novel drug discovery, drug repurposing, and profiling current anti-cancer leads or candidates for their anti-metastatic effects. The primary mission of this collaboration would be to represent each other’s services for comprehensive solutions around cancer and metastasis. Each party would retain ownership of the respective intellectual property it brings into the collaboration. Discussing this matter, Dr S Chandrashekaran, the Chairman and Managing Director of Vipragen, expressed, "Vipragen has been in the drug discovery sector for over a decade, collaborating with numerous clients in the oncology field. This partnership is exceptionally distinctive and strategic, leveraging Vipragen’s vivarium and harnessing Mestastop’s proprietary platforms to facilitate metastasis drug discovery and early predictive diagnostics." Dr Arnab Roy Chowdhury, Founder and Director of Mestastop added, " To partner with an established CRO like Vipragen, is a validation of our unique platforms and jointly allows us to empower Biotech and Pharma looking for novel solutions to fight cancer".    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23995/genomics-india-2024-gic2024-conference-at-shiv-nadar-institution-of-eminence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23995/genomics-india-2024-gic2024-conference-at-shiv-nadar-institution-of-eminence.html Mon, 25 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The five star edition of genomics conferences, GIC2024 (Genomics India Conference 2024) will be held at Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi NCR, from 1-3 February 2024. The annual Genomics India Conference is organised by Genotypic Technology, India's first Genomics company in collaboration with different partners every year. The 2024 conference is conducted in collaboration with Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, a premier multidisciplinary, student-centric research university established in 2011. The theme of the 2024 edition of Genomics India Conference is “Harnessing Genomics for a sustainable future”. A perfect amalgam of science and ideas, GIC2024 will discuss applications of genomics across various domains ranging from Diagnostics to Agriculture, Pharma to disease surveillance and much more. The Conference aims to bring together scientists, clinicians, and policymakers from across the world to discuss the latest advances in genomics and their implications in the field of Diagnostics, Pharma and Agriculture. GIC2024 will feature talks by a variety of speakers, including Nobel laureates, leading researchers, government officials and regulatory experts. GIC2024, will feature its workshop, mext-generation sequencing (NGS) analytics and Genome Informatics Programme, along with the conference. This data analytics program, will provide 100 registrants with practical insights into Genome Informatics and cover essential topics like NGS data QC to aliment / assembly, annotation to variant calling and interpretations and reporting. GIC24 will also feature a satellite anti-microbial resistance (AMR) session on 1st February, which will be an eye-opening exploration into the intersection of genomics and the critical issue of antibiotic resistance. Renowned researchers and experts will converge to delve into the latest breakthroughs, challenges, and strategies in understanding the genetic basis of resistance mechanisms. Scientists and researchers are invited to present their research findings during the Poster session on various topics like applications of Genomics in Research and applied areas of Pharma Biopharma and Agriculture. Apart from abundant networking opportunities with other professionals in the field, GIC2024 will provide attendees with the chance to learn more about the latest advances in genomics, particularly in multi-omic studies. Dr Raja Mugasimangalam, CEO Genotypic Technology said “We are thrilled to organise our flagship Conference at Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence. GIC2024 is best suited to discuss the future of genomics and its implications on basic research to more advanced domains like AI, ML and multiomics.” Dr Sanjeev Galande, Dean, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence said "We are delighted to host this exciting conference in collaboration with Genotypic Technology. GIC2024 will provide a platform for discussions on the technological advances in genomics as well as novel applications towards solving complex biological problems and in agriculture and healthcare. The meeting will include special sessions on timely topics such as epigenomics and data science" Genomics India Conference 2024 edition is Hosted by Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence and powered by Genotypic Technology in collaboration with Dhiti Omics and  QTL Omics!   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23980/mestastop-solutions-and-st-johns-research-institute-ink-research-agreement.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23980/mestastop-solutions-and-st-johns-research-institute-ink-research-agreement.html Tue, 19 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup Mestastop Solutions has entered into a research study agreement with cancer researchers at St. Johns Research Institute (SJRI), a unit under the CBCI Society of Medical Institution. Under this agreement, both parties will have a research collaboration to conduct retrospective and prospective studies with patients' clinical data. The retrospective study will involve scientists mining data of breast cancer patient cohorts and their clinical annotations, followed by Mestastop applying machine learning to identify drug effects on survival. Dr Jyoti S Prabhu, from the Division of Molecular Medicine, SJRI and Dr Arnab Roy Chowdhury, Director, Mestastop, will co-lead this programme, with Dr Judhajit Sanyal, Senior Data Scientist from Mestastop supervising the machine learning. Mestastop has created three proprietary platforms, METAssay®, METVivo® and METSCAN®, to dissect metastasis biology in both in vitro and in vivo animal model settings. The platforms have been further validated with ex-vivo patient tumours and integrated with algorithms to identify rate-limiting steps of metastasis, thereby identifying relevant targets for drug discovery and also identifying primary tumour patients who are at a higher risk of metastasis. The Cancer Research group at St. Johns Research Institute has done pioneering work with breast cancer (BC) patient cohorts, analysing tumour characteristics and performing decade-long follow-ups on their survival status. SJRI has immense expertise in analysing tumour tissue from fresh and fixed biological material, liquid biopsy, data mining and bioinformatics to extract relevant scientific information.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23937/vibrant-gujarat-pre-summit-on-biotechnology-focuses-on-path-of-innovation-wellness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23937/vibrant-gujarat-pre-summit-on-biotechnology-focuses-on-path-of-innovation-wellness.html Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 “India's BioEconomy has grown eight times in the last eight years from $10 billion to $80 billion. In the coming times, biotechnology will become the biggest foundation for health treatment.” This was stated by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare as he virtually addressed the pre-event summit “Biotechnology: The Path of Innovation & Wellness for Viksit Bharat” in the presence of Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister, Gujarat at Vigyan Bhavan, Science City, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.  The summit is a preliminary event leading up to the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit that will take place on January 2024 at the Mahatma Gandhi Mandir, Gandhinagar under the theme of ‘Gateway to the Future’. Acknowledging the crucial contribution of the Biotechnology to the nation and economy, Bhupendra Patel stated “Gujarat's biotech sector generates more than Rs 12000 crore revenue and is one of the established biomanufacturing hubs. Gujarat has the second largest pharma and biotech workforce in the world." He mentioned that Savli Technology and Business Incubator has been established to kindle the spirit of innovation in the state. The incubator has impacted more than 100 startups, generated more than 65 patents with an aggregated valuation of startups for more than Rs Rs 450 crore. The Gujarat Chief Minister also inaugurated the ‘Start-Up Product Launch’ which included innovative products developed by startups such as Bioscan, SynerSense, Iota, and STRUmed Solutions. The Pre-Summit also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indus Setu Global Foundation and Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23912/karnataka-govt-supports-c-camp-in-launching-phase-ii-of-2-major-biotech-innovation-programmes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23912/karnataka-govt-supports-c-camp-in-launching-phase-ii-of-2-major-biotech-innovation-programmes.html Fri, 08 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society, (KITS) and the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka has announced a partnership with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) at the formal launch of Phase II of two of C-CAMP-KTech flagship innovation programmes, one in the agriculture domain and the other in the startup acceleration for scale-up of Karnataka’s rapidly growing biotech startup community. At the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023, Minister of IT, BT & Rural Development, Priyank Kharge and Dr Ekroop Caur, Principal Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT & BT, Govt of Karnataka launched the Agri Grand Challenge II with problem statements relevant in plant pest and disease mitigation, post-harvest loss, cash crops processing and dairy farming domains. Further, C-CAMP with the support from the Department of IT, BT, and S&T, Govt of Karnataka has initiated the Karnataka Startup Advancement Programme (K-SAP) BIO 50 for giving Karnataka based startups in the life sciences a global edge. Kicked off in 2018, K-SAP BIO 50 is an integrated deep-dive mentorship programme that provides technical and business handholding, entrepreneurial skill and knowledge development and access to networks to life-sciences startups at the early stage. In Phase I of K-SAP, C-CAMP has accelerated 5 cohorts of 50 startups addressing challenges in domains of healthcare, agri science and agri-technology and environment at the interface of social systems.  Announcing the objective of Phase II, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Director-CEO, C-CAMP said, “In Phase II, C-CAMP will move towards scale up support of startups at the early and mid (venture-funded) stages through fast-tracking milestones and closing gaps in the last mile to market." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23902/leading-biotech-innovators-startups-shine-at-global-bio-india-2023-awards.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23902/leading-biotech-innovators-startups-shine-at-global-bio-india-2023-awards.html Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The 3rd edition of Global Bio-India, a mega international congregation on biotechnology, held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi from 4rth to 6th December, recognised the contribution of big biotech players during the pandemic, as well as supported the biotech entrepreneurs, in the form of Global Bio-India 2023 Awards. Players like Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Bharat Biotech International, Zydus Lifesciences and Biological E were awarded for their outstanding contribution to pandemic management. Serum Institute of India was given recognition in the category of ‘Affordable vaccine development.’ Eyestem Research and Levim Biotech won the innovator award in the area of healthcare-therapeutics and vaccines; Althion Tech Innovations received recognition in the category of Healthcare- Devices & Diagnostics; OmniBrx Biotechnologies won an innovator award in the area of industrial biotechnology. In the area of agriculture, Acsen Hyveg and ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Kullu won the innovator award; while Salcit Technologies and Christian Medical College, Vellore won the innovator award in the category of artificial intelligence. Haystack Analytics won recognition in the area of genomics. A set of awards were given to bioincubators across tier I, II and III cities with Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre winning in the tier I category; BioNEST Punjab University, Chandigarh and Yenepoya Technology Incubator, Mangalore in the tier II category; and Association for Bio-inspired Leaders and Entrepreneurs of SASTRA TBI (ABLEST), Thanjavur in the tier III category. Centre for Healthcare and Entrepreneurship, IIT Hyderabad was given an award for the Best Bioincubation Centre Exhibit. Further, Pragmatech Healthcare Solutions won the startup award in the category of Healthcare (Devices & Diagnostics); while Zzwick Hygience won the startup award in the category of Healthcare (Therapeutics). The Industrial Biotech award in the area of agriculture was given to Greenshift Energy; and Chimertech won recognition in the area of aquaculture and veterinary. Ahammune Biosciences won an award for Woman Entrepreneur, and Water & Soil from Hungary won an award as an international participant. In addition, SPARSH Social Innovator (SPARSH Fellows) awards were given to Abhishek Gaikar (Atal Incubation Centre- CCMB); Madhura Vinod Jadhav (Maker village); and Ekshika Bhagtani (Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer or FITT) Taking the legacy of Global Bio-India 2023 forward, Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), announced the dates for the 4rth edition of Global Bio-India summit which is all set to take place from 19th to 21st September 2024.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23922/takeda-announces-partnership-with-birac-to-foster-healthcare-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23922/takeda-announces-partnership-with-birac-to-foster-healthcare-innovation.html Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Japan-headquartered pharmaceutical firm Takeda has announced the signing of a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a public sector enterprise set up by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. The MoU was announced in the presence of Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Minister of State for the Prime Minister Office, Government of India, and senior government and industry leaders during the Global Bio-India 2023 summit. The partnership will allow Takeda to extend advisory and mentoring support to innovators and entrepreneurs while assisting them from ideation to market deployment of new-age healthcare solutions. The collaboration resonates with BIRAC’s vision to stimulate, foster and enhance the strategic research and innovation capabilities of the Indian biotech industry for creation of affordable products addressing the needs of the largest section of society.  Serina Fischer, General Manager, Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India said, “At Takeda, we are committed to meeting the unmet needs of patients by discovering and delivering life-transforming treatments and innovative solutions. Our vision and mission align with the Indian Government’s aspiration for local solutions to global healthcare challenges. This partnership serves as a practical blueprint, highlighting how public and private players can join forces to propel substantial and enduring advances in healthcare.”  Ruchi Sogarwal, Head of Corporate Affairs, Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India, added, “Collaborations between the government, academia and industry contribute immensely to accelerating innovation and building disruptive healthcare technology solutions for addressing unmet patient needs. Our partnership with BIRAC will allow us to foster innovations, nurturing capabilities and enhancing global competitiveness translating bioscience into bioeconomy.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23898/global-bio-india-2023-sets-new-target-of-200-b-for-bioeconomy-in-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23898/global-bio-india-2023-sets-new-target-of-200-b-for-bioeconomy-in-2025.html Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the 3rd Global Bio-India, a mega international congregation on biotechnology, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on 4rth December. “The world is looking up to India as an emerging Biomanufacturing Hub. Biotechnology startups and institutional linkages with the industry will drive India’s bioeconomy in the years to come”, the Minister said. The Inaugural session of Global Bio-India Exhibition and International Conference was also addressed by Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, Prof Ajay Kumar Sood; Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Dr Abhay Karandikar; Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Dr Rajesh Gokhale; and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon. Laying the focus on India’s current bioeconomy which stands at $137.24 billion, Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said, “We need to set a new target for India’s bioeconomy for 2025. We are set to achieve the target of $150 billion by the end of this fiscal. This means that a new target of approximately $200 billion lays ahead of us for 2025 now.” She also pointed out that scaling up of startups is a big challenge in our country that needs to be addressed. “The lab to market journey for the startups needs to be reduced. We should look at the US market, for instance. Biotech companies in the US get huge amounts of investment from venture capitals because these VCs have exit to capital markets which is missing in India. We should sensitise capital markets to back good ideas. We cannot depend entirely on the funds being provided by the government.” The event also focused on how to boost the biomanufacturing segment in India with utilisation of next gen technologies, upskilling of work force, investment plans by the government, upgrading systems for biosafety, etc. Announcements regarding a few Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Indian and international organisations and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) were made during the Global Bio-India event. BIRAC has signed MoU with Germany-based Miltenyi Biotec for cell and gene therapy research; with Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical to extend advisory and mentoring support to innovators and entrepreneurs while assisting them from ideation to market deployment of new-age healthcare solutions; with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in the UK; and with India Health Fund. BIRAC has organised Global Bio-India 2023 focusing on ‘Biotech Innovation’ and ‘Bio-manufacturing’ and its impact on the BioEconomy of the country. The event is being held from 4rth to 6th December in Delhi.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/23882/ruling-the-roost-in-biomanufacturing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/23882/ruling-the-roost-in-biomanufacturing.html Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 With India poised to be among top 5 global biomanufacturing hubs by 2025, as stated by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science & Technology, the biotech industry has been rapidly responding to this sector. Based on this response, the Department of Biotechnology is working on a national project to foster high performance biomanufacturing, as an integrated approach towards promoting circular economy, which will establish world-class expertise, facilities, and skilled workforce in synthetic biology-based sustainable manufacturing methods. Biomanufacturing, an old technique, is the engine by which innovative bio-products can be brought to commercial scale. Recent transformative advances in fundamental biotechnology, including gene editing, CAR-T and other cell therapies, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, and mRNA vaccines are creating enormous new opportunities to grow the global bioeconomy. For instance, the world's response to COVID-19 depended on the rapid production of new vaccines through biomanufacturing, but biomanufacturing is not only about vaccines or gene therapies. It also includes alternative proteins, plant-based oils and biofuels, bioplastics and innovative products such as bio-concrete, etc. For instance, methane-based biomanufacturing has the potential to improve the economic viability of biosynthesis.  According to market reports, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and augmented reality, among other advanced technologies, are continuously being used in biomanufacturing processes across the globe, taking it to the next-generation level. Reports also suggest that the global next-generation biomanufacturing market which was $20.08 billion in 2021, would soar to $42.58 billion by 2029, with a projected CAGR of 9.85 per cent. With next-generation biomanufacturing, we can develop upstream and downstream processing protocols such as low-cost, cell-free expression to generate portable bio-factories; sustainable manufacturing of protein purification substrates; and engineered strains to automate bioprocessing. We can merge machine learning, protein engineering and low-cost device design for testing in low-resource labs and healthcare environments. Undoubtedly, the development of a next-generation biomanufacturing process can allow for the production of biological medication for the treatment of many crucial ailments. However, huge capital expenditure, associated unpredictable costs, lack of skilled professionals, operational complexity and compatibility challenges are hindering the growth of this sector. One approach being explored by India, to excel in this space is the establishment of biofoundries. The biofoundries can contribute to the development and strengthening of a Design-Build-Test-Learn approach for developing new high-throughput biological solutions using cutting-edge automation technologies such as robotics, AI algorithms, high-throughput analytical equipment and software, etc. Biofoundries can rapidly develop tools and datasets to enable and improve rational strain improvement in biomanufacturing. Apart from adequate financial and technical resources, establishing and running a biofoundry requires integrating physical and digital infrastructures and taking care of the organisational and operational issues. Nevertheless, biofoundries with appropriate automation and equipment are especially well-suited for designing vaccines.  Although technology can offer a big support to the biomanufacturing sector, the field needs investment in human capital. Besides keeping up with the latest biology and engineering technologies, the technicians and leadership in biomanufacturing need to understand and use new advances in automation and data science. And this requires constant contribution from the government, industry and academia to build a strong workforce for the biomanufacturing sector, thereby contributing to the bioeconomy of the country. Ultimately, the ability to translate the many promising biotechnologies from lab to a manufacturing relevant scale requires a strong and technically advanced biomanufacturing base; a skilled and diverse workforce at every level; and shared infrastructure that can support development of different bioprocesses. Developing capacity to rapidly manufacture bio-engineered solutions in all areas of the world, including diagnostics, vaccines, materials and industrial catalysts, has the potential to revolutionise the global bioeconomy.  India must bring all stakeholders together to emerge as a leading player in biomanufacturing by 2025.   Dr Manbeena Chawla Executive Editor (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23894/able-inks-mou-with-opportunities-new-brunswick-canada-for-advancement-of-biotechnology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23894/able-inks-mou-with-opportunities-new-brunswick-canada-for-advancement-of-biotechnology.html Thu, 30 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB), Canada and the Association of Biotechnology LED Enterprises (ABLE). The MoU was signed during the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023 on 29 November. The MoU aims to facilitate technology and technology-based foreign direct investment, enhancing the global competitiveness of companies in both regions. This partnership will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of biotechnology in both countries and promote mutually beneficial collaborations. As a part of this MoU, ABLE will actively seek to educate and inform its members regarding New Brunswick, its economy. business ecosystem, government policies and initiatives with respect to various sectors. ABLE will also organise webinars, discussions, and talks to enable interactions between ONB and ABLE members. ONB connects local and worldwide businesses in traditional and emerging industries to the advantages that New Brunswick has to offer. By connecting business to opportunity, ONB is driving economic growth and job creation, supporting innovation, and helping the next generation of business leaders to realise their true potential. On the other hand, the primary focus of ABLE is to accelerate the pace of growth of the biotechnology sector in India, through partnership with the government in their biotech initiatives to deliver optimal policies and create a positive regulatory environment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23818/iit-kanpur-inaugurates-mehta-family-centre-for-engineering-in-medicine-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23818/iit-kanpur-inaugurates-mehta-family-centre-for-engineering-in-medicine-.html Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) inaugurated the Mehta Family Centre for Engineering in Medicine (MFCEM) with the objective of facilitating breakthroughs in biomedical engineering innovations. The centre had been set up with the generous support of Rahul Mehta of the Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta Family Foundation (MFF), and was formally inaugurated on November 6, 2023 with a two-day inaugural symposium. It brings together researchers and scientists to collaborate for research at the convergence of engineering and medicine. Dr Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology presided over the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest. Rahul Mehta shared his vision for the centre, which is dedicated to propelling the next generation of healthcare innovation, and fostering collaboration between various engineering and medical disciplines. Dr Shankar Subramaniam, a distinguished figure in the field of bioengineering at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and an Advisor to the centre was also present at the event.  The research symposium featured compelling presentations from prominent global experts in three primary research areas at MFCEM comprising Molecular Medicine, Regenerative Medicine, and Digital Medicine.  MFCEM is furthering the vision to develop innovative and sustainable engineering solutions to medical problems. The Centre draws upon the existing strength of IIT Kanpur and involves faculties from different engineering and science departments, such as: Biological Sciences and Bioengineering (BSBE); Computer Science and Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry and Cognitive Science.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23816/tata-transformation-prize-celebrates-pathbreaking-healthcare-innovation-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23816/tata-transformation-prize-celebrates-pathbreaking-healthcare-innovation-in-india.html Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Tata Sons and The New York Academy of Sciences have announced the first Winners of the Tata Transformation Prize. The prize recognises and supports visionary scientists in India who are developing innovative solutions to critical societal challenges. Three scientists were selected from 169 entries by an international jury of renowned experts for their innovations in food security, sustainability, and healthcare. Each winner will receive Rs 2 crore (approximately $240,000) and will be honoured at a ceremony in Mumbai in December 2023. The jury included distinguished scientists, clinicians, technologists, and engineers spanning six continents from a variety of organisations, including IBM Research, Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Public Health Foundation of India, and UN-Habitat. For the healthcare category, the winner is Professor Anurag Singh Rathore, a healthcare pioneer aiming to reduce the manufacturing cost of biotherapeutics for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases, thus enabling equal access to these top-tier, expensive treatments currently out of reach for 90% of the Indian population. Prof Rathore has established a state-of-the-art drug manufacturing facility with continuous processing that incorporates novel methods for real-time process monitoring and control. His innovation is projected to reduce manufacturing costs by 50-75%, making best-in-class biotherapeutics for complex diseases significantly more affordable for Indian populations in need and further advancing India’s position at the forefront of global medical innovation.  The other two winners are Dr Purnananda Guptasarma, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali (Sustainability category) and Dr Shilpi Sharma, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (for food security). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23806/param-hansa-centre-for-computational-oncology-launches-at-iisc-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23806/param-hansa-centre-for-computational-oncology-launches-at-iisc-bengaluru.html Mon, 06 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Param Hansa Philanthropies (PHP) has made a generous commitment to support the setting up of a Centre for Computational Oncology at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. It marks a major leap forward in the quest to integrate cutting-edge computational methodologies with ground breaking cancer research. The Param Hansa Centre for Computational Oncology (PHCCO) will foster research in predictive and quantitative mathematical models of cancer progression, metastasis, and tumor relapse, to identify the underlying fundamental dynamics of these multi-scale processes and to eventually improve patient outcomes in the clinic. The Centre aims to nurture an active community of future leaders in computational oncology in India, through inter-institutional, cross-disciplinary collaborations among researchers in academia, medicine, and industry. The Centre will be led by Mohit Kumar Jolly, Associate Professor at the Department of Bioengineering, who heads the Cancer Systems Biology research group at IISc. The partnership was facilitated through the IISc Foundation, a non-profit entity set up in the US, to support research and infrastructure development at IISc. Param Hansa Philanthropies will support the Centre with $1 million over the next seven years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23802/india-ready-to-showcase-biotech-innovations-on-global-scale-with-global-bio-india-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23802/india-ready-to-showcase-biotech-innovations-on-global-scale-with-global-bio-india-2023.html Sat, 04 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Minister of Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh launched the website of "Global Bio-India 2023", a mega International congregation on Biotechnology, to be held at Pragati Maidan from 4-6 December, 2023, at its curtain raiser event in Delhi recently. Dr Jitendra Singh said, "Biotechnology is the technology of tomorrow as IT has already reached its saturation point." He further said, "The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), envisaged by PM Modi, will spur R&D and position India as a global R&D leader in next 5 years. NRF will have huge non-government resources, almost 70% of the NRF budget of Rs 50,000 crore over five years, is envisaged to come from non-governmental sources." Adding to the growth of the biotechnology sector in India, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology said that the Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry policy is ready to be announced later this month. Dr Manish Diwan, Head- Strategic Partnership and Entrepreneurship Development (SPED) at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) gave a detailed overview of the mega event. Narayanan Suresh, Chief Operating Officer, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), suggested that the government should announce the dates for upcoming editions of Global Bio India event for the next 3 years for better visibility of Indian biotech innovations.  "This is the only event for all the biotech stakeholders in India. Global Bio India 2023, in its third edition, will attract global interest and venture capital flow of funds", said Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23788/lords-mark-biotech-launches-tinefcon-for-psoriasis-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23788/lords-mark-biotech-launches-tinefcon-for-psoriasis-management.html Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Lord’s Mark Biotech, a subsidiary of Lord’s Mark Industries, has launched Tinefcon, a patented medicine for treating Psoriasis. Lord’s Mark Biotech has signed an exclusivity agreement with INVEX Health for the patented product developed by Piramal Life Sciences in India. Tinefcon is being launched as a total solution for Psoriasis in 4 forms such as tablet, cream, shower gel and scalp wash and is priced in the range of Rs 799 - Rs 3900. Lord's Mark Biotech, the exclusive distribution partner for Tinefcon, is mentoring workers around the country through a scientific sales force exclusively recruited for Tinefcon to deliver a solution for Psoriasis. The company has also established a strong social media campaign to aggressively market Tinefcon online. Tinefcon will also be offered on internet marketplaces, allowing the medical community to reliably recommend it to needy patients.   Lord’s Mark Biotech has invested Rs 20 crore to market and distribute it extensively in India, and the company is expecting a revenue of Rs 100 crore for Tinefcon by 2025. Tinefcon is being tested in 500+ patients across India, has been proven to treat psoriasis, and has shown a reduction of 66% in epidermal thickness, improved the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), and downregulated the psoriatic markers gene in a 12-week clinical study. Tinefcon can be safely prescribed to all patients over 18 years old.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23790/c-camp-announces-next-generation-tripartite-indo-european-collaboration-to-fight-amr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23790/c-camp-announces-next-generation-tripartite-indo-european-collaboration-to-fight-amr.html Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), an initiative supported by the Department of Biotechnology, has announced a next-generation tripartite Indo-European collaboration to address the grave challenges posed by Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), with science, innovation, policy, and stewardship. This tripartite agreement welcomes a new entrant, Swissnex in India, the Swiss science and technology consulate part of a Swiss global network connecting Switzerland and the world in education, research, and innovation, as part of the WAAH! Accelerator which was originally signed between the Dutch Embassy and C-CAMP in December 2022. The WAAH! Accelerator is working towards emphasising co-creation and co-development of new technologies in Water, Agriculture, Animal, and Human Health towards fulfilling the One Health approach to address AMR. This Accelerator was set up as a C-CAMP partnership with NADP (Netherlands Antibiotic Development Platform) and AMR Global, both Netherlands-based organisations. With Swissnex in India joining this programme, this agreement will not only encourage path-breaking science but also prioritise faster impact on-field nationally and globally. This tripartite agreement was recently announced at the C-CAMP premises by its Director-CEO Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, and Jonas Brunschwig CEO, Consul General, Swissnex in India at an exclusive event during the Indo-Swiss AMR Innovation Dialogue that brought selected AMR innovators from C-CAMP portfolio, and C-CAMP’s international partners to the same table as high-level delegates and policymakers from the Indian, Swiss and Dutch scientific ecosystems. The partners have prioritised problem areas within AMR that they will address in a phase-wise manner. As a start, the WAAH! plans to roll out a global AMR challenge in early 2024 after a detailed needs-assessment exercise by the stakeholders, and identification of a subset of AMR challenges that can be addressed with innovations, while efficiently leveraging the respective innovation networks. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/23748/ai-driven-therapeutics-for-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/23748/ai-driven-therapeutics-for-diabetes.html Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study conducted in 2021, India has over 101 million people living with diabetes compared to 70 million people in 2019, with at least 136 million people (15.3 per cent of the population) having prediabetes. A ground-breaking research paper of a comprehensive epidemiological study funded by ICMR was recently published in the globally acclaimed medical journal, The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, revealing that Goa has the highest prevalence of diabetes while Uttar Pradesh is at the lowest. Likewise, Sikkim has the highest number of cases with prediabetes while Mizoram has the lowest. Funded by the ICMR and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the Indian Council of Medical Research–India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study is the largest survey on diabetes and other metabolic NCDs undertaken in India. On one hand, this study identifies regional and state-level variations in the prevalence of diabetes across the country. At the same time, on the other hand, it highlights the growing complications due to the rising number of diabetes cases. “There is a sizeable population in India at risk of long-term organ complications due to metabolic diseases such as diabetes, which are likely to pose a major public health challenge in the near future. There is also evidence that the epidemic is spreading to rural areas, which lack the health infrastructure needed to effectively diagnose and manage these conditions”, says Dr V Mohan, Chairman, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC) and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF). The Diabetes Domino Effect  Complications from diabetes can be classified as microvascular which include nervous system damage (neuropathy), renal system damage (nephropathy) and eye damage (retinopathy), diabetic foot ulcers or macrovascular disease that include cardiovascular disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Based on a figure of about 40 million people with diabetes in India, there would be at least 7 million with diabetic retinopathy, 0.8 million with diabetic nephropathy, 10.4 million with diabetic neuropathy, 8.5 million with coronary artery disease, and 2.5 million with peripheral vascular disease. The burden due to diabetic complications is very high in India simply because of the large number of people with diabetes.  Data reveals that approximately, 12-15 per cent of people with diabetes suffer from diabetic foot ulcers at least once in a lifetime, and 5-24 per cent of them finally lead to limb amputation within 6-18 months after the first evaluation. On the whole, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic foot ulcer are the most frequent, and the most disabling complications of diabetes mellitus, with a sinister impact on patients’ quality of life. As a result, diabetic retinopathy, one of the first manifestations of microvascular disease, remains today, despite improvements in monitoring and treatment, one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Leveraging AI Technology  In India, the threat of diabetic retinopathy is looming with a recent study showing a 16.9 per cent prevalence. This has led to the call for more innovative approaches to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy. One promising solution is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for improved eye care in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Although, currently there are a few private players in India, both at the industry and academic level, that are utilising AI and related technologies to develop new tools for quick detection of diabetic retinopathy, its complete implementation is still a long way to go. To name a few, Bengaluru-based companies such as Remidio, and Forus Health are some of the prominent players that are strengthening the use of AI in the timely and effective detection of diabetic retinopathy in India and other parts of the world. Remidio has developed the world's only smartphone-based automated algorithm that works offline. The algorithm harnesses deep learning technology deployed on a smartphone-based fundus camera, Remidio NM-FOP, to detect referable diabetic retinopathy within 10 seconds. The company has recently received CE mark approval for its technology, closely following the nod received from Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA). “People with diabetes require regular and repetitive annual retinal screening for timely detection of diabetic retinopathy in addition to diabetes assessment. The current utility of AI in diabetic retinopathy is limited to preventive care, that is, in screening, with a rising interest in predictive features toward disease advancement and treatment burden. The integration of AI into healthcare can help in larger coverage for screening for diabetic retinopathy but there are several challenges that stand in the way of wider adoption of AI such as workflow integration, enhanced explainability and interpretability, workforce education, data quality, access, and sharing and compliance with privacy”, says Dr Rajiv Raman, Senior Vitreo-Retinal Consultant, Sankara Nethralaya. In a similar vein, Dr Doris Macharia, Senior Vice President, Global Programmes, Orbis says, “In India and elsewhere around the world, investment in AI is needed to bridge the gap in eye care management, especially in ways that can make managing diabetic retinopathy cost-effective, easier, and more convenient, eventually reducing  vision loss and blindness in the country.” Besides diabetic retinopathy,  there’s a promising technology to detect diabetic foot ulcer. Pune-based biotech startup Mylab Discovery Solutions has recently partnered with a UK-based firm to develop a kit to detect diabetic foot ulcers. It is one of the world’s first point-of-decision molecular technology solutions, delivering early identification of the spectrum of microbial flora in the ulcer and supporting clinicians to plan appropriate antimicrobial therapy regimes. Another complication that arises from diabetes is nerve damage. One in ten people and one  in two diabetics suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy, a chronic clinical condition, wherein the peripheral nervous system is damaged. Various epidemiological studies from India have shown the wide prevalence of nerve damage varying from 5 to 2400 per 10,000 population. The prevalence of nerve damage in India is estimated to vary between 13.1 and 45 per cent in different populations which could be attributed to different types of diabetes. Highlighting the technological advancements in this space, researchers at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru in collaboration with the Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology and Research (KIER), have developed a set of unique self-regulating footwear utilising 3D printing technology. The footwear can be especially beneficial for people who have diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The researchers have currently collaborated with Bengaluru-based startups Foot Secure and Yostra Labs to commercialise this product. Another example is of Mumbai-based startup Ayati Devices, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, which has developed a quick screening tool to quantify the severity of foot neuropathy. The product has been approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).   Addressing Complications Effectively  With insulin and oral anti-diabetic drugs holding the major interest of the Indian pharma sector, there are very few companies that are investing in developing specific solutions for diabetes-related complications. The market for oral antidiabetic drugs is fragmented whereas the market for insulin is concentrated in nature with top players dominating the majority of the industry. The volume of new entrants in the patented oral antidiabetics and insulin market is low, while in the generic oral antidiabetics market it is comparatively higher. “Insulin is the bedrock of diabetes treatment. It turns a deadly disease into a manageable one for 9 million people with type 1 diabetes. For people living with type 2 diabetes, insulin is essential in reducing the risk of kidney failure, blindness and limb amputation. However, one out of every two people needing insulin does not get it because of a number of factors including high prices”, points out Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon. Addressing diabetes-related complications, Asprius Lifesciences, a Gujarat-based pharmaceutical company, has developed a new treatment for diabetic neuropathy. The company has already filed a patent for its innovative fixed-dose combination drug. Focusing on another diabetes-related complication,  diabetic nephropathy or complication related to the kidneys, Bayer  recently launched its drug Finerenone to treat chronic kidney disease associated with type-2 diabetes in India. The drug  will be sold under the brand name Kerendia in India. Mumbai-based pharmaceutical firm Alkem Laboratories is exploring the use of 4D bioprinting technology in collaboration with a South Korean company to treat the deep, non-healing, chronic wounds associated with diabetic foot ulcers. Likewise, Bengaluru-based Stempeutics Research, a group company of Manipal Education and Medical Group, is currently undergoing phase 3 clinical trials for its innovative product to treat non-healing diabetic foot ulcers. The company has out-licensed the product to pharmaceutical firm Cipla for exclusive marketing rights for five years in India. According to Dr Pawan Gupta, Senior Vice President, Medical and Regulatory Affairs, Stempeutics, “Current standard of care for treating non-healing diabetic ulcer includes local wound care with sterile dressings, repeated debridement of necrotic tissues, and pressure off-loading. However, most results are far from satisfactory, and about 20 per cent of patients with diabetic foot ulcers undergo limb amputation. Since DFU is a complex clinical condition, current approaches endeavour to address one single approach, which leads to the failure of complete healing. Cell therapy-based approaches have several advantages compared to others, as they allow therapeutic targeting of different phases of wound healing.”  Also, Mumbai-based Centaur Pharma has already launched a new chemical entity (NCE)- based product for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in the Indian market, in collaboration with German company Cyto Tools. Entod Pharma is another player from Mumbai that has recently developed a saffron-based eye care supplement to treat and manage diabetic retinopathy, along with other eye-related diseases. Diagnose, Identify, Treat  Although the Union Health Ministry has launched an ambitious initiative of screening and putting 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes on standard care by 2025, equal attention is needed to diagnose, identify and treat the organ complications that arise due to diabetes in an economical way. Currently, there is a dearth of economic evidence about screening programmes, affected age groups, and frequency of screening for diabetes and related diseases in Indian settings.  “Right intervention to delay the onset of diabetes and the related complications is key. The public health centres should engage more with the industry players that are developing multiple diabetes management apps in order to educate, raise awareness and increase communication about prediabetes, diabetes and the related complications. Health education and the engagement of people with diabetes about the related complications such as diabetic retinopathy, the risk it poses to their vision and the need for annual retinal examination, are essential and should be made mandatory”, says Dr Uma Nambiar, international healthcare consultant. Sharing his perspective, Dr Anand Sivaraman, Founding Director and Chief Executive Officer, Remidio says, “There is an urgent need to make the diagnosis of diabetes and complications such as diabetic retinopathy accessible and affordable, particularly at primary care centres, using technology like AI and portable imaging systems that can be used by nurses and health workers. For instance, UK NHS's Diabetic Eye Screening Programme in GP offices was able to eliminate Diabetic Eye Disease as a cause of blindness in working-age adults, through early detection. The programme commenced in 2003 and reached population coverage across the whole of England by 2008. The benefit of the programme is that, in the UK, diabetic retinopathy is no longer the leading cause of certifiable blindness in the working age group.” In fact, the government of Kerala is trying to replicate the same model with Remidio’s device with deployment in more than 150 primary health centres. Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology who is also a renowned diabetologist and Professor, is optimistic that India is ready to lead technology-driven diabetes care. But he insists that results would be better following public-private partnerships. “There is a pressing need for more innovative programmes and institutions for non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes. The necessity of dedicated diabetes institutions for research and training will lead to ultimately contributing to better healthcare and well-being for all. It is therefore the right time to generate as much Indian data as possible because the goal should be to develop Indian treatment regimens for Indian patients, and Indian solutions for Indian problems. And this would be possible with effective collaboration between the public and private sector”, the Minister emphasised. We hope to see more investments and engagements from both the public and private sectors in India in newer technologies and areas to detect diabetes and related complications more accurately and economically in the years to come.   Dr Manbeena Chawla (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/23756/fighting-next-gen-dengue.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/23756/fighting-next-gen-dengue.html Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In 2023, and as of October 2, over 4.2 million cases and over 3,000 dengue-related deaths have been reported from 79 countries/territories globally. Within Asia, dengue outbreaks have been reported in India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Caused by any of four distinct serotypes (DENV 1-4) of single-stranded RNA viruses of the genus Flavivirus, dengue has emerged as the fastest spreading mosquito-borne viral disease globally. In India, dengue is endemic in almost all states. All four antigenically distinct serotypes of the virus that display significant immunological cross-reactivity due to 65–70 per cent homology have been reported from various parts of the country over the years. Combined with a complex transmission cycle and high seroprevalence, dengue evolution in the country has been shaped in complex and unexpected ways. According to recent reports in India, the more common Dengue 1 strain manifests in symptoms such as fever and body aches, but the new strain Dengue 2, found to be emerging in Uttar Pradesh, can lead to high fever, vomiting, skin rashes and dengue shock syndrome. The new variant is more lethal and it could lead to multiple organ failure in some patients and even death. A multi-institutional study on dengue led by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru shows how the virus causing the disease has evolved dramatically over the last few decades in the Indian subcontinent. As per the researchers, until 2012, the dominant strains in India were Dengue 1 and 3. But in recent years, Dengue 2 has become more dominant across the country, while Dengue 4, once considered the least infectious, is now making a niche for itself in South India. As a result, many private players in India are trying to understand the dynamics of dengue diagnosis, control and management by developing new products and strategies. For instance, Pune-based startup Mylab Discovery Solutions has introduced two state-of-the-art tests for the detection of dengue infections, in the form of the dengue rapid gold test and the dengue high accuracy dry luminescence assay test. Likewise, Bengaluru-based startup GenWorks has launched an immunochromatographic one-step rapid card solution for qualitative early acute dengue detection. Further, the Karnataka government has announced the development of a mobile app, which, along with an artificial intelligence (AI)-based model, can provide dengue predictive analysis. At present, the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is working with identified ministries, states, government institutions and development partners under a common platform to develop a strategic framework for dengue control. Amidst these developments, India is also getting closer towards producing an effective dengue vaccine. On August 30, Cyrus S Poonawalla, Chairman and Managing Director of Serum Institute of India, revealed that the company plans to develop a dengue vaccine in approximately one year. Few other players such as Hyderabad-based Indian Immunologicals, New Delhi-based Panacea Biotech are also in the process of developing vaccines for dengue in the coming years. In another recent development this year, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has approved a research grant to a group of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) for the development of a nano-vaccine against dengue. Globally, there are two live attenuated tetravalent vaccines available- Dengvaxia and Qdenga, and this list is awaiting the presence of indigenous vaccines from India. Due to the immense public health burden from dengue infections in India, it is important to understand the genetic diversity, spatial incidence, effectiveness of vaccines and the potential emergence of new variants of the dengue virus in the region. The public and private sectors should increase their focus and R&D investments in studying this condition, and finding solutions in the best possible way.   Dr Manbeena Chawla Executive Editor (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23773/eyestem-partners-with-retinai-to-innovate-geographic-atrophy-clinical-research-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23773/eyestem-partners-with-retinai-to-innovate-geographic-atrophy-clinical-research-.html Mon, 30 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Eyestem Research, a Bengaluru-based biotechnology company specialising in cell therapy approaches, has entered a strategic partnership with Ikerian AG and RetinAI Inc. in the US, a pioneer in clinical and imaging data management software and advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics for ophthalmology. Leveraging RetinAI’s Discovery® platform and AI tools will enable Eyestem to advance in its mission to revolutionise treatment for geographic atrophy with its innovative cell therapy, Eyecyte-RPE™. “This collaboration with RetinAI marks a significant milestone in our journey,” said Dr Jogin Desai, Founder and CEO of Eyestem. “Their sophisticated AI tools and the RetinAI Discovery® platform integrate perfectly with our vision, potentially shortening the timelines for our clinical trials and enhancing the accuracy of our analyses. This is not just a partnership; it’s a confluence of high-end biotech innovation and cutting-edge artificial intelligence aiming to rewrite the narrative for patients affected by geographic atrophy worldwide.” Geographic atrophy, a late-stage form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a significant health concern worldwide. Currently, dry AMD affects 200 million individuals globally, contributing to irreversible vision loss. Compounded by an aging population, the prevalence of this serious eye disease is escalating at an alarming rate. Eyestem is taking a significant step forward by preparing to initiate its Phase I/IIa clinical trials for Eyecyte-RPE™. This multi-centre, dose escalation, and expansion trial aims to assess Eyecyte-RPE™’s safety and efficacy for geographic atrophy. This trial will benefit from RetinAI’s Discovery® platform, which will centralise data management and image analysis for the study. Moreover, RetinAI’s advanced segmentation model will be leveraged for the identification and quantification of retinal biomarkers in geographic atrophy. This automated analysis will provide real-time insights on clinical endpoints, speeding up critical decision-making. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23764/biobased-material-delta-carbon-to-replace-petroleum-based-counterparts-in-pharma-biotech-industries.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23764/biobased-material-delta-carbon-to-replace-petroleum-based-counterparts-in-pharma-biotech-industries.html Sun, 29 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Delta Carbon, a biobased material, is soon to replace the petroleum-based counterparts that are used in various pharma and biotech industries. According to Industry analysts, the new bio-based material can effectively compete with the existing traditional petroleum-based materials that are used in the separation of Hydrophilic compounds,  Oder control, and industrial wastewater purification. Sources from Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association (BDMA) also highlighted the specifications of the Delta-Carbon and noted that this new bio-based material has a high Cfix value with a pH value of 7 at a normal 20-degree Celsius temperature. Ramaswamy, an industry analyst from BDMA, says that in recent times, extensive research has been performed to address the challenges allied with long-term durability, reliability, serviceability, properties, and sustainable production in Pharma and other related industries dealing with complex chemicals.  “with its high Cfix greater than 90 percent, this bio-based Delta carbon can be used not just as a catalyst, but also can be used as an industrial wastewater purifier as it has good mesoporosity level of more than 60 percent,” observed the analysts. Overall, the new advacned bio-based material is going to bring a new revolution in the industrial setup as the new technology is flexible and sustainable overcoming various environmental challenges faced by the pharma and other related industries.   Amguth Raju    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23739/kiit-announces-technology-transfer-of-cancer-diagnostic-kit-wound-therapy-to-supriya-lifescience.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23739/kiit-announces-technology-transfer-of-cancer-diagnostic-kit-wound-therapy-to-supriya-lifescience.html Mon, 23 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bhubaneswar-based KIIT Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI) has achieved an exceptional feat in IP commercialisation, by transferring two leading-edge technologies with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) to Supriya Lifescience in Mumbai. Dr Swagatika Panda, a recipient of the prestigious BIG grant, has developed a game-changing Oral Cancer Screening Platform through her venture, Quickblue Oral Care. This technology promises early detection and prevention like never before, a potential lifesaver. The development of an oral cancer detection kit is in line with Supriya Lifescience’s vision of manufacturing niche products to meet unmet medical needs. Dr Satish Wagh, Chairman, Supriya Lifescience estimates that the Quickblue oral kit could reduce the cost of oral cancer detection significantly, eliminating the need for multiple biopsies in cases of non-healing oral ulcers.On the other hand, Dr Ashok Sharon, another BIG Grantee from Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Mesra, has unleashed an advanced Wound Care Therapy that can revolutionise wound treatment, speeding up healing and offering a ray of hope to countless patients.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23726/c-camp-licenses-out-sepsis-treatment-technology-to-dutch-spinoff-survivx.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23726/c-camp-licenses-out-sepsis-treatment-technology-to-dutch-spinoff-survivx.html Thu, 19 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A novel immunomodulatory adjuvant therapy to increase the window for survival in severe sepsis cases that has been co-developed by Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) and Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) Bhubaneswar is successfully licensed out to the Dutch biotechnology company, SurvivX.  Polymicrobial sepsis is a worldwide challenge, with approximately 50 million cases and 11 million sepsis-related deaths worldwide, accounting for 20% of all global deaths. The new compound, called SUR-101, is an immune stimulating therapeutic in sepsis patients with signs of immune suppression. It could be the first step towards personalisation and precision in sepsis medicine that has thus far been treated as a drug discovery problem. The technology presently at the preclinical stage is a discovery by a team of scientists led by Prof Ravindran Balachandran from ILS. It has been translated and co-developed by the translational research group of Dr Taslimarif Saiyed at C-CAMP. Speaking on the licensing effort, the Dutch Ambassador to India, Marisa Gerards, said, “Life Sciences & Health remains a priority sector for the bilateral cooperation between the Netherlands and India. We have successfully been working in this field for many years, and this new partnership is a great example of what India and the Netherlands can do together. Sepsis is an important global societal challenge, and it is in need of innovative solutions.” “This is one of the first global technology transfers by C-CAMP of an academic invention developed exclusively in India," Dr Saiyed said. SurvivX CEO Remko van Leeuwen said, “SurvivX needs to show the safety and activity of the protein in humans before it can be tested as a novel therapeutic approach”.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23715/birac-announces-women-leadership-in-stem-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23715/birac-announces-women-leadership-in-stem-programme.html Tue, 17 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Government of India enterprise, has partnered with WomenLift Health to launch a leadership development programme to empower women leaders working in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in India. The Women Leadership in STEM (WLS) programme, under the Grand Challenges India (GCI) initiative, aims to catalyse a systemic change towards gender equity in STEM leadership by investing in mid-career women professionals and providing them with the tools, networks, and mentorship needed to excel in their chosen fields.This part-time programme will bring together a cohort of 20 mid-career women leaders working in STEM institutions in India for three fully funded, five-day residential leadership workshops over the course of a year. The sessions have been designed, in collaboration with the Center for Creative Leadership, to support these women to realise their potential and grow as leaders and decision-makers as well as foster a strong network of champions and institutional partners. The WLS programme also includes a Leadership Project to address real-world challenges related to centering women and girls in STEM, catalysing institutional change, optimising pathways to leadership, building integrated and resilient health systems, and STEM innovation and policy in India. The WLS programme is in line with the Government of India’s commitment towards women-led development, as articulated at the G20 Summit in September 2023. Through its focus on transformative leadership and mentorship for women working in STEM, the programme offers a pathway for their increased representation and participation in decision-making processes, leading to more balanced and diverse leadership teams. The call for applications to the WLS programme will open on October 27, 2023; mid-career women professionals with 10-25 years of experience in recognised public and private STEM institutions in India are eligible to apply. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23709/immunoact-announces-cdsco-approval-of-indias-first-car-t-cell-therapy-nexcar19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23709/immunoact-announces-cdsco-approval-of-indias-first-car-t-cell-therapy-nexcar19.html Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Immunoadoptive Cell Therapy (ImmunoACT) has received the marketing authorisation approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), of the first humanised CD19-targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) therapy product for relapsed / refractory (r/r) B-cell lymphomas and leukemia in India. ImmunoACT is an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay incubated company under the aegis of SINE (Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) and was founded in 2018. NexCAR19 is an indigenously developed CD19 targeted CAR-T cell therapy. It is the first-of-its kind, a Made-in-India product and puts the nation firmly on the world map of advanced cell-and-gene therapies.  The multi-center Phase I/ II pivotal clinical trial was conducted with 60 patients of r/r B-cell lymphomas and leukemia. The clinical data indicates ~70% overall response rate (ORR). The safety profile in terms of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and absence of neurotoxicity indicates a significant improvement over the other commercially approved CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapies. NexCAR19 is the culmination of a collaborative effort across a decade, between the IIT-Bombay, and Tata Memorial Centre (TMC). Hyderabad-based Laurus Labs has been the early backer of ImmunoACT and has invested over $18 million to support ImmunoACT to scale its R&D and commercialisation efforts. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23690/global-bio-india-2023-gives-a-billion-reasons-to-invest-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23690/global-bio-india-2023-gives-a-billion-reasons-to-invest-in-india.html Sat, 14 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and it's Public Sector Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) are organising Global Bio-India 2023, a mega international congregation of biotechnology stakeholders, including international bodies, regulatory bodies, Central and State Ministries, SMEs, large industries, bioclusters, research institutes, investors, and the startup ecosystem. The biotechnology sector is recognised as the key driver for contributing to India's $5 Trillion economy target. Taking place on 4-6 December 2023 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Global Bio-India 2023 would showcase India's Biotech growth and opportunities to the world. India being the No. 1 supplier of of DPT, BCG and measles vaccines globally; No. 2 producer of BT cotton globally; and 3rd argest biotech destination in the Asia Pacific Region, this event gives out a billion reasons to invest in India. The Indian Biotechnology industry was valued at $93.1 billion in 2022, with expectations of reaching $300 billion by 2030. DBT, which is playing a pivotal role in realising the sector's potential, aims to foster high-performance biomanufacturing to enable a circular bioeconomy. With the theme- 'Transforming lives Biosciences to Bioeconomy', Global Bio-India 2023 is all set to witness participation for more than 50 countries, more than 500 exhibitors, and more than 5000 delegates. Watch this space as we bring to you exclusive insights from DBT and BIRAC about the key highlights that will unfold Global Bio-India 2023 very soon! ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23665/unlocking-tomorrows-solutions-in-chromatography-with-purify23-conclave.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23665/unlocking-tomorrows-solutions-in-chromatography-with-purify23-conclave.html Thu, 05 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Purify'23, the premier chromatography purification conference, is set to take place on November 7, 2023, at the luxurious ITC Kohenur in Hyderabad. Purify'23 is not just a conference; it's a global convergence of scientific minds. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to delve into the dynamic world of chromatography purification, exploring cutting-edge developments, trends, and technologies. This event promises to be a catalyst for innovation and collaboration in the industry. Key highlights of Purify'23 include: Global Reach: Purify'23 is truly global in nature, attracting participants and experts from across the globe. This international perspective ensures a diverse range of insights and experiences that can drive progress in chromatography purification. Comprehensive Agenda: With nearly nineteen thought-provoking talks, Purify'23 will cover a wide spectrum of facets and trending topics in the field of chromatography purification. From advanced separation techniques, good practices, innovative technologies, impact of IT, case studies, novel column materials, scaleups, green technology, with digitalisation and much more, participants will gain valuable insights to enhance their performance. Engaging Panel Discussions: The conference will feature three insightful panel discussions featuring eminent industry experts. The panellists participating in these discussions are luminaries from the pharmaceutical industry, bringing their vast experience and knowledge to the forefront. Their insights will help attendees understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in chromatography purification. These discussions will revolve around critical topics such as "Importance of Investing in Right Technologies for Business Growth," "AI: A Disruptor or Enable for Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharmaceutical Industries," and “Demystifying the Complexity of Oligo Nucleotide Business”. These deliberations are sure to provide valuable perspectives on the industry's future direction. Networking Opportunities: Purify'23 offers attendees a platform for immense networking opportunities throughout the day. The event encourages collaboration, idea exchange, and the forging of valuable professional connections. Furthermore, a sumptuous business networking dinner post-conclave at ITC Kohenur promises to be an evening of informal discussions and relationship building. Strong Industry Support: The event is sponsored by the top leading companies in chromatography purification and supported by our very eminent advisory board. This invaluable support ensures that Purify'23 remains at the forefront of industry advancements and insights.   Purify'23 is more than a conference; it is a gateway to the future of chromatography purification. Scientists, researchers, and industry professionals are invited to be a part of this transformative event and shape the future of pharmaceutical research. For registration and more information, please visit www.purifyconclaves.com. As we are only a couple of weeks away from the event, LIMITED SEATS remain!   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/23663/taking-tech-steps-to-go-beyond-animal-testing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/23663/taking-tech-steps-to-go-beyond-animal-testing.html Wed, 04 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Recent policy shifts across many countries are encouraging the transition towards use of nonanimal models. It also stems from the observation that 95 per cent of drugs that succeed in animal tests ultimately fail in human clinical trials. As a result, studies predict that over the next 15 years, there will be a significant rise in the global use of non-animal models across all stages of the product development pipeline. The pharmaceutical industry, cosmetics and household products, diagnostics, chemicals industry, and food and beverage industry currently dominate the non-animal alternatives testing market. However, the pharmaceutical industry was the largest segment of the non-animal alternatives testing market, accounting for 40.6 per cent of the total in 2022. On the whole, the global non-animal alternatives testing market reached a value of nearly $1.86 billion in 2022, having grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5% since 2017, and is expected to grow to $3.2 billion in 2027 and reach $5.5 billion in 2032. The most significant growth of this market is likely to come from complex in vitro models such as 3D organoids and organ-on-chip technologies. In fact, in silico models are also anticipated to be more widely applied throughout the development process. For instance, a liver-chip model from Harvard University recently demonstrated a more accurate prediction of human toxicity than animal model equivalents, sometimes flagging compounds that animal models missed. Hyderabad-based Hetero Biopharma is bringing about another development that has embarked on a working relationship with Transcell and US-based Quantiphi to explore the integration of Digital Animal Replacement Technology (DART) into its operational Processes. DART harnesses human Microphysiological Systems and employs artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning-powered digital prediction models. These models are integrated into modular assays that predict the safety and efficacy concerns of pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals intended for human use. DART is one of the fascinating areas that the Hyderabad-based startup Transcell is working on to replace the need for live animal testing in parts of the drug and vaccine development and manufacturing process. They have developed a platform that combines human stem-cell-based assays with an AI-powered digital workstation to predict safety and efficacy concerns. Purely computational models can also provide a cost-effective solution for drug development, with computer-aided drug design being a modern technique used to identify potential leads. New Delhi-based startup Molecule AI is developing AI models to predict ADMET properties in humans, thus reducing the need for extrapolating the results of animal studies to humans. This can significantly reduce the number of compounds to be tested on animals. The clinical relevance and potential impact of AI toxicity models can be illustrated by the example of ELND006. This molecule is a ˠ-secretase inhibitor that underwent clinical trials to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Molecule AI’s toxicity models flagged this molecule for hepatotoxicity, the same reason for which the molecule failed the clinical trials. Although multiple developments are taking place across the industry, incorporating nonanimal models into routine use for regulatory approvals will be incremental. Novel nonanimal models must be validated by independent centres, qualified by large regulators, and accepted for specific contexts of use by international harmonisation organisations. Scientists, researchers, and regulators need to collaborate and be educated about the benefits and proper use of alternative methods. Time will assess whether non-animal models demonstrate equivalent or better outputs than animal models and are likely to replace animal models in the next 15 years.   Dr Manbeena Chawla (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/23640/stepping-up-stem-cell-research-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/23640/stepping-up-stem-cell-research-.html Tue, 03 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian government is bullish on the stem cell sector. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has been actively involved in supporting projects spanning various aspects of stem cell research, including basic biology, translational research, gene editing technology development for potential therapies, and the creation of animal models for human diseases. The DBT allocated funds totaling Rs 7,345.58 lakh during the period from 2019 to 2022.  There have been a flurry of activities in this space in recent times. The introduction of Stempeutics Research's Stempeucel in partnership with Cipla in 2020 marked a groundbreaking achievement in India's stem cell sector. It secured the distinction of being the first allogeneic cell therapy product approved for commercial use in India and globally, as the world's inaugural stem cell product for the treatment of Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) due to Buerger’s Disease and Atherosclerotic Peripheral Arterial Disease. Stempeucel, which took over 12 years to develop, represents a revolutionary therapy designed to augment the body's innate ability to restore blood flow in ischemic tissue. Currently, the firm is planning to enter other international markets, including the US, EU, and Japan. In 2022, Stempeutics in collaboration with Alkem Laboratories, launched the first 'made-in-India' off-the-shelf cell therapy product known as ‘StemOne’ to treat Knee Osteoarthritis (OA). It is the first approved allogeneic cell therapy product for commercial use in India to address knee OA. The firm is also evaluating stem cell therapy for diabetic foot ulcers and in May  2023, announced the completion of patient enrollment for this critical phase 3 study. “While the United States, the European Union, and China currently lead in preclinical mesenchymal stem cell research, India has achieved a significant milestone with the approval of its stem cell product, Stempeucel. In contrast, both the USA and China have yet to obtain approval for any stem cell products. Stempeucel obtained approval for two specific conditions, poor circulation and knee pain resulting from osteoarthritis, and is derived from the culture expansion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. With this precedent established, it is anticipated that this development will serve as a catalyst for future advancements in stem cell therapies. This holds significant promise for India, as it possesses immense potential in addressing various medical conditions that presently lack effective treatment options,” said Dr Sairam Atluri, Founder, StemCures USA.  In May 2023, StemCures announced its intention to invest $54 million in establishing India's largest stem cell laboratory in Telangana. In August 2022, Bengaluru-based cell therapy company Eyestem successfully raised $6.4 million in Series A funding. They are currently developing EyeCyte-RPE, an experimental treatment intended for Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD). In September 2023, Eyestem submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO), paving the way for the commencement of first-in-human trials for Eyecyte-RPE. Research institutes in the country have played a crucial role in understanding the molecular-level intricacies of stem cells. This understanding has been pivotal in identifying the underlying causes of diseases, thus paving the way for the development of improved treatment approaches. To that effect, on September 6, 2023, SKAN Research Trust (SKAN) partnered with the Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (CSCI) from the University of Cambridge to bring cutting-edge stem cell research to India. This collaboration aims to advance disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment through targeted stem cell research projects in the field of regenerative medicine. In August 2023, researchers at IIT-G (Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati) developed a method to transform regular human skin cells into iPSCs (Induced pluripotent stem cells), which can be programmed into different adult cell types, offering significant potential for treating diseases like diabetes, cancer, paralysis, and Alzheimer's. This approach bypasses the traditional extraction of stem cells from embryos or specific body parts, addressing ethical and practical concerns. Using a safe, integration-free method, the team introduced genes into skin cells, making them iPSCs, which maintained their genetic integrity and versatility for differentiation into various body cell types. Speaking about other developments in this space,  Dr Subadra Dravida, Founder, Transcell Biologics, said, “Hematopoietic stem cell transplantations on cell therapy model becoming the first line of treatment in curing blood cancers; The regenerative medicinal value of stem cells in repair and regeneration addressing defects to manage diseases like osteoarthritis, autism, muscular dystrophies are the latest developments. The breakthrough innovation where India can become global leader is in the field of applying stem cell technology integrated into the digital revolution to offer safety efficacy testing as a solution to the global pharma and biopharma industries replacing animal testing and outdated contract testing strategies.” Hyderabad-based Transcell Biologics, a knowledge driven technology investing entity has evolved from its inception as an R&D unit to a fully integrated biotechnology enterprise encompassing a well balanced business portfolio offering indigenous technologies on biobanking, in vitro products for drug discovery research, intellectual property in regenerative medicine/Immunotherapy for clinical practice. A long road to accessibility  Experts are bullish on stem cells' future in the country, with exciting developments in store.  “The breakthrough innovation of integrating stem cell technology with digital revolution on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) tools is the next big thing, breaking grounds, unravelling the stem cell tech potential becoming application reality. The strength of this digital animal free testing strategy that leverages stem cell tech and AI/ML tools is for every pharma and biopharma player adding value in their discovery, development and manufacturing for real time applications speaking on the affordability as well as accessibility to the end user,” said Dr Dravida. Stem cells, often regarded as miraculous for treating genetic disorders, remain beyond the reach of many patients in need. These cells hold the potential to cure numerous diseases. The cost of stem cell transplant therapy ranges from Rs 5-8 lakh, depending on the specific disease being treated, according to PayBima report.  Experts believe that additional investments are necessary within the field of stem cell research. While the current situation is promising, it calls for increased funding to establish India as a prominent player in stem cell research. “Given that these stem cells are considered ‘living’ drugs, it is imperative to exercise meticulous attention during the manufacturing process to ensure both potency and safety. The manufacturing facility must adhere to both current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and regulatory guidelines. Clinical trials are essential to establish the safety and efficacy of these therapies, albeit they may result in increased costs. However, India's advantage lies in its access to a comparatively less expensive yet highly knowledgeable labour pool, which can help mitigate some of these challenges. Presently, India appears to be a fertile ground for innovations in various fields, including medicine. It is conceivable that over the next decade, mesenchymal stem cell therapy will gain momentum and widespread acceptance. While the high cost associated with this therapy may pose challenges in terms of patient access, India has demonstrated its capability to overcome such challenges, as evidenced by its successful ‘Chandrayaan’ mission. This suggests that India has the potential to address and find solutions for the affordability and accessibility issues related to advanced medical treatments like mesenchymal stem cell therapy,” said Dr Atluri. The stem cells field is often plagued with controversy both globally and in India. In December 2022, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) revoked NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute's licence for providing stem cell therapy (SCT) to children with autism. Stem cell therapy is still experimental for autism, lacking enough data for definitive claims. The Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) recommended against its use due to potential risks, adverse reactions, and limited understanding of long-term effects. However, in September 2023, the Delhi High Court granted permission for two children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to continue their stem cell treatment, emphasising that abruptly stopping the treatment may not be in the best interest of the patients. Stem cell research is a highly promising field, especially in regenerative medicine. It presents innovative ways to treat various diseases and conditions. Moving forward, ethical, regulatory, and accessibility considerations will be crucial in shaping this sector.    Ayesha Siddiqui  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23595/hcg-bengaluru-achieves-milestone-in-head-and-neck-cancer-treatment-with-low-dose-immunotherapy-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23595/hcg-bengaluru-achieves-milestone-in-head-and-neck-cancer-treatment-with-low-dose-immunotherapy-.html Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru, one of India’s leading cancer care chains, has announced a groundbreaking pilot study to transform the treatment landscape for head and neck cancer patients with Low Dose Immunotherapy. As part of the pilot study, a total of 12 cases were studied between the age group of 54 to 76 years. All twelve patients from Bengaluru experienced significant tumor reduction of over 90 per cent, providing an economical and side-effect-free therapy through low-dose immunotherapy. In the pilot study, standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy is combined with low-dose Nivolumab immunotherapy, administering 40 mg every two weeks, as opposed to the full dose of 3 mg per kg of body weight. It has a potential role in improving the quality of life and longevity of patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the buccal mucosa. Speaking to media, Dr B S Ajaikumar, Executive Chairman of Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited, said, "This study has the potential to be a game-changer in the sphere of head and neck cancer treatment. The initiative reflects HCG's commitment to advancing research and academia in India, positioning the organisation as a leader in this vital healthcare domain." Dr Satheesh C T, Consultant - Medical and Hemato Oncology, Director of Clinical Trials HCG Cancer Hospital Bangalore, said, "This study presents a cost-effective solution without compromising the quality of care. This approach not only delivers promising clinical results but also in a manner that is highly economical for patients." Enthused by these promising findings, HCG will initiate a study to explore the potential benefits of low-dose immunotherapy alongside neoadjuvant chemotherapy in head and neck cancers. Through this study spanning across multiple HCG centres in India, HCG will strive to unfold a highly effective and affordable cancer treatment option in the management of head and neck cancers.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23576/iit-k-inks-technology-transfer-agreement-with-sensa-core-for-analysis-of-bilirubin-in-human-blood.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23576/iit-k-inks-technology-transfer-agreement-with-sensa-core-for-analysis-of-bilirubin-in-human-blood.html Tue, 12 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sensa Core Medical Instrumentation for mass manufacturing and sales of a novel point-of-care technology developed at the institute for rapid analysis of bilirubin in human blood/serum along with its three variants. The inventive technology developed at the National Centre for Flexible Electronics (NCFlexE), IIT-Kanpur discloses the fabrication of a non-enzymatic electrochemical sensing strip that can simultaneously detect the direct and total bilirubin in a single drop of blood, and provide the concentrations within a minute. The technology licensing agreement was formally signed between IIT-Kanpur and Sensa Core. The company, based in Hyderabad, has been a leading manufacturer of ion-selective based electrolyte analysers, arterial blood gas electrolyte metabolite analysers, glucose test strips and hemoglobin test strips. With this MoU, they plan to expand their portfolio by including Bilirubin Test strips as a part of point-of-care testing and screening. The non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor is specifically designed for accurate detection of bilirubin levels in clinical samples. Bilirubin is a pigment in our blood, detecting the level of which can help diagnose certain health conditions, such as neonatal jaundice. This sensor is expected to be used for bedside testing, in diagnostic laboratories, and even in health screening centers. The sensor incorporates a unique five-electrode configuration that allows simultaneous detection of direct and total bilirubin on a single strip. The sensor comprises a novel material called a ‘trimetallic nanocomposite-based catalyst’, which can detect bilirubin effectively despite the presence of other components in the sample.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23572/siddhanta-medicity-to-raise-108-m-in-partnership-with-uk-based-sram-mram-group.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23572/siddhanta-medicity-to-raise-108-m-in-partnership-with-uk-based-sram-mram-group.html Fri, 08 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Siddhanta Medicity, an esteemed healthcare institution based in India, has recently entered into a ground-breaking collaboration with the UK-based SRAM & MRAM Group. With this collaboration, Siddhanta Medicity is set to raise a significant investment of $108 million in partnership. Through this investment, Siddhanta Medicity is poised to establish a network of hospitals across India. This collaborative effort aims to advance the realms of clinical research and development in the field of NK cell and mesenchymal stem cell therapies. The partnership signifies a pivotal step forward in the pursuit of innovative medical solutions.  NK cell therapy, a cutting-edge approach in cancer treatment, harnesses the power of the body's natural killer (NK) cells to target and destroy cancer cells. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy, on the other hand, holds immense promise in regenerative medicine, aiming to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs. By pushing the boundaries of medical research and development, this partnership holds the potential to bring about ground-breaking advancements that could revolutionise patient care and treatment outcomes. The SRAM & MRAM Group's strategic entry into the Indian market, in conjunction with CELLAAX, a distinguished biopharmaceutical firm renowned for its pioneering cellular therapy research and development, is set to initiate its operations within India. The inaugural phase of this transformative venture will be characterised by a strategic partnership with the esteemed Siddhanta Hospital, located in Bhopal. In addition to research and treatment centres, the collaboration will focus on extensive clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapies. These trials will adhere to the highest ethical and regulatory standards, paving the way for the acceptance and widespread adoption of stem cell treatments within the medical community. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23556/karnataka-cm-interacts-with-100-it-biotech-ceos-at-breakfast-meeting.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23556/karnataka-cm-interacts-with-100-it-biotech-ceos-at-breakfast-meeting.html Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 On the backdrop of the upcoming Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2023, Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister (CM) of Karnataka along with D. K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT, Biotechnology (Bt), Government of Karnataka interacted with 100+ CEOs of leading IT, Semiconductor & Electronics and Biotech organisations, with focus on Karnataka’s thriving tech ecosystem and the road ahead.  The interactions were facilitated by leading industry associations like NASSCOM, IESA, TiE and ABLE. Siddaramaiah along with his colleagues unveiled the brochure for Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023 in presence of Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Vision Group on Information Technology, Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson, Vision Group on Biotechnology;  and other dignitaries. Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023 will feature a diverse and enriching Event Spectrum, encompassing a Multi-Track Conference on IT & Electronics, Deep Tech, Start-Ups & Biotech, an International Exhibition, Global Innovation Alliance, India-USA Tech Conclave, India Innovation Alliance, R&D- ab2Market, B2B Meetings, STPI IT Export Awards, Smart Bio Awards, Startup Recognition, Rural IT Quiz, Bio Quiz, and Bio Posters. BTS 2023 is expected to have participation from 30+ Countries, 400+ Speakers, 75+ Sessions, 3000+ Delegates, 2000+Start-Ups, 600+ Exhibitors, 50,000+ Expo Footfall.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23559/skan-research-trust-and-university-of-cambridge-to-collaborate-in-stem-cell-studies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23559/skan-research-trust-and-university-of-cambridge-to-collaborate-in-stem-cell-studies.html Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based SKAN Research Trust (SKAN), promoted by Indian entrepreneur Ashok Soota and the UK-based Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (CSCI), is all set to bring to India cutting-edge expertise in stem cell research through a series of partnership agreements that were concluded on 6 September 2023 in Cambridge. CSCI and SKAN will jointly undertake specific research projects in stem cells and use their findings to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.  The joint research, led by CSCI Principal Investigator Dr Jyoti Nangalia will study both normal brain tissue and neurological diseases to identify age-related genomic changes in the Indian population. Through multiple consultancy agreements, CSCI and SKAN have agreed to a three-year period of knowledge transfer. SKAN will upgrade its stem cell and bioinformatics capabilities including top-of-the-line sequencing technologies with concomitant cell culture methodologies. CSCI researchers will benefit by amplifying the scope of their research through Indian cohorts and studies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23561/karnataka-to-host-bengaluru-tech-summit-2024-and-2025-on-november-19-21.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23561/karnataka-to-host-bengaluru-tech-summit-2024-and-2025-on-november-19-21.html Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology, Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, has announced the dates for next three editions of Karnataka’s flagship event, Bengaluru Tech Summit. The 26th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS 2023) is scheduled to be held from November 29 – December 1, 2023 at the Bangalore Palace in Bengaluru. Dates for the next two editions are also announced as BTS 2024 and BTS 2025 will be held from November 19-21 in Bengaluru. Making the announcement Kharge said “The event dates for the 2024 and 2025 were announced early to encourage international tech organisations to plan their participation well in advance. This is a testament to Karnataka’s continued commitment to the growth of the sector, while transcending national & international boundaries through collaborations.”   The Minister also said, “We take immense pride in highlighting that the State of Karnataka has consistently maintained a pioneering position in cutting-edge research, innovation and technology. This is possible due to close collaboration and interaction with esteemed Industry Stakeholders, Research Fraternity and by fostering the Start-up Ecosystem. Over the years, we have established a strong bond with our Global Innovation Alliance Partner Countries. Our shared objective is to amplify the reputation of Brand Bengaluru.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/23511/scouting-for-best-talent.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/23511/scouting-for-best-talent.html Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The words talent and talent crunch are intertwined and we come across these terms from various companies' CEOs, CFOs, HR and social media posts. Despite India being one of the most populous nations in the globe, there seems to be something amiss when it comes to going in for the right talent. Above it, unemployed-friendly stringent HR policies restrain the right talent to join a firm. The pharma and the life sciences sector is no exception to this where leaders have been often speaking about the need for the right talent. The life sciences industry, particularly in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors, has been experiencing rapid growth and significant technological advancements. The development of innovative therapies, personalised medicine and biotechnological breakthroughs has increased the demand for specialised talent with expertise in areas like gene editing, immunotherapy and bioinformatics. Advances made in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have created a massive need for data scientists and researchers. Diagnostics and medical devices sector is also seeing a major talent need in product development and sales.   Struggles The life sciences industry, like several other non-tech sectors, has come to rely heavily on emerging technologies, ranging from AI/ML to data analytics and robotics. Hence, the obstacle is finding qualified tech candidates with niche skill sets that are in demand across industries. Proficiency in digital skills and domain knowledge becomes imperative to the growth of the industry. According to Munira Loliwala, Assistant Vice President, TeamLease Digital, “Ageing workforce, creating a shortage of skilled workers to replace at senior and specialised roles, becomes challenging when multiple companies are vying for the same pool of skilled professionals. Regulatory challenges-compliance with these regulations requires specialised knowledge and expertise. The complexity of roles and limited investments in training and development due to lack of time are some of the reasons that lead to constant attrition.” Sometimes, mergers and acquisitions disrupt the workforce, leading to redundancies, and potential talent drain are some of the key reasons for the talent crunch. According to industry estimates, 69 per cent or more professionals are constantly looking for other jobs in lieu of professional development and monetary gain, thus leading to high attrition across this sector.  Other contributing factors include fresh graduates and candidates lacking industry exposure and relevant internships, making it difficult for them to meet specific pharmaceutical company requirements. Stringent regulatory requirements also demand high levels of compliance, increasing the complexity of hiring and retaining talent in the industry.  The ageing workforce poses challenges as experienced professionals approach retirement age, necessitating the need for skilled replacements. Additionally, with digital transformation becoming prevalent, there is a growing demand for professionals with expertise in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing, which are in short supply within the pharmaceutical talent pool.   Attrition The industry is currently confronted with a critical challenge - a severe shortage of skilled professionals and a high attrition rate in pharmaceutical companies, with double-digit attrition standing at 15.67 per cent. These factors are hindering the industry’s growth and innovation potential. Furthermore, the elevated attrition rates worsen the existing talent gap, underscoring the importance of companies adopting comprehensive strategies to attract, retain, and develop skilled talent.           According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the impact of inflation is particularly noteworthy, with one in four life sciences and pharma leaders stating that it has negatively affected their business. Moreover, 76 per cent of these leaders anticipate that uncertainty about the economy, inflation, and labour costs will influence their hiring strategies, surpassing the global average of 66 per cent by 10 basis points. Says Achal Khanna, CEO – SHRM India, APAC & MENA, "The causes of the skills shortage in the pharmaceutical industry are multi-faceted. Firstly, the current educational programmes may not align with industry demands, leading to a workforce that is not adequately prepared for the pharmaceutical sector's evolving needs. Additionally, the lack of substantial investment in research and development has resulted in a scarcity of skilled researchers and scientists, impacting the industry's ability to pioneer innovations. Moreover, the allure of better opportunities abroad has led to a brain drain in the pharmaceutical sector, with skilled professionals seeking employment opportunities in other countries. This situation is compounded by competition from other sectors like IT and e-commerce, which are also vying for the same pool of skilled workers." Talking on the same lines, Sachin Alug, CEO, NLB Services (a talent solutions company, providing workforce solutions globally) says, “It was reported that the post-pandemic attrition rate in the sector was over 20 per cent higher than the pre-pandemic levels. This shift can be attributed to the high demand for superior tech skills across verticals. Through the right skill sets, candidates can obtain better opportunities in various industries, causing the attrition rate to further spike. Technology can play an important role to manage attrition in organisations. It can help businesses to find gaps in employee experience and company expectations. Aligning the two can go a long way in retaining employees and finding a path that’s mutually beneficial to both employers and employees. Fostering a positive workplace culture that motivates and recognises employees also helps control attrition.” Talking more about the attrition issues, Punam G Kaushik, Deputy Managing Director of Meteoric Biopharmaceutical, opines, “Indeed, attrition levels have been a cause for concern. The highly competitive nature of the industry, coupled with the ever-evolving opportunities in research, development, and product commercialisation, has led to a revolving door of talent. Top-tier and middle-tier professionals are constantly seeking new career challenges and advancements, creating a challenge for organisations to retain their best minds. Biopharma companies are placing greater emphasis on talent retention strategies to address the attrition challenge.” Darren Punnen, Pharma and Life sciences Practice, Leader, Europe Practice, Nishith Desai Associates says that the current dip being seen in the market is also from the decrease in overall graduates entering the workforce from STEM courses. He adds, “The main focus should be to bring back interest in the STEM field in order to increase the talent pool. While the interest is gradually rising again, organisations should attempt to keep the student community aware of the various opportunities in this field, so that the trend does not seize.”  Talking about the attrition, he goes on to mention that attrition levels tend to be relatively high as there are a number of organisations competing to attract a small talent pool. When the role requires relevant work experience, there is even more competition with high incentives, causing increased movement between organisations. At an employee level, a smaller workforce means higher workload per person. Additionally, projects in this sector are fairly long-term, so employees are not able to see a tangible outcome for years together.”   The way out Investment in skills and skilled candidates is a way worth exploring. To keep up the dynamism and adaptability of employees and the organisation, skilling and training initiatives must become an integral part of talent management. In order to stop falling back on reactive hiring, companies must create access to a readily available talent community and strengthen their talent pipeline for the future. Suresh Pattathil, President, the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) states, “The pharmaceutical market in India is rapidly evolving, pivoting towards specialised innovative molecules and products. This shift necessitates a robust influx of talent across key functions such as medical affairs, manufacturing and regulatory affairs, and a specialised high-calibre professional cohort well-versed in advanced scientific concepts. India currently possesses a reservoir of skilled professionals in these domains; with an expected increasing need which is witnessed by the large scale Global Business Centre’s established by OPPI members companies to support the global pharma markets, recruiting and training large numbers of talent building the intellectual capital for the India healthcare environment.” Mayank Chandra, Managing Partner, Antal International mentions, "These days this has been observed that few companies (including some global ones as well) have decreased the percentage increment while doing internal appraisals. Taking care of proper and defined career progression, providing enough autonomy and double-digit appraisals might help to minimise attrition. Other factors like flexibility at work/hybrid working model, upgraded talent management practices, and competency mapping are also very relevant while attempting to retain talent." Appreciations in terms of rewards and recognition/defined career progression/autonomy / approachable management/flexible work culture (timing, mode etc) / proper employee engagement and team bonding activities are some of the measures that will help to retain talent. Better talent management practices and competency mapping, quicker interview process are some of the other things that need to be looked into. Technology can play an important role to manage attrition in organisations. It can help businesses to find gaps in employee experience and company expectations. Aligning the two can go a long way in retaining employees and finding a path that’s mutually beneficial to both employers and employees. Fostering a positive workplace culture that motivates and recognises employees also helps control attrition. As per the India Skill report 2022, there has been slight improvement in employment and job readiness level in the pharma sector to 44 per cent. However, there is still a long way to go and there is an urgent need for enhanced coordination between the Indian pharmaceutical industry, academia and government to improve the employability of the pharmaceutical students.  Industry-academia collaboration is vital to developing curricula that align with industry needs and provide students with practical experience. Increased investment in research and development can attract skilled researchers and scientists to contribute to ground breaking discoveries. Government support in terms of incentives and encouragement for research, development, and innovation can bolster the industry's talent pool. Creating attractive career opportunities by offering competitive salaries, a supportive work environment, and appealing career growth prospects can aid in retaining skilled talent. Companies can also focus on employee engagement through effective orientation programmes, providing quality equipment and supplies, and promoting open communication to reduce turnover. The Indian pharma sector has taken several proactive steps to combat the talent gap and address attrition. The Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) has collaborated with educational institutions to develop curricula that meet industry requirements effectively. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries established dedicated research and development centres to promote innovation and attract skilled researchers. Also, companies like Reliance Life Sciences,  Serum Institute of India, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Biocon and Cipla offer competitive salaries and appealing career opportunities, making them desirable workplaces for skilled professionals. Pharma Patashala, a pharma skills development centre, by Granules India, is addressing the skill deficit in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The programme provides training to selected candidates, creating a talent pipeline for the industry. Organisations must prioritise employee-friendly measures. Flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options and flexible hours, can foster a healthy work-life balance. Comprehensive health and wellness programmes and financial wellness initiatives can reinforce the organisation’s commitment to employee welfare.  Moreover, providing clear career growth paths, mentorship programmes, and opportunities for skill development can enhance employee engagement and retention. Sanjiv Das (sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23521/gia-partner-countries-to-host-16-engaging-sessions-at-bts-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23521/gia-partner-countries-to-host-16-engaging-sessions-at-bts-2023.html Mon, 28 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) Partner Countries to host 16 engaging sessions and witness representations from Australia, France, Israel, Japan, Switzerland, and the Netherlands at the 26th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS). The summit is scheduled to take place at Bangalore Palace from November 29 to December 1, 2023. The GIA Partners meeting held in Bangalore on August 28, to inaugurate and recognise the participation of GIA Partners for the BTS 2023, witnessed representatives providing insights into the expected participation from their respective countries at BTS 2023 and highlighted potential speakers for the event. It is noteworthy that countries such as Italy, Peru, and Spain will participate in this precursor event to BTS for the very first time in its history, adding to the anticipation and international collaboration. GIA Partner countries are expected to participate in the BTS 2023 in the following ways: Participation from high-level government and industry delegation; GIA partners conducting knowledge sessions as part of the GIA track; Speakers providing remarks in other sessions; Plenary/keynote sessions by renowned tech and innovation experts; Experience centres where countries can showcase the latest innovations in technology and Startup booth for showcasing their products and innovation. The GIA Partners meet was graced by distinguished personalities, including Dr Ekroop Caur, Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, Information Technology (IT), Biotechnology (BT) and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka; Darshan H.V, Director, Department of Electronics, IT, BT, and Managing Director, KITS, Government of Karnataka and Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman of MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications, and the Event Curators, who shared a detailed event presentation encompassing all relevant information about the event.   US India Business Council announces the 3rd edition of India-USA Tech Conclave The India-USA Tech Conclave's 3rd edition has been officially announced by the US India Business Council (USIBC). On the exciting ties of AI i.e America and India, this year's conclave will highlight the advancements in emerging technologies in IT and HealthTech. As two of the largest democracies in the world, the United States and India will explore and delve into these areas during the course of BTS 2023, fostering exciting collaborations and discussions. The key themes of the India-USA Tech Conclave will align with roadmap on enhanced cooperation on technology on many fronts. Some of these focus areas are Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductor, Quantum Computing, Space Tech, Digital Health, E-commerce and 6G. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23522/bengaluru-tech-summit-2023-set-to-redefine-boundaries-of-technology-and-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23522/bengaluru-tech-summit-2023-set-to-redefine-boundaries-of-technology-and-innovation.html Mon, 28 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 “The 26th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) is set to surpass all expectations with an unparalleled scale and an unprecedented level of global participation. This summit will redefine the boundaries of technology and innovation. The summit is scheduled to take place take place at the iconic Bangalore Palace from November 29 to December 1, 2023” said Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT & BT, Government of Karnataka. Speaking at the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) Partners meeting in Bangalore on August 28, he said “BTS 2023 eagerly awaits the presence of esteemed high-level government and industry delegations from renowned tech nations.” BTS 2023 is positioned at a critical intersection, where the brightest minds from the Startup Community, pioneering Research labs, SMEs, leading corporations, and industries will converge. Together, they will showcase the rapid advancements in IT and DeepTech, the Metaverse and WEB 3.0, Electronics and Semiconductors, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Telecom, and 6G, as well as Biotech and Health tech. This grand gathering promises to push the boundaries of innovation and technology, creating a vibrant platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange among visionary minds. Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023 will feature a diverse and enriching Event Spectrum. The summit encompasses a Multi-Track Conference on IT & Electronics, Deep Tech, Startups & Biotech, an International Exhibition, the Global Innovation Alliance, the India-USA Tech Conclave, the India Innovation Alliance, R&D-Lab2Market, B2B Meetings, STPI IT Export Awards, Smart Bio Awards, Unicorns Felicitation, Rural IT Quiz, Bio Quiz, and Bio Posters. BTS 2022 marked an incredible success with a record-breaking number of participants, including 405 Speakers, 9356 Delegates, 585 Exhibitors, 25,738 Registered Visitors, over 50,000 Expo footfalls, and 104 Biotech posters. Over the years, the Bengaluru Tech Summit has consistently drawn substantial participation from GIA partners. In the previous edition, the event saw a remarkable presence with representatives from 30 countries. Among them, 17 countries organised engaging GIA sessions, featuring a diverse panel of 104 speakers. Additionally, BTS 2022 was graced by esteemed ministerial delegations from Australia, Finland, and the United Arab Emirates, along with active involvement from Ambassadors representing seven countries.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23506/eyestem-research-hosts-indias-first-retinal-cell-and-gene-therapy-summit-at-instem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23506/eyestem-research-hosts-indias-first-retinal-cell-and-gene-therapy-summit-at-instem.html Thu, 24 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Eyestem Research, a pioneering cell therapy company with a vision to democratise access to cutting-edge technologies for the bottom 99% of the global population, hosted the inaugural Foresight 2023 summit, India’s first retinal cell and gene therapy conference. Held in Bengaluru on 17th and 18th August 2023, the Foresight 2023 summit was co-hosted by inStem (Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine) and C-CAMP (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms).  India has over 1.5–2 million people suffering from incurable diseases such as dry age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Foresight 2023 was intended to provide a spotlight on the diseases and enrich the Indian ecosystem by bringing in leaders in this field from India and abroad on a common platform.  With an aim to maximise India’s potential as a go-to destination in the field of biotechnology, Foresight 2023 provided key stakeholders with a platform in the ecosystem to share their knowledge, insights, and research on retinal cell and gene therapy and build a collaborative and supportive community. The summit brought together renowned global experts and leaders so as to harness the power of the global collective in finding cures for some of the most pressing eye diseases plaguing humanity. On this occasion, Dr Jogin Desai, CEO and Founder of Eyestem, said, “We were honoured to host Foresight 2023. Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing, we can drive innovation and create scalable platforms to address the unmet needs of patients globally. We hope that, by gathering together some brilliant minds under one single roof, this summit has helped in catalysing further discoveries and advancements in the treatment of retinal diseases.” The keynote speaker at the event was Dr Kapil Bharti, Scientific Director, National Eye Institute - National Institutes of Health, while Prof. David Gamm,  Director, McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, was the plenary speaker. Dr Kapil Bharti said, “Currently available cell and gene therapies cost $ 150,000 per dose.  Eyestem’s mission is to make such therapies affordable to a large part of the world.  With a highly trained and effective team, they aim to reduce the overhead cost to make this ambition a reality. I am excited about their approach and will continue to guide them towards this mission as a member of their Scientific Advisory Board.”    Image caption- (L-R) Dr Kapil Bharti, Scientific Director, National Eye Institute - National Institutes of Health, Dr Jogin Desai, CEO and Founder of Eyestem and Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Director, C-CAMP (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23456/molecule-ai-harnesses-ai-power-to-tackle-medicines-toughest-challenges.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23456/molecule-ai-harnesses-ai-power-to-tackle-medicines-toughest-challenges.html Fri, 11 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Molecule Gen: An AI-driven platform for drug discovery What if there was a solution? A golden key or antidote to lift the fog and restore your mind? How far would you go to obtain it? And if it doesn't exist, how desperately would you be for someone to create it? Imagine standing in a 100-room castle with this one Key, looking for the right lock. How much time would it take to find that lock? Half a day? What if there were a hundred such castles? What if the castles were also spread over a few thousand (or hundred thousand) square kilometres? Across a hundred countries? On multiple earths? You still only have the one key. How many weeks or months, or years would this take? Now, imagine that neither the lock nor the key is static. Each of them changes its shape frequently. How much time would it take then? Would you even attempt this endeavour of a few million lock & key combinations? The researchers at Molecule AI are attempting to solve one such problem—except that they have more than a billion combinations to contend with. Led by Saurabh Singal, an IIT Delhi and Carnegie Mellon alumnus with over 20 years of experience, the AI team at Molecule AI consists of some of the sharpest minds in the country. After having developed path-breaking algorithms and models for e-commerce recommendation systems and world-beating language translation systems, they have turned their sights towards one of the most challenging problems in pharmacological research today—one with immeasurable benefits for humankind—should they succeed! If there is any team with a fighting chance of solving such a complex problem, it is undoubtedly this one. Comprised of exceptional AI and deep learning researchers, biochemists, mathematicians, and biophysicists, their expertise is unquestioned. Interestingly, some team members are not only accomplished in their scientific pursuits but also excel in other domains. Some are also highly skilled classical musicians—routinely performing in concerts, and others start their day matching wits against chess grandmasters. Molecule AI is an Indian-born deep tech AI startup developing cutting-edge AI algorithms and applications to further the field of Artificial Intelligence. They are one of only a handful of such organisations working on pure research in the field of AI in the country. They promise to revolutionise drug discovery by introducing Molecule GEN, their AI-powered drug discovery platform. The research, testing and formulation of any new drug take years, if not decades. The complexity and nature of the disease-causing agents have a direct impact on how long the research will take and whether there is even foreseeable hope for success. Molecule AI has endeavoured to attack one of the most challenging known problems for clinical researchers - that of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. No known cures exist today. Even the deterrents available today are a shot in the dark for most patients. Over 55 Million people live with Alzheimer’s induced dementia today, and over 10 Million with Parkinson’s. These numbers are estimated to cross 100 Million over the next two decades. “The challenge in finding a cure resides in the nature of the disease-causing antigens. The antigens causing neurodegenerative disorders are one of the most notorious since the proteins that make up these antigens are yet to be definitively mapped. Research so far shows us that these antigens are also shapeshifters! This makes the synthesis of any potential antibody even more laborious, especially with the current set of tools and processes available today”, says Saurabh Singal. With the use of Artificial intelligence and advanced computational models, Molecule AI hopes to be able to simulate potential antibodies and small molecules, which would have a high probability of success in combating the target antigens. However, such models do not yet exist. Even the most advanced AI models today can only work for much simpler antigens (than those causing neurodegenerative diseases) and even then, only give two-dimensional results. Therefore, the first step is to build an intelligent model that can be used to train machines that, given a set of required properties as input, can produce a small molecule, protein, or antibody and specify its 3-D structure with high accuracy. To be able to build such a model, researchers need to perform several complex steps, such as carrying out detailed analyses of the target antigen structure and its relationship to other proteins and filtering out false positives from sets of potential drugs against these targets (whether small molecules, proteins, or antibodies) based on various parameters. While going through such steps themselves, the team at Molecule AI felt that an easy-to-use tool that could help with all the steps in this complex drug discovery and design process would be highly beneficial to the drugdiscovery field in general. With this in mind, MoleculeAI is building its drug discovery platform “Molecule Gen”. Molecule Gen incorporates various modules such as target identification, target visualization and analysis, AI-driven drug generation (both small molecule and antibody), filtration of initial hits to a few leads based on an extensive set of screening criteria, and advanced validation tools that provide high confidence that the leads generated by the computer will work in the lab. All these modules incorporate Molecule AI’s proprietary algorithms with enhanced capabilities compared to current state-of-the-art tools. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23363/gujarat-government-inks-mous-worth-rs-2000-cr-with-15-biotech-companies-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23363/gujarat-government-inks-mous-worth-rs-2000-cr-with-15-biotech-companies-.html Thu, 20 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar, the stakeholders of the Biotechnology Policy accomplished a remarkable feat by concluding Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 2000 crore in a single day for new investments in the state’s biotechnology sector. The MoU was signed by Science Technology Secretary Vijay Nehra on behalf of the State Government. Approximately 3,000 jobs are set to be created in the upcoming biotech industries as a result of this MoU. It was signed by a total of 15 companies, with 13 from Gujarat, and one from Maharashtra and one from Delhi. The MoUs signed with the state government encompass various prominent companies, including Ambio from Maharashtra and Biotrends India from New Delhi, alongside several local industrial units in Gujarat. Notable companies such as Zydus Lifesciences, Concord Biotech, and Hester Biosciences have committed investments totaling Rs 1000 crore. Additionally, Meteoric Bio-Pharmaceutical has pledged investments of around Rs 500 crore. The list further includes Endoc Biotech, Gujarat Themis Biocene, Steviatech Life, Celexis Biosciences, Kaniva Bioscience, and other significant industrial units. The MoU primarily focuses on investments in the fermentation-based APIS and bio fertilisers sector, as well as emerging fields such as precision fermentation and animal tissue cultivation. Moreover, these industries are scheduled to commence operations in the upcoming days across various districts of the state, ranging from Kutch and Devbhumidwarka to Vapi-Valsad.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23353/india-us-collaboration-to-develop-treatment-for-neuroendocrine-tumours.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23353/india-us-collaboration-to-develop-treatment-for-neuroendocrine-tumours.html Tue, 18 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based Intonation Research Laboratories has announced a research collaboration with US-based Stanford University's Innovative Medicines Accelerator (IMA), to develop treatments that target cancerous neuroendocrine tumours. The goal of the collaboration is to reduce the time and resources it takes to translate a biomedical breakthrough into a clinically and commercially viable medicine.  Over the next two years, Intonation will collaborate on a project that originated in the laboratory of Justin Annes, MD, PhD, associate professor of endocrinology, and advanced in partnership with Mark Smith, head of medicinal chemistry at Sarafan ChEM-H in Stanford. "Joining forces with Stanford University's Innovative Medicine Accelerator is a prime opportunity to collaboratively create innovative treatments for neuroendocrine tumours in an efficient and cost-effective way," said Dr Suresh K. Jain, Founder and Chairman of Intonation. "Our partnership with a renowned academic institution such as Stanford will reinvigorate and enhance the drug discovery ecosystem in India."  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23304/lords-mark-industries-launches-microbiotech-to-pioneer-genome-testing-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23304/lords-mark-industries-launches-microbiotech-to-pioneer-genome-testing-in-india.html Fri, 07 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Lord’s Mark Industries has launched a new wholly owned subsidiary - Lord’s Mark Microbiotech - to champion genome testing in India with their first online lab. The new subsidiary has been established as a part of celebrations to mark the successful completion of 25 years of excellence in business by Lord’s Mark Industries. With the launch of Lord’s Mark Microbiotech, the company is also introducing saliva-based technology for genome testing through its brand MyDNA, which results 99% accuracy. The saliva-based test does not require the extraction of blood or a phlebotomist. An individual can do it after reading the enclosed instructions in the kit at their home. Lord’s Mark Industries also has its patented algorithm called SNAPPY for calculating the Polygenic Risk Score (PRS), which estimates an individual’s genetic risk (predisposition) for a trait or condition. PRS takes the sum (aggregate) of all known common variants to calculate an overall genetic risk for a particular disease. The new subsidiary will aim to offer accessible and affordable genome testing in 48 cities nationwide. The initial focus will be on metro and Tier 1 cities and then Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns in the next 3-4 years.   The price range for the genome testing kits will be between Rs 8000 to 16,000. The company will also collaborate with leading scientific and research institutes to develop and deploy diagnostic tools for diseases like cancer and tuberculosis. It will make an initial investment of Rs 20 crore to generate revenue of Rs 100 crore in 5 years.   Photo Caption - (From left to right) - Manav Teli, Executive Director, Lord's Mark Industries, Subodh Gupta, CEO, Lord's Mark Microbiotech and Zainab Abbas, Senior Genetic Consultant, Lord’s Mark Microbiotech ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23265/biotron-healthcare-to-strengthen-3d-cell-culture-community-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23265/biotron-healthcare-to-strengthen-3d-cell-culture-community-in-india-.html Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Inventia Life Science, Australia-based biotech company, has announced a new distribution agreement with Mumbai-based Biotron Healthcare, for Inventia Life Science’s flagship RASTRUM platform to enter the Indian market. The RASTRUM platform, a game changer in the field of advanced cell model creation, helps researchers accelerate the quest to investigate and cure debilitating diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative and fibrotic diseases. With applications in biomedical research including drug discovery, disease modeling and fundamental biological research, the RASTRUM platform is making physiologically relevant disease models a reality. RASTRUM is designed specifically for cell biology and is a world-first technology. The platform is highly automated which creates complex, miniaturised 3D cell cultures quickly by printing hydrogels and cells in a highly controlled way.  Venkatesh Voleti, Director – Sales at Biotron Healthcare said, “We can address users especially in High Throughput Screening in Pharma, CRO and related domains by taking away their challenges of spending resources in standardisation. The users can thus focus on their downstream applications. Many of these users are keen and already planning to shift their assays from 2D to 3D Cell culture models. We look forward to bringing this unique and successful platform from Inventia Life Sciences to this growing 3D Cell Culture community in India in the field of Cell Biology." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23231/iit-k-inks-moa-with-laurus-labs-for-novel-gene-therapy-assets.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23231/iit-k-inks-moa-with-laurus-labs-for-novel-gene-therapy-assets.html Mon, 19 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a historic milestone, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Hyderabad-based Laurus Labs to introduce groundbreaking gene therapy assets to the market. This collaboration marks a paradigm shift with regards to innovation and advancement in the field of bioengineering in India, with this unprecedented industry-first investment in a faculty research group. In accordance with the MoA, IIT-K will transfer several gene therapy assets through in-licensing to Laurus Labs, who will provide a research grant to facilitate their progression through pre-clinical development. Laurus Labs will also fund the necessary clinical trials and spearhead the launch of these cutting-edge products not only in India but also in emerging markets. In addition, Laurus Labs will establish a state-of-the-art Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility at IIT-K's Techno Park, bolstering the production capabilities of gene therapy products. They will actively engage in the Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) business for cell and gene therapy, leveraging the capabilities of the GMP facility. IIT-K’s Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering (BSBE) has been spearheading development of innovative gene therapy strategies for monogenic human diseases and cancers, utilising molecular, cellular, and preclinical models. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23214/pandorum-technologies-launches-centre-to-offer-regenerative-therapy-for-corneal-blindness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23214/pandorum-technologies-launches-centre-to-offer-regenerative-therapy-for-corneal-blindness.html Wed, 14 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 New Delhi-based eyecare institute Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital has collaborated with Bengaluru-based Pandorum Technologies to inaugurate a one-of-its-kind centre- Shroff-Pandorum for Ocular Regeneration (SP-CORE) centre, offering advanced regenerative therapeutics for patients suffering from corneal blindness. The initiative hopes to help in bridging the demand-access for cornea availability by making regenerative treatments accessible for millions. According to the WHO, corneal opacity accounts for over 4% of blindness worldwide, leading to more than 1.5–2 million cases each year. India has a huge burden of bilateral (1.2 million) and unilateral (5 - 6 million) corneal blindness.  The ‘Bioengineered Cornea’ is a class of products powered by tissue-specific exosomes and tissue-mimetic biomaterials, to promote regeneration of healthy functional cornea. When this is applied as liquid drops on the cornea, it solidifies in less than 10 minutes using visible light and integrates to the patient’s cornea. Inside the solidified matrix, the biopolymer acts as sacrificial material supporting sustained release of exosomes which supresses the ulceration defining condition like inflammation, reverses fibrosis, regenerates nerves and restores corneal thickness.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23178/eyestem-files-for-ind-approval-for-product-to-treat-geographic-atrophy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23178/eyestem-files-for-ind-approval-for-product-to-treat-geographic-atrophy.html Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Eyestem Research has announced the submission of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) to begin first in-human trials of Eyecyte-RPE for subjects with medium- and late-stage geographic atrophy, secondary to dry AMD. Dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) is the largest cause of incurable blindness in the world for patients over 50 years. 170 million people suffer from this disease around the world, 25 million of which are in India. These numbers will unfortunately increase in the coming decades as our population ages. The more severe version of dry AMD is geographic atrophy,and no therapy is available to arrest or reverse this loss of vision. Dr Jogin Desai, Chief Executive Officer, Eyestem Research, said, “Most cell and gene therapy products under development in the West are estimated to cost over $200,000. Our vision is to democratise access to such treatments at a fraction of these costs and begin disruption of the current status quo with our Eyecyte-RPE product.” Eyestem Research is a deep science company incubated at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms, and supported by DBT-BIRAC as well as prestigious Indian and global healthcare investors. The IND submission for Eyecyte-RPE is supported by robust GLP toxicology data from Dabur Research Foundation in India and excellent efficacy/safety data in animal models at Oregon Health and Science University. Validation of the injection technique and dose-finding studies were done in advanced animal models at the Singapore Eye Research Institute. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23165/mapmygenome-announces-launch-of-at-home-microbiome-test.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23165/mapmygenome-announces-launch-of-at-home-microbiome-test.html Wed, 31 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 MapMyGenome, a Hyderabad-based preventive genomics company, has announced the launch of Mapmybiome, a DNA based at-home test for understanding and improving your gut health. The test gives you a detailed view of the microbial species in your gut and how they affect your health, energy, and mood. "Mapmybiome is a simple and affordable test that analyses your stool sample and gives you a detailed report on your gut microbiome. You can also get a consultation with a certified genetic counselor who will explain your results and give you practical advice on how to optimise your microbiome for better health and wellness", said Anu Acharya, Founder & CEO, MapMyGenome. Microbiome is a complex community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms that inhabit one's gut, skin, mouth, and other parts of the body. They help to digest food, fight infections, regulate the immune system, and even influence the mood and behaviour.  But not all microbes are friendly. Some of them can cause diseases or disrupt the balance of your microbiome, which can lead to various health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, allergies, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, and autism.  Post-COVID, the company has renewed its focus on preventive healthcare and has grown 4X (excluding the COVID sales), with new launches in the pipeline. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23163/c-camp-receives-csr-support-from-cytiva-to-foster-early-stage-innovations-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23163/c-camp-receives-csr-support-from-cytiva-to-foster-early-stage-innovations-in-india.html Tue, 30 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has received Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding from global biotech giant Cytiva to support early-stage startups in India. The funds will go into identifying promising early-stage ventures and accelerate their commercialisation trajectory by providing incubation and technical support, mentorship, pilot scale development, regulatory approval guidance, as well as networking opportunity with investors and industry stakeholders. Some of the areas in the ambit are agriculture, nutrition, animal husbandry, environmental sustainability, mental health and wellness. Welcoming the signing of the agreement, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Director-CEO, C-CAMP, said, “We thank Cytiva for their generous support towards our mandate of fostering innovation that focuses on societal needs. The innovation ecosystem in India, especially the deep science sector will benefit hugely from more such funding by key industry players.” Rajan Sankaran, Commercial General Manager, India, Cytiva said, “At Cytiva, we take great pride in developing our local biotech ecosystem and making a powerful impact on People and Planet, as part of our sustainability efforts. We thank C-CAMP for giving us this amazing opportunity to be a part of their journey to fuel an expansive and vibrant startup ecosystem that supports India’s AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan vision.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23134/c-camp-announces-antimicrobial-resistance-quest-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23134/c-camp-announces-antimicrobial-resistance-quest-2023.html Tue, 23 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular And Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), an initiative of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), is launching the 4th edition of CARB-X supported AMR Quest. The Quest is a unique nation-wide platform dedicated exclusively to innovations in the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) domain. It aims to identify, reward, and nurture Indian innovators developing solutions to tackle AMR with a specific focus on ESKAPE Pathogens- a group of opportunistic pathogens consisting of Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species. CARB-X and C-CAMP have partnered to bolster ecosystem development across three funding pillars: preventatives, diagnostics and therapeutics.  AMR Quest 2023 will be open to students, early-stage, and late-stage startups/MSMEs. Ideas and innovations in the domains of non-traditional therapeutics, preventatives, diagnostics, and direct acting small molecule therapeutics will be accepted. Winners of the quest will be rewarded with mentorship through an accelerator programme called C-CAMP AMR Accelerator Program -2023. The accelerator will provide an opportunity to develop the solution both as a technology and a business venture with structured mentorship in the domains of science, business, regulation, patent law, fundraising, etc. Additionally, winners will have the opportunity to participate in AMR Innovators school -2023, where they will engage with leading experts across disciplines, collaborate with like-minded peers, and further enhance their knowledge and skills in the field of AMR. Innovators will also be given global exposure through paid participation in any one global conference in the field.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/23026/leveraging-ngs-tech-in-healthcare-applications.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/23026/leveraging-ngs-tech-in-healthcare-applications.html Mon, 01 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 India is making huge strides in the next-generation sequencing (NGS) market. It has to be remembered that the sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 has helped to develop vaccines in record time, track the emergence of viral variants and invest in timely strategic plans to control the spread. Having a genome database in place for the Indian population will ease the process of developing companion diagnostics and personalised medicine. Realising the potential of genome sequencing, governments, startups and healthcare companies are foraying into the market. Human genome sequencing has the potential to determine the role of individual genes and their ability to cause diseases. Data generated through these sequencing technologies offer opportunities to assess genetic predisposition to a disease, diagnose heritable cancers and develop tests to prevent adverse drug reactions. The availability of the genome database for the Indian population is likely to ease the process of developing companion diagnostics and personalised medicine and offers access to stratified samples for the research.   The India market Way back in 2009, India announced the sequencing of the first human genome. The IndiGen programme, funded by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), aimed to undertake whole genome sequencing of a thousand Indian individuals representing diverse ethnic groups from India. The programme aims to create a pilot dataset to enable genetic epidemiology of carrier genetic diseases towards enabling affordable carrier screening approaches in India. The human genome datasets would also be utilised for prioritising Pharmacogenomics variants specific to the Indian population for optimising therapy and minimising adverse events. In the public sector, NGS is being used mostly for R&D activities and genome sequencing for building databases and for public health surveillance. In the private sector mostly working towards delivery. India is slowly adopting NGS as it has become an enabling technology for any life science domain. From basic research applications and is moving well towards discovery, development, quality assurance and quality control (QA & QC) and diagnostic applications. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), as on March 23, 2022 India has NGS facilities available in 84 institutes spread across 24 States and 3 UTs, with 63 operational sites. These NGS platforms are mainly from Illumina, Ion Torrent, and Nanopore. However, a lot of NGS facilities in academic and government labs and private companies are already being phased out. With advances in technologies and applications, these facilities are unable to match world standards. Back in 2015, there were majorly 2 to 3 players, while in 2021 there are about 13 to 14 primary players in the Indian market and about 3 to 4 companies have an optimal level of capacity and infrastructure to perform NGS workflows. The key advantage is the diversity in the populations, which assists in collecting a large pool of samples. As Dr Deepak Modi, Scientist, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health points out, "India has a bright future and will be the largest consumer market for NGS. With the 10000 Indian genomes sequenced and the availability of a reference database, we will be in a position to rapidly deploy in the diagnostic and personalised medicine segment in India."   The growth story Bengaluru-based Bionivid Technology has collaborated with numerous research institutions and universities in India and abroad, that offer contract research services in bioinformatics, genomics and NGS data analytics. The company plans to expand in two strategically important cities in the next six months. Says Roli Budhwar, Chief Operating Officer, Bionivid Technology, “India holds a huge potential to be one of the biggest genomics markets based on NGS technology due to its rich genetic diversity. Healthcare diagnostics is currently the focus of various industry players. Other fields are still under-explored and carry huge potential. Promoting public-private partnerships, regulated by policies given the human resources with the right skill set and training, can push India to the front on the global stage. Overall the genomics industry in India is expected to grow in the coming years, driven by advancements in tech, increase in demand for precision medicine, expanding applications in agriculture and funding support.” Bengaluru-based Eurofins Genomics India delivers projects using advanced Illumina NextSeq500 platform, HiSeq2500, MiSeq, PacBio sequel with high-performance computational infrastructure. The company provides high-quality DNA/RNA oligonucleotides, NGS, Gene synthesis and sequencing services. According to Dr Vedam Ramprasad, Chief Executive Officer, MedGenome Labs, NGS will remain one of the key technologies for the genomics industry across applications and will find additional use cases in combination with technologies for other omics. The increasing popularity and adoption of genetic testing in India will likely result in terms like NGS becoming common parlance (similar to RT-PCR in this post-COVID world). Primary growth drivers are improved awareness among clinicians and consumers, more accurate and precise diagnostics, new targeted therapeutics and a projected increase in disposable income of the Indian middle-class population. MedGenome Labs has its primary lab in Bengaluru and according to the company, it is the South Asia’s largest CAP-accredited NGS lab and houses the latest NGS equipment (at par with global industry leaders). The company additionally has five other labs across the country focusing on various molecular and genetic diagnostic technologies. These facilities apart from processing thousands of samples for genomic testing every month also support patients with genetic counselling and walk-in sample collections. Mumbai-based Godrej Memorial Hospital recently introduced comprehensive genome testing that identifies an individual’s predisposition to over 150 conditions and genetic traits. The hospital has partnered with HaystackAnalytics, based out of IIT Bombay, to launch the Health Genometer Smart Plan. Dr Anirvan Chatterjee, Chief Executive Officer, HaystackAnalytics says that the human genome is a blueprint for life and DNA sequencing is the key to unearthing these insights. Genomics is changing the face of healthcare in therapy areas such as oncology, tuberculosis and infectious diseases as the technology of NGS has given breakthrough solutions in identifying the right pathogens and helping in the timely diagnosis of the disease. Reliance Industries has announced its foray into genome testing through the acquisition of Bengaluru-based Strand Life Sciences in 2021 for a sum of Rs 393 crore for 80 per cent stake. The test kits developed by Strand Life Sciences will be rolled out at Rs 12000 i.e. 86 per cent cheaper than other available options in the market.  In October 2022 Illumina partnered with GenoScreen, an innovative genomics company, to launch a package combining Illumina products and the GenoScreen Deeplex Myc-TB assay. The targeted NGS based test for the rapid and extensive detection of anti-TB drug resistance. Agilent, having its Diagnostics and Genomics (DGG) Center of Excellence (CoE) based at Mansear, Haryana, offers an extensive portfolio of NGS research products for quality control of nucleic acids, for library preparation and automation. It also offers tools for NGS data analysis and reporting. Agilent SureSelect library preparation and target enrichment reagents include custom and catalog panels, such as the SureSelect Human All Exon v8 panel and the SureSelect Cancer Comprehensive Genomic Profiling assay.   Challenges Amidst the slow but steady growth, India has a long road ahead to become a master in the NGS market. A host of challenges are currently being faced, the major ones being awareness, affordability and education and skilled resources. Very few healthcare workers are aware of the power of NGS technology. Another challenge is the required skill for NGS data processing and analysis. Says Dr Raja Mugasimangalam, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Genotypic Technology, “Rapid changes in technology, particularly the need to buy new equipment every three years is a big challenge. Pricing of the reagents, particularly with no local supplier and everything imported is a big problem. Lower-cost services from Korea and China are a big challenge for Indian service providers. Diagnostic companies that have received funds for molecular diagnostics based on NGS are cutting costs just to show some toplines and entering the genomics services market.” Even one requires good hands-on wet lab protocol-based molecular biology techniques specifically for NGS data generation. Another important thing missing is the skill needed for analysing the big data generated through the NGS platform. Integration of computational technologies like Bioinformatics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and biological sciences is the need of the hour. Very few academic institutions have courses on NGS data analytics or bioinformatics in general. There is a lot of data being generated but the workforce with the right skill set to analyse and interpret this data is missing. As experts point out, there are needs for some computational skills such as using Linux interface, R or python and also some coding abilities. The younger generation of biology graduates should acquire skills to make themselves market ready.   According to Arpita Ghosh, Assistant Director Bioinformatics, Eurofins Genomics India, there are too many small and new players after COVID-19 who have received some surplus funds. A huge price war is killing the market for service providers. It may be noted that government research institutes are not going for quality and heading for the lowest quote which is pulling the research level down. Dr Modi goes on to add that quality control is another challenging area for the NGS market in India. There are a few India-specific guidelines for minimal essential standards for NGS data. As a consequence, there is often poor-quality data floating around and even used for clinical decision making which is quite dangerous. Also there is no Indian equivalence of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines to interpret and use the NGS data for clinical decision making. This makes it difficult for the counsellors and clinicians for effective decision making. Talking about the challenges, Samir Vyas, Country General Manager, India, Agilent says, "The biggest challenge for the Indian NGS market is the lack of genotype-phenotype correlations for Indians at a population-wide and an individual-level, and most of the available databases are based on Caucasian populations. Large-scale genetic studies are required to identify actionable mutations and to create a database specific to the Indian population. A few initiatives have been taken in this direction. An example includes the Department of Biotechnology Genome India (a pan-India project which aims to catalogue genetic variation in India) and is focussed on Whole Genome Sequencing of representative populations across the country." Relatively high cost of sequencers and consumables, unavailability of local suppliers and vendors, low awareness and affordability for clinical applications and lower spending on genomics research in India, when compared to developed countries such as the US, are a few of the notable challenges in this sector. Apart from this, there are no national consensus guidelines on the use of clinical genomics to improve patient care.   Future of NGS in India NGS has been critical in decreasing the cost of sequencing, from $1 million per whole genome in 2007 to $200 in 2023, resulting in the relatively wide adoption of genomics (NGS based) across a variety of applications. Though India is lagging in NGS in the global arena, there is a huge scope for the country to excel in this sector. Government should promote NGS and need to go hand in hand with the private players and ensure the right skill with the requisite funding.      Sanjiv Das sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23021/mapmygenome-launches-indias-first-dna-test-for-personalised-skin-and-hair-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/23021/mapmygenome-launches-indias-first-dna-test-for-personalised-skin-and-hair-care.html Fri, 28 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based MapMyGenome has announced the launch of BeautyMap, a revolutionary DNA-based test that provides personalised recommendations for skin and hair care products based on an individual's unique genetic makeup. The test will be available in the Indian market at a price of Rs 6999.  BeautyMap is the first of its kind in India and aims to help people achieve their beauty goals by understanding their genetic predispositions to 40 conditions related to skin and hair care such as acne, hair loss, sun damage, hydration, sleep habits, and vitamin levels, among others. BeautyMap also offers genetic counseling sessions with board-certified genetic counselors who help individuals interpret their results and make informed decisions about their personalised beauty regimen from the BeautyMap report. The test is simple and non-invasive, requiring only a saliva sample. As part of MapMyGenome’s HarGharDna initiative, the test kit will be delivered directly to people’s homes. The sample is then analysed in Mapmygenome's state-of-the-art laboratory. The results are delivered to the individual in an easy-to-understand report that includes personalised recommendations for skincare and hair care products through a genetic counseling session.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22909/bioeconomy-to-twin-play-with-digital-economy-for-achieving-30-trillion-target-by-2047.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22909/bioeconomy-to-twin-play-with-digital-economy-for-achieving-30-trillion-target-by-2047.html Fri, 07 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 At the 20th anniversary celebration of Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) held on 7th April in New Delhi, industry captains got together with the government officials to discuss the growth of India as a resilient global biotech destination. While a target of $500 billion is set up for the country’s bioeconomy by 2047, when India will be celebrating 100 years of independence, a six-fold multiplier effect was pointed out by Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon, to set a new target of $3 trillion of bioeconomy in 2047. “By looking at end-to-end supply chains, we can actually have a six-fold multiplier effect in our bioeconomy. If we take the example of COVID-19 vaccination, the whole process of developing a vial of vaccine at a cost of $3, to hospital charges, cold chain logistics, Arogya setu data management, exhibited a 6x multiplier effect at the end. This multiplier effect with respect to the supply chains is going to become a very important part of the $30 trillion economy target for 2047 that our Prime Minister has been talking about. It is going to be a twin play of digital economy and bioeconomy”, said Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw during the event. Backing this thought, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Government of India said, “Our biotechnology pool is very large. As we move forward in attaining our ambitious bioeconomy target, I visualise increased participation of the industry which is extremely important. A forum like ABLE should act as a coordinating body between the industry, academia and startups to devise a mechanism of involving all the stakeholders right from the beginning of an idea or a research project.” Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology laid focus on grasping opportunities to harness biology’s economic potential using disruptive innovations. For instance, developing a vaccine in 100 days, ability to programme our own cells to cure a disease, using virus assembled batteries, or engineering microbes for sustainable and nutrition-rich agriculture. “We need to envision economic activities driven by research and innovation in biotechnology enabled by technological advances. New innovations and products likely need to come from public private partnership. This is India’s moment to enable BioE3- i.e. Biotechnology, Employment, Economy and Environment. For example, India has the potential to become a manufacturing hub for cell and gene therapy, for which our focus should be IP creation by deep tech innovation instead of business model innovation”, Dr Gokhale said. The biotechnology sector in India is indeed growing at a rapid speed which was clearly witnessed in 2021, a year when the bioeconomy grew from $70.2 to $80.12 billion. India generated $219 million of bioeconomy daily. And this remarkable achievement was possible with the participation of all regions within the country. As a result, this year onwards ABLE will be releasing bioeconomy reports not only for India as a country, but also for different regions highlighting their role in increasing our bioeconomy.   Dr Manbeena Chawla (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com)   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22859/dbt-to-play-critical-role-in-tb-elimination-by-mapping-drug-resistance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22859/dbt-to-play-critical-role-in-tb-elimination-by-mapping-drug-resistance.html Mon, 27 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh has announced integrated strategy to achieve 'TB Mukt Bharat' and said that the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is going to play an important  part in this integrated holistic healthcare approach against elimination of Tuberculosis (TB), in keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment of ‘TB Mukt Bharat’ by 2025. The Minister declared commencement of the pilot phase of Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium (InTGS) with successful completion of whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 182 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolated from TB patients and development of a novel blood bag technology at DBT-InStem, Bengaluru.  Presentations on new initiatives on improving Tuberculosis outcomes – a) AYUSH interventions to improve TB patient quality-of-life (QOL) b) Mapping drug resistance through genomics & artificial intelligence (AI) and novel blood bag technology to enhance quality and shelf life of stored blood, were made while Dr Jitendra Singh was interacting with the press on Bio-Next-Tech Innovations. Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium (InTGS), one of the key components of the programme, is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Science & Technology and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, led by the Department of Biotechnology. The aim is to perform WGS of 32500 strains of TB. Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology stated that InTGS is modelled on the lines of the highly successful Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of AYUSH and DBT, conducting high impact research studies on Ayurveda intervention as adjuvant to Anti TB therapy (ATT) for improving quality of life, managing cachexia, bio-enhancing of ATT and hepato-protection is being planned. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22831/india-calls-for-extended-collaboration-in-biotech-startups-and-vaccine-development-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22831/india-calls-for-extended-collaboration-in-biotech-startups-and-vaccine-development-.html Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Mark Feinberg, President & CEO, IAVI (The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative), Rajat Goyal MD, Country Director, India, IAVI called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh in New Delhi and urged for concrete proposals and guidance in developing sustainable startups for lasting source of livelihoods. Dr Jitendra Singh apprised the delegation that in June last year, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the Biotech Startup Expo - 2022 at Pragati Maidan, Delhi and said, “India's bio-economy has grown 8 times in the last 8 years. “We have grown from $10 billion to $80 billion. India is not too far from reaching the league of top-10 countries in Biotech's global ecosystem”. Dr Jitendra Singh said that India is fast emerging as the world's major bio-economy and over the last few years, it has grown by leaps and bounds when it comes to innovation and technology. He pointed out that India has developed four indigenous Vaccines in just two years. Dr Mark Feinberg said that his organisation is a global not-for-profit, public-private partnership working to accelerate the development of vaccines to prevent HIV infection and AIDS. He, however added that due to abatement of HIV, IAVI is partnering with India for the development of TB vaccine. Dr Jitendra Singh underlined that the Indian vaccine market is expected to reach a valuation of Rs 252 billion by 2025. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22774/iit-k-and-reliance-life-sciences-to-revolutionise-gene-therapy-for-hereditary-eye-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22774/iit-k-and-reliance-life-sciences-to-revolutionise-gene-therapy-for-hereditary-eye-diseases.html Fri, 10 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a historic moment, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) has licensed a pioneering technology to Reliance Life Sciences that has the potential to revolutionise the field of gene therapy, especially for many genetic eye diseases. This marks the first time that a gene therapy related technology has been developed and transferred from an academic institution to a company in India. The gene therapy technology from IIT-K will be further developed as an indigenous product by Reliance Life Sciences. Developed by Prof. Jayandharan Giridhara Rao and Shubham Maurya from the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering (BSBE), IIT-K, the patented technology modifies the gene of an organism to treat a hereditary disorder. In this case, the site refers to a specific location on an Adeno-associated virus (AAV) (viral vector) used for gene therapy. The technology modifies this location to optimise its ability to deliver genes to the affected cells and improve its effectiveness. The technology has the ability to improve gene therapy for many hereditary diseases, especially inherited eye diseases. It has shown significant promise in correcting the vision impairment in animal models of blindness.  Reliance Life Sciences is developing several gene therapies to address unmet clinical needs. In addition to gene therapies, Reliance Life Sciences is developing a range of human and animal health vaccines and mRNA products. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22766/golden-jubilee-biotech-park-announces-winners-of-women-in-biotech-awards-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22766/golden-jubilee-biotech-park-announces-winners-of-women-in-biotech-awards-2023.html Thu, 09 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Murali Panchapagesa Muthuswamy, the Chairman of the Golden Jubilee Biotech Park for Women Society located in Siruseri, Chennai announced the four categories of the 3rd Women in Biotech Awards to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th, 2023.   Dr Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, Chairperson, IKP Knowledge Park, has been chosen for the Life Time Achievement Award. Dr Ezhil Subbian, Co-founder and CEO of Bengaluru-based String Bio has been chosen as the Women Entrepreneur of the Year 2023. The Woman Scientist of the year 2023 has gone to Dr Humira Sonah, Ramalingaswamy Fellow ( Scientist D) at the DBT-National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Mohali Punjab.  The Special Jury Award for the Most Innovative Woman Biotech Entrepreneur in Tamil Nadu is given to Vedavalli Sankaranarayanan, founder and CEO of Plasmaart Resto,  incubated at the Golden Jubilee Biotech Park for Women, Chennai. The company has developed an innovative stem cell therapy in Tamil Nadu. The eminent jury was chaired by Dr Renu Swarup, former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi along with other jury members, coordinated by the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), including Dr Jitendra Kumar, Director, Bangalore Bioinnovation Center (BBC), Dr Anand Anandkumar, Vice President & Treasurer, ABLE,  Narayanan Suresh, COO, ABLE; and G S Krishnan, President, ABLE. The annual Women in Biotech Awards was started by the Chairman Dr Murali Panchapagesa Muthuswamy in 2021 to recognise outstanding women leaders, scientists and entrepreneurs in biotechnology. The past winners include Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Dr Renu Swarup, Dr Gagandeep Kang and Dr Suchitra Ella. The Awards will be presented at a gala function and conclave in Chennai later this year. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22732/cardiff-university-alumni-announce-uk-india-strategic-partnership-for-immunity-testing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22732/cardiff-university-alumni-announce-uk-india-strategic-partnership-for-immunity-testing.html Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 ImmunoServ from Cardiff, Wales, UK has signed a strategic partnership with ImmunitasBio of Bengaluru, to formalise its support for each other in their shared purpose in providing expert immunology products and services across the world.  The two companies have worked on tackling the COVID-19 pandemic supporting vaccine research and providing immunity testing in their respective countries. Beyond COVID-19, ImmunoServ and ImmunitasBio are collaborating to develop and commercialise immunity tests for other infectious diseases such as influenza, as well as cancer and autoimmunity. The leaders of these two companies have a long and enduring history together. Dr James Hindley, CEO of ImmunoServ and Dr Sivasankar Baalasubramanian, CEO and Founder of ImmunitasBio met whilst studying together at Cardiff University’s School of Medicine in 2006. Following this they remained good friends and started an entrepreneurial journey together in 2014 when they founded InBio India, a sister company of UK based Indoor Biotechnologies (now InBio UK). After exiting this allergy focused business in 2020, the two immunologist entrepreneurs are now working together to bring immunity testing to the world. Dr Sivasankar Baalasubramanian, said, “The healthcare market already has liver function tests, kidney function tests, but what we are developing is immune function tests. These predictive health tests can provide actionable insights into many diseases.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/22712/indias-vaccine-supremacy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/22712/indias-vaccine-supremacy.html Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 India has been at the forefront of vaccine research and manufacturing in the world. During  COVID-19, companies such as Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech, among others, were able to come up with vaccines that proved to be game changers in India’s healthcare system. Meeting over 60 per cent of the world’s demand and supplying over 2.4 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines and having a repository of over 50 indigenous vaccines, India’s vaccine story is truly remarkable.  Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers, Government of India, during an event in Pune last year, said that India had supplied vaccines to 100 countries and provided drugs to 150 countries during COVID-19. He added, “As we go forward, there is an urgent need for strengthening private-public sector partnerships across the vaccine manufacturing value chain.”    The Indian Vaccine Saga: 1978-2023   In the 19th century, efforts were made to replace variolation (a method of inoculation first used to immunise individuals against smallpox with material taken from a patient or a recently variolated individual) with vaccination, setting up vaccine institutes, trials of cholera vaccine and the discovery of the plague vaccine. The early 20th century saw the setting up of more vaccine institutes and the challenges associated with the expansion of smallpox vaccination and typhoid vaccine trials. The post-independence era saw private players enter the arena. India saw the launch of the Expanded Programme for Immunisation in 1978 and Universal Immunisation Programme in 1985. It may be noted that till 1850 India used to import vaccines from Britain. Logistical issues and an increase in demand prompted the establishment of research institutes and manufacturing facilities in the country. During the early 19th century, some research activities were conducted in Bombay (now Mumbai) and animal experiments for lymph were conducted in Madras (now Chennai). The outbreak of cholera in Bengal prompted Dr Waldemar Haffkine, a Ukrainian-French bacteriologist known for his pioneering work in vaccines, to visit India and conduct trials in Agra where its efficacy was proven. In 1896, plague broke out in India which prompted Dr Haffkine to conduct research at a two-room set up in Grant Road, Mumbai, that led to the development of the first vaccine in India. In 1899, the laboratory was known as Plague Laboratory, renamed in 1905 as Bombay Bacteriological Laboratory and renamed the Haffkine Institute in 1925. In the early 20th century, India had four vaccines namely for cholera, smallpox, plague and typhoid. Pasteur Institute of India, Coonoor, is one of the pioneer institutes in India in the production of Anti Rabies Vaccine (dog bite vaccine) and DPT vaccine (triple antigen against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) for the Expanded Programme of Immunisation of the Government of India. This institute started functioning as Pasteur Institute of Southern India on April 6, 1907 and was officially opened by Sir Arthur Lawley, Governor of Madras, on April 25, 1907. Later, on May 1, 1948, the BCG Vaccine Laboratory was established in Chennai and is now working under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India. The laboratory manufactures freeze-dried BCG vaccines for the control of childhood tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis in children and supplies to the Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) of the Government of India and other needy medical faculties/ hospitals.   Enter Serum Institute  India saw a revolution in vaccine manufacturing with Dr Cyrus Poonawalla founding the Serum Institute of India (SII) in 1966 to manufacture life-saving immuno-biologicals. India which was facing a vaccine shortage in the country and used to import at high prices saw several life-saving biologicals being manufactured at prices affordable to the common man and in abundance. India became self-sufficient in Tetanus Anti-toxin and Anti-snake Venom serum, followed by the DTP  group of vaccines and then later on MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) group of vaccines. Today, the company has more than four indigenously manufactured vaccines. During the same time, Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Corporation (BIBCOL), a Government of India undertaking, started manufacturing oral polio vaccines in bulk in 1966. Hyderabad-based Dano Vaccines & Biologicals introduced Tetanus Vaccine – DanoTT in 1985.  Shantha Biotechnics launched the Hepatitis B vaccine, Shanvac-B, the first recombinant health product in India. Founded by Dr K I Varaprasad Reddy in 1993, Shantha was one of the first Indian biotechs to create a recombinant product, obtaining World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification for its Hepatitis B vaccine in 2002. During the same year, Bharat Biotech International Ltd (BBIL) started its operations with Dr Krishna M Ella and Suchitra Ella returning from the US to set up a company dedicated to creating innovative vaccines and bio-therapeutics. Revac-B, an indigenously made genetically-engineered vaccine for Hepatitis-B, was launched in Hyderabad by Bharat Biotech International in 1998. Revac-B was marketed by Ahmedabad-based Intas Pharmaceuticals.  In the same year, Ghaziabad-based BiO-Med unveiled Typhoid Polysaccharide Vaccine, the first indigenously manufactured Vi antigen typhoid vaccine. It was manufactured as per Indian Pharmacopoeia.     Human Biologicals Institute (HBI), a division of Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), rolled out the first vero cell culture rabies vaccine in 2000. This is being marketed under the brand name Abhayrab. Post 2000, a number more vaccines were indigenously manufactured. BiO-MED in 2004 produced India Haemophilus Type B Conjugate vaccine (Peda Hib) and Meningococcal Polysaccharide vaccine Group A, C, Y & W135 (Quadri Meningo). Peda Hib is indicated for the prevention in children from six weeks to five years of age, of invasive diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b e.g. Meningitis, cellulitis, epiglottitis. Quadri Meningo vaccine is recommended for children above 18 months of age as routine immunisation in endemic areas. 2006 saw HBI manufacture vaccines such as the DPT vaccine – AbhayTAG, Tetanus Vaccine – AbhayTOX and Recombinant Hepatitis B – Elovac B. SII in 2007 launched its indigenously manufactured low-cost Haemophilus influenza type b conjugate vaccine under the brand name HibPRO in India. BBIL developed BioHib, Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib) vaccine in India, and Comvac 4-HB, a tetravalent combination vaccine. Bio-Med in the same year unveiled Botulinum Toxin Type A (Boto Genie). This is a potent neurotoxin complex which causes relaxation of muscles, marked reduction in gland secretory activity and silencing of nociceptor function on its absorption. The following year saw BiO-Med unveil the commercially available Typhoid Vi Conjugate vaccine (Peda Typh) that is indicated for active immunisation against Salmonella typhi in infants of the age of three months, children and adults. Cadila Healthcare introduced the H1N1 vaccine in 2010 marketed under VaxiFlu-S, the first indigenous vaccine against swine flu. It was followed by SII indigenously developing an intranasal vaccine, Nasovac, for preventing H1N1 infections. In 2011, BiO-Med developed its own Meningococcal Polysaccharide vaccine Group A & C (Bi Meningo) that is used to protect against cerebrospinal meningitis and other diseases caused by Neisseria meningitidis (Group A & C). BBIL in 2013, launched the world's first clinically proven typhoid conjugate vaccine Typbar-TCV, a fourth-generation vaccine against typhoid disease. Typbar was the first vaccine in India to get a WHO-GMP prequalification certificate. BBIL also developed the oral rotavirus vaccine, ROTAVAC, the first indigenously developed Rotavirus vaccine in 2015.     The following year saw New Delhi-based Panacea Biotec announcing the launch of Tetravalent Vaccine Easyfour-TT for active primary immunisation and booster dose against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B(Hib). 2017 saw Zydus Cadila indigenously develop, manufacture and launch India’s first vaccine against H1N1 - Vaxiflu-S. Besides, Panacea Biotec launched the world's first fully liquid whole cell Pertussis (wP)-based Hexavalent Combination Vaccine, EasySix. BiO-MED also unveiled the latest Technology (Ultracentrifugal purified) Vero cell-based Rabies vaccine for Human use (Sure Rab) in the same year. It also launched the Varicella vaccine (Bio Pox) the following year. Ankleshwar-based Chiron Behring Vaccines announced the re-launch of a purified chick embryo cell (PCEC) vaccine manufactured at its WHO pre-qualified facility in Ankleshwar, Gujarat as ChiroRab in 2019. In the same year, BBIL launched Rotavac 5D used in the prevention of rotavirus diarrhoea, the world’s first and only liquid formulation with the lowest dosage form. In 2020, SII announced the launch of India’s first indigenously developed pneumococcal vaccine – PNEUMOSIL. This vaccine was launched through a collaboration spanning over a decade between the Serum Institute of India, PATH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.   COVID-19 shots  COVID-19 opened new avenues for Indian vaccine manufacturers and in 2021, BBIL launched Covaxin, India's first indigenously manufactured COVID-19 jab, developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - National Institute of Virology (NIV). This was followed by Ahmedabad-based pharma firm Zydus Cadila receiving the Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for ZyCoV-D the world’s first Plasmid DNA Vaccine for COVID-19. The needle-free drug has been developed in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India under the ‘Mission COVID Suraksha’ and implemented by BIRAC. The year 2022 saw many indigenous vaccines being launched in India. Starting with SII’s cervical cancer vaccine CERVAVAC, it was followed by BBIL unveiling iNCOVACC, the world’s first intranasal COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been developed in collaboration with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance (BIRAC). Hyderabad-based Biological E (BE) in the same year announced the publication of Corbevax, the indigenously produced RBD-protein subunit vaccine.     Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, has announced that its mRNA vaccine – GEMCOVAC-19 - received the Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) from the office of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).  GEMCOVAC-19 is the very first mRNA vaccine developed in India and the only third mRNA vaccine to be approved for COVID-19 in the world. Ahmedabad-based Cadila Pharmaceuticals developed a novel three-dose recombinant nano-particle-based rabies G protein vaccine.   Way to go 2023 will see the launch of vaccines for Hepatitis A (Hep A) and Measles and Rubella (MR) by Hyderabad–based Indian Immunologicals Limited. Besides human vaccines, the company is also working on multiple animal vaccines projects such as Foot Rot (Sheep), Canine 10-in-1 (Dog), MegaVac- KeC (Dog), Lumpy Skin Disease (Cattle), Mastitis (Cattle) 4 in 1, gE deleted IBR marker vaccine (Cattle). Biotech startup Mynvax, incubated at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, has developed an adjuvant subunit-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 which is now ready for pre-clinical trials. The Technology Development Board (TDB), Ministry of Science & Technology is supporting Hyderabad-based startup Sapigen Biologix for the development and commercialisation of two novel vaccines – Intranasal COVID-19 Vaccine and RTS, S Malaria Vaccine. Under the agreement signed, TDB and Bharat Biotech have pledged the support of Rs 200 crore each to create a continuous corpus of Rs 400 crore for the development and commercialisation of the two novel vaccines. The company intends to produce 100 million doses/annum of intranasal COVID-19 vaccine by April 2023 and 15 million doses/ annum RTS, S Malaria vaccine by the end of April 2025.   The future Traditional vaccines have an upper hand having fewer side effects and Indian vaccine manufacturers have struck the right chord while dealing with the manufacture of indigenous vaccines. As compared to the mRNA COVID vaccines that have side effects, indigenous vaccines like Covaxin are known to have lesser or no side effects. The Department of Biotechnology has taken steps to curb the COVID-19 threat and as Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh rightly points out that India will make significant investments in R&D to develop a roadmap for the design and delivery of vaccine development for a future pandemic.  The COVID-19 pandemic was an urgent wake-up call and developing the right vaccines at the right time is what Indian vaccine manufacturers need to look up to. The Union Minister of Science & Technology Dr Singh rightly said, "India was able to develop four COVID-19 vaccines while the whole world was struggling to make even one and contributed to the global fight against COVID-19 by providing vaccine to several countries, under ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiatives." Dr Singh also mentioned that while efforts are still on to uncover findings about COVID-19 and the epidemiological models, India is ready to invest in future challenges.   Sanjiv Das sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22698/north-east-region-organises-first-ever-international-conference-on-biotechnology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22698/north-east-region-organises-first-ever-international-conference-on-biotechnology.html Mon, 27 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 International Bio-resource Conclave along with the 22nd Congress of the International Society for Ethno-pharmacology and the 10th Congress of Society for Ethno-pharmacology (ISE SFEC-2023) was held from February 24-26, 2023 at the City Convention Centre, Imphal, Manipur with the theme “Reimagine Ethnopharmacology : Globalisation of Traditional Medicine''. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said, while inaugurating the event, that for the first time since Independence, North East Region (NER) is organising an International Conference on Biotechnology involving over 700 International and national delegates representing over 35 countries. The Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) organised the Conference in collaboration with Society for Ethno-pharmacology, India and International Society for Ethno-pharmacology, Switzerland. Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary Department of Biotechnology (DBT) said, "The microbial culture collection centre of IBSD is unique with a huge collection of microbes from NER, which can play as a potential lead for not only new drug development but also very effective for the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) study."  IBSD has established a “Science Museum” at Maha Union Govt. Higher Secondary School, Chandel, an Aspirational district of Manipur. IBSD is organising many activities like webinars, seminars, lab visits for students from different schools, colleges of Manipur to promote scientific thinking about local bioresources of the region. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22620/telangana-govt-teams-up-with-flanders-investment-trade-to-promote-life-sciences-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22620/telangana-govt-teams-up-with-flanders-investment-trade-to-promote-life-sciences-industry.html Fri, 10 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Government of Telangana is partnering with Flanders in Belgium, to explore multiple opportunities in the Life Sciences sector aimed at vaccines and mRNA technological platforms, immunotherapy, university partnership and Cluster-to-Cluster collaborations. Currently, the Flanders’ Life Scienes industry comprises of over 350 companies employing over 20,000 people including indirect jobs. The region has attracted in the Life Sciences & Pharma segment more than a quarter of the total record investment of $5.56 billion in 2022 into Flanders from across the globe. The total estimated Life Sciences business in Belgium is estimated around $44 billion. Clusters in Flanders like FlanderBIO, VIB, would engage with the identified clusters in Hyderabad, including Genome Valley, Medtech Park in Telangana, to help companies explore market access, technology partnerships, joint venture opportunities, etc. The Government of Telangana intends to establish an Institute of Curative Medicine in Hyderabad that aims to develop and commercialize the latest age-appropriate therapies for diseases prevalent in this region.  As the first step of this partnership, Flanders will be participating as International Region Partners for the next 3 editions of BioAsia starting with the forthcoming 20th edition of BioAsia – the marquee healthcare and life sciences event, organised by the Government of Telangana.  A task force with members including industry, academia and government from both sides have been formed and the group will discuss and implement the partnership. BioAsia in Telangana and Knowledge for Growth in Flanders shall be the two anchor events on either side in which both ecosystems shall participate in these events to steer the Flanders Telangana Lifesciences Cooperation in the next 3 to 4 years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22592/does-novel-biologics-rd-lack-funding-academic-collaboration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22592/does-novel-biologics-rd-lack-funding-academic-collaboration.html Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Institute of Chemical Technology's "Biosimilar Workshop", one of the largest gatherings of Biopharmaceutical Researchers in India held on 2nd and 3rd February 2023 at Novotel Goa Dona Sylvia Resort, held a special focus on the future of biologics. A panel discussion was organised with participation from Kavitha Iyer Rodrigues, Chief Executive Officer, Zumutor Biologics, who was the moderator, along with Dr Nitin Damle, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company; Dr Raghavan Varadarajan from the Indian Institute of Science; Dr Prabuddha Kumar Kundu, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Premas Biotech; Dr Pradip Nair, Chief Scientific Manager, Biocon Research; Dr Manjula Das, Principal Investigator, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation Managing Director at Beyond Antibody and Dr Uma Sinha Datta, Fast Trak Global Training Manager & India Leader, Cytiva. The panel discussion started with a question raised by Dr Kavitha on India’s contribution to novel biologics and funding strategies. Dr Nitin Damle mentioned that within biologics, novel biologics represent a bigger opportunity and the segment is promising. According to him, the novel biologics market is anticipated to touch $350 billion by 2030. He also mentioned that in the last 10-15 years, there has been an explosion of biosimilars. Adding to this, Dr Kundu gave his critical thoughts about academia. He mentioned that though academics are playing a huge role, however, something is amiss. "There remains a void which is a challenging task for all the stakeholders. Funding from government agencies is good to go with but the golden rule is that you have to work within their terms. In this case, alternative funding resources need to remain in place. With risk remaining, looking out for the right funding is a challenge of its own." Another interesting observation was made by Dr Manjula Das stating that, "There needs to be extensive biology knowledge, and knowledge of the disease, that is lacking. The more respect among various agencies, it will remain a win-win situation for all." “Novel biologics need innovation and we do a lot of research, however, it doesn’t reach patients and this is where funding is important. Stakeholders should look for smarter process development, and get more with less number of experiments", said Dr Uma Sinha Datta. Well, this discussion is indeed happening around the right time when the government's budget allocation for development of pharma industry has been increased this year. Impact of this will be that there will be new programmes to promote pharma R&D through centres of excellence. However, we would await clarity on where exactly these additional funds are going to be used and how the nation progresses better with innovative drugs.   Sanjiv Das Sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com     Image caption: (L-R) Dr Pradip Nair (Biocon Research); Dr Nitin Damle (Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company); Dr Prabuddha Kumar Kundu (Premas Biotech), Dr Uma Sinha Datta (Cytiva) and Dr Manjula Das (Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation).      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/22544/how-crispr-car-t-therapy-uses-patients-immune-system-to-fight-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/96/22544/how-crispr-car-t-therapy-uses-patients-immune-system-to-fight-cancer.html Sat, 04 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Gene-editing pioneer Jennifer Doudna’s discovery on Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR Associated Nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology has brought about several new avenues in cancer treatment. This tool uses only a single nuclease protein complex with 2 short RNA as a site-specific endonuclease, which makes it a simple, powerful, and flexible genome editing tool to target nearly any genomic locus. Also, recent developments in therapeutic engineered T cells and effective responses of CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) therapy has been rapidly growing in cancer therapy. The combination of CRISPR/Cas9 technology as a genome engineering tool and CAR-T cell therapy (engineered T cells that express chimeric antigen receptors) is leading to further explorations in cancer treatment. For years now, cancer patients have been treated with various types of therapies, including conventional strategies like chemo-, radio- and targeted therapy, as well as immunotherapy like checkpoint inhibitors, vaccine, and cell therapy, etc. Among the therapeutic alternatives, T-cell therapy like CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor Engineered T cell) and TCR-T (T Cell Receptor Engineered T cell), have emerged as the most promising therapeutics due to its precision clinical efficacy.  According to Research&Markets, in 2012, there were only 12 clinical trials investing in CAR-T cell therapy products. Today, that number has risen to over 500. Between 2017 and 2021, four CAR-T products have hit the market and this number is projected to reach double digits within five years. The earliest approvals, Kymriah and Yescarta, have been commercially available since 2017 and 2018, respectively, and have been infused into nearly a half million patients worldwide. In July 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a third CAR-T cell therapy, Kite Pharma's brexucabtagene autoleucel (sold as Tecartus). In February 2021, Breyanzi became the fourth CAR-T approved cancer therapy. More recently, the antitumour activities of CAR-T cells have shown great improvement with the utilisation of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. It has been found that the genome editing system could be a powerful genetic tool to use for manipulating T cells and enhancing the efficacy of cell immunotherapy. Before CRISPR was invented, CAR-T cells were generated using other genome engineering technologies. As CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing enables manufacturing of CAR-T cells with improved anti-cancer effects, considering the heterogeneity of cancer cells, this therapeutic approach is believed to have improved treatment outcome where the immunotherapy not only treats the cancer condition but also enhances the normal capacity of the patient's immune system.  Dr Shailendra Vyas, a scientist turned-entrepreneur and Founder of Bioheaven360 Genotec Pvt Ltd, opines that CRISPR has been identified as the next generation technology for cancer cell editing and treatment. He says, “The biggest advantage can accrue from the fact that there are so many genes which can cause cancer and the mutations differ between patients. Thus, what we see is as many CRISPR clinics upcoming wherein gene editing can be done and directed therapies can be given to patients. The biggest advantage is that the therapies can be of low cost and effective.” Also, conventional cancer treatments, like radiation therapy or chemotherapy, cannot discriminate between healthy cells and cancerous cells. This means that the treatment destroys both types of cells, resulting in severe side effects. In contrast, CAR-T therapy uses a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. Explaining from his company’s research standpoint, Dr Vyas says, “Bioheaven360 is trying to understand the downstream and off-target effects of CRISPR edited cells. We focus mainly on the regulators that are a part of natural defence mechanisms in cells and may act as a hurdle to CRISPR applications. Gene editing will take its own time till it reaches the market as cancer therapy. In India, where a large part of the population requires low-cost treatments 'asap!' We must not ignore other established immediately possible solutions like recombinant therapeutic antibodies or CAR T-Cell therapies or look towards other cost-effective solutions. CRISPR based CAR T-cell therapies are gaining popularity and will be of significance in the near future.” Scientists, therefore, are confident that exploring both gene-edited cell treatments will empower the treatment of numerous sorts of cancer. The surface is being scratched and this combination tool will open up several new avenues to cost-effective cancer treatments and become the go-to treatment mode in the personalised cancer medicine arsenal.    Anusha Ashwin ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22576/genomics-india-conference-2023-simplifies-bio-entrepreneurship-with-policy-mapping.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22576/genomics-india-conference-2023-simplifies-bio-entrepreneurship-with-policy-mapping.html Thu, 02 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Genomics India Conference (GIC) 2023, a two-day genomics conference, opened on 2 February 2023 at NIMHANS Convention Centre in Bengaluru, to bring together industry, academia and research with core focus on current trends and advancements in genomics. Amongst many interesting sessions, a discussion with industry experts was organised to simplify the concept of bio-entrepreneurship highlighting factors such as risk management, policy mapping, strategic backup etc. Prof Samir Brahmachari, Former Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) said, "An entrepreneur needs to follow the government policy while executing a new idea. For instance, the Union budget 2023-24 has put emphasis on artificial intelligence. So the time is ripe for digital healthcare ideas. Following the existing policy is critical but strong communities of biotech can influence development of new policies." Adding his thoughts, Dr Raja Mugasimangalam, Founder & CEO, Genotypic Technology & QTLomics; Chairman – iBioM said, "A strategic backup is very important for a bio-entrepreneur before executing any new idea. One should be clear with all ideas when the right opportunity knocks in."  Dr Manjiri Bakre Founder and CEO, OncoStem Diagnostics highlighted, "An entrepreneur should discuss his/her ideas with customers to be able to sell what one is making. One cannot be risk-free in any job or field. Some form of risk comes along in every job, not just entrepreneurship." Concluding the session, Prof Brahmachari said that this is the right time to screen bio-entrepreneurs genetically with new-age genomics technologies to set a new future.    GIC 2023, being held on 2 and 3 February, is offering an exciting lineup of speakers and panelists, including renowned luminaries from the Indian and International diaspora, bringing together the best minds and industries across the world to discuss genomics in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22487/third-in-genomics-india-series-gic-2023-to-get-bigger-better.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22487/third-in-genomics-india-series-gic-2023-to-get-bigger-better.html Mon, 16 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Genomics India 2023 Conference (GIC), a two-day genomics conference, aims to bring together industry, academia and research that will feature informative talks on current trends and advancements in genomics. The conference, taking place on 2 and 3 February 2023 at NIMHANS Convention Centre in Bengaluru, will feature cutting-edge research into the latest advances in genomic technologies, with a focus on sharing path-breaking findings. It will provide an unlimited opportunity to interact with experts from across the industry, including academic, startups and profit and non-profit organisations of the biotech sector. Presenters at the event will be some of the world’s leading companies in vaccine, pharma, biopharma, molecular diagnostics, food, agriculture and biotechnology sectors impacting many industry verticals such as education, healthcare, and manufacturing. They will be presenting and unveiling some of the world’s most advanced solutions. GIC 2023 will have an exciting lineup of speakers and panelists, including renowned luminaries from the Indian and International diaspora, bringing together the best minds and industries across the world to discuss genomics in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22512/institute-of-chemical-technologys-biosimilar-workshop-to-open-in-goa-on-2-3-feb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22512/institute-of-chemical-technologys-biosimilar-workshop-to-open-in-goa-on-2-3-feb.html Mon, 16 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Institute of Chemical Technology's "Biosimilar Workshop", one of the largest gatherings of Biopharmaceutical Researchers in India, is being held on 2nd and 3rd February 2023, at Novotel Goa Dona Sylvia Resort. In its 4th year, the Biosimilar workshop attracts professionals from biotech, biopharma, academia, and startups for two days of rigorous learning and networking opportunities to discover new prospects and good alliances. “Biopharmaceutical Product Development: Indulge, Innovate & Inspire” includes a wide range of topics, from cell line development, process development, biomanufacturing, regulatory science, clinical trials, and industry 4.0. This event will provide an opportunity to meet experts, professionals, academicians, and researchers from all over the world further opening doors to new practices or revising existing practices based on the work presented in workshops, poster presentations, and inspired thought processes by the leadership of the industry. In addition, the LEADERSHIP CONCLAVE 2023 brings together renowned speakers and eminent leaders across the globe to the conclave to share their valuable presentations and insights for the growth of the Biopharmaceutical industry. This segment will emphasise recent advances in four major tracks of biopharmaceutical product development- mRNA vaccine development, Biologics, Cell & Gene therapy, and Government funding towards promoting biopharma industry. With the Biosimilar Workshop, onvenor, Dr Ratnesh Jain, and co-convenor, Dr Prajakta Dandekar Jain are on a mission to build a self-reliant India by empowering the biomanufacturing potential of the nation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22480/8th-international-bioprocessing-india-conference-takes-place-at-csir-ncl.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22480/8th-international-bioprocessing-india-conference-takes-place-at-csir-ncl.html Fri, 13 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The International Bioprocessing India Conference, the 8th one in the series dedicated to the presentation and discussion of the latest scientific developments, was held at CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) between December 16-18, 2022 at Pune. The scientific agenda highlighted the state-of-the-art in Bioprocessing for Biosimilars, Vaccines and Bioenergy.    Programme highlights The event started with an insightful inaugural talk by Dr Cyrus Karkaria, President of the Biotechnology division of Lupin Pharma, who discussed advances in fundamental research to fast-track development of recombinant proteins and vaccines. This was followed by the first plenary lecture titled “Crossing the Valley of Death: Fundamental Research in the Service of Biomanufacturing” by Prof. Abraham Lenhoff, the Allan P. Colburn Professor of Chemical Engineering at University of Delaware, USA. The talk discussed how to overcome that "valley of death" that is generally a barrier to innovation in industrial practice. This would allow efficient translation into applications in process development, design and manufacturing in bioprocessing. To wrap up the inaugural session, the last fascinating talk was delivered by Dr Umesh Shaligram, Executive Director & Board Member of Serum Institute of India. He outlined the journey of Serum Institute during COVID-19 pandemic including their detection, treatment and prevention strategies for disease burden reduction and elimination.   A Complete Package The 2.5 days meeting with 70 invited talks from academia and industry, student talks, posters, exciting startup stories and numerous workshop covered basic and applications of cutting edge research and development in both academia and industry. The areas covered included classical themes and modern advancements in biopharma industry. Some key areas discussed by speakers from industry spanned upstream and downstream processing for recombinant protein therapeutics, scale up, and biomanufacturing along with biophysical and analytical characterisation. Another major focus was biocatalysis, biotransformation, metabolic engineering for bioenergy. Many academic talks discussed fundamental concepts of protein folding, refolding, aggregation that shape protein engineering. In-silico and mechanistic modelling chromatographic processes in downstream was also discussed. Other exciting talks were on biosensing and diagnostics, nutraceuticals and natural product chemistry. Some fundamentals and applications of  state-of-the-art synthetic biology approaches, stem cell technology, gene therapy and drug delivery were also part of the deliberations The talks emphasised that the integrity of a bioprocess is multifactorial and ultimately determines the quality of the biotherapeutic. Bioprocessing starts from design and development of cell lines and continues until the product is manufactured. The methods and strategies discussed formed essential learnings for every scientist, engineer or manager in the biopharma industry and academia.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22467/innovassynth-tcgls-start-operations-from-tcg-international-biotech-park-at-pune.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22467/innovassynth-tcgls-start-operations-from-tcg-international-biotech-park-at-pune.html Wed, 11 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Two biotech majors, Innovassynth and TCG Life Sciences (TCGLS) have started operations from Pune’s TCG International Biotech Park (TCGIBP) which is India’s first integrated biotech park and the largest biotechnology facility in Western India.Talking about the move, Dr Hardik Joshipura, MD and CEO, Innovassynth said, “We are into custom development and manufacturing of nucleosides and specialty chemicals for clients across the globe. We have an existing manufacturing facility at Khopoli and wanted to consolidate our operations with a state-of-the-art R&D facility in an integrated biotechnology park. With this we plan to further strengthen our Contract Research (CRO) capabilities. TCG International Biotech Park became our first choice as it is India’s first integrated biotechnology park and is the largest such facility in Western India. We wanted to benefit from the conducive ecosystem for innovation, research and development existing in Pune currently.”TCGLS, a group company of The Chatterjee Group (TCG) and a global contract research organisation (CRO) and contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) company with operations in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Richmond, Virginia, and Princeton, New Jersey; offering seamless and integrated R&D services to pharma, biotech, agriscience, animal health, specialty chemicals, and related industries have started operations from TCG IBP in Pune as part of their expansion plans. "We've taken up 23,000 square feet space in TCGIBP to build a comprehensive discovery services centre. Pune with its proximity to Mumbai and Gujarat offers a great ecosystem of talents, scientific institutions, and relevant industry players which TCGLS plans to leverage to build a major presence by bringing in a sizeable batch of chemists, biologists, and formulation scientists in the coming years,” said Anirban Mitra, Head of Human Resource Development at TCGLS.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22445/st-minister-inaugurates-national-genome-editing-training-centre-at-mohali.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22445/st-minister-inaugurates-national-genome-editing-training-centre-at-mohali.html Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated "National Genome Editing & Training Centre" at National Agri-food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) Mohali, Punjab. NGETC is a one-roof state-of-the-art facility that will serve as a national platform to cater to the regional needs to adapt different genome editing methods, including CRISPR-Cas mediated genome modification. The Minister said that due to a push from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the startup movement has picked up momentum in India and led to creation of over 80,000 startups whose number was only about 350 before 2014. This quantum jump in the number of startups must equally and proportionally reflect in agri and biotech as well because this area is yet to be fully explored and taken advantage of by Indian entrepreneurs and youth.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/22422/how-genomics-can-revolutionise-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/22422/how-genomics-can-revolutionise-healthcare.html Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A recent study published by Mayo Clinic Proceedings indicates that nearly one in eight people who underwent predictive genomic testing found that they had a genetic risk for a health condition and may be able to manage it better with preventive care. Rising adoption of healthier lifestyles and increasing awareness of new healthcare programmes and advancements are expected to drive increasing demand for predictive genetic testing.  As per a Precedence Research analysis, the global gene therapy market was valued at $2.99 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach over $15.68 billion by 2030, which is poised to grow at a registered CAGR of 20.2 per cent from 2022 to 2030. With a decrease in infectious diseases, there has been a rise in chronic illnesses. Treatments for chronic illnesses are focusing more on an individual’s genetic makeup. Though India has 20 per cent of the world's global population, it only contributes to 0.2 per cent of the global genetic database.    Revolutionising diagnosis, prognosis and treatment  Genome sequencing became more prominent and came to the aid during the COVID-19 pandemic where with the help of this technique researchers were able to isolate the SARS-COV-2 virus. This also led to the production of an mRNA vaccine by Moderna within 60 days of the sequence being made available.  There is a growing interest among researchers in this space. Genome sequencing will lead to personalised medicine both from the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment perspective. It could also reshape the drug discovery process.  Talking about genomics in drug development,  Dr Joydeep Goswami, Senior VP, Corporate Development, and Strategic Planning, Illumina says, “Genomics will transform lifetime health management, improve outcomes and lower costs. Probability of the drug molecule increases by 150 per cent when the drug target is supported by a genetically validated mechanism and cost per approval decreases by almost half, primarily through increased success rates. Genomics has the power to reshape drug discovery development.”   Cost-effective genome sequencing in India  India has seen an increase in genome sequencing in recent years. Though lagging behind China and Korea in the Asia Pacific region, a lot of Indian startups and companies have started undertaking research in this new technique. Government bodies are also increasingly recognising the importance of these advancements and turning to genomic research to provide personalised healthcare for patients. Earlier in 2022, Singapore and India entered into an agreement to collaborate on genome and bioinformatics research, while the Genome Institute of Singapore has embarked on mapping Asian genomes to investigate how illnesses can affect different groups, providing valuable insight for researchers. The success of genomics innovation relies on robust and agile digital infrastructure to support the entire research programme, from data processing and exchange to the ability to analyse and store increasing data volumes. Sharing his views on need for genome sequencing, Murali Panchapagesa Muthuswamy, Chairman, Jananom; Chairman, Golden Jubilee Women’s, Biotechnology Park and President, Council of Presidents of Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprise (ABLE), says, “We have to sequence a large number of genomes across ethnic groups among Indian populations and states from Northeast to South of India to get a decent representation. Credible bio markers and predictive and preventive models that are highly dependable will have to be developed. More efforts in this direction are needed and should be funded by government agencies since private bodies may not be able to afford 100k genome sequencing and million genome sequencing.” With support and initiatives from the government agencies many startups have come up in the last few years and have been offering many services using genomic sequencing.  Bengaluru-based MedGenome has a state-of-the-art genetic lab where over 2,50,000 Exomes and Genomes are sequenced. It currently offers 1300 genetic tests and more than 9000 clinicians leverage the services. The company recently announced that it is offering Adaptive Biotechnologies’ Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based clonoSEQ Assay to assess minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL).  It has further unveiled VarMiner, an AI-enabled powerful variant interpretation software suite. The software will help clinicians, molecular geneticists, and genome analysts to interpret and report actionable variants. VarMiner supports various NGS Dx workflows like Germline Analysis where it covers all rare diseases, inherited cancers, Mitochondrial genome analysis, PGx and HLA analysis; Carrier/TRIO Analysis where it combines analysis of familial samples to detect De-novo and common inherited variants and reporting and somatic analysis, the comprehensive analysis of cancer genomes with support for liquid biopsy, haematology and solid tumour cases.    Image credit- shutterstock   Hyderabad-based Mapmygenome India has opened its Genomics Experience Centre in Bengaluru. The new centre will enable customers to get access to distinctive services such as genetic tests, genetic counselling, blood tests, health screening tests, antibody tests and RT-PCR test for COVID-19.  The company has launched a cost-effective pharmacogenomics solution MedicaMap. MedicaMap gives a detailed report about the body’s response based on genetic makeup. It covers over 165 drugs across 12 specialities like cardiology, oncology, psychiatry, and many more. MedicaMap generates user-friendly, thorough reports on the toxicity and efficacy of medicines. Mapmygenome has also created several educational channels including Genomics Gupshup, blogs and conducts several workshops and CMEs. Oncology startup 4baseCare has announced a collaboration with AstraZeneca India, a global science-led biopharmaceutical company for advancing cancer care in India. Under this collaboration, the two organisations will support advanced-stage cancer patients with targeted therapy options using affordable genomic solutions. In another instance, C2i Genomics, a cancer intelligence company based in the US, has announced a strategic partnership with Mumbai-based startup Karkinos Healthcare, to co-develop the MRD market in India. The partnership enables C2i Genomics to bring innovative cancer detection technology to drive R&D, future pharma partnerships and clinical use in India and supports the company’s long-term goals to scale pharma R&D projects around the globe. C2i Genomics’ SaaS solution utilises a cloud-based platform to perform cancer tumour burden monitoring on a global scale, utilising equipped labs and sequencing networks worldwide. Bengaluru-based Clevergene Biocorp, a deep-tech genomics company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), to establish a state-of-the-art genomics centre at Thiruvananthapuram. The state-of-the-art genomics centre will house the latest DNA sequencing equipment like the Illumina NovaSeq and other allied infrastructure to support cutting-edge research in plant biotechnology, infections, cancer and other chronic diseases. The services of this high-throughput genomics centre will be open for use in research to other institutes and industries and will provide services like gene expression analysis, epigenetics and genome analysis including that of the COVID-19 virus. Chennai-based LifeCell recently announced the addition of the ‘NovaSeq 6000’ sequencing system to their diagnostic technology platform. This development makes it one of the very few entities in India to have such exceptional capability which will enable more efficient and cost-effective genome sequencing. Following the successful implementation of Illumina’s NovaSeq 6000 system, LifeCell will be able to leverage its technical expertise to improve scalability, support a varied range of applications, and simplify the workflow. Thus, this will provide high throughput speed and flexibility to carry out studies or testing which require processing a large amount of data, but in a faster and more economical way. The company has also announced the launch of a revolutionary genetic test – Omega TB, in partnership with HaystackAnalytics, a genomics-based health-tech startup. The collaboration marks LifeCell’s foray into the genetic testing industry for tuberculosis (TB) patients. The whole genome sequencing (WGS) test, designed by Haystack Analytics, aims to tackle the looming challenge of drug resistance. Apart from this, the test also helps in treating and preventing the spread of TB by providing a timely, affordable and accurate diagnosis.   Image credit- shutterstock   Bengaluru-based Strand Life Sciences, a genomics-based research and diagnostics company, has launched Strand Genomic Wellness, a new line of genomic-based tests for preventive wellness. Launched at Bengaluru Tech Summit this year, the new offering can help individuals understand and manage their disease better.  As the first offering of the programme, Strand has introduced the ‘Genomic Health Insight’ report to help individuals understand how their genomic variations might influence their risk for a broad range of diseases with 30-100 per cent heritability.  Researchers associated with the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay have developed India’s first indigenously developed Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell therapy, a cutting-edge treatment for specific types of cancer patients. It has shown promising results. The therapy was tested on six paediatric patients of Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia and 10 adults suffering from B-cell lymphoma as part of Phase I clinical trials by researchers. ImmunoACT along with Immuneel Therapeutics - backed by Biocon Biologics and top oncologist Dr Sidhartha Mukherjee - are two startups currently working to make CAR T-cell therapy available in India. Recent launch of spatial transcriptomics and spatial proteomics have increased the confidence level of targeted therapies. Bengaluru-based TheraCUES Innovations has installed a technology platform from NanoString (GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP) USA. Till a few years back, the cost of genome sequencing was huge. However, the costs have come down and are aiding researchers to take up more research activities.   Indigenisation, R&D and Governmental sops Technological advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and lower cheaper cost have led to an explosive growth of genomic data, both from clinical and research studies, according to Ravi Gupta, Vice President – Bioinformatics, MedGenome Labs. "The affordability of these new technologies has led to significant growth in mainstream diagnostics in human cancer and rare disorder diagnostics. The last decade has also resulted in several large population-level sequencing including 1000 genome, Genome Asia, gnomAD, TopMed, Icelander, UKBiobank, Japanese and many others. COVID-19 genome sequencing is one of the best examples of how the new genomics tools have changed our lives. The genomics data is astronomical and needs a huge computing and storage power for quick turnaround”, he said. Increasing economies of scale will reduce costs over time, but substantial R&D and indigenisation will be required to get costs to the level needed for very large-scale democratisation. The pricing of gene therapies is a major issue in India. China and Korea have an advantage over India in volume processing. With the Indian government making the regulatory process much easier during the COVID-19 outbreak, a similar sop will be a win–win situation for the gene therapeutics market. Setting up labs and the availability of the right talent pools should be taken care of. Anu Acharya, CEO, Mapmygenome, expounding on the cost-effectiveness of genome sequencing mentions, “The costs have come down dramatically from a few billion dollars to less than 100 dollars. That is more than what we saw in Moore's Law. Genomics has now become affordable and since germ-line mutations don't change over a lifetime, the value is very high. Streamlining new technologies, big data, and machine learning in genomic-based tests can have a massive economical impact on the healthcare system. With access to genome sequencing, an average consumer can reduce the odds of disease and enhance longevity most cost-effectively.”   Says Gopalakrishna Ramaswamy, Founder and CEO, TheraCUES Innovations, "In a majority of developed countries, many genomic tests are paid by insurance/state health providers. However, in India, the patient has to pay. Though some insurance companies are bringing specific products based on disease, we need to have general acceptance for payment from insurance for tests, as it indirectly helps insurers in providing targeted therapies."   Image credit- shutterstock   Learning curve hurdles  Awareness seems to be the primary challenge around genomic tests. Once consumers and clinicians become aware of the value of genomic testing, they become strong advocates for them. Most genomic tests are deemed difficult to understand by clinicians and efforts must be undertaken to make the process easier and make the entire process actionable. Another challenge is in the space of reimbursement.  Speaking about challenges Dr Ramesh Hariharan, CEO and Co-Founder, Strand Life Sciences, says, “Consumer awareness on genomics is, of course, very low in India. There is also a lack of clarity on what genomics can or cannot help with. Genomics is a very high-complexity test with many nuances. Most tests take two or three days in the lab going through a multi-step process. That results in a lot of data that has to be analysed and placed in the context of available literature. This is very different from a biochemistry test where a sample goes into a machine and the result comes out. There are many parameters and many sources of error. Inadequate attention to these parameters can yield garbage.” In a similar vein, Ram Ramanujam, Founder & CEO, Propinquity Genomics, says, “The main challenges in this industry now is that none of the equipment and reagents is made in India, and any NGS reagents made in India will reduce the pricing. One challenge that needs immediate attention is when you procure a new machine, and how to achieve RoIs in a quick time before the next model is released in the market. With evolving genomics enterprises in the world and emerging multi-scale biology and multi-omics with integrated biology, R&D must be incentivised in industry. As far as the R&D costs are concerned, sops from the Department of Biotechnology and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)  will help new product development.”   The future The future for genomics looks bright. In recent years, there has been steady progress in the advancement of newer sequencing technologies with never-before-seen features. Relying on able manpower, the right investments in research and timely government support, India is poised to set new benchmarks in the genomics space. Talking about the growth of genomics in the country Dr Shibichakravarthy Kannan, CEO, Oncophenomics rightly points out, “You don't need a million dollars to start a genomics lab anymore. Anyone can start sequencing for as little as $10,000. The democratisation of such newer sequencing technologies will facilitate more research programmes and fast-track translation into commercially viable products. We need to bridge the gap between academia and industry to make this happen. India has a unique advantage of skilled brain power. Bioinformatics training is now available free online and a readily available talent pool will further fuel the growth of the genomics industry in India.” Speaking at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2022 on opportunities for genomics research, Dr Roger Hajjar, Head of Research and Development, Ring Therapeutics, mentioned that the future looks bright for genomics in India as the country has a large patient population. India needs to establish a supply chain for raw materials. A large patient population in established tertiary centres is likely to kick-start any type of clinical therapy. The task ahead is enormous and there is a need to take stock of how much storage and processing speed is required. In this regard, more technological innovations in this space are expected to become game changers.      Sanjiv Das sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22371/make-in-odisha-conclave-2022-reinforces-bio-economy-of-the-state.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22371/make-in-odisha-conclave-2022-reinforces-bio-economy-of-the-state.html Fri, 16 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Make In Odisha Conclave’22, the flagship investor summit of the Government of Odisha, was organised from November 30th  to December 4th, 2022 and focused on highlighting unique opportunities to understand the state policies and regulatory environment poised towards ease of doing business along with the vast existing and emerging business opportunities across sectors based on its natural resources and technological progresses. On day three of ‘Make in Odisha Conclave 2022’, sectoral session on biotechnology was organised by Science and Technology (S&T) Department with special focus on investment opportunities in biotechnology sector in Odisha. More than 200 participants, including entrepreneurs, government officials, and academicians took part in the session. Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC) Foundation, an initiative of the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India, was the knowledge partner of the Science and Technology Department.  The session deliberated on competitive advantages of Odisha in the promising areas of Biotechnology such as agriculture, marine and diagnostics.  The S&T department expo pavilion was also focussed on Biotechnology and 15 biotech startups showcased their technology to potential investors, experts, and policy makers. During the 5 day display expo, between 30th November to 4th December, more than 1000 delegates visited the stalls and interacted with startups.  Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister of Science & Technology, Government of Odisha said, “Odisha is a unique littoral state with abundant biodiversity. The 480 km long coastline, rich mangrove and swamplands in Bhitarkanika, brackish water lakes like Chilika, forests like Simlipal and medicinal plant rich Mahendragiri give ample opportunity for biotechnology explorations. The myriad agro-climatic zones and natural resources of the state offer tremendous opportunity, particularly in the fields of agriculture, food processing and floriculture along with marine biotech.”   Biotech investment in Odisha With government support under Biotech Policy 2018 and IPR 2015, Bharat Biotech through its Anchor Tenant- Sapigen BiologiX has invested more than Rs 500 crore for manufacturing various vaccines in Odisha Biotech Park at Andharua. They have committed additional investment of Rs 700 crore for expanding the scope of its operations. Companies including Sapigen BiologiX, CorpGini and Huwel have committed investment to the tune of Rs 1250 crore in Biotechnology Sector and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The investment will generate direct and indirect employment opportunity for more than 8,000 people. During the conclave, professional bodies like Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) have signed an MoU to bring biotech industries to Odisha for setting up of their enterprises, to mentor & nurture biotech startups, bring international knowledge groups to Odisha for investment purpose and to prepare a conducive Biotech Policy for Odisha.    Similarly, an international body Global Network of Entrepreneurs and Professionals (GNEPO) has signed MoU to facilitate Global-Odisha entrepreneurial exchanges, to provide a platform for bio-entrepreneurship development in Odisha with global outreach, identify & submit a mix of 10 potential contacts (mentors, entrepreneurs, investors, networkers, entrepreneurial professionals, corporate ventures, VCs, Angels) every year from across the globe those who have commitment and desire to help bio startups from Odisha.  After successful partnerships with Narayan Hrudalaya, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Care Hospitals, Ziqitza Healthcare, Glocal Healthcare, Tata Trust, CDAC, etc. providing specialised healthcare services in various formats, the government is keen to partner with private players to fulfil the unmet demand in the healthcare sector.   Deep dwelling on biotech landscape At the Conclave, a panel discussion on biopharma deep dwelled on strengthening knowledge-based biotech economy in state through a robust network of pharma and biotech industry. The importance of diagnostic, particularly molecular diagnostic, innovative drug, infrastructure and facilities, industry support for development & implementation technology as well as industries and academia together were discussed in the session. On the other hand, the speakers at the panel discussion on agriculture deliberated on competitive advantages of Odisha in the promising areas of biotechnology such as agriculture, both land and marine bioresources, as well as in natural therapeutics, and emphasised on adoption of emerging technologies for sustainable agriculture and industrial processes and how Odisha’s biotechnological best practices can be extrapolated to other places in similar settings.                                                                                                                                                                                    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22364/8th-international-bioprocessing-india-conference-to-open-at-csir-ncl.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22364/8th-international-bioprocessing-india-conference-to-open-at-csir-ncl.html Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The International Bioprocessing India Conference, the 8th one in the series dedicated to the presentation and discussion of the latest scientific developments in this fast-moving field, will be held in person at CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) between December 16 and 18, 2022. The scientific programme aims to highlight the state-of-the-art technologies in Bioprocessing for Biosimilars, Vaccines and Bioenergy and trigger discussions on how to progress further in this field.  The integrity of a bioprocess is multifactorial and ultimately determines the quality of the biotherapeutic. Bioprocessing starts from design and development of cell lines and continues until the product is manufactured. The methods and strategies form essential learning to every scientist, engineer or manager in the biopharma industry.   Programme highlights: The event will kick off with an inaugural talk by Dr Cyrus Karkaria, President of the Biotechnology division of Lupin Pharma followed by plenary lectures by Prof. Abraham Lenhoff, the Allan P. Colburn Professor of Chemical Engineering at University of Delaware, USA and Dr Umesh Shaligram, Executive Director & Board Member of Serum Institute of India.  The 2.5 day meeting expects to cover basic and applications of cutting edge research and development in both academia and industry. The areas covered would include classical themes and modern advancements in biopharma industry. Some key areas of industrial interest including upstream and downstream processing for recombinant protein therapeutics, scale up, and biomanufacturing along with biophysical and analytical characterization will form a major part of the conference. Another major focus will be biocatalysis, biotransformation, metabolic engineering for bioenergy. Basic scientific concepts of protein folding, refolding, aggregation, protein engineering, in-silico and mechanistic modelling critical to the success of vaccine and the biopharmaceutical industry will be focused on in some sessions. Biosensing and diagnostics will be discussed in some detail. Nutraceuticals and natural product chemistry will also be touched upon. State-of-the-art synthetic biology approaches and ideas on stem cell technology, gene therapy and drug delivery will also be a part of these deliberations.  With 70 invited talks from academia and industry, 50 student talks and posters, 2 exciting startup stories and numerous workshops, this will be a melting pot of knowledge, ideas and discussions and collaborations. Come join our network at CSIR-NCL for BPI 2022.   Website details: https://bioprocessingsociety.com/bpi-2022/   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22340/bioasia-2023-partners-with-department-of-micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22340/bioasia-2023-partners-with-department-of-micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-.html Thu, 08 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 BioAsia, the annual flagship event of the Government of Telangana, has partnered with the Department of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to promote the MSME sector in the upcoming 20th edition of BioAsia - Asia’s largest life-sciences and health tech forum and the annual flagship event of the Government of Telangana.  The annual BioAsia conference to be held from February 24 to 26, 2023 at Hyderabad has been a catalyst for 20 years in bringing together prominent dignitaries and delegates, leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals from the life science and healthcare sector from around the world year on year. The partnership with the Department of MSME is expected to boost the growth of MSME organisations that play a significant role in strengthening the position of India in the global life sciences industry. A dedicated MSME Pavilion has been proposed to be installed in the tradeshow with around 60 companies from the MSME sector covering Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, and allied industries. Through the Procurement & Market Support (PMS) – Market Access Initiatives of Di-MSME, the cost of participation for MSMEs are being subsidized upto 100%. In this context, Dr Chandra Sekhar, Additional Development Commissioner, MSME-DI, Hyderabad said, “The 20th celebratory edition of BioAsia 2023, with the theme Advancing for ONE: Shaping the next generation of humanised healthcare, is also expected to advance the growth opportunities for MSME units in India and benefit from its driving investments and global opportunities into the life sciences. With this collaboration and participation in BioAsia 2023, we trust the MSME players will be immensely benefitted from its gained significant stature in healthcare industries across the globe.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22323/mapmygenome-launches-affordable-pharmacogenomics-solution-medicamap-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22323/mapmygenome-launches-affordable-pharmacogenomics-solution-medicamap-.html Tue, 06 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based MapMyGenome has launched its pharmacogenomics solution MedicaMap. MedicaMap is MapMyGenome's cutting-edge pharmacogenomic solution that analyses an individual's response to medicines, based on genetic makeup. This pharmacogenomic solution analyses 165+ US-FDA-approved drugs across 12 different specialties such as psychiatry, oncology, cardiology, diabetology, and many more. Dr Annie Q Hasan, Founder & President of the Board of Genetic Counseling India said, "Medicines are usually prescribed using a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. But variations in individuals' DNA lead to variations in their response to medication." MapMyGenome CEO Anu Acharya said, "MedicaMap is a one of a kind  phamacogenomic product which provides you detailed analysis of your body's response to medicine based on your genetic makeup. It is affordable, non-invasive, once-in-a lifetime. You can do it from your own home. We have introduced it at Rs 6499 for over 165 drugs, which is probably the lowest price." MedicaMap covers common medicines like metformin, clopidogrel, warfarin, codeine, and many other medicines commonly used by Indians. It gives an easy-to-read comprehensive report on medicines' toxicity and efficacy for a person. It helps clinicians to identify alternate medicine or adjust the dosage according to an individual's genetic profile for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of any health condition. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22259/india-sets-next-goal-of-achieving-500-b-bioeconomy-target-by-2047.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22259/india-sets-next-goal-of-achieving-500-b-bioeconomy-target-by-2047.html Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 At the ongoing 25th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2022, being held from 16th to 18th November, Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson, Vision Group on Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka touched upon India's next target of achieving $500 billion for bioeconomy by 2047. This new bioeconomy target comes after the earlier announcement of India attaining a $100 billion mark by 2025, followed by the next estimate of $300 billion by 2030. "The target of $500 billion is well synced with the 100 years of independence of our country in 2047. For every country, sustainability and agriculture will be key pillars of the bioeconomy where health, food and energy security will be paramount" said Dr Kiran Mazumdar at the inaugural session of the BTS Summit 2022. The focus on biotechnology was considerable during the event on the first day with multiple sessions on themes such as, Genomics revolution 2.0 and its implications, Smart Supply Chains in Biopharma and Gene Editing and Agriculture. The sessions saw the participation of leaders and subject matter experts from Illumina, Strand Life Sciences, MedGenome Labs, C-Camp InDx, Ingram Micro, Anthem, and Agrigenome Labs. The event also saw the felicitations of major biotech companies for completing 25 years of operations in Karnataka- Novozymes South Asia, Novo Nordisk India, Bhat Biotech, Biocon, Kemwell Biopharma and Syngene International. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22231/indias-first-national-repository-for-life-science-data-opens-in-faridabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22231/indias-first-national-repository-for-life-science-data-opens-in-faridabad.html Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Earth Science; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Space and Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh dedicated to the nation India’s first national repository for life science data-‘Indian Biological Data Centre’ (IBDC) at Faridabad, Haryana. Supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), it has been established at Regional Centre of Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad with a data ‘Disaster Recovery’ site at National Informatics Centre (NIC), Bhubaneshwar. It has a data storage capacity of about 4 petabytes and houses the ‘Brahm’ High Performance Computing (HPC) facility. The computational infrastructure at IBDC is also made available for researchers interested in performing computational-intensive analysis.  Dr Jitendra Singh informed that IBDC has started nucleotide data submission services via two data portals viz. the ‘Indian Nucleotide Data Archive (INDA)’ and ‘Indian Nucleotide Data Archive - Controlled Access (INDA-CA)’ and has accumulated over 200 billion bases from 2,08,055 submissions from more than 50 research labs across India. It also hosts an online ‘Dashboard’ for the genomic surveillance data generated by the INSACOG labs. The dashboard provides customized data submission, access, data analysis services, and real-time SARS-CoV-2 variant monitoring across India. Data submission and access portals for other data types are under development and would be launched shortly. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22218/bts-2022-to-witness-plenary-sessions-with-most-prolific-scientific-minds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22218/bts-2022-to-witness-plenary-sessions-with-most-prolific-scientific-minds.html Tue, 08 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, S&T, Government of Karnataka along with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is organising the 25th edition of Asia's largest Tech Event- Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS). The flagship event will will be held physically from November 16th to 18th 2022 at the iconic Bangalore Palace. The central theme of BTS 2022 is 'Tech4NexGen' and will focus on Electronics, IT, Deep Tech, Biotech, and Startups. As part of the landmark 25th year celebrations, BTS 2022 will witness the unveiling of the Silver Jubilee Commemoration Plaque of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2022 by Basavaraj S. Bommai, Chief Minister of Karnataka, along with the felicitation of 35 companies from ITE & Biotech who have completed 25+years of service in Bengaluru.  Speaking at the curtain raiser press meet held in Bengaluru on 8th November, Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, Science and Technology, Higher Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Government of Karnataka said, “We are honoured to have Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India to inaugurate the event and address the gathering at the 25th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2022 on 16th November 2022." BTS 2022 Conference will also see Plenary Sessions from most prolific minds. Some of these includes Prof. Emmanuelle Charpentier, Nobel Laureate for Chemistry in 2020, Prof. Ajay K Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India, Dr Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Aarin Capital, and S. Somanath, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). In addition, the Biotech Track will concentrate on Genomics, BioPharma, Gene Editing and Agriculture, One Health, Genomic Medicine, Bio Industrial, Bio Energy, Cell & Gene Therapy, Big Data in Drug Discovery and Bioinvesting.   Image caption- L-R- Jagdish Patankar of MM Activ (the Event Curators); Meena Nagaraj, IAS, Director, Department of Electronics, IT and Bt & Managing Director, KITS Government of Karnataka; Dr E. V. Ramana Reddy, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Government of Karnataka; Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, Science and Technology, Higher Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Government of Karnataka; B.V Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM); and Dr Vijay Chandru, Chairperson, Biotech Conference Committee ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/22166/is-amr-modern-day-frankensteins-monster.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/22166/is-amr-modern-day-frankensteins-monster.html Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 According to an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study, a big chunk of patients in India may no longer benefit from carbapenem, a powerful antibiotic administered mainly in ICU settings to treat pneumonia and septicemia, as they have developed antimicrobial resistance to it. This is alarming as Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is on the rise in India and continues to pose a significant public health problem in terms of mortality and economic loss. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that AMR is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. Timely and accurate diagnosis through rapid tests can reduce the time to pathogen identification and facilitate faster, optimised antimicrobial treatment. Diagnostic players can play a major role when it comes to counter AMR. While there are diagnostic tests available to rapid detection of AMR in a hospital setting, there is a clear unmet need for a point of care (POC) diagnostic test to guide antibiotic prescriptions, in both urban and rural settings. Current lab based tests such as Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), microbiology cultures and immunoassays that are used to determine the causative infectious agent are either time consuming, costly, or difficult to access. These may not be sufficient to quickly differentiate between bacterial and viral infections. In addition, strong AMR surveillance along with rapid diagnostics will help in finding the correct treatment fast. While attending the 26th Maharashtra Chapter conference of the Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists in Pune, Prof. Justin O’Grady, Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, spoke about the rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which could cause 10 million deaths per year by 2050 unless authorities take steps to prevent this. “Microbial culture is the gold standard for the diagnosis of bacterial/fungal pathogens and AMR and takes 48 hours or longer. Hence, antibiotic prescriptions are empiric and patients often receive inappropriate treatment. Rapid tools are urgently required to guide appropriate antimicrobial therapy, thereby improving patient outcomes and slowing the development of AMR,” feels Prof. O’Grady. Drastic measures should be in place to prevent AMRs and proper diagnosis can make a difference in how treatment can be done. A report by Grand View Research states that the growth of the AMR diagnostics market is attributed to the increased risk of developing drug-resistant bacterial infections, the introduction of novel technologies, and increasing government initiatives to diagnose and reduce AMR infections. To address the global health challenge of AMR, government bodies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) support the development of next-generation sequencing-based diagnostic tests to identify the right pathogen to help healthcare providers to treat infections more accurately. The Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest rate for AMR diagnostics. Government in combat mode India, one of the many developing countries of the world, is intending to be future ready through the National Patient Safety Implementation Programme and National Action Plan – AMR (2018-2025) to combat multi drug resistant organisms (MDRO). The Government of India has increased its focus on combating AMR through various national and state level programmes. As a step in this direction ICMR has developed a real time online AMR data entry system for its network and will have AMR data analysis capacity. It is a user-friendly web-based informatics solution/suite for collection, storage and analysis of surveillance data. ICMR initiated Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance and Research Network (AMRSN) a few years back that includes six Nodal Centers (NCs) for each pathogenic group and are located in four tertiary care medical institutions. There are 16 Regional Centers (RCs) in the network. 16 regional labs from tertiary care hospitals provide data across the country as RCs which are providing data on fixed number of isolates for each pathogenic group. The NCs and RCs follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) of Bacteriology and Mycology formulated by ICMR to collect resistance data. The NCs focus on the identified resistant organisms and also exchange organisms amongst each other according to their expertise for in-depth molecular studies of the group of pathogens for which they are responsible. “In developing countries, the major source of antibiotic contamination in surface water is improper disposal of effluents from industries, hospitals and domestic wastewater treatment plants. Industrial emissions of antibiotics can contribute to AMR. Awareness of AMR and monitoring of antibiotics from manufacturing needs to improve to address the issue of discharged antibiotics as significant contributors to AMR. Industry and government competence, policy and access to technical solutions can play a pivotal role in controlling the contribution of antibiotic manufacturing to AMR,” says Dr Suman Kapur, Senior Professor, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus. Dr Suman Kapur and her team have developed a platform called RightBiotic for rapid bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity test results in just four hours as opposed to two to four days and is suitable for both biological and environmental samples. In addition to BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), an initiative supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, has a key focus area on AMR. Bangalore-based C-CAMP has funded, incubated and mentored many innovative startups in this domain. C-CAMP is also part of the CARB-X Global Accelerator Network. CARB-X is one of the largest not-for-profit partnerships, dedicated to accelerating the early development of antibacterial products. C-CAMP, in association with CARB-X, conducts an AMR Quest annually, to identify and support promising innovations that can combat AMR. The three month AMR Accelerator Programme that follows the AMR Quest, supports innovators, startups and SMEs to validate and fast-track their solutions to the market. C-CAMP’s AMR portfolio in diagnostics includes Achira Labs that has developed Bug Check, a rapid molecular diagnostics platform for identification of microbial species and antimicrobial resistance genes in urinary tract infections (UTI); Module Innovations, which is developing Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) assays for UTI that has a rapid turnaround time of less than two hours, and WeInnovate Biosolutions’ RAPID, is a device for fast and affordable solution for AST of various pathogens. The C-CAMP expects to see many exciting innovations reaching the market to create wider impact at scale. This can be further boosted by a collective effort among stakeholders, including product developers, policy makers, regulatory bodies, and health organisations. Concerted efforts can bring in the required policies for quality systems, supply-chain, incentivising the healthcare system, etc., for the deployment of these new-age diagnostics. The AST determines the most effective antibiotic treatment for bacterial infection. Antimicrobial stewardship is advocated for the rational use of antibiotics to preserve their efficacy in the long term. Rapid diagnostic tests can play a pivotal role in efficient and timely treatment. Many startups have been working in this area and have developed devices / tests related to AMR. Gizmos from startups Papyrus Diagnostics has developed Papyrus UTI AST, a paper-based device that can determine AMR in urinary tract infections. The device is designed to be used at the doctor's clinic and has the capability to test the response of the infection-causing organism to at least six antibiotics. The device is designed to give a colorimetric signal to report whether the organism is sensitive or resistant to each antibiotic. This device will enable the clinician to prescribe antibiotics that are already proven to work on the infection-causing organism, and prevent empirical prescription of antibiotics. “Given the historic indiscriminate use of antibiotics in India, the burden of AMR in India is very high. Therefore, funding agencies as well as diagnostic companies are currently very keen on developing solutions for the diagnosis of antimicrobial resistance. CARB-X, an international AMR innovations accelerator, is now working closely with Bengaluru-based C-CAMP to scout for innovations in AMR diagnostics. The AMR diagnostics market in India is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years,” says Dr Bhushan J Toley, Co-Founder, Papyrus Diagnostics. Other players in this field include Bengaluru-based Spotsense headed by Amrita Sukrity, is fast developing a test for diagnosing sepsis in newborns followed by Pune-based startup Module Innovations, that is building innovative solutions for infectious diseases and AMR. It is revolutionising the UTI management and treatment clinical pathway with solutions that work at all levels of healthcare settings. Bengaluru-based Achira has developed and commercialised innovative technologies for POC medical testing. It may be noted that the Foundation for Neglected Disease Research (FNDR) is working on developing a POC test that can differentiate between viral and bacterial infections based on a combination of host and pathogen biomarkers that are found in the patients’ blood. The biomarkers are validated in the preclinical setting and have completed an initial proof of concept clinical study in patients with fever of unknown origin. FNDR is also working on a device that eliminates antibiotics from wastewater, thereby helping reduce AMR in the environment (can share more information if needed). Both of these projects have been funded by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). Shridhar Narayanan, CEO, FNDR, says, “An affordable rapid POC that can determine whether the infection is bacterial or viral, and the drug resistance profile of the infection, will be essential. The goal is that the right drugs be administered in a timely manner. The currently available technologies will continue to evolve to become quicker and accurate, and will be guided by technologies like artificial intelligence/machine learning.” Market potential Looking at the growth of the POC market in India, a leading pharma player such as Cipla is showing keen interest in this area and started making investments in. Cipla has acquired 21.05 per cent stake (on a fully diluted basis) for Rs 25 crore in Achira Labs. The pharma major said that this investment will facilitate a Cipla entity’s strategic participation in the POC diagnostics and AMR space through the design, development, and manufacturing of microfluidics-based technologies. Achin Gupta, CEO, One India Business, Cipla said, “This investment will further our commitment of bringing innovative, affordable and quality diagnostic solutions for all. We are guided by our purpose of caring for life and will continue to make strategic investments to ensure access to POC test kit solutions.” Besides making investments in startups focussing on POC, creating awareness and providing education to the healthcare professionals has become an integral part of the healthcare system. In this regard Pfizer India and Americares India Foundation announced the launch of OPEN-AMR, an Online Platform for Education among Nurses on Antimicrobial Resistance. Americares India Foundation, a health-focused relief and development organisation, has joined as the execution partner. Speaking about the market potential Manish Dattatraya Karekar, Chief Operating Officer - Lab Operations, Krsnaa Diagnostics says, “With rising incidences of AMR, treatment based on evidence-based medicine, greater acceptance of health insurance, availability of sensitive value for money diagnostics, shall all result in increase in adoption and starting of antimicrobial (resistance) tests in tier III and smaller cities.” Sharing his views on AMR tests, Dr Vishal Wadhwa, Head Scientific Affairs, Metropolis Healthcare, says “Health will come at a cost and when a doctor prescribes a diagnostic test patients should undertake it. Information coming out of laboratory tests is needed to supplement and complement the clinical inputs for treatment. Labs entrusted with testing samples for infectious agents and reporting AMR should follow international standards of testing.” Diagnostic tests can help doctors wield antimicrobial treatments more effectively. It can play a key role in community and primary care settings to lower unnecessary antibiotic prescribing, particularly in respiratory tract infections, and protect the healthcare system in the decades to come. Policy and frontline challenges need to be looked into and then only AMR can be eradicated by using proper diagnostic measures. Public private partnership in this regard is going to make a positive impact in combating AMR in the long run.   Sanjiv Das sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22176/vaccine-manufacturers-offer-practical-solution-to-global-equity-for-future-pandemics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22176/vaccine-manufacturers-offer-practical-solution-to-global-equity-for-future-pandemics.html Wed, 26 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The vaccines innovators and manufacturers who have produced over 15 billion COVID-19 vaccines to date are making a proposal that would ensure new vaccines developed for future global pandemics would reach all priority populations equally, wherever they live, thereby addressing a key element of vaccine inequity that hampered the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines in many lower-income countries. The trade bodies representing vaccines innovators and manufacturers who have collaborated closely to bring their collective expertise and knowhow in response to this pandemic, have agreed to jointly endorse the Berlin Declaration framework which outlines how the industry would reserve an allocation of real-time production of vaccines for distribution to priority populations in lower-income countries for future global pandemics. The vaccine makers invite the G7, G20 to take up industry’s proposal as an integral part of their future pandemic planning and call on high-income countries to take steps to ensure the necessary political and financial support to deliver the vaccines to lower income countries to prioritise improving their health systems so they are better prepared to distribute the vaccines. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers’ Network (DCVMN) and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) have been key players in the historic effort to scale up the manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines. At the close of the meeting “Global Equity & Timely Access: COVID-19 and Beyond” on 22 October, hosted by DCVMN in Pune, the trade bodies announced that they would join forces in support of the “biopharmaceutical industry vision for equitable access in pandemics” which was launched in July 2022 in Berlin. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22133/bengaluru-tech-summit-2022-celebrating-25-years-preparing-for-decades-ahead.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22133/bengaluru-tech-summit-2022-celebrating-25-years-preparing-for-decades-ahead.html Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru Tech Summit 2022, Asia's most prestigious and sought-after technology summit, is all set to open its doors on 16th to 18th November at Bangalore Palace. A roadshow for the upcoming event was held in New Delhi on 18th October, for all the stakeholders associated with information technology (IT) and biotechnology (Bt) domains - industry leaders, technocrats, young innovators, investors, R&D professionals, academia, and policymakers. The event was graced by the presence of Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Higher Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka who spoke at length about strengthening the education landscape for future-ready tech talent. “The 21st century is a knowledge based century leading to a knowledge based economy, and it will continue to be in the future centuries as well. And this knowledge will be related to talent and quality of education. Thus it is important to build the right talent and make it sustainable.” Meena Nagaraj CN, Director, Dept of Electronics, IT & Bt and Managing Director, KITS, Government of Karnataka emphasised on the state’s achievements in the field of biotechnology and IT. “The bioeconomy of Karnataka is valued at $26.9 billion, and the state is home to 60% of India’s biotech companies. Karnataka contributes to around one-third of the biotech exports of the country, and is home for 54% of India’s biotech workforce”, she said. These figures echo well with the spotlight being given to the biotechnology sector at the BTS 2022 event. Some of the key focus topics include- Historical perspectives on mRNA, Ignite Foundation of Life Sciences, Investing in NextGen MedTech, Vaccine Equity, Cellular Immunotherapies, Moving from Primary to Secondary Agriculture, Industrial Biotechnology, Agri Biotechnology. “The platform will be celebrating its 25th year and is ready to offer another enriching confluence of pioneering companies, bright minds, and cutting-edge technologies in IT, biotechnology, deeptech, startups and other future-defining spaces”, said Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications, event partner of BTS 2022. Organised by the Department of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Government of Karnataka and Co-Hosted by STPI, Bengaluru Technology Summit brings together the most established businesses across technologies, the most talented individuals, researchers, consultants, academia, professionals and other stakeholders providing them with a unique opportunity to interact and engage for mutual benefit. Of course, as always BTS 2022 promises to be bigger, bolder, and better.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/22121/corning-matrigel-establishes-patient-derived-organoids-a-guide-for-precision-oncology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/22121/corning-matrigel-establishes-patient-derived-organoids-a-guide-for-precision-oncology.html Mon, 17 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Patient-derived Organoids (PDO), also called as tumoroids, are 3D in-vitro, mini organ analogs derived from individual patients. The cancer cells from patients are embedded into a matrix for 3D culture in-vitro, which then grow into tumoroids recapitulating the pivotal features of original cancer tissues including histological complexity, maintaining genetic heterogeneity and thus, serves as predictors for individualized treatment of cancer.   Choosing the right labware and integrating the appropriate ECM (Extra-Cellular Matrix) is the key to generate a successful batch of PDOs. As with any preclinical research involving human samples, it is critical for the scientific data to be consistent and reproducible from time to time. Dr Hervé Tiriac, University of California, has dedicated his career to fine-tuning the protocols for establishing pancreatic organoids, currently building on his research at the Cold Spring laboratories states “If a patient's organoids are sensitive to therapies in vitro, then the patient tends to be sensitive to the same drug given in the clinic. I hope to continue to use organoids to identify and differentiate drug-sensitive and drug-resistant patients and determine biomarkers for these traits”. Tiriac highlights how convenient and dependable are Corning Matrigel and HYPERFlask in PDO establishment.  Corning® Matrigel® matrix has been a best friend for the scientists across the globe for decades as an integral component of every stage of organoid development. Corning Matrigel is a solubilized basement membrane extract secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) mouse sarcoma cells which includes ECM proteins. Today, our Matrigel is being used in several cancer research studies to productively grow PDOs from various cancer cells (colorectal, breast, ovary, brain, pancreas, gastric, prostate) for studying and assessing their drug response, structuring cancer immunotherapy strategies, pharmaco-phenotyping and to explore other anti-cancer treatment options. PDOs are described as the real-time platform to explore the feasibility of tailored treatment for refractory metastasized tumors. It is crucial that the PDOs maintain the original pathology and genetic features of the patient and display a similar response to treatment with progression. Cultivating PDOs using Corning’s most trusted product, the Matrigel matrix, helps researchers to overcome one of the major challenges faced in precision model platforms.  Let’s join hands and team up to build a cancer-free world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22113/prelude-to-bengaluru-tech-summit-2022-in-delhi-on-18th-october.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22113/prelude-to-bengaluru-tech-summit-2022-in-delhi-on-18th-october.html Fri, 14 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Department of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Govt of Karnataka along with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)  is organising an Industry Interaction with Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, Minister for IT, Bt, Science & Technology, Higher Education and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood on Tuesday, 18th October at Leela Palace, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 7.00 PM onwards. This programme is a run up to the Asia’s largest and longest running Tech event Bengaluru Tech Summit organised by the Govt of Karnataka from 16th to 18th November at iconic Bangalore Palace. BTS 2022 is a grand showcase of IT, Deep Tech, Electronics, Telecom and Life Technologies and its impact on diverse industries.   With delegations from 30 countries, 5000 registered industry delegates. including 2000 Startups,  350 domain experts from across the globe addressing over 70 sessions and over 600 exhibitors attracting 50000 visitors along with many networking programmes, awards functions, quiz competitions and workshops, hackathons and so on, this event is going to be the most fascinating Tech festival ever.  We are pleased to invite you for the Industry Meet scheduled on 18th October to interact, network and know more about the Tech Summit.  Date : Tuesday, 18th October, 2022 Venue: The Leela Palace, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110 023 Time : 7.00 pm  to 8.30 followed by networking dinner.   Register Now: https://bit.ly/bts2022crnd   For any queries contact: Santosh, santosh.jagtap@mmactiv.com, +91 9686656016 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22052/odisha-biotech-startup-summit-lays-focus-on-nutraceuticals-role-in-bioeconomy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/22052/odisha-biotech-startup-summit-lays-focus-on-nutraceuticals-role-in-bioeconomy.html Mon, 03 Oct 2022 12:00:00 +0530 The Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, organised a two-day Odisha Biotech Startup Summit on 28 & 29th September 2022, that was inaugurated by Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister of Science and Technology, Government of Odisha. The summit, supported by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and the entity Startup Odisha, served as a platform to share innovations, opportunities, and challenges faced by the biotech industry in Eastern Odisha. An expo was also organised as part of this summit, featuring biopharma, ayurvedic and nutraceutical products, drug discovery, industrial biotechnology, waste management techniques, and med-tech devices. Dr Arvind Saklani, VP, Agri-Biotechnology, Sami-Sabinsa Group, spoke on the role of nutraceuticals in the era of Bioeconomy. "This industry, which was started in India three decades ago in 1991, has now grown to $6 billion. Today we have over 200 players in the nutraceutical industry under the MSME category in India. Our global nutraceutical market is expected to be more than $720 billion by 2027, whereas India’s nutraceutical export is only at $1.7 billion today, which underlines the opportunity for India globally", said Dr Saklani. Dr Saklani highlighted that turmeric, ashwagandha, and guduchi-based nutraceutical products were in high demand during the pandemic period, and the demand for them is still growing. With sales of $97 million, turmeric was the 4th best-selling herbal supplement in the US mainstream multioutlet channel in the year 2020. Similarly, sales of ashwagandha grew by 185% and stood at $32 million during this period. "While Indian manufacturers follow the best practises to maintain the globally accepted quality of standardised nutraceutical products, there are many challenges facing the industry. The consistent supply of a critical volume of quality raw materials with the desired content at a competitive price is the key to competing in international markets. Secondly, with a view to reducing pressure on wild resources, it is critical to cultivate medicinal plants for healthcare applications, whereas the agriculture sector is witnessing a dearth of labourers as the new generation is reluctant to work on agricultural farms and prefers to relocate from rural to urban areas to find employment. Thirdly, the nutraceutical market is a regulated one and the exporters have to comply with the stringent requirements of the customers in the importing countries. Alongwith other challenges, the herbal industry is facing the heat from biodiversity regulations. Hopefully, the forthcoming Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2022 will address the issues that the nutraceutical industry has brought up in numerous discussions over the past few years", he added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21972/alkem-labs-stempeutics-get-dcgi-nod-for-knee-osteoarthritis-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21972/alkem-labs-stempeutics-get-dcgi-nod-for-knee-osteoarthritis-treatment.html Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:35:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Alkem Laboratories has announced that regulatory approval has been received from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the launch of StemOne in India. The product is indicated for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). It is the first allogeneic cell therapy product to be approved for commercial use in India for Knee OA.The product has been developed by Stempeutics, a group company of Manipal Education and Medical Group, for over twelve years. The company’s proprietary technology platform provides for an efficient manufacturing process thereby enabling the product to be made accessible to patients at an affordable cost. More than one million doses can be produced from a single set of master cell banks, which is unique in regenerative medicine, thus providing consistent products to patients.StemOne has the potential to provide best-in-class pain reduction, improve quality of life, to maintain cartilage quality and to stall further disease progression in Grade 2 & Grade 3 Osteoarthritis patients. It has anti-inflammatory & immunosuppressive properties which reduce inflammation in the knee joint. StemOne may initiate the repair process by differentiating into chondrocytes or by inducing proliferation and differentiation of endogenous chondro-progenitors into mature chondrocytes or both. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21913/sun-pharma-advanced-research-company-joins-hands-with-bangalore-bioinnovation-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21913/sun-pharma-advanced-research-company-joins-hands-with-bangalore-bioinnovation-centre.html Tue, 06 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0530 In an effort to create a platform between big and established Biotech Industry players and the startups, Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) conducted a town hall meeting between the representatives of Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company (SPARC) and startups being Incubated at BBC.   Dr Jitendra Kumar, Director of BBC, during the meeting stated that there are difficulties to secure early stage venture funding for Biotech startups and it may be more meaningful that established Industry partners with the startups to develop the Technologies/Products. Through these partnerships, startups can get access to capital, mentorship and vast resources of an established player.    Dr Rajesh Ranganathan and Dr Alpana Dey from SPARC made the presentation to a curated set of startups at BBC. Startups also pitched before the SPARC representatives.   Dr Ranganathan stated that he is very excited about this partnership as BBC provides a large platform where more than 100 startups are being incubated. He also stated that SPARC would like to lease out some laboratory space in BBC to tap into its world class facility as well as to interact with startups in real time.   Director, BBC added that BBC would invite other Industry players in a regular manner to partner with startups being Incubated at BBC. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21836/govt-announces-75-amrit-grants-for-biotech-initiatives.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21836/govt-announces-75-amrit-grants-for-biotech-initiatives.html Mon, 22 Aug 2022 17:45:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has announced 75 'Amrit' Grants for Biotech initiatives involving startups, industry, academia and research bodies in integrated collaboration.    Dr Singh said, "75 inter-disciplinary, multi-institutional grants would be supported for high-risk, ambitious research ideas, and milestones-driven collaborative research in all domain-specific areas of the biotech sector."   Dr Singh also said that startups, industries, academia and research bodies can form Team Science Grant in a Public-Private Partnership mode to avail grants of Rs 10-15 crore over two to three years for inter-disciplinary, high-quality research.    In order to address national priorities to propel India as a global leader in biotechnology, the grants would be broadly provided in the areas of health, agribiotech, climate change, synthetic biology and sustainable bioresource management.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21335/north-indias-first-biotech-park-opens-at-ghatti-kathua-district-jk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21335/north-indias-first-biotech-park-opens-at-ghatti-kathua-district-jk.html Mon, 30 May 2022 11:10:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Earth Science; MoS of Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated North India’s first industrial biotech park in Ghatti, Kathua, Jammu along with Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, UT of J&K.   Dr Singh said, the biotech park would act as a hub for incubation of new ideas and will act as a robust platform to support the agri-entrepreneurs, startups, scientists, scholars and students not only from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh but also from nearby states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.    Dr Jitendra Singh said that the biotechnology park at Kathua has the potential to produce 25 startups in a year which will be among its great contributions to this region.    Dr Singh also said that the work on the two industrial biotech parks, one at Ghatti, Kathua, Jammu and the other in Handwara, Kashmir jointly funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Ministry of Science & Technology and Jammu & Kashmir Science, Technology & Innovation Council was started in February 2019. CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, (CSIR-IIIM) Jammu has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the project.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21315/ministry-of-ayush-inks-mou-with-dbt-for-biotechnological-interventions-in-ayurveda.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21315/ministry-of-ayush-inks-mou-with-dbt-for-biotechnological-interventions-in-ayurveda.html Wed, 25 May 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Ministry of Ayush and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) by Secretary, Ministry of Ayush and Secretary, DBT. The combination of traditional healthcare and biotechnology would enable tremendous possibilities to undertake innovative and path-breaking research which can be used for the exploration of various Fundamental principles of Ayush systems.  There is a need of multi-pronged and technological ways for the exploration and application of this ancient scientific system of health care into the public health care domain. The MoU between Ministry of Ayush and Department of Biotechnology is for mutual collaboration to explore the possibility of cooperation, convergence and synergy to bring out the expertise under one platform towards evidence based biotechnological interventions in Ayush sector. Biotechnological R&D and Ayush Interventions are intended to improve quality of life as well as life span (Vayahsthaapana Rasayana) and bring down the associated morbidity pertaining to chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, cachexia, pain management and infectious diseases for example tuberculosis.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21293/govt-launches-national-portal-for-biotech-researchers-startups.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21293/govt-launches-national-portal-for-biotech-researchers-startups.html Mon, 23 May 2022 10:35:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (IC) Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (IC) Ministry of Earth Science; MoS of Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh has launched a Single National Portal for Biotech researchers and startups.    The Portal BioRRAP will cater to all those seeking regulatory approval for biological research and development activity in the country and thus offer a huge relief for ease of science as well as ease of business.   Speaking after the launch of Biological Research Regulatory Approval Portal (BioRRAP), Dr Singh said, India is poised to become a Global Bio-manufacturing Hub and will figure among the top five countries of the world by 2025.   Singh said that the portal will allow stakeholders to see the approvals accorded against a particular application through a unique BioRRAP ID. He described this unique portal of DBT as a step towards Ease of Doing Science and Scientific research and Ease of Startups in India. The minister said, Biotechnology has fast emerged as an academic and livelihood avenue for youngsters in India. He also pointed out that there are over 2,700 biotech startups and more than 2,500 biotech companies working at present in the country.   The portal will strengthen interdepartmental synergies and bring accountability, transparency and efficacy in functioning of agencies regulating various aspect of biological research and issuing permission.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21230/c-camp-wins-national-technology-business-incubator-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/21230/c-camp-wins-national-technology-business-incubator-award.html Thu, 12 May 2022 17:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has won the National Technology Business Incubator Award instituted by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India.   In a prize ceremony to mark India’s 23rd National Technology Day in New Delhi C-CAMP CEO and Director, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed received the award in presence of Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, Department of Biotechnology, GoI secretary, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, DST secretary, Dr S. Chandrasekhar and Techonology Development Board, GoI secretary, Rajesh Pathak.   The bioincubator established at C-CAMP with support from Bionest, BIRAC, NITI Aayog-AIM, Ktech-Govt of Karnataka, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Govt of India currently has 40 resident incubatees, 10 non-resident incubatees across India and the globe and has supported 25 graduated incubatees over the years.    C-CAMP has a portfolio of 5 licensed/spin-off technologies fostered by its translational research programme incubated out of C-CAMP Bioincubator.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/20937/taylor-francis-group-partners-with-biotech-research-society-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/20937/taylor-francis-group-partners-with-biotech-research-society-india.html Thu, 24 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Taylor & Francis Group has announced a publishing partnership with the Biotech Research Society, India (BRSI). Under the terms of the partnership, the BRSI will recommend prospective authors from its membership to Taylor & Francis. The aim is that BRSI members promote their biotechnology research to a wider audience by publishing via Taylor & Francis Group global publications.Taylor & Francis is one of the leading research publishers in the world. The BRSI is a non-profit, scientific, professional society dedicated to promoting excellence and competence in the field of biotechnology. It promotes biotechnology research and development and encourages collaboration between academic institutes and biotechnology industries. It also shares knowledge through lectures, seminars, and symposia on scientific programs and societal missions.According to a report by India Brand Equity Foundation, India is among the top 12 destinations for biotechnology worldwide and has more than 2,700 biotechnology start-ups and more than 2,500 biotechnology companies. The same report says the Indian biotechnology industry is forecasted to be worth $150 billion by 2025. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/20841/12th-bengaluru-india-nano-kickstarts.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/20841/12th-bengaluru-india-nano-kickstarts.html Mon, 07 Mar 2022 17:45:00 +0530 12th Bengaluru India Nano was inaugurated by Basavaraj S Bommai, Chief Minister, Karnataka. The three-day event is being organised in the virtual version by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, KSTePS and JNCASR from March 7-9.The event was presided over by Prof CNR Rao, FRS Chairman, Vision Group of Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka, National Research Professor & Linus Pauling Research Professor, Honorary President, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru. Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Higher Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka; Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India and others. Prof CNR Rao Bengaluru India Nano Science Award was presented to Prof S Swaminathan, Dean, Planning & Development, Director, Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, India.With the focal theme ‘Nanotech for Sustainable Future’ the summit has witnessed the participation of over 2500 registered delegates. The event consists of a multi-track conference where 75 national and international speakers deliver lectures over 25 sessions focusing on the application of nanotechnology across various sectors.The event has stellar plenary speakers which include Prof Federico Capasso, Harvard University, USA; Prof Xiaodong Chen, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Prof Peidong Yang, University of California, USA and Prof S Swaminathan, SASTRA Deemed University, India to name. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/20808/12th-edition-of-bengaluru-india-nano-to-be-held-from-march-7-9.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/20808/12th-edition-of-bengaluru-india-nano-to-be-held-from-march-7-9.html Thu, 03 Mar 2022 07:10:00 +0530 Bengaluru India Nano, India’s flagship nanotech event focusing on nanoscience and nanotechnology was announced by Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Higher Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Government of Karnataka in the curtain raiser-press meet programme.    The three-day event is organised by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology, KSTePS and JNCASR and will be conducted virtually during March 7-9.    With the focal theme ‘Nanotech for Sustainable Future,’ the summit will witness the participation of over 2500 registered delegates. The event consists of Multi-Track Conference where 75 National and International Speakers will deliver lectures over 25 Sessions; an exhibition where over 40 companies will showcase nanotech products, services, and innovation and a poster session where over 150 Young Researchers displays their research.   On this occasion host of awards like Prof CNR Rao Bengaluru India Nano Science Award, Bengaluru India Nano Innovation Award, Nano Excellence Awards, Karnataka DST Nanoscience Fellowships will be presented and it will also have Nano for the Young programme for graduate students; NanoSparX for Start-Up Pitching, B2B Partnering and the first-ever National Nanotech Quiz. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/20446/19th-edition-of-bioasia-to-focus-on-future-readiness-of-the-life-sciences-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/20446/19th-edition-of-bioasia-to-focus-on-future-readiness-of-the-life-sciences-industry.html Mon, 24 Jan 2022 15:50:00 +0530 The 19th edition of BioAsia, the annual flagship event of the Government of Telangana will be held between February 24th and 25th, 2022 in a virtual format. The theme of this year’s edition is ‘Future Ready’ and would focus on exploring the industry’s current position and future potential, new approaches and capabilities required to be ready as the life sciences industry develops its future growth strategy.  The event will bring together leaders from the industry, research, innovation and governments from more than 70 countries to address the wide-ranging needs of the healthcare system. The conference will provide a unique opportunity to pharma and biotech companies, CROs, CMOs, CDMOs, biotech start-ups, academic institutions, scientists and researchers, policymakers, and regulatory experts across the globe to assess the industry’s current position and deliberate on the imperatives for future growth and other insightful topics related to the life sciences industry. The two-day event will witness a wide array of panels focussing on the Future of the Life-Sciences amid the ongoing pandemic and the ways the industry must be focussing on to combat any future pandemics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/20007/bengaluru-tech-summit-2021-felicitates-smart-bio-award-winners.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/20007/bengaluru-tech-summit-2021-felicitates-smart-bio-award-winners.html Thu, 18 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T of the Government of Karnataka, and Software Technology Parks of India has organised the 24th edition of BENGALURU TECH SUMMIT 2021 – BTS 2021, being held from November 17th-19th, 2021 in a hybrid format. The theme chosen for this edition is 'DRIVING THE NEXT', highlighting the role of digital and technological innovations which drove and supported growth of multiple sectors in a post-pandemic world.  As part of Day 2 of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2021 on 18th November, winners of the Smart Bio Awards 2021 were announced.   Innovator of the Year Award - Axio Biosolutions Pvt. Ltd. Best Startup against COVID-19 - NeoDx Biotech Labs Pvt. Ltd. Woman Entrepreneur of the Year - Dr. Janani Venkataraman (Biomonet) Best Social Enterprise/Institute - Biocon Academy Biotech Startup of the year - HealthCube   Dr Radha Rangarajan, Chief Technology Officer, HealthCube said, “We are privileged to receive this award and be counted among the most innovative startups in Karnataka. Our devices enable the easy testing and monitoring of key health parameters. Versatile and easy to operate, our products are positively impacting under-served communities.” The event is witnessing the coming together of global tech leaders, Indian corporates and startups from IT, Deep tech and Biotech, showcasing disruptive technologies, forging partnerships and alliances.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19996/india-needs-pli-scheme-for-biopharma-manufacturing-research-kiran-mazumdar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19996/india-needs-pli-scheme-for-biopharma-manufacturing-research-kiran-mazumdar.html Wed, 17 Nov 2021 18:00:00 +0530 The opening ceremony of the 24th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) was conducted as a hybrid event on 17th November. Organized by the Department of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T of the Government of Karnataka and Software Technology Parks of India - Bengaluru, the Summit was inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu. With the theme of ‘Driving The Next’, the three day summit is scheduled from 17th to 19th November, 2021. Naidu, while acknowledging the recent technological disruptions in many areas, stressed that the real potential of technology can be unleashed when there are significant improvements in sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, governance and climate change. Dr Kiran Majumdar Shaw, Chairperson Vision Group on Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka spoke on the need to push biopharma manufacturing and research in India. "The industry body ABLE is proposing a standalone PLI scheme for biopharma manufacturing. As we know, today the Indian biological drugs account for 80 per cent of the drugs pipeline and already account for more than 40 per ent of the global pharma market. It is this high capital investment that the government needs to support to expand the biomanufacturing capability and capacity. If we do not implement the PLI scheme for biopharma manufacturing eminently, we might see other competing nations deny us of leadership in the future", she said. "Another very import policy decision that we are discussing with the government is the research linked incentive based on investment linked tax breaks as well as fiscal incentives based on skill development, intellectual property and academic partnerships. Research and innovation are the cornerstones of non-linear economic growth. Indian companies need to significantly increase R&D investment, and academic research needs to generate intellectual value through licensable intellectual property", she added. The Biotech Track at BTS2021 is curated under a theme- ‘Next wave is Innovation’ and will focus on key topics like Re-Igniting Innovation Creating Moderna & MRNA Technologies In conceiving Vaccines, Investing in Nextgen Medtech & Diagnostics, Gene-Editing, Oncology: Innovative Treatments And Biomarkers, Vaccine Equity, Showcasing India’s Vaccine Leadership, Cellular Immunotherapies, Latest Innovations In Cell Therapy, Secondary Agriculture and Regulatory.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19931/bts-2021-to-highlight-vaccine-equity-mrna-technologies-much-more.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19931/bts-2021-to-highlight-vaccine-equity-mrna-technologies-much-more.html Tue, 09 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T of the Government of Karnataka, and Software Technology Parks of India is organizing the 24th edition of BENGALURU TECH SUMMIT 2021 – BTS 2021. The flagship event is scheduled to be held from November 17th-19th, 2021 and will follow a hybrid format. The theme chosen for this edition is 'DRIVING THE NEXT', highlighting the role of digital and technological innovations which drove and supported growth of multiple sectors in a post-pandemic world.   The event will witness the coming together of global tech leaders, Indian corporates and startups from IT, Deep tech and Biotech, showcasing disruptive technologies, forging partnerships and alliances. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India will inaugurate the summit and address the gathering. Dr C.N Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Higher Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka said, “This year, as the world and nation prepare to progress in a post-pandemic scenario, technology will play even more critical and all-pervasive role that is vital in supporting the successful functioning of sectors, industries, and governments.”   What’s in store for the Biotech Industry?  The Biotech Track at BTS2021 is curated under a theme- ‘Next wave is Innovation’ and will focus on key topics like Re-Igniting Innovation Creating Moderna & MRNA Technologies In conceiving Vaccines, Investing in Nextgen Medtech & Diagnostics, Gene-Editing, Oncology: Innovative Treatments And Biomarkers, Vaccine Equity, Showcasing India’s Vaccine Leadership, Cellular Immunotherapies, Latest Innovations In Cell Therapy, Secondary Agriculture and Regulatory. Some of the prominent speakers in this track include Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI); Dr Bruce Levine, Professor in Cancer Gene Therapy, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine (Upenn) and Dr Samarth Kulkarni, Chief Executive Officer, CRISPR Therapeutics.  Dr Vijay Chandru, Co-Founder & Director Strand Life Sciences & Chairman, Bio Conference Committee, BTS 2021 said “We have many speakers lined up for the Biotech Track talking ranging from the basic science to the socially relevant impacts. The other very important topic we will be focusing on is ‘immunity’. It has now become a very central topic for biotechnology and healthcare. It is applicable not only to infectious diseases but also to cancer."   Many Firsts at BTS 2021 India-US Tech Conclave in association with US India Business Council (USIBC) will be hosted for the first time under BTS 2021. This programme will consist of two sessions focused on IT, Technology & Startups and Biotechnology addressed by stellar speakers from East Coast, West Coast and Mid America as well as India opening the new avenues of international cooperation in the areas of innovation and technology.  India Innovation Alliance in its maiden session under BTS 2021 will bring together heads of 8 innovation centres from Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kanpur, Delhi, Bhubaneshwar and Panaji to exchange learnings and explore areas of co-operation and collaboration to accelerate innovations for public good. The other new features added this year are Bengaluru Next Conclave with Leadership Conclave and Startup conclave and showcase of Science Gallery.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19924/govt-introduces-mentorship-programme-for-young-innovators.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19924/govt-introduces-mentorship-programme-for-young-innovators.html Sun, 07 Nov 2021 18:20:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has launched the first-ever Mentorship Programme for Young Innovators.   Dr Jitendra Singh said this is a pan India scheme that envisages Star College in every district of the country supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).   The plan envisages organising workshops, meetings per month; handhold at colleges particularly in the rural areas or lesser endowed areas and conducting outreach activities with government schools.   The Star Status Colleges will help in incorporating the vision of DBT towards strengthening UG Science Courses throughout the country by mentoring the newer colleges through hand-holding and peer learning and bringing them under the aegis of Star College Scheme, the Minister added.   Dr Singh informed that a total of 278 undergraduate colleges across the country are currently being supported under the DBT Star College Scheme.   The Minister asserted that there is a need for focusing on increasing numbers of beneficiaries in human resource-related schemes like Star College Scheme, Skill Vigyan Programme(Skill Development Programme) in Biotechnology, Biotech Industrial Training Programme and doctoral and post-doctoral and re-entry Schemes & Fellowships, and other similar schemes.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19910/who-grants-emergency-use-listing-to-covaxin.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19910/who-grants-emergency-use-listing-to-covaxin.html Wed, 03 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has granted emergency use listing (EUL) to COVAXIN (developed by Bharat Biotech), adding to a growing portfolio of vaccines validated by WHO for the prevention of COVID-19. Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech, said, “The EUL authorisation for COVAXIN®️ will enable us to contribute to accelerating the equitable access of COVID-19 vaccine, and the access to our vaccine globally thereby addressing the current public health emergency.”    This is in addition to the recent announcement made by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia that has determined that Covaxin would be 'recognised' for the purpose of establishing a traveller's vaccination status. Also, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved the extension of shelf life of COVAXIN  up to 12 months, from the date of manufacture. This approval of shelf life extension is based on the availability of additional stability data, which was submitted to CDSCO. The shelf life extension has been communicated to our stakeholders. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19893/premas-biotech-to-initiate-ph-1-trials-in-south-africa-for-covid-19-oral-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19893/premas-biotech-to-initiate-ph-1-trials-in-south-africa-for-covid-19-oral-vaccine.html Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Gurugram-based Premas Biotech has announced that Oravax Medical Inc., a US based company that Premas Biotech is a partner in, has received clearance from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority to commence patient enrollment in a first in human, Phase 1 clinical trial, for its oral COVID-19 vaccine; and preparations to begin the trials are now underway.Oravax Medical Inc. is a joint venture between Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Premas Biotech. Oravax brings together a virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine technology, developed by Premas Biotech with Oramed’s proprietary protein oral delivery (POD™) technology in the development of oral vaccines.Premas’ virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine technology, based on its D-CryptTM platform, targets three SARS CoV-2 virus surface proteins, including proteins less susceptible to mutation, thus making the vaccine potentially more effective against current and future variants of the COVID19 virus. Premas’ VLP vaccine technology is highly scalable and easily transferable. The oral VLP COVID-19 vaccine is being developed for use both as a standalone vaccine as well as a booster for people who have been previously vaccinated for COVID-19.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19711/rapid-prototyping-facility-fab-opens-at-c-camp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19711/rapid-prototyping-facility-fab-opens-at-c-camp.html Wed, 06 Oct 2021 17:05:00 +0530 Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), in Bengaluru, with support from National BioPharma Mission (NBM), BIRAC has set up a national facility to specifically address the commercialisation gaps faced by Microfluidics technologies and medical devices developers in their idea-to-market journey.   Inaugurated by Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, Dept of Biotechnology and Dept of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, and Chairperson, BIRAC, the facility is a first-of-its-kind in India aimed at providing holistic design to pilot-scale production capabilities to entrepreneurs and innovators to enable faster product-to-market.    The facility is envisaged to provide design and prototyping support to medtech startups in developing low-cost, rapid and point-of-care medical device solutions with applicability in healthcare, both human and animal health. It is also geared to support serological diagnostic devices, which could be a huge boost for India’s budding COVID-19 molecular diagnostics sector.    The facility provides CAD design, flow simulation, prototyping, vacuum casting, injection moulding, lateral flow assay printing, and packaging in CLASS10000 cleanroom facilities. It is currently in the process of acquiring ISO 13485:2016 and ICMED 13485 certifications.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19372/faba-academys-workshop-on-biologics-deliberates-on-innovations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19372/faba-academys-workshop-on-biologics-deliberates-on-innovations.html Sat, 14 Aug 2021 20:35:00 +0530 The Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) Academy recently conducted a workshop on 'Biologics & Biosimilars: Upstream and Downstream Technologies.' The workshop was conducted in association with the University of Hyderabad BioNEST incubation centre, Syngene International, Centers for Biopharma Analysis at Pune and Bangalore, Cytiva Life Sciences and Ingenuity Biosciences. The inaugural address was given by Dr Mahesh Bhalgat, COO, Syngene International on 'Quo Vadis – Where Is Biotechnology heading.' Dr Bhalgat highlighted points about the innovativeness of the biologics industry, the efficacy of the products, safety etc.This was followed by introductory lectures on topics such as 'Overview of biopharma product development' by Dr Nithya Kalyani Srirangan, Head, Center for Advances Protein Studies (CAPS), Syngene International; “Roadmap for biologics development” by Dr Ravi Krovidi, CEO, Ingenuity Biosciences, and “Approval of 100 mAb by the FDA” by Dr Nandakumar, Head, Analytical Development Services, Kemwell Biopharma.The day 2 session on 'Biologics by Design' was conducted by Schrodinger on in silico Modelling Solutions for Biologics – BioLuminate. The day 3 sessions on “Upstream and Harvesting Technologies” started with a talk on “Overview of Prokaryotic Expression Systems: Advantages and Disadvantages” by Prof Dayananda Siddavattam from the University of Hyderabad. This was followed by Dr Muralidharan Vasudevan’s (Cytiva) lecture on 'Cell types of Industrial importance.' The day 4 sessions on 'Downstream processing Technologies' began with a talk by D Ashok (Cytiva), who delivered a talk on ion-exchange chromatography, the principle, usages of different resins etc. Day 5 started with a session by Dr Rahul Bhambure (NCL Pune), who presented a talk on 'Continuous Purification of Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics” in-depth, where he focussed on process chromatography for purification of therapeutic antibodies and proteins, while day 6 and 7 sessions were conducted on 'Analytical Characterization'.  The sessions ended on day 8 with a talk by Dr Madhavi (DBT-BIRAC) who briefed the participants on the “National Biopharma Mission (NBM)” for promoting novel drug discovery programmes in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19302/dbt-selects-50-young-researchers-for-first-mk-bhan-fellowship.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19302/dbt-selects-50-young-researchers-for-first-mk-bhan-fellowship.html Thu, 05 Aug 2021 13:40:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has announced the results of the First MK Bhan Fellowship-Young Researcher Fellowship Programme (MKB-YRFP), which was instituted to honour eminent scientist and Former Secretary of the DBT.   A total of 358 applications were received through DBT's ePromis portal for this fellowship and out of which 50 researchers were selected. The Department established the MK Bhan Fellowship-Young Researcher Fellowship Programme (MKB-YRFP) to encourage young bright researchers below 35 years of age to continue their research in the country after PhD in any branch of Life Sciences/ Biotechnology/allied areas.   The scheme offers an independent research grant for three years to the young Post-Doctoral Fellows to enable them to emerge as future leaders and take up cutting edge research focused on issues of national relevance.   The fellowship entails a monthly emolument of Rs 75,000; along with a Research/Contingency grant to carry out cutting edge research. The fellowship is tenable DBT-Autonomous Institutes.   Speaking on the occasion, Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT, said, "It gives us immense pleasure to see the enthusiasm among the youngsters to carry out their research in India. This young research fellowship is a tribute to Dr MK Bhan, former Secretary, DBT, who constantly encouraged and mentored young future leaders. I extend my heartiest congratulations to selected candidates and look forward to seeing them excel."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19088/ignite-lsf-announces-first-grant-for-mrna-vaccine-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/19088/ignite-lsf-announces-first-grant-for-mrna-vaccine-technology.html Mon, 05 Jul 2021 12:35:00 +0530 Ignite Life Science Foundation (LSF) has announced its first grant award for 'pandemic preparedness' research to a team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) and the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (Faridabad).The researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (Bengaluru) comprising Professor Raghavan Varadarajan, Dr Mrinmoy De and Dr Siddharth Jhunjhunwala and Dr Amit Awasthi at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (Faridabad). The grant will be for three years and will fund research to develop the platform technologies for RNA vaccine development.Commenting on the award, Professor Shahid Jameel (Member – Scientific Advisory Board, Ignite LSF) said – “mRNA vaccine development technology is vital for India to mount a rapid and effective response to future pandemics. Successful execution of this project will seed the creation of much-needed capabilities in mRNA vaccine development in India. The investigators will not only work on developing a vaccine against new variants of SARS-Cov2 but also attempt to develop methods for the generation of thermostable RNA vaccines, which would be critical for resource-poor tropical regions of the world. Professor Varadarajan is an experienced researcher and Ignite LSF is pleased to support this work.”Professor K Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, said, “Professor Varadarajan’s well-known excellence as one of our best scientists matches his zeal and ability to translate his research and talent to vaccines and therapy. Congratulations to him on receiving this research award from Ignite Life Science Foundation. As with his other efforts, I am sure that this one on developing mRNA vaccines will also meet with success. Congratulations too, to the Ignite LifeScience Foundation for initiating such awards that recognise excellence.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18707/ngs-sample-preparation-market-to-surge-amid-cancer-diagnostics-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18707/ngs-sample-preparation-market-to-surge-amid-cancer-diagnostics-study.html Fri, 21 May 2021 17:40:00 +0530 The global next-generation sequencing (NGS) sample preparation market is expected to surpass a valuation of $4 billion by 2031, expanding at a whopping CAGR of approximately 16 per cent across the 2021-2031 forecast period, according to a recent report published on the market by award-winning and ESOMAR-certified market research consulting firm. NGS has revolutionised genomic research, paving the way for highly effective diagnosis of numerous chronic and infectious diseases, a fact that is boding well for market growth. Historically, the market accrued significant gains, surpassing $750 million in value in 2019. In recent years, NGS has been widely deployed in clinical oncology to advance personalised cancer treatment. The technique has proven useful in identifying novel and rare cancer mutations, detecting familial cancer mutation carriers, and providing a molecular rationale for appropriate targeted therapy. Consequently, prominent manufacturers are introducing a slew of sample preparation products, with opportunities being ample across the Asian markets. For instance, in May 2021, BGI Group signed an MoU with Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute (EBiT) to conduct the HPV genotyping pilot project and complete 2,000 sample screenings from Ethiopia, to establish a new model of HPV screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Key takeaways from the market study: High demand for NGS sample preparation kits, reagents, and consumables By application, NGS sample preparation for drug and biomarker discovery poised to reach higher echelons Academic and research institutes to remain primary NGS sample preparation end, users Presence of robust healthcare system to pivot NGS sample preparation product sales across the US. India to extensively deploy NGS sample preparation products to augment prenatal screening According to a senior research analyst, prominent NGS sample preparation product manufacturers are testing uncharted waters by foraying into domains such as animal and plant health, to develop highly advanced diagnostic approaches and address multiple ailments, widening expansion prospects. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18694/australia-to-soon-roll-out-single-dose-covid-19-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18694/australia-to-soon-roll-out-single-dose-covid-19-vaccine.html Thu, 20 May 2021 00:00:00 +0530 A single-dose vaccine that targets new COVID-19 variants has been awarded funding to fast-track testing in human trials. The University of Sydney technology was one of 12 research projects to be awarded funding under the latest Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) round. Other Sydney projects that shared in the $29 million in funding will focus on child mental health and silicosis. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Duncan Ivison said Sydney dominated this round of MRFF funding. “We’re delighted that this funding injection will support our continued research into important areas of need for the communities we serve – from long-term management of COVID to addressing the ever-increasing mental health challenges our children and young people face.” Professor Jamie Triccas and collaborators developed the innovative single-dose vaccine using the tuberculosis vaccine, which he says has “impeccable safety”, as a base. Showing potent COVID-19 immunity in pre-clinical trials, the vaccine, which can be manufactured at a low cost and does not require storage at very low temperatures, will now be fast-tracked to human trials thanks to a $1.5 million MRFF grant. Professor Triccas said the vaccine may offer broader protection than first generation vaccines against emerging and highly transmissible variants, such as the B.1.351 (South African) variant, which is able to avoid both natural and vaccine-induced immunity. Professor Triccas’ vaccine may even offer protection against tuberculosis, which is still a significant issue in developing countries. If approved, it could act as a booster shot for Australians who have already received the COVID-19 vaccine or be rolled out to low- and middle-income countries as part of Australia’s commitment to supply vaccines to countries in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18477/indo-french-talks-to-strengthen-scientific-collaboration-in-bio-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18477/indo-french-talks-to-strengthen-scientific-collaboration-in-bio-health.html Wed, 21 Apr 2021 14:50:00 +0530 Bangalore Life Science Cluster (BLiSC) welcomed Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs to its campus. The minister made it a point to visit the Cluster for talks with the directors and CEO of NCBS, inStem, and C-CAMP respectively. The delegation made its way to the campus on April 15, 2021, for discussions focused on strengthening Indo-French scientific collaborations in bio-health.  Prof Apurva Sarin, Director, DBT-inStem, said, “Science is a shared endeavour, and the many collaborations between the Bangalore Life Science Cluster with laboratories in France are now poised to expand their footprint and build longer-term sustainable partnerships, involving both industry and academia in our countries.” A discussion of Indo-French efforts was led by the Minister, focusing on the combined research activities of industry and academic partners on campus. At the forefront of the discussion were key questions on how to improve scientific cooperation between Cluster scientists and French organisations as well as preparedness to jointly tackle future epidemics.  Members of the delegation included VIPs and science attachés, including Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador of France to India, Marjorie Vanbaelinghem, Consul General of France to Bengaluru, Nicolas Gherardi, Deputy Counsellor for Science and Technology, Bertrand Lortholary and Camille Petit, Counsellors of the Minister, Dr François Xavier Montreuil, Attaché for Science and Academic Cooperation.  A more in-depth discussion between representatives of French companies and Cluster scientists followed this meeting. Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO of C-CAMP, and Prof Sarin led the discussion with Anil Mavila of Urgo, Dr Nita Roy of L’Oréal, and Dr Villoo Patell of Avesthagen. Dr Saiyed remarked, “With strong research capabilities backing us, this is the right time to build partnerships with a long-term view to answer societal problems. To this end, BLiSC provides the right mix of fundamental and translational research, along with innovation when joining hands with the French scientific community.” The visit marks a burgeoning connection between BLiSC scientists and infrastructure with French academia and industry.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18446/faba-holds-21-day-virtual-workshop-on-drug-discovery-and-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18446/faba-holds-21-day-virtual-workshop-on-drug-discovery-and-development.html Fri, 16 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0530 The Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) in collaboration with the Science Gurus and the University of Hyderabad conducted a 21-day virtual workshop on drug discovery and development from the 15th of March to the 4th of April 2021. The workshop was sponsored  by NATCO Pharma, co-sponsored by Jackson Laboratories and the awards were sponsored by Cytiva Life Sciences. Nearly sixty-eight participants from various universities and industries of the country and abroad registered for the workshop. The Inaugural address on the 15th of March was initiated with welcome address by Prof. P. Reddanna, Executive President, FABA and Dr. Asadulghani, President, FABA  followed by the inaugural address by Anuradha Acharya (Mapmygenome) who spoke about the advances in personalized medicine and Dr. Jagath Reddy Junutula, Board Chairman, Science Gurus who introduced the participants to the main features and schedule of the workshop and a final vote of thanks by Dr. Bindu Madhava Reddy from the University of Hyderabad. The topics and sessions were designed so as to equip the participants with the required knowledge of how drugs for various diseases are first discovered then extensively tested characterized, clinically developed tested and approved by regulators before industrially manufacturing for the public use.   Sessions were held on Targeted drug therapies, Personalized medicine, Gene Therapy, the advances in CADD, AI and Bioinformatics for the purpose of discovering drug targets and designing drugs, Animal models for drug testing, Industrial manufacturing and large-scale production of drugs, legalities of drug manufacturing, IPR and Regulatory issues, and Capital, Funding required for Pharma and Drug Startups. Prominent speakers in these sessions included, Dr. Rami Reddy Mutyala (RR Labs), Dr. Arun Shastry (Hanugen), Dr. Chakk Ramesha (Medhus Bio), Dr. Shridhar Narayanan (FNDR), Dr. Uday Saxena (ReaGene Innovations), Dr Eswara Reddy (DGCI) and Dr. Mohan Vemuri (Thermo Fisher Scientific).  In addition to the speaker sessions the participants gave a 15 mins presentation on relevant disease and drug development topics such as Alzheimer’s, B-cell lymphoma, hepatitis, and the best presenters were awarded at the end of the work shop. Senior industrial representatives from Syngene, NATCO Pharma and Aragen Life Sciences enthusiastically took part in the workshop-related activities and presentations.  The sessions and presentations for the workshop concluded on the 4th of April 2021. The closing ceremony began with Dr. P Ratnakar and Dr. Surya Sankuratri who introduced FABA and the Science Gurus respectively to the audience. The keynote speaker Dr. Anula Jayasuriya  engaged the invited guests, participants and organizing members with her talk on capital funding. The highlight of the closing ceremony included a panel discussion on “Pharma and Biopharma Industries in India: Challenges and Opportunities in Innovative Drug Discovery and Development”, involving the panelists from the academy, industry and the Government agencies and moderated by Dr. Uday Saxena, ReaGene Innovations. The panel discussion highlighted key challenges such as the lack of interactions between the basic scientists and clinicians, lack of academic – industry interactions, risk averse nature of the Indian Pharma and Biopharma industries, and lack of an effective venture funding ecosystem here. It is opined that the startup ecosystem, supported by the Government agencies such as BIRAC, has played key role in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the country but to take it to the next level the country needs a robust venture financial ecosystem and the drive of the Indian industry taking a risk for innovative drug discoveries to the next stage.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18423/dbt-approves-additional-funding-to-gennovas-mrna-based-covid-19-vaccine-candidate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18423/dbt-approves-additional-funding-to-gennovas-mrna-based-covid-19-vaccine-candidate.html Tue, 13 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology has announced that it has approved additional funding towards clinical studies of India's 'first of its kind' mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine - HGCO19, developed by Pune-based biotechnology company Gennova Biopharmaceuticals. This funding has been awarded under the 'Mission COVID Suraksha- The Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission' by DBT's dedicated Mission Implementation Unit at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) after multiple rounds of evaluation of all the applications that were submitted in response to the 'Request for Expression of Interest (REOI)' under Mission COVID Suraksha for the'Development of COVID-19 vaccine candidate(s)'. DBT has been hand-holding Gennova's right from the start and has facilitated establishing Gennova's mRNA-based next-generation vaccine manufacturing platform by providing seed funding for the development of HGCO19. Gennova, in collaboration with HDT Biotech Corporation, USA, has developed the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine – HGCO19. HGCO19 has already demonstrated safety, immunogenicity, neutralization antibody activityin the rodent and non-human primate models. The neutralizing antibody response of the vaccine in mice and non-human primates was comparable with the sera from the convalescent patients of COVID-19. Gennova has completed two preclinical toxicity studies as per theDrugs and Cosmetics (Ninth Amendment) Rules - 2019,to establish the safety of the vaccine candidate and got regulatory clearance from the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) and office of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Government of India, to conduct clinical trials. Gennova has initiated the process to enrol healthy volunteers from the Phase I/II clinical trials. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18363/csir-iict-inks-agreement-with-bharat-biotech-for-novel-vaccines-platforms.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18363/csir-iict-inks-agreement-with-bharat-biotech-for-novel-vaccines-platforms.html Mon, 05 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0530 CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) has inked an agreement with Hydrabad based Bharat Biotech International, Biovet, and Sapigen Biologix for the development of novel platform technologies for bio therapeutics and vaccines to support the indigenous, affordable healthcare solutions for humans and animals. The collaborators will identify the mutually interesting projects to be pursued under the agreement. The industry collaborators shall provide necessary financial support to CSIR-IICT for developing key raw materials required by the collaborators, and also perform in-vitro and in vivo studies for further development of potential vaccine candidates and bio-therapeutics formulations to be designed by the collaborators.  The partners intend to strengthen the excellent working relationship, by conducting studies on futuristic vaccines, bio-therapeutic formulations, delivery strategies and also explore innovative solutions to the vaccination administration process. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18254/dr-cyrus-poonawalla-receives-biospectrum-lifetime-achievement-award-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18254/dr-cyrus-poonawalla-receives-biospectrum-lifetime-achievement-award-2020.html Mon, 15 Mar 2021 13:25:00 +0530 Biospectrum India hosted Biospectrum Excellence Awards 2020 on March 12, 2021. The event was organised on a virtual platform. The awards felicitated the stalwarts of Indian Biotechnology & Health Science Industry. The highlight of Biospectrum Excellence Awards 2020 were the jury awards in the following categories: BioSpectrum Lifetime Achievement Award; BioSpectrum Person of the Year Award; BioSpectrum Leadership Award; BioSpectrum Entrepreneur of the Year; Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award; BioSpectrum BioPharma Product of the Year; and BioSpectrum Diagnostics Product of the Year. India's top biotech companies were honoured. The winners were top companies of the industry selected in BioSpectrum industry survey held in the year 2019. The awards were delayed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  The event commenced with a panel discussion on 'Will sharing COVID-19 vaccine efforts reap more rewards?’. The panelists for the discussion were Dr SD Ravetkar, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India, Pune, Dr Sriram Natarajan, Founder, MolBio DIagnostics, Goa, Dr Vishal G Warke, Director R&D, Cell Culture and Immunology, Himedia Laboratories, Mumbai and Dr Raches Ella, Head Business Development and Advocacy, Bharat Biotech. The panelists discussed about how it can turn out to be more rewarding for the industry to share their innovative vaccine technology with others and work together. The panel discussion was followed by the awards presentation ceremony where the key highlight was the jury awards. The jury panel for BioSpectrum Excellence Awards 2020 consisted of: Chairperson-  Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, New Delhi; Members- Dr Gagandeep Kang- Professor, Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore; Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, Chief Executive Officer, IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad; Utkarsh Palnitkar, Founder and Managing Director, Aarna Corporate Advisors, US; Bhagirath Choudhary, Founder Director, South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC), New Delhi.  The winners of the awards for BioSpectrum Excellence Awards 2020 are:  BioSpectrum Jury Awards Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Chairperson, Serum Institute of India, Pune Product of the Year Award I: ROTAVAC 5D, Bharat Biotech- Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Biotech, Hyderabad •Product of the Year Award II: TrueNat, MolBio Diagnostics- Sriram Natarajan, Chief Executive Officer, Molbio Diagnostics, Goa •Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Dr Geetha Manjunath, CEO, Niramai •Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Kavita Iyer Rodrigues, Chief Executive Officer, Zumutor Biologics, Bengaluru   Industry Ranking Awards  Biopharma section Top MNC biopharma company - Novo Nordisk India Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru Top Indian biopharma company – Serum Institute of India, Pune Diagnostics section Top Indian MedTech company (Indian) – Transasia Bio Medicals Ltd, Mumbai   Bio services section TOP CDMO company -Piramal Pharma Solutions, Mumbai  TOP CRMO company - Syngene International Ltd, Bengaluru  TOP CRAMS company - Suven Life Sciences Ltd, Hyderabad  Top CLRO Company - Veeda Clinical Research Limited, Ahmedabad  TOP CRISP company - Anthem Biosciences Private Limited, Bengaluru  Biosupplier section  Top biosupplier (MNC) - Waters India Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru Top biosupplier (Distributor) - DSS Imagetech Pvt Ltd, New Delhi Top analytical instruments company (MNC) - Thermo Fisher Scientific India Pvt Ltd, Mumbai  Top analytical instruments company (Distributor) - DSS Imagetech Pvt Ltd, New Delhi  Industrial enzymes section Top industrial enzyme company (Indian) - Rossari Biotech Ltd, Mumbai  Top MNC industrial enzyme company (MNC) - Novozymes South Asia Private Limited, Bengaluru Bio Incubator section Top Bioincubator in public sector – Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka Top Bioincubator in private sector – KIIT Technology Business Incubator, Bhubneswar, Odisha   Editor’s Choice Awards Bio Supplier Industry Leader Award - Dr GM Warke, Founder & CMD, Hi Media Innovation in CRO sector in India – TCG Lifesciences Pvt Ltd Digital Media Disruptors in Biotech & Life Science - Thermo Fisher Scientific Top Innovator for Biologics Packaging & Delivery  - West Pharmaceutical Packaging India ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18193/second-edition-of-global-bio-india-2021-underway.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18193/second-edition-of-global-bio-india-2021-underway.html Tue, 02 Mar 2021 14:25:00 +0530 The largest bio-technology conglomerate Global Bio-India 2021 was inaugurated by Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare on March 1, 2021. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs was special guest at the inaugural session. The three-day event will see different sessions touching down upon different aspects of biotechnology.  The event is being co-organised by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India along with its Public Sector Undertaking, and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in partnership with industry association Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) and Invest India. BIRAC’s Technical Compendium 2021 was released at #GlobalBioIndia2021 in presence of Anju Bhalla, MD, BIRAC. Martin van den Berg, Ambassador, Embassy of Netherlands in India, Nepal and Bhutan commented that COVID-19 showed us that the world needs more international collaborations in terms of science, technology, agriculture.  Dr Ralf Heckner, Ambassador, Embassy of Switzerland in India and Bhutan said “India is one of the most innovative countries in the world and 2021 budget proves that, where a large amount has been allocated for R&D.  Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO emphasised that we are at a very critical junction, as COVID-19 cases have gone up particularly in Europe and America. There are many uncertainties now, particularly of the different variants of the virus.“India has shown the capacity to be a manufacturer at the global scale and also be an innovator when it came to vaccine development. There is a huge amount of scope to study the impact of vaccines, which needs to be thought through by a very coordinated approach,” she said. Dr Vardhan, commended, “DBT - BIRAC for supporting technology -driven 3500+ entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs; through various operational models of cooperation and also building up a network of 55 Bio-incubators with more than 5,50,000+ sqft of incubation space. These initiatives have helped innovators to create a pool of intellectual wealth (260+ IP filed) and has supported the launch of 200+ products and technologies in the market.” Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT highlighted the vision of  ‘Bio-Science life to Bio-science Economy’. Dr Swarup informed that the second edition has over 6,000 delegates from over 50 countries and will be hosting around 24 knowledge sessions across different segments that will be held over these three days.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18140/experts-deem-rna-vaccine-superior-to-dna-vaccine-at-india-for-vaccination-e-summit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18140/experts-deem-rna-vaccine-superior-to-dna-vaccine-at-india-for-vaccination-e-summit.html Mon, 22 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0530 HEAL Health has recently organised 'India for Vaccination' e-Summit, the Episode-15 of HEAL-Thy Samvaad in association with ICCIDD and knowledge partner HEAL Foundation. Speaking during the keynote address Prof G Padmanaban, Former Director, IISc, President NASI, Chancellor CUTN, NASI Senior Scientist, Dept of Biochemistry, IISc, Bengaluru, Senior Science Innovation Adviser, BIRAC, Department of Biotechnology, GoI said, “The RNA vaccine is superior to the DNA vaccine because mRNA goes into the cell, and the cell translates it into proteins, which are the ones that the organism sees and induces the immune response. With a DNA vaccine, the virus’ genetic information is transmitted to another molecule that is called the messenger RNA (mRNA).” Dr Prof Sanjay Rai, Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, AIIMS, President, IPHA said, “Use the vaccines judiciously as they are precious.” Dr (Prof) Amitav Banerjee, Professor & Head of Community Medicine, Dr DY Patil Medical College, Pune, said, “Vaccines are a strong artillery, so, it should be deployed strategically in the war against the pandemic.” Dr Swadeep Srivastava, Founder, HEAL Health said, “We have organised India for Vaccination E-Summit to provide the right information to the people on vaccination.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18097/bioasias-18th-edition-dubbed-move-the-needle-rolls-out-on-feb-22.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/18097/bioasias-18th-edition-dubbed-move-the-needle-rolls-out-on-feb-22.html Fri, 12 Feb 2021 18:10:00 +0530 Asia’s largest life-sciences and healthcare forum BioAsia, in its 18th edition, is delighted to announce a robust line-up of speakers for the event. The list features eminent personalities from business, technology, life sciences, and prominent policymakers. This year’s forum will delve into COVID-19 and beyond, covering the topics of relevance in global health, pharma, and MedTech. The 2021 edition will discuss the challenges created by COVID-19 and learning opportunities for the future with the over-arching theme, ‘Move the Needle.’ The event will be held on February 22-23, 2021. The two-day event will witness several panels focusing on the pandemic and its impact across the globe. The conference will also discuss India’s role and potential in immunising the world. A fireside chat titled ‘Charcha2021 – Healthcare to Hit Refresh’ between KT Rama Rao, Minister of state for MA&UD, Industries and IT&C of Telangana and Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft, will be the highlight this year. The discussion will be centred around the opportunities created by the intersection of technology and healthcare / life sciences, digital transformation, role of start-ups, among others.  Rao said, “BioAsia 2021 has shaped up really well with some of the most influential global leaders speaking and I firmly believe that the deliberations during the event will more relevant and impactful than ever. I’m really excited and looking forward to this year’s event”. “Each participant will have valuable takeaways from BioAsia 2021,” said Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce Dept, Government of Telangana. “This year we have some of the biggest stalwarts from their fields, deliberating on India’s role in vaccines, learnings from COVID-19, virtual health, and many others” said Shakthi Nagappan, Director of Life Sciences, Govt of Telangana and CEO, BioAsia. The two day forum will feature global leaders like Mr. Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft); Mr. Amitabh Kant (Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog, Government of India); Dr. Soumya Swaminathan (Deputy Director General of Programmes (DDP), World Health Organization); Dr. Peter Marks (Director, CBER, FDA); Dr. VK Paul (Member, NITI Aayog); Dr. Richard Hatchet (CEO, CEPI); Dr. Trevor Mundel (President, Global Health, Gates Foundation); among others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17960/dbt-invites-proposals-to-establish-biotech-urjit-clusters.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17960/dbt-invites-proposals-to-establish-biotech-urjit-clusters.html Tue, 19 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The National Biotechnology Development Strategy (2015-2020) aims to establish India as a world-class bio-manufacturing hub by creating a technology development and translation network across the country through establishment of clusters, incubators, technology transfer centres etc. Accordingly, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, is inviting proposals to establish BIOTECH URJIT CLUSTERs i.e. ”University Research Joint Industry Translational Cluster” in the country to synergize resources between institutions, Universities research laboratories, industries and SMEs for technology & product development and building enterprises. This call addresses Indian National research laboratories focusing on life sciences in collaboration with universities, medical schools, technical institutes, industries, incubators, SMEs in the life sciences sector with a proven track-record on research, technology and product development. The purpose of Biotech URJIT Cluster scheme is to complement and enhance the translational and commercialization potential of inventions & innovations coming out of academic research activities. Each Biotech URJIT Cluster will be anchored at a certain geography or region. All partners of the Biotech URJIT Cluster should be in close geographical proximity to allow easy collaborations. Biotech URJIT Clusters will power the Indian bioeconomy to achieve the larger goal of establishing India as a bio-manufacturing hub ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17876/cepi-picks-thsti-lab-for-covid-19-vaccine-assays.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17876/cepi-picks-thsti-lab-for-covid-19-vaccine-assays.html Mon, 04 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The Bioassay Laboratory (BL) at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), located in Faridabad, is a NABL-accredited lab (ISO 17025:2017) which has been selected as one of the centralized network lab for COVID-19 vaccine assays by Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). BL is the first and only lab in a DBT institute with this recognition. The lab will be inaugurated virtually by Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare on 6th January, 2021. Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary of The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India said: “.The Department of Biotechnology, Government of India is supporting efforts for COVID 19 vaccine development and testing. More than 30 Vaccines are at different stages of development with 3 in Human trials and nearly 4 in advanced stages of Preclinical .We are very pleased that the bioassay laboratory at Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, an autonomous institute of Department of Biotechnology, has been identified by CEPI for centralised immunoassay analysis for COVID 19 vaccines under development globally. It is well-positioned to run comparability studies with other laboratories internationally and will form an important part of the global network .This is another excellent example of Ind CEPI and CEPI Partnership." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17633/karnataka-aims-50-contribution-to-national-bioeconomy-revenue-target-of-100b.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17633/karnataka-aims-50-contribution-to-national-bioeconomy-revenue-target-of-100b.html Fri, 20 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The first Karnataka BioEconomy Report (KBER) 2020 was launched at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2020 event. The report estimates that the State’s BioEconomy size is at $22.6 billion (Rs 167,240 crores) and growing. Karnataka is the first state in the country to measure the impact of the biotechnology industry, its products, and services on its economy. The State’s BioEconomy has grown by 14 - 17% in the previous two years, and contributes 10.3% to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of $ 221.82 billion. Nationally, the BioEconomy valused at $62.5 billion contributed to 2.3% of India’s $2.8 trillion GDP in 2019. Another highlight of the report is that Karnataka contributes more than one-third to the national BioEconomy.   The key recommendations are: To establish a Vaccine Hub BioManufacturing Hub Enable AgriTech Ecosystem by supporting application of Agri-Biotechnological tools like CRISPR Cas9 (Gene Editing), Molecular Breeding, etc., More value addition in marine biotech Set up a BioMedical Cluster to make important diagnostic and medical devices An Integrated Biorefineries Cluster to use available biomass. Value-added agriculture systems in Hassan, Dharwad and Belagavi areas.   “We are aiming higher and our Government has set a challenging task of more than doubling the value of BioEconomy in the next five years. Our target is to raise Karnataka’s BioEconomy share to 50% of the National BioEconomy revenue target of $100 billion by the year 2025", said Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Honorable Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Electronics, IT, Bt & S&T, Government of Karnataka while releasing the first Karnataka BioEconomy Report. He further added, “Our confidence to achieve the target much earlier stems from the fact that Karnataka already has a rich presence of 35+ State and Central research institutes. Initiatives like the upcoming Bio-industry cluster at Bengaluru Helix Biotech Park at Electronics City, state-of-the-art Bio-incubators in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Dharwad, Bagalkot and Udupi, and seed funding support for more than 150 biotech startups under Elevate Idea2PoC opens new growth opportunities for the sector. Additionally, equity-based investment made through Bio-venture Fund (KITVEN 2 & 3) in DeepTech/EmergeTech companies like Zumutor Biologics (Onco-immmunology), Pandorum Technologies (tissue engineering), String Bio (Synthetic Biology), Vipragen Bioscieces (Clinical Research) and the moset recent, Jiva Sciences, indicate the future potential  of the State’s BioEconomy.” With the current growth trends, Karnataka’s BioEconomy is expected to touch $42 billion by the year 2025. “So to bridge the gap in likely revenues, the report recommends a series of strategic initiatives to overcome this hurdle and cross the target in time, in the continuing spirit of the state’s industry, policy makers and Government working together with a visionary approach,” said Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson of the Karnataka Vision Group on Biotechnology (VGBT) and Biocon Group.   BioEconomy of Karnataka (Forecast FY2020-2025) Scenarios FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025   Value in ($ Billion)             Pessimistic 21.29 22.63 24.35 26.26 29.83 Realistic 22.09 23.72 25.74 29.83 34.60 Optimistic 22.93 25.74 29.83 34.60 40.22 Desired Target 22.93 28.73 34.60 42.22 51.97 Source: ABLE Projections   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17623/pm-directs-attention-on-innovation-for-indias-progress-at-bts-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17623/pm-directs-attention-on-innovation-for-indias-progress-at-bts-2020.html Thu, 19 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Addressing the opening ceremony of the 23rd edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS 2020), the Prime Minister Narendra Modi said due to Digital India, our nation has witnessed a more human centric approach to development. He said using technology on such a large scale has brought about several changes for the citizens and the benefits are clearly visible. The Prime Minister stressed that a framework-level mindset has the potential to build an eco-system of multiple successful products. He listed out the initiatives with a framework-level mindset like UPI, National Digital Health Mission, Swamitva Scheme, etc. He said technology is setting the pace for the defence sector to evolve. He stressed on the need of data  protection  as well as  cyber security with the rapid increase of tech use.  He proposed the youth can play a big role  in devising robust cyber security solutions which can effectively vaccinate digital products against cyber attacks and viruses. The Prime Minister said the scope and need for innovation is relevant in the fields of science like bio-sciences, engineering, etc. He said Innovation is the key to progress and India has a clear advantage when it comes to innovation because of the talent of our youth and their zeal to innovate. He added the potential of our youth and possibilities of technology are endless. The opening ceremony of the 23rd edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit was conducted at a hybrid event in Bengaluru today. Organized by the Department of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T of the Government of Karnataka, the Summit was virtually inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. With the theme of ‘NEXT IS NOW’, the three day Summit is focused towards highlighting the role of technology and innovation in a dynamically evolving ecosystem, and is scheduled from the 19th to the 21st of November, 2020. The inaugural ceremony was graced by the Guests of Honor which included H.E Scott Morrison- Prime Minister of Australia, H.E Guy Parmelin, Vice President of Swiss Confederation, and Ravi Shankar Prasad- Union Minister for Communications, Electronics and Information Technology, and Law & Justice. The ceremony was also presided by B.S.Yediyurappa- Chief Minister of Karnataka along with Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan -Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and Minister for IT, BT ,  and  Jagadish Shettar- Minister of Large and Medium Scale Industries and Public Enterprises, Karnataka. The three day summit will feature Multi-track Conferences, International Exhibition, Global Innovation Alliance, STPI-IT Export Awards, Smart Bio Awards and Bengaluru Impact Awards. The other popular programs include the Rural IT Quiz, Biotech Quiz and Biotech Posters will also be held virtually. The Summit will witness more than 270 subject matter experts from both India and International partner countries, highlighting the latest technological innovations under the tracks of of Knowledge Hub, Innovation Corner, One Health and Country Sessions ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17596/govt-allocates-rs-900-cr-for-covid-19-vaccine-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17596/govt-allocates-rs-900-cr-for-covid-19-vaccine-development.html Fri, 13 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman has announced a Rs 900 crore grant to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for research and development of COVID-19 vaccine. As per the announcement, this amount is being provided for COVID suraksha mission, purely for R&D work. The Minister has also highlighted that this amount does not cover the actual cost of vaccine, logistics & distribution expenses, which will be made separately as and when the vaccine is available.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17529/bts-2020-to-run-virtually-with-ai-big-data-taking-centrestage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17529/bts-2020-to-run-virtually-with-ai-big-data-taking-centrestage.html Wed, 04 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T of the Government of Karnataka is organizing 23rd edition of Karnataka’s flagship event BENGALURU TECH SUMMIT 2020  scheduled to be held between November 19th-21st. 2020. Amidst the challenges of global pandemic, for the first time entire summit will be held virtually and the  central theme is aptly chosen as 'NEXT IS NOW' highlighting the significance of advancing future at the accelerated pace and the need for preparedness by using innovations and technological interventions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji will inaugurate the summit virtually and address the gathering. This is the fourth consecutive year wherein the two flagship events of Karnataka Bangalore IT.biz and Bangalore India Bio are brought under one umbrella of Bengaluru Tech Summit highlighting the need for synergies amongst different streams of science and technologies. The summit will feature Multi-track Conference, International Exhibition, Global Innovation Alliance, STPI-IT Export Awards, Smart Bio Awards and Bengaluru Impact Awards. The other popular programmes among students namely Rural IT Quiz, Biotech Quiz and Biotech Posters will also be held virtually. For the first time, India Bio segment will feature BioPartnering in collaboration with Inova Partnering tool, the global leaders in facilitating pre-scheduled business meetings. The Summit will be addressed by over 250 domain experts including over 80 global personalities. The Global Innovation Alliance will feature 16 countries which will conduct country sessions namely Canada, Finland, France, Israel, Netherland, UK, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Taiwan, Switzerland, Denmark, Bahrain, Japan, and Lithonia. The multi-track conference will feature over 70 sessions addressed by over 250 world class speakers. International exhibition will consists of  250 plus exhibitors from Start Ups to IT and Biotech majors as well as R&D and academic institutes showcasing their services, products and technologies to 4000+ delegates, 20000+ business visitors.  Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, and Minister for IT, BT and S&T said, “Bengaluru Tech Summit has emerged as the leading technology show not only for Karnataka State but for the entire country. This year I am glad that despite the pandemic challenge faced by the world, BTS is on schedule as a virtual event and it has truly become a global show. Participation of over 25 tech nations is testimony to the recognition of Bangalore as the leading tech hub of the country." Emphasizing on biotechnology as a disruptor in the current times, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Limited and Chairperson, Karnataka Vision Group on Biotechnology commented, “Covid19 has rendered BTS 2020 into a virtual event. This has compelled us to choreograph a program that features the best of global minds in technology. AI and Big Data are at the heart of our Biotech sessions. We have curated sessions that focus on cutting edge advances in the combined field of biological and computational sciences encompassing CRISPR-Cas9, genomics, regenerative biology etc. BTS 2020 has turned an adversity into a very exciting global event catering to every stakeholder of the tech economy.” The Summit will be conducted under the able guidance of the three Vision Groups on IT, Biotech and Startups consisting of senior Industry Captains and R&D Heads across verticals. For the first time International Advisory Group is also formed adding global perspectives to the conference programme.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17509/experts-to-ponder-over-supply-chain-challenges-of-delivering-covid-19-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17509/experts-to-ponder-over-supply-chain-challenges-of-delivering-covid-19-vaccine.html Mon, 02 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 A consortium of Global Bio Supply Chain Associations of Life Sciences, Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industries and Academic Institutions is organizing an International Virtual Conference on November 20, 2020, from 10am to 3pm, to fight this war on the apocalyptic pandemic. The Supply Chain challenges of delivering vaccines to the 1.35 billion people of India and more in other parts of the world are unprecedented. The “Call to Action” is a unique opportunity for the Biotech and Pharmaceutical industries of India to restore the health of the citizens while gaining its rightful share in the world vaccine market. The consortium consists of Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) Hyderabad, Bio Supply Management Alliance (BSMA) USA and Europe, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), ICT-IOC Bhubaneswar, SOA University Bhubaneswar, NITIE Mumbai, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) and Indian Oil Corporation. The event involves patrons such as Padma Vibhushan Professor Man Mohan Sharma, Former Director, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai Padma Vibhushan & Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology; Former Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17431/excelra-to-develop-gostar-for-drug-target-identification-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17431/excelra-to-develop-gostar-for-drug-target-identification-.html Wed, 21 Oct 2020 11:20:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based Excelra a leading global Data & Analytics organization has recently announced that it has licensed its Global Online Structure Activity Relationship Database (GOSTAR) to Cyclica Inc., a leading biotechnology company based in Toronto whose AI-augmented integrated platform enables multi-objective, polypharmacology-informed design of drug molecules. GOSTAR is the largest online structure-activity relationship database comprising of over 5.5 million small molecules and their associated chemical, biological and pharmacological properties. The database is manually curated by our scientific team who excerpt and enrich datasets from functional assays, in vitro and in vivo studies. A variety of small molecule activities encompassing SAR, physicochemical, metabolic, ADME and toxicological profiles are captured and structured into a relational database. GOSTAR ultimately equips researchers with insights to generate novel ideas in drug design in the early as well as optimization stages of drug discovery. Dr Raveendra Dayam, Director, Chemistry Services, Excelra said: "GOSTAR provides access to more than 28 million experimentally determined quantitative interactions between small molecules and the vast druggable target space. Insights derived from these interactions complement Cyclica's polypharmacology approach in novel compound drug discovery. GOSTAR is a rich qualitative and quantitative dataset that is applied by many AI/ML companies and we are excited that the data will support Cyclica with its predictive analytics." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17243/biospectrum-ranking-issue-for-industrial-enzymes-coming-soon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17243/biospectrum-ranking-issue-for-industrial-enzymes-coming-soon.html Fri, 09 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Amidst the pandemic, one more financial year concluded with lots of figures, calculations, positives and negatives, all related to finance and money, telling us where exactly the organisation stands today compared to the previous years. Everybody is interested in knowing the organisation’s performance – independent as well as compared to others in the sector. To highlight the achievements of the industrial enzymes sector in India, BioSpectrum is planning the ranking special issue in December 2020. Companies will be ranked on the basis of their revenues and other achievements that took place in the last financial year FY19-20.   The last date for application is 20 October. Click below to fill the form- https://www.biospectrumindia.com/ranking-survey-industrial-biotech ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17332/thsti-gets-recognition-as-global-bioassay-lab-to-assess-covid-19-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17332/thsti-gets-recognition-as-global-bioassay-lab-to-assess-covid-19-vaccine.html Tue, 06 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Translational Health Science And Technology Institute (THSTI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology, based in Faridabad, has now been recognized by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) as one of the Global network of Laboratories for centralized assessment of COVID 19 Vaccines. The CEPI network will initially involve six labs, one each in Canada, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Bangladesh and India. Under the CEPI Global network the Laboratory will use the same reagents and follow a common set of protocols to measure the immune response of multiple vaccine candidates under development and trial. This will greatly harmonize the Vaccine trial process and allow different vaccine candidates to be compared and speed up the selection of the most effective candidate.  The Ind-CEPI mission for establishment of BSL-3 facility, is a translational laboratory for platform technologies and a Bioassay laboratory for development of assays to measure clinical immunogenicity. The mandate of the bioassay laboratory at THSTI is to provide validated assays for vaccine development on par with global standards. The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, and Government of India has been implementing the IndCEPI mission ‘India Centric Epidemic Preparedness through Rapid Vaccine Development: Supporting Indian Vaccine Development’. The objectives of this mission are aligned with the Global Initiative of Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness for Innovation (CEPI ) and aims to strengthen the development of vaccines and associated competencies/technologies for the diseases of epidemic potential in India. Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary of The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India said: “.The Department of Biotechnology, Government of India is supporting efforts for COVID 19 vaccine development and testing. More than 30 Vaccines are at different stages of development with 3 in Human trials and nearly 4 in advanced stages of Preclinical .We are very pleased that the bioassay laboratory at Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, an autonomous institute of Department of Biotechnology, has been identified by CEPI for centralised immunoassay analysis for COVID 19 vaccines under development globally. It is well-positioned to run comparability studies with other laboratories internationally and will form an important part of the global network .This is another excellent example of Ind CEPI and CEPI Partnership." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17314/karnataka-picks-fresh-talent-in-emerging-biotech-areas.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17314/karnataka-picks-fresh-talent-in-emerging-biotech-areas.html Thu, 01 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 A Biotech Online poster presentation organized jointly by Karnataka government, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) & Biotecnika concluded on 28th September 2020 with a grand online award presentation ceremony. The organisers had received more than 1000+ Posters under 10 different categories from students, research scholars, and bio professionals across the country. The jury members selected the participants with the best posters and even the public was given an opportunity to vote for the most popular poster category. 30 contestants were selected by the jury in the top 10 emerging areas of Biotechnology, who got the opportunity to present their posters live on 25th Sep 2020 which was judged by eminent judges from different organizations & companies.  The first prize was received by Ambrin Babu, in the Omics category. The topic of her poster was- 'Metabolomics - based machine learning method for the  discovery and characterization of biomarkers implicated in  Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease'. The first prize was shared with Deepansh Mody who had presented a poster in the microbiome category, titled- 'Exploiting the gut microbiome's trialogue with microRNAs and host gene expression to treat Covid-19 related cardiac hypertension'.    Karnataka Biotechnology Policy (2017 - 22) had identified 10 emerging areas of Biotechnology (Bioagriculture, Marine Biotechnology, Rare disease management, Synthetic Biology, Omics, Stem cell & regenerative medicine, Antimicrobial resistance, Bioengineering, Medical devices and Microbiome) that the State would like promote/support in order to maintain the leadership position as biotech capital of India.   Karnataka has supported establishment of IBAB, CHG and BBC who are undertaking research and in some of the areas mentioned. Also, we have established Synthetic Biology Group and Bio-IT Centre in IBAB with total budget of Rs 20 crore over a period of 5 years.   This particular event was organised to give opportunity for researchers working in these emerging areas to identify the talent, skill and also enable collaboration with various industries and institutes located in the State and country.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17257/india-strengthens-clinical-trial-research-capacity-in-neighbouring-countries.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17257/india-strengthens-clinical-trial-research-capacity-in-neighbouring-countries.html Wed, 23 Sep 2020 01:05:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology, Government of India through the Ind-CEPI mission (India Centric Epidemic Preparedness) for Rapid Vaccine Development and Supporting Indian Vaccine Development which is aligned with the Global Initiative of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), aims to strengthen the development of vaccines and associated competencies/technologies for the diseases of epidemic potential in India. One of the key focus areas of the mission is to support capacity building and regional networking with LMICs (Low and Middle Income Countries). In the current COVID19 Pandemic situation it is important to build capacities for clinical trials of vaccine. Keeping with the principles outlined by Science Diplomacy initiatives, DBT has initiated the first phase of the “Training programme to strengthen clinical trial research capacity for neighbouring countries” in partnership with Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The objective of these trainings would be to support researchers and investigator teams for enhancing and strengthening their clinical trial capabilities for conducting clinical trials in compliance with ICH-GCP (International Conference on Harmonisation - Good clinical practice). Through this training programme and knowledge sharing efforts, Govt of India is fulfilling its commitment of building various technical capacities in its neighbouring countries. Efforts to network with South Asia, ASEAN and African regions for this purpose would be aided through Ind-CEPI.  The First online orientation to this training programme was conducted on 22nd Sep 2020. Speaking on the occasion Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT and Chairperson, BIRAC said that building clinical trial capacity in our neighbouring countries and all LMICs is a priority for the Department and this initiative is a step in the right direction under the Ind-CEPI mission.This will help our participating countries to build capacities for vaccine trials and for conducting Phase III trials for COVID 19 vaccines. The training programme which will extend for about 6-8 weeks will see participation of investigators, epidemiologists, clinicians and representatives from different departments from Nepal, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Srilanka, Bhutan and Afghanistan.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17159/dbt-opens-nibec-for-assessing-clinical-immunogenicity-of-viral-vaccines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17159/dbt-opens-nibec-for-assessing-clinical-immunogenicity-of-viral-vaccines.html Mon, 07 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 National Immunogenicity & Biologics Evaluation Center (NIBEC) in Pune for assessing clinical Immunogenicity of viral vaccines is established jointly by Bharati Vidyapeeth University through its constituent unit Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA) and BIRAC-DBT, Government of India through National Biopharma Mission. The facility was inaugurated virtually by Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT, Government of India in an e-inauguration ceremony presided by Dr Vishwajeet Kadam, Minister of State; Government of Maharashtra. NIBEC, having a dedicated area of about 10,000 sq ft, was established in a record time of just a year. It has state of the art one BSL-3+, 4 BSL-2 and 10 BSL-1 laboratories. Key immunogenicity evaluation tests like Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT), Microneutralization assay, IgM and IgG ELISA have been developed, standardized and validated for Dengue, Chikungunya and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. The laboratory has already started associating closely with leading Indian vaccine manufacturing companies and National and International institutes engaged in vaccine developments. Inaugurating the facility via video conference, Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT, said that she has very high expectations from NIBEC with regards to clinical immunogenicity testing of vaccine candidates specially with the COVID 19 vaccine pipeline in the country. She further elaborated that having domestic capabilities maintaining international standards in this space, will accelerate and fast track development of indigenous vaccines in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17142/eleven-indo-us-teams-to-jointly-scout-for-covid-19-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17142/eleven-indo-us-teams-to-jointly-scout-for-covid-19-solutions.html Thu, 03 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Eleven teams of Indian and US scientists will soon start jointly scouting for out of the box solutions ranging from novel early diagnostic tests, antiviral therapy, drug repurposing, ventilator research, disinfection machines, and sensor-based symptom tracking for COVID 19. The teams have been selected to take up these initiatives through a rigorous binational review process of proposals received for an invitation under COVID-19 Ignition Grants in April 2020 issued by the U.S.-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF). The USISTEF announced the awards to eleven bilateral teams proposing out-of-the-box, innovative ideas to address the COVID-19 challenge. The USISTEF has been established by the Government of India (through the Department of Science & Technology) and the governments of the United States of America (through the Department of State) for the promotion of joint activities that would lead to innovation and entrepreneurship through the application of science and technology. The joint U.S.-India S&T based entrepreneurial teams will work on initiatives that address the development and implementation of new technologies, tools, and systems to address COVID-19 related challenges including monitoring, diagnosis, health and safety, public outreach, information and communication. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17046/center-for-biopharma-analysis-opens-in-pune.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17046/center-for-biopharma-analysis-opens-in-pune.html Mon, 17 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The Center for Biopharma Analysis (CBA) supported by the National Biopharma Mission (NBM) of Department of Biotechnology (DBT)- Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) at Pune-based technology business incubator, Venture Center was inaugurated virtually by Secretary, DBT, Dr Renu Swarup. CBA will provide high-quality analytical services for biopharmaceutical developers and manufacturers. This center is envisioned to become a resource center for structural and functional characterization of biologicals and biopharmaceuticals that will create long lasting value for bioentrepreneurs and industry. Inaugurating the facility via video conference, Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT, said that she expects that the CBA will play a pivotal role in supporting biopharma innovations from academic and government research labs, startups and many Indian companies with not only high-quality analytical characterization but also advise on studies needed for regulatory approvals. This can help speed up the development process. Also speaking on the occasion, Prof AK Nangia, Director, CSIR-NCL highlighted how NCL is keen to contribute to the large molecule therapeutics revolution waiting to happen in India as it did for small molecule therapeutics in 1970-80s. Prasanta Biswal, CEO of International Biotech Park Limited, Pune said that IBPL is happy to have contributed CSR support for the CBA infrastructure development and looks forward to working closely with Venture Center and BIRAC in positioning the Pune Knowledge Cluster for excellence in biopharma and medtech development and manufacturing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17025/dbt-calls-for-research-proposals-under-indo-german-project.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/17025/dbt-calls-for-research-proposals-under-indo-german-project.html Wed, 12 Aug 2020 10:10:00 +0530 Within the agreement of Indo-German cooperation in S&T of 1974, the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Federal Republic of Germany, has agreed for cooperative programme in biotechnology. The purpose of the programme is to stimulate new collaborations, e.g. the preparation of joint projects under national funding programmes. The programme facilitates bilateral cooperation in biotechnology between the scientific communities of India and Germany by way of joint research projects which will encompass bilateral workshops/ seminars and exchange visits of scientists. The call for proposal will consider research projects in the area of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology, Biology as well as Biotechnology Research on plant based medicines: Composition, Efficacy, Development, Safety, Testing and Production of Phytopharmaceuticals. Research proposals on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, osteoarthritis/ rheumatoid arthritis as well as of antiviral effects are of special interest (The areas suggested are indicative and not exclusive). Scientists/ faculty members working in regular capacity in universities, national R&D laboratories/ institutes and private R&D institutes as well as researchers from the private sector can apply under this programme. All received proposals will undergo a common peer review. Proposals selected for funding will be processed independently on both sides based on national rules. Tentative starting date is 01.02.2021. The project duration is up to 3 years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16999/genscript-biotech-corporation-enters-strategic-distributor-partnership-with-premas-life-sciences-to-distribute-cpasstm-sars-cov-2-neutralization-antibody-detection-kit-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16999/genscript-biotech-corporation-enters-strategic-distributor-partnership-with-premas-life-sciences-to-distribute-cpasstm-sars-cov-2-neutralization-antibody-detection-kit-in-india-.html Fri, 07 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530  This kit is co-developed with Duke-NUS Medical School Singapore and Diagnostics Development Hub from Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and manufactured by GenScript Biotech Corporation. It is the first-in-the-world “rapid test kit” which can measure neutralizing antibodies within an hour and it will be a huge boost to current COVID-19 investigations, sero-prevalence survey, and research on herd immunity, longevity of protecting neutralizing antibodies and efficacy of different vaccine candidates.  The global community will be able to use the cPassTM as unlike the conventional live virus test kits it does not require biosafety containment for testing. This test would be instrumental in vaccine and therapeutic development as it is suitable for all antibody isotypes and can be used to determine antibodies in different animal models without any modification. The cPassTM assay was validated with samples of patients from PROTECT- A Multi-centered Prospective Study to Detect Novel Pathogens and Characterize Emerging Infections, coordinated by Singapore’s National Centre for Infectious Diseases.  GenScript Biotech Corporation along with Premas Life Sciences will provide in-depth technical support to allow customers in India to have the access to cPassTM SARS CoV-2 Neutralization Antibody Detection Kit and ramp up the current efforts in COVID-19 testing and vaccine development.  “India has confirmed more than 450,000 cases of COVID-19 so far, making it the world’s fourth-worst-hit country. We aim to make cPassTM SARS CoV-2 Neutralization Antibody Detection Kit available to the community in India soonest by partnering with Premas Life Sciences. We are joining forces to make full use of our mutual capabilities, expertise and resources which will help us to serve the community in India better,” said Dawn Lee, Sales Director of Asia Pacific Region at GenScript.  “We at Premas Lifesciences are excited to partner with GenScript and provide this unique test to the Indian community. This test will enable quick screening of the people and to understand the level of resistance generated in the common population towards SARS CoV-2 virus either due to infection or due to vaccination,” said Yogeendra Dawalkar, National Sales Manager at Premas Life Sciences.  For more information, visit GenScript's official website https://www.genscript.com visit Premas Life Sciences website https://premaslifesciences.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16954/dbt-csir-sequence-more-than-1000-sars-cov-2-viral-genomes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16954/dbt-csir-sequence-more-than-1000-sars-cov-2-viral-genomes.html Fri, 31 Jul 2020 13:00:00 +0530 Minister of Science &Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan has announced that Indian scientists from DBT & CSIR have sequenced more than 1000 SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes making it the largest effort in the country. “This will help in understanding the prevalent strains and the mutation spectrum in India, which will help in diagnostics, drugs and vaccines”, he said. Dr. Harsh Vardhan was speaking while releasing a compendium of Covid-19 technologies and products developed by CSIR, at a function recently. The compendium covers a wide range of technologies and products spanning from diagnostics to drugs to ventilators and PPEs with more than 100 technologies, 93 industry partners listed and with over 60 of these technologies have been transferred to industry. DG CSIR, Dr Shekhar C Mande said that CSIR has partnered with not only large industries such as TATA Sons, Reliance Industries but also with PSUs such as BHEL and BEL and MSMEs for the deployment of the technologies and products at the earliest. Further, he highlighted that CSIR has developed a Covid-19 Portal that captures these technologies in an easily searchable format for users. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16911/gennova-biopharma-develops-novel-mrna-vaccine-against-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16911/gennova-biopharma-develops-novel-mrna-vaccine-against-covid-19.html Fri, 24 Jul 2020 18:00:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has facilitated the establishment of ‘first-of-its-kind’ mRNA-based vaccine manufacturing platform in India. DBT has provided seed funding for the development of Pune based Gennova Biopharmaceutical's novel self-amplifying mRNA-based vaccine candidate for COVID19. In collaboration with HDT Biotech Corporation, Seattle, USA, Gennova has developed an mRNA vaccine candidate (HGCO19), with demonstrated safety, immunogenicity, neutralization antibody activity in the rodent and non-human primate models. The company is working aggressively to ensure first human injection by the end of the year, subject to Indian regulatory approvals. Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT and Chairperson, BIRAC, speaking on the subject said that “diseases emanating from unknown and new pathogens require novel ideas for effective mitigation. Gennova’s m-RNA platform supported by DBT utilizes the advances in nucleic acid vaccine and delivery systems. This vaccine candidate that makes use of nanotechnology has shown promise to be effective in animal models. With the kind of capacities Gennova has, I am confident that this vaccine candidate can be rapidly scaled up, once proven effective in human clinical trials.” Speaking on the development, CEO of Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd, Dr. Sanjay Singh said, “Bold moves are necessary to create globally competitive and sustainable solutions. Gennova appreciates DBT- BIRAC's initiative, guidance, and financial support towards the development of mRNA based next-generation vaccine. Our partnership is poised towards creating an eco-system for cutting-edge technology, providing solution towards making a cost-effective vaccine that can reach to the masses in a pandemic situation like COVID-19.” The novel mRNA vaccine candidate, HGCO19, has all the necessary arsenal to guide the host cells to make the antigen -spike protein of the virus, reported to interact with host cells receptor, and supported by ‘lipid inorganic nanoparticle (LION)’ as a delivery vehicle. The neutralizing antibody response of the vaccine in mice and non-human primates was comparable with the sera from the convalescent patients of COVID-19, above the US-FDA recommended titre of 1:160 for neutralizing antibodies. Further, advantages of HGCO19 are its mRNA platform design and delivery vehicle. HGCO19 uses a ‘self-replicating mRNA platform’ that ensures the low injectable dose(dose-sparing effect) and sustained antigen release for a longer duration. ‘LION delivery system’ used for HGCO19 has adjuvanting property, enhanced storage stability, reduced adverse effects, improved permeability and bioavailability. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16855/lazuline-biotech-sets-up-cell-culture-lab-with-bionest.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16855/lazuline-biotech-sets-up-cell-culture-lab-with-bionest.html Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:45:00 +0530 Hyderabad based Lazuline Biotech has established a cell culture laboratory in collaboration with BioNest (Bioincubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies) at Hyderabad Central University, a Government of India Initiative as part of "Make in India".   The objective is to take up product testing and validation on different stem cell lines and other mammalian cells using the company's Human Serum Albumin (HSA) and continuous improvements to ensure its market positioning for global clients. This facility will be operational by the end of July 2020. Lazuline Biotech is a research driven biotechnology company focused on developing innovative biosimilars. The company is one among the key players globally involved in the development and manufacturing of recombinant therapeutic proteins, antigens and enzymes that can positively disrupt the healthcare sector.  The company has developed recombinant Human Albumin using recombinant DNA technology - which is similar to traditional Human Serum Albumin (HSA) derived from human blood. Albumin is a protein produced by the liver that circulates in plasma, it is the body's predominant serum-binding protein. Albumin (or) HSA performs important functions like maintaining intravascular colloid osmotic pressure and transports therapeutic agents.  Traditionally, HSA is derived from human blood, which has risks associated with low purity, inconsistency in quality, presence of pathogens and short supply. "Lazuline recognises the need for an innovation that can replace the traditional process, hence with its focused research involving experienced team of world-renowned scientists has developed its flagship product Recombinant Human Albumin (rHSA) – rAlblaz - using -- Pichia Pastoris as expression host- Making rAlblaz highly preferred choice for its superiority in terms of higher purity, animal-origin free, consistent batch efficacy. rHSA can help bridge the gap between the demand and supply of HSA that the healthcare sector has been grappling with for years. Given the current COVID situation, it has a key role to play as the blood availability has further come down for the blood derived protein, hence rHSA can be the safest and the most dependable alternative", said Dr. Ramesh Bhagam, Vice President- Quality & Regulatory, Lazuline Biotech, Hyderabad ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16708/transcell-brings-unique-portfolio-for-covid-19-vaccines-drug-candidates-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16708/transcell-brings-unique-portfolio-for-covid-19-vaccines-drug-candidates-.html Tue, 23 Jun 2020 06:10:00 +0530 Hyderabad based Transcell Oncologics introduces Transtoxbio, a unique portfolio for COVID-19 Vaccines and Drug candidates (Pharma assets pipeline). Transtoxbio offers a comprehensive collection of human derived ethically immune configured progenitor cell/tissue platforms as human surrogate systems to support the growing community of pharma and preclinical research industry. Their state of the art capacities takes pride in sourcing, isolating, and preserving the authenticity of all configured cell/tissue based systems with predictive powers needed to assist preclinical exploratory testings with discovery and development of druggable formulations. It is the only portfolio with specialized capabilities to test Bio/therapeutics (vaccine/drug candidates) induced species specific hematotoxicity, relevant transcriptomics, cytokine involved inflammatory pathways, Pulmonotoxicity on human surrogate in vitro models to predict their prognosis in clinical trials. Advantages with opting Transtoxbio in preclinical research and testing: Timelines employing human surrogate platforms versus animal models Powerful & Predictive readouts Phenotypically responsive platforms for assaying Genotypically conducive to read Toxicogenomics profile Readouts are specific to human applications The only platforms with transdifferentiating capabilities to mimic organ microenvironment including human lungs ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16643/dbt-rti-international-india-set-up-covid-19-catalytic-partnership.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16643/dbt-rti-international-india-set-up-covid-19-catalytic-partnership.html Thu, 11 Jun 2020 10:10:00 +0530 DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance (India Alliance or IA) and RTI International India join forces to set up a “COVID-19 Catalytic Partnership” that would propel transformative research and innovations for COVID-19 response and recovery in India. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown some unique and unprecedented challenges for India. However, the outbreak also offers research opportunities that India can leverage to respond to these challenges now and prepare for the future. The IA-RTI “COVID-19 Catalytic Partnership” would allow researchers based in academia, industry and the social sector in India to take up COVID-19-related research that has an immediate transformative impact and future possibilities. Potential areas of interest include (but are not limited to) testing, surveillance, contact tracing, medical consultation, delivery of essential health and nutrition services to vulnerable/at-risk communities, strengthening of health systems and supply chains, risk communication and community engagement. In addition, the program would aim to develop strategic engagements with both public and private sector stakeholders for advocacy, policy reform, resource mobilization, among other activities. “We are excited at partnering RTI International India”, said Dr Shahid Jameel, CEO of India Alliance. “Our complementary strengths will allow us to understand the impact of COVID-19 on health systems and existing programs and to develop innovative solutions for the future”, he added. Dr Rajiv Tandon, Director (Health), RTI International India, added: “We hope that this partnership fosters exchange and collaboration among the two organizations in gathering relevant, synthesized evidence and insights in a timely and coordinated manner, speaking in a voice that harnesses the power of the collective on issues relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic in India, and adopt a holistic view of interventions and outcomes. This partnership has the potential of helping Indian Health Sector maximize impact across the breadth and depth of programming and develop technology architectures that help build a strong foundation to generate and sustain long-term impact.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16603/iit-varanasi-to-re-purpose-approved-drugs-for-covid-19-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16603/iit-varanasi-to-re-purpose-approved-drugs-for-covid-19-treatment.html Thu, 04 Jun 2020 05:05:00 +0530 The Science and Engineering Research Board has approved support for research at IIT (BHU) Varanasi to identify lead compound(s) from available and approved drugs for fast-track anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug molecule. The research group of Prof. Vikash Kumar Dubey is working on developing new drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2 by exploring DrugBank (DrugBank is a database of FDA approved drug compounds). This database will be used for searching drug against SARS-CoV-2) database compounds as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 main protease, a key enzyme required for SARS-CoV-2 assembly and multiplication. They will be carrying out extensive computational and experimental studies to identify an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 main protease. Taking advantage of available crystal structure of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, a structure-based inhibitor design will be done by the researchers from the available FDA approved drugs compounds in the DrugBank database. Subsequently, experimental validation of the designed inhibitor(s) on recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Protein will be carried out. Various inhibitor parameters will be calculated to establish the effectiveness of the inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro enzyme function.  As the enzyme SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, is key for processing and polyprotein for virus assembly, the inhibition of this key protein can have an anti-viral effect. As most of DrugBank database compounds are characterized in terms of pharmacokinetics and toxicity, the identified molecule could be brought to the market rapidly.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16574/dbt-establishes-4-covid-19-bio-banks.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16574/dbt-establishes-4-covid-19-bio-banks.html Mon, 01 Jun 2020 07:15:00 +0530 For the mitigation of COVID-19 pandemic, R&D efforts are directed at the development of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. The specimens collected from COVID-19 positive subjects can be a valuable resource for the R&D efforts.  NITI Aayog has recently issued guidelines for sharing of bio specimens and data for research related to COVID-19. As per the directives of the Cabinet Secretary, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has notified 16 bio-repositories for collecting, storing and maintaining clinical samples (oropharyngeal/ nasopharyngeal swabs, broncheoalveolar lavage, sputum, blood, urine and stool) of COVID-19 patients. The enlistment of 16 Bio Repositories are as follows: ICMR – 9, DBT – 4 and CSIR – 3. The four Bio Repositories under the purview of the Department of Biotechnology are, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster (i) THSTI, Faridabad – Clinical samples (ii) RCB Faridabad –Viral samples, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, InStem, Bangalore  and ILBS, New Delhi .Oropharyngeal / nasopharyngeal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum, blood, urine and stool of COVID19 patients will be collected and archived for future use to develop validated diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines etc. These designated facilities will develop uniform Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for sample collection, transportation, aliquoting, storage, and sharing. The role of bio-banks for COVID-19 samples would be development of a vaccine and treatments; guidance regarding handling, including nasopharyngeal swabs; and conditions under which the higher BSL-3 practices should be followed for example, when working with cultures of the coronavirus specimens. The Department of Biotechnology would be supporting these COVID-19 designated Bio-bank facilities through a well strategized future plan so that novel technological interventions can be developed in due course of time. These designated bio repositories will use the clinical samples for R&D purpose in their respective Institutes. In addition, they are also authorized to share the samples with academia, industry and commercial entities involved in development of diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines etc., after scrutinising the purpose of the request and ensuring benefit to the country. Sharing of Biospecimens both Clinical and Viral is going to be key for new technology and product development by our researchers, start-ups and industry, a critical step in our journey towards becoming an Atmanirbhar Bharat. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16524/dbt-announces-funding-for-indo-german-life-sciences-project.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16524/dbt-announces-funding-for-indo-german-life-sciences-project.html Mon, 25 May 2020 10:00:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) wish to inform the Indian and German scientific communities that, effective immediately, it is possible for teams of Indian and German researchers to seek synchronised funding for integrated Indo-German cutting-edge fundamental research projects proposing innovative approaches in the academic disciplines covered by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, with a duration of up to three years. Since this programme addresses all fields of the life sciences, interested applicants may note that it is also suitable for Indo-German projects about epidemics or pandemics such as the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In line with the general orientation of this programme, only proposals describing fundamental research projects will be considered. This excludes, for example, clinical trials or applied diagnostics.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16429/dbt-birac-names-70-covid-19-proposals-for-funding.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16429/dbt-birac-names-70-covid-19-proposals-for-funding.html Wed, 13 May 2020 09:00:00 +0530 To urgently develop safe and effective Biomedical solutions against SARS CoV-2, Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) had invited applications for COVID-19 Research Consortium. In addition, BIRAC has also created a provision to fund COVID-19 solutions that are ready for immediate deployment under a ‘Fast Track Review Process’. Under the research consortium, DBT and BIRAC have continuously been evaluating applications with an intent to support Industry/ Academia and Jointly Academia & Industry for developing Diagnostics, Vaccines, Novel Therapeutics, Repurposing of Drugs or any other intervention for control of COVID-19. Through a rolling multitiered review mechanism, 70 proposals of devices, diagnostics, vaccine candidates, therapeutics and other interventions have been recommended for receiving financial support. The shortlisted proposals includes 10 Vaccines candidates, 34 Diagnostics products or scale-up facilities, 10 Therapeutics options, 02 proposals on Drug Repurposing and 14 projects which are categorised as preventive interventions To be able to provide an accelerator approach for vaccine development, DBT has identified institutes which will provide animal models for testing pre-clinical efficacy and also make available neutralization assays. IIT Indore will produce Pseudovirus SARS CoV-2 which can be used for development of in-vitro assays. Enzene biosciences limited will make available Spike protein and Receptor Binding Domain protein in large quantities to vaccine and diagnostic companies as a reagent.   The portfolio of vaccine candidates has further been enhanced by providing support for development of Next-generation mRNA vaccine candidate by Gennova and also separately to CMC, Vellore for a lipid encapsulated mRNA based vaccine. Early development work for developing an Intranasal vaccine candidate for COVID-19 has also been awarded to Indian Institute of Chemical Technology. University Delhi South Campus has initiated work towards discovering neutralizing antibodies from an existing phage display based library and are being supported under National Biopharma Mission of DBT. To ensure complete indigenization of COVID diagnostics, support has already been provided to AMTZ and other companies to scale-up production of RT PCR kits. In addition anticipating long term need for diagnostics, DBT/ BIRAC have also committed support for different types of diagnostics platforms like: Fluorescence and Electrochemistry Mediated Rapid Detection of SARS-Cov-2 Nucleic Acid from Bennett University, Greater Noida;  portable microfluidics embedded on chip rRT-PCR and microelectrode array coupled point-of care optoelectronic device for large scale screening: JNU, Delhi; Development and evaluation of aptamer based lateral flow assay kit for detection of SARS-CoV2 detection to IIT Delhi and CRISPER based diagnosis of Covid-19 using paper microfluidics form  IIT Guwahati.  Other companies to get funding support are Denovo, Biolabs, ShineBiotech, Prantae, Proma Therapeutics, Achira. In total, 34 companies and academic institutes will receive financial support for ensuring there is no shortage of indigenous diagnostic kits in the near future. Department of Biotechnology has also  launched a National Biomedical Resource Indigenization Consortium (NBRIC) in a Public Private Partnership model to foster indigenous innovation focused on developing reagents and resources for  diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics for COVID19 which is in partnership with ABLE and CII and is being hosted by C-CAMP. Under its ‘Fast Track Review Process’ Process BIRAC has created a provision to fund COVID solutions that are ready for immediate deployment. Through this initiative Startups with PPE solutions have been approved for supporting manufacturing of “Full body coverage suits”  to Aarna Biomedical Products and for “Face Shields” to Alpha Corpusles Pvt Ltd. Automoted Sanitizer  to  MicroGO, Remote patient monitoring Stasis Health Pvt Ltd. Turtle Shell for DOZEE a sleep monitoring device, Monitra for remote monitoring of patients, Perisodhana for N-95 Mask’s and Remidio for Ambu bags. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16408/dbt-to-set-up-virtual-network-centers-for-cancer-immunology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16408/dbt-to-set-up-virtual-network-centers-for-cancer-immunology.html Mon, 11 May 2020 09:05:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) invites Letters of Intent (LoI) in the area of Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy from eligible scientists and clinicians for setting-up of Virtual Network Centers (VNCs) for a period of five years to create a centralized platform for sharing concepts and resources bringing in the complimentary expertise of the individual PIs from different organizational settings and partnering scientific institutions to work together to develop and actualize a cancer research agenda. The purpose is to connect competence in Basic Biology/Clinical Research/Technology Development around "Thematic Research" such as: Unraveling the immunosuppressive microenvironment in cancer and development of strategies to overcome them. Identification and characterization of newer regulatory pathways for an effective immune response. Top down approach for identifying the value of repurposed drugs to act as checkpoint inhibitors, including phase 2 clinical trial. Development of novel vectors for CAR-T cell therapies. Development of bispecific monoclonal antibodies and Bispecific T cell engagers (BiTEs) for cancer immunotherapy In vivo priming and maturation of dendritic cells for boosting immune response. NK cell based immunotherapy including amplification of NK cell numbers for therapeutic use. Metronomic chemotherapy to boost immunotherapeutic effects. Model pre-clinical systems for rapid translation of cellular therapies into clinical trials. Overcoming constraints in cellular immunotherapy in solid tumors. Deeper understanding of the T and B cell physiology, subsets and use for cancer therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16362/neuberg-signs-mou-with-gbrc-for-covid-19-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16362/neuberg-signs-mou-with-gbrc-for-covid-19-vaccine.html Mon, 04 May 2020 08:00:00 +0530 Neuberg Supratech Reference Laboratory, Ahmedabad, a unit of Neuberg Diagnostics Private Limited (a StartUp in the PathLab chain segment), has announced the signing of an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with GBRC (Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre), a Gujarat Government arm, for developing COVID-19 recombinant vaccine and diagnostics. The MoU was signed in the presence of the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani. Commenting on the development, Dr. Sandip Shah, Executive Director, Neuberg Diagnostics Private Limited & Director, Neuberg Supratech Reference Lab, Ahmedabad said “Our (Neuberg Supratech Reference Lab, Ahmedabad) competence to develop a COVID-19 recombinant vaccine and diagnostics can be gauged from the fact that we are the largest diagnostics service provider in the state with presence in almost every major city. With 20 labs and 100 plus collection centres, we have the distinction of being the only CAP and NABL accredited Genomics Center of Excellence in Ahmedabad. The Neuberg Center for Genomic Medicine (NCGM) based out of Ahmedabad is the only private lab in country to house the most powerful sequencer, NOVASEQ 6000, which offers high-throughput sequencing across a broad range of applications,” says As part of the 5 years agreement (effective May 1, 2020), Neuberg Supratech will work on two projects for the Government of Gujarat. The first project is for COVID-19 vaccine development, wherein Neuberg Supratech will look for immune markers for the COVID-19 positive patients. The company plans to use several of its in-house high throughput sequencing machines for this project. The second project involves developing cost effective post viral extraction procedures. Currently the spend is around INR 3,500/- for consumables for RT-PCR testing. Neuberg Supratech aims to bring the cost down to below INR 1,000/-. For this Neuberg Supratech will optimise the RT-PCR testing consumables and procedures that are presently being used. This will also increase the testing capacity by 2 -3 times and even the turnaround times will be bought down to within 2 hours. “This MoU is indeed an honour for Neuberg. We have been part of the fight against COVID-19 ever since it was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation. The significant role that pathology and medicine play in healing is now at a high. The need of the hour is to challenge the limits of conventional diagnostics and medicine with path-breaking techniques and procedures that allow the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 with greater speed and precision. Towards this endeavour, Neuberg is putting its best forward in assisting the Central Government and various State Governments in combating the virus,” says Aishwarya Vasudevan, Group Chief Operating Officer, Neuberg Diagnostics Private Limited. Neuberg Supratech houses the best-in-class technologies in clinical lab medicine. Specialist teams focusing on Virology studies and research help track disease trends and forecast outbreaks, and also back up research to create new vaccines and cures. The lab also has one of the most advanced centres for inherited cancer genetics in India and has developed a series of novel protocols to make genetic screening affordable. In March 2020, Neuberg Supratech commenced COVID-19 testing post approvals from both ICMR and the Government of Gujarat. The testings are fully compliant to the guidelines set by ICMR, Government of Gujarat and other competent government agencies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16345/dbt-launches-study-to-sequence-1000-sars-cov-2-genomes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16345/dbt-launches-study-to-sequence-1000-sars-cov-2-genomes.html Thu, 30 Apr 2020 06:10:00 +0530 During a review of COVID 19 activities by the government, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has announced the launch of 1000 Genome sequencing of SARS-Cov 2 virus by DBT Autonomous Institutions consortia to understand viral and host genomics of COVID-19 outbreak. This study will sequence 1000 SARS Cov-2 genomes from the clinical samples to understand the evolving molecular phylogeny of the virus and the emerging mutations in the viral RNA as well as identify the host genetic variations which correlate with transmission, susceptibility and disease severity. This study is being coordinated by NIBMG, Kalyani with active participation from CDFD, Hyderabad; ILS, Bhubaneswar; NCCS, Pune; InStem, Bengaluru along with other DBT Autonomous Institutions. The findings of this study will also assist development of efficient diagnostic assays, vaccine and drug candidates and help formulate policies for containment of the outbreak. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16263/dbt-provides-funding-support-to-covid-19-industry-projects-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16263/dbt-provides-funding-support-to-covid-19-industry-projects-.html Mon, 20 Apr 2020 10:10:00 +0530 Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) had invited applications on COVID-19 Research Consortium. The first phase of the call ended on 30th March 2020 and around 500 applications were received from academia and Industry. The multi-tiered review process is ongoing and till date 16 proposals of devices, diagnostics, vaccine candidates, therapeutics and other interventions have been recommended for receiving funding support. A multifaceted approach is being adopted to ensure that vaccine candidates utilizing different platforms and at different stages of development are fast tracked through this Research Consortium under funding from National Biopharma Mission. Both, repurposing of existing vaccine candidates for immediate protection of high-risk groups and novel vaccine candidate development were considered while selecting proposals under this call.Funding support has been recommended to Cadila Healthcare Ltd for advancing the development of a DNA Vaccine candidate against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.  and to Bharat Biotech International Ltd for COVID-19 vaccine candidate utilising the inactivated rabies vector platform.  Furthermore, for the Phase III human clinical trials study of recombinant BCG vaccine (VPM1002) planned in high-risk population, Serum Institute of India Private Limited (SIIPL) will be supported. Development of a novel vaccine evaluation platform at National Institute of Immunology to support SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development has also been approved for financial support. Production of purified immunoglobulin G, IgG, at commercial scale from COVID-19 convalescent sera and production of high titers of equine hyper immune globulin for the treatment of COVID infected patients on large scale will be supported at Virchow Biotech Pvt Ltd.Financial support to OncoSeek Bio Pvt Ltd will be provided to create an in vitro Lung Organoid model. To boost indigenous production and to scale-up the production of molecular and Rapid diagnostic tests following companies will receive financial support: Mylab Discovery Solutions Pvt Ltd, Huwel Lifesciences, Ubio Biotechnology Systems Pvt Ltd, Dhiti Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, MagGenome Technologies Pvt Ltd, Bigtec Pvt Ltd and Yaathum Biotech Pvt Ltd. Common shared facility to manufacture diagnostic kits and ventilators will be established at Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) under National Biopharma Mission of DBT to provide scale up production capacity to different manufacturers. Development and deployment of contactless, affordable thermopile based ultrasonic sensors for screening of COVID-19 suspects and indigenous production of novel PPE for healthcare professionals will also be supported. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16127/dbt-sets-up-indian-biological-data-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16127/dbt-sets-up-indian-biological-data-centre.html Mon, 06 Apr 2020 09:10:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has established the Country's First National Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) for deposition, storage, annotation and sharing of biological data generated in the country through extensive funding from various Government Organizations. The Indian Biological Data Centre will have the following four major Objective : Setting up the required IT platform (hardware/software) for storage/distribution of biological data and development of appropriate web portal for data deposition/retrieval. It will enable researchers to deposit biological data in IBDC and store all biological data in the country perpetually. Development of standard operating Procedures (SOPs) and training of staff for storing the data as per FAIR principle, performing quality control, curation/annotation of data, data backup and management of data life cycle. Development/Installation of softwares for analysis of stored datasets by researchers on IBDC portal and development of web based tools/APIs for data sharing/retrieval. Organization of training programs on high throughput data analysis and performance of outreach activities for sensitizing researchers on benefits of data sharing.   The IBDC will enable life science researchers to deposit biological data in a central repository and thus safeguard data generated using public resources from loss. It will perform quality control, curation, and annotation of data. These efforts will help establish benchmarks for the quality of data deposited and thus improve the quality of experimental research conducted in the country. It will also facilitate distribution of biological data to researchers for further analysis and the discovery of emergent properties in biological systems. IBDC will also conduct training programs on data storage and analytics to help increase the number of manpower skilled in Data Science in the country.                                                                                                                                          ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16034/india-korea-develop-joint-network-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16034/india-korea-develop-joint-network-centre.html Fri, 27 Mar 2020 12:00:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India and Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea have announced a joint programme of cooperation in science and technology. As part of this joint network centre, both departments are calling for research proposals for- Artificial Intelligence utilization in the field of Biotechnology. This call for proposals is to enable Indian and Korean scientists from academia and laboratories to carry out joint research activity by leveraging already existing infrastructure and funding available with the partners at both sides through a linkage established by a Joint Network Centre (JNC). Joint Network Centre aims to encourage joint project implementation on focal areas of thematic and knowledge research through networking thus, paving way to sustainable interactions by promoting excellence and developing long term relationship based on synergy of activities. Network Centre may also provide opportunities for integrating research with education. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16017/dbt-announces-covid-19-research-consortium.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/16017/dbt-announces-covid-19-research-consortium.html Wed, 25 Mar 2020 06:10:00 +0530 To support the preparedness, readiness and response for COVID-19, project proposals are being solicited for developing Diagnostics, Vaccines, Novel Therapeutics, Repurposing of Drugs or any other intervention for control of COVID-19 by Industry/Academia/ Industry-Academia participation. As part of the research consortium developed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, research proposals are being called for the following areas- Diagnostics: To develop technologies/Assays/components for diagnosis of coronavirus and SARSCoV-2 including diagnostic methods such as ELISA, Lateral Flow assay, Molecular diagnostics (PCR, Real Time PCR), Colorimetric tests, Chemiluminescence, Immunoassays, cell culture. Vaccines: Vaccine technology platforms, novel vaccine manufacturing technologies, vaccine candidates and enabling disciplines for corona virus vaccine development Type of candidate vaccine can be DNA, RNA, Live Attenuated Virus, Non-Replicating Viral Vector, Protein Subunit, Replicating Viral Vector at any stage of development In-licensing technology for optimization, scale-up and manufacturing Novel Therapeutics: To develop in-vitro assay/animal models and standardize challenge studies Screen existing libraries (Biologicals and Chemicals) and identify potential hits for development Novel methods of B-cell isolation/ monoclonal antibody development Repurposing of Drugs: Develop prophylaxis clinical studies and prioritize in healthcare workers Evaluate existing marketed drugs under a standard protocol in patients of COVID-19 Any other: Development of any other intervention/technology related to SARS-CoV-2 outbreak prevention and contro ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15998/dst-invites-technology-proposals-for-fighting-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15998/dst-invites-technology-proposals-for-fighting-covid-19.html Mon, 23 Mar 2020 09:00:00 +0530 The Technology Development Board (TDB), a statutory body under Department of Science & Technology (DST) invites proposal applications from Indian companies and enterprises to address protection and home-based respiratory intervention for COVID-19 patients. The proposal may include technologically innovative solutions like low-cost masks, cost-effective scanning devices, technologies for sanitization of large areas as well as for contactless entry, rapid diagnostic kits and oxygenators, and ventilators.  The Board provides financial assistance by means of soft loans (up to 50% of project cost @ 5% simple interest per annum), Equity participation (up to a maximum of 25% of the project cost) or grant in exceptional cases, for encouraging the commercial application of indigenously developed technology; and for adapting imported technology to wider domestic application.  Proposals may be submitted online via TDB website www.tdb.gov.in on or before 27th March 2020.  The details can be downloaded from www.tdb.gov.in. Queries may also be raised via the Feedback/Query option on the TDB website. The submitted proposals will be evaluated on the basis of scientific, technical, commercial, and financial merits. The areas in which the technologically innovative solutions are invited include the following:  Low-cost masks which can capture virus from the air and absorb respiratory droplets Cost-effective Thermal Scanning Large area sanitization and sterilization (including electrostatic spray and Ultra Violet treatment for various available surfaces like glass, ceramic, wood, textile, etc.) Bioinformatics and Surveillance Rapid and Accurate Diagnosis kit (paper-based and other point of care devices) AI and IoT based solution for contact-less entry Oxygenators and ventilators (Low cost and portable) Or any other related technology ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15941/dbt-to-establish-inter-institutional-biodesign-centres.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15941/dbt-to-establish-inter-institutional-biodesign-centres.html Thu, 12 Mar 2020 09:30:00 +0530 Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, is announcing grant funding to establish biodesign centers in the country to implement projects aimed at producing medical technology innovators and indigenous healthcare technologies. This call addresses Indian medical schools, technical institutes, research/academic institutes with a proven track record on biomedical research. In addition, it is desirable to have industry linkages, partnerships with State governments/ Health or Rural Missions for deployment of products towards public health and international collaborations for attracting exchange of fellows. DBT has established four biodesign centers to promote medical technology innovation in the country.  School of international biodesign (SIB) at AIIMS & IIT Delhi, New Delhi - SIB is a biomedical technology innovation programme initiated as Stanford India Biodesign programme to train next generation of medical technology innovators. It was jointly established at AIIMS, New Delhi and IIT Delhi.  Healthcare Technology Innovation Center (HTIC) at IIT Madras Research Park: HTIC was initiated to design devices and deploy products into public-health and patient care systems by engineers at IIT Madras for the clinical needs identified by clinicians.  DBT’s 'Bioengineering and Biodesign Initiative' at IISc Bangalore was established for undertaking R&D in the interdisciplinary domain in collaboration with medical schools.  The Center for Biodesign, THSTI, Faridabad was established as a niche center with the mission to undertake innovation and translational research in medical technologies with bio-design process. Based on the success in these programs, DBT intends to expand the program through this call. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15863/dbt-looks-forward-to-achieving-150b-by-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15863/dbt-looks-forward-to-achieving-150b-by-2025.html Thu, 27 Feb 2020 10:10:00 +0530 Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, celebrated its 34th  Foundation Day at the National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi, on 26 Feb. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest, Minister for S&T, Earth Sciences and MoH&FW, Dr. Harsh Vardhan congratulated the Department of Biotechnology for its pioneering work over the years and called upon all scientists to engage themselves in innovative ideas and work to meet new challenges by the time the nation celebrates its 75 years of independence in 2022 to realise the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a new India.  Dr. Harsh Vardhan also called upon young scientists and awardees to come up with new solutions for the event which he called as ‘India @ 75’. The Minister acknowledged the immense contribution made by former Secretary, Prof. M K Bhan whom we had lost very recently.  He announced launching of “M K Bhan Young Investigators’ Research Award” in Prof. Bhan’s memory by DBT  to promote young investigators working in challenging areas of research. Dr. Harsh Vardhan praised the Department’s efforts in launching three New National Level Initiatives as a part of the 100 Day Programme: Launch of Genome India; Biotech KISAN hub in all Aspirational Districts and Waste to value technologies. The Minister also gave away the Awards to 34 recipients on the occasion. Department since its inception has instituted various awards to encourage and recognize the contribution of scientists working in various research institutes, universities, scientific organizations, national laboratories etc at different levels across the country. Various awards instituted by DBT are now considered under an overarching umbrella as DBT BRITE Awards [Biotechnology Research Innovation and Technology Excellence Awards]. The Department has renamed few awards in honour of outstanding scientists of our country who have immensely contributed to the Indian Science and been an inspiration to scientific fraternity across the globe. DBT BRITE Awards constitutes the following awards hosted by DBT: Har Gobind Khorana-Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award S. Ramachandran-National Bioscience Award for Career Development Janaki Ammal Natioanl Women Bioscientist Award Tata Innovative Fellowship Award Biotechnology Social Development Award Eminent scientist Padma Dr. D Balasubramaian, Emeritus Director, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad delivered the DBT Foundation day lecture. The Minister also released a publication by the Department “Biotechnology- Contributing to Growing Bioeconomy”. The biotechnology sector in India has evolved over the last three decades and has made significant contribution in various sectors especially health, agriculture etc. Due to enormous support received both from government & private sector biotechnology sector has seen a rapid growth amounting to an annual growth rate of nearly 20%. India is rated among top 12 biotechnology destinations in the world. It is the demand for biotechnology products and services that has been the fulcrum for setting an ambitious target of $150 billion by 2025. Looking at the growth prospects, biotech sector plays a significant role in addressing major global challenges in sectors like health care, agriculture, energy, live stock etc. Since, our focus is on innovation and R&D, the Foundation Day of DBT is the right occasion to discuss what are the ways and strategies to be implemented to achieve set target or at least reach near the defined goals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15745/dbt-ind-cepi-calls-for-vaccine-development-for-2019-ncov.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15745/dbt-ind-cepi-calls-for-vaccine-development-for-2019-ncov.html Mon, 10 Feb 2020 14:00:00 +0530 DBT-Ind CEPI partners with Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to support call for ' Proven vaccine technologies, applicable for large scale manufacturing, for rapid response against novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV'. The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India is supporting the implementation of the Ind-CEPI Mission, “Epidemic preparedness through rapid vaccine development: Support of Indian vaccine development aligned with the global initiative of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)”, through a dedicated Program Management Unit (PMU) at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). CEPI is announcing a funding opportunity for the development of vaccine against the 2019 novel corona virus, 2019-nCoV.  The objective of this Call for Proposals is to rapidly develop and manufacture a proven vaccine approach that can be used against the 2019-nCoV. This call aims to complement CEPI’s 2019-nCoV portfolio and candidates should have large-scale manufacturing capabilities for 2019-nCoV. The organization must be willing to transfer their vaccine technology to a global network of large-scale manufacturing. The funding opportunity through this Call is open worldwide, to all types of non-profit research organisations, for-profit companies, international organisations and foundations, joint R&D ventures, government research organisations, and academic institutions ideally having a geographical footprint internationally. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15689/bioasia-2020-to-add-impetus-to-life-sciences-msmes-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15689/bioasia-2020-to-add-impetus-to-life-sciences-msmes-.html Fri, 31 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0530 The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has emerged as a dynamic sector of the Indian economy over a few years. It contributes significantly to the economic and social development of the country by encouraging entrepreneurship and generating large scale employment opportunities. As per an Industry Survey, the MSME sector in India has created 13.5 million to 14.9 million new jobs in the past four years (Source: CII’s Survey on Jobs Creation and Outlook in MSME Sector). Also, another industry report suggests that the contribution of the MSME sector to the Indian economy is around 29% of the GDP. With the growing prominence of the MSME sector in the Indian economy, The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Govt of India has partnered with the Government of Telangana for BioAsia 2020 again to help MSME organizations benefit from this global platform. Given that the MSMEs contribute to over 80% of the Indian Lifesciences industry and has been an important pillar for the job creation, the partnership is of extreme significance aimed at adding impetus to the growth of MSME sector in the country. BioAsia has evolved as a pre-eminent global meeting benefitting from its extraordinary participant history including Nobel Laureates, Lasker Awardees, Breakthrough Prize winners, established scientific and industry leaders, amongst others. Switzerland will be the partner country, while delegations from various countries like Germany, Spain, Australia, UK, USA, China, etc. will participate in the event. MSME companies will gain unparalleled access to explore new business opportunities with leaders representing about 50 Countries. Commenting on the rising sector’s participation, Jayesh Ranjan IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce, and Information Technology, Government of Telangana said, “Micro, Small and Medium enterprises are one of the most important pillars of the economic growth of the country and is rightly called as ‘The engine of the growth’. MSMEs have played a significant role in terms of creating employment opportunities along with innovation. BioAsia which has emerged as one of the highly regarded platforms in the life sciences sector will bring together the cutting-edge, innovative and technologically oriented MSMEs from the realm of life sciences and healthcare sectors. We are delighted to partner with Ministry of MSME for the second time for BioAsia and am confident that the platform will help MSMEs companies.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15639/dbt-organizes-international-summit-on-women-in-stem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15639/dbt-organizes-international-summit-on-women-in-stem.html Mon, 27 Jan 2020 10:45:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology organized an International Summit on Women in STEM–“Visualizing the Future: New Skylines” The Summit was organized with the overall aim to boost the participation of women in STEM field for development of scientific career. During the summit, different sessions of the summit included mechanisms of leadership building, empowering women through networking, career opportunities and interactive exercises with scientists. The aim was to showcase women in STEM successes as real-world examples of successful women scientists, doctors and engineers demonstrating the excitement of being in the STEM fields as well as the rewards associated with it. Discussions and interactive sessions between aspiring young, mid-career and senior scientists in the STEM field were held to understanding the future requirements of women’s employment and career progression. Keynote speakers were renowned women scientists in STEM from different countries, young as well as established women scientists, science communicators and entrepreneurs from India. Around 350 participants from different STEM field across the globe participated in the event including scientists, socialists, entrepreneurs, researchers, teachers and students. Posters were presented by women scientists and students. The summit provided a good platform for young students and researchers to interact and network with leaders in the field, to develop ideas and generate a future action plan for making career in STEM fields.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15587/nanotechnology-to-be-new-sunrise-industry-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15587/nanotechnology-to-be-new-sunrise-industry-in-india.html Mon, 20 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +0530 The 11th  edition of Bengaluru India Nano, one of the front running events of the Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka will be held on 2nd  and 3rd  March 2020 with tutorials on 4th March at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru. This year’s theme is ‘New Dimensions in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology for Industry 4.0’. The event is being held in association with Karnataka’s Vision Group on Nanotechnology, chaired by Prof. C.N.R. Rao, FRS, National Research Professor; Linu Pauling Research Professor & Honorary President, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR). Bengaluru India Nano offers an unparalleled opportunity for business networking and for knowledge sharing in the exciting field of Nanotechnology and it has now evolved as the leading and most sought-after international Nanotech event in India. Delivering the keynote address at the curtain raiser event recently in Bengaluru, Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for IT, BT and S&T and Minister for higher education and medical education, Government of Karnataka, said, “The focal theme of the 11th Bengaluru India Nano – ‘New Dimensions in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology for Industry 4.0’; has been aptly chosen by the Vision Group on Nanotechnology led by Bharat Ratna Prof. C N R Rao. Bengaluru India Nano has always been receiving tremendous response from Research, Academia and Industry and is today on the radar of many countries for connecting with who’s who of the Indian Nanotech fraternity. I foresee that nanotechnology will provide a window of opportunity to apply technology applications in medicine, health care, energy, electronics, information technology, biotechnology, and so on, besides forging economic growth of the nation. Our Government will extend all possible help and support for the growth of this new sunrise industry in the State.”  Bengaluru India Nano will discuss a range of issues pertaining to Research, Technology Development, Skills Requirement, Institutions Involved, Risks Issues, Regulatory & Governance Structure, Investment and Collaborations between R&D, Academia & Industry. The event is expected to have significant participation from Chief Scientific Officers, Chief Technology Officers, Policy Makers,  Scientists, Chemists, Research Leaders ,Fellows , Advisors from Industry, Venture capitalists,  Governments and Research Institutions. Dr. E V Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of IT, BT and S&T and Department of Urban Development, said, “It is predicted that this emerging technology is expected to become a greater economic force than any other technologies in the years to come. The global market for Nanotechnology is projected to reach $125.70 billion by 2024, driven by growing R&D efforts directed at enabling the development of nanotech-based products and solutions in diverse industries. Nanotechnology will have a broad and fundamental impact on nearly all sectors of the global economy namely electronics, energy, healthcare, consumer goods, defense, automotive, water purification and agriculture among others. Prof. C N R Rao, FRS, National Research Professor; Linus Pauling Research Professor & Honorary President, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)  said, “The Nano Technology space has been growing at a tremendous pace in the recent past. Nanotechnology is today being used across various industries including manufacturing, automotive and healthcare. In fact maximum benefit of nanotechnology has come from Nanomedicine. This presents us with a huge opportunity for research in Nanotechnology in areas such as healthcare and energy. There is also a big opportunity for research in Nanotechnology in the area of pollution in Bengaluru city. I'm sure we can come with some solution using Nanotechnology.” The 11th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO event spectrum includes Multi-Track Conference, International Exhibition, Research Industry Collaboration Hub (RICH), Nan SparX, Nano Excellence Awards, Poster – Walkway of Discovery, B2B partnering and Pre-Conference Tutorials. Over 800 delegates from organizations across the world, over 50 speakers will be participating in the event that includes pre-conference tutorials as well as Plenary and Keynote presentations and brainstorming deliberations along with networking. The International exhibition at Bengaluru INDIA NANO will offer opportunities to various industries to showcase their unique technologies, products and services. It will be an ideal platform for R&D Institutes, corporates, PSUs, Start-ups and educational institutions. DST Nano mission will bring together companies with innovative products and technologies in their pavilion. Other participants in exhibition will include Leading R&D Institutes, Instrumentation Manufacturers & Suppliers, Nano Based Product Companies, DST Nano Mission, Institutions of National Importance, Karnataka Education Pavilion, States of India Start-Ups and Financial Institutions etc. Nano Excellence Awards for outstanding contribution will be presented in the following categories: Prof. C N Rao Bengaluru India Nano Science Award, Bengaluru INDIA NANO Innovation Award, Malhotra Weikfield Foundation Awards, Nano Science Fellowship Awards, Karnataka DST Nanoscience Fellowships Awards, Nano Sparx, Best Exhibitor and Best Poster Award. Bengaluru India Nano 2020 will focus largely on Nano in Energy for E-mobility, Nano in Agriculture,  Nano for Clean Water and Environment and  Nano in Manufacturing.   Photo Caption : L-R Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman, MMACTIV,  Dr. E V Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Dept. of IT, BT and ST, Government of Karnataka, Dr. Ashwath Narayan, Dy. Chief Minister and Minister for IT, BT and ST, Prof. C N R Rao,  RS, National Research Professor; Linus Pauling Research Professor & Honorary President, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR, Prof. Ajay Sood, FRS, Chair professor, Department of Physics, IISC Bangalore and Dr. H Honne Gowda, MD, Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS)   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15559/icmr-to-organize-workshop-on-basic-cancer-research-techniques.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15559/icmr-to-organize-workshop-on-basic-cancer-research-techniques.html Thu, 16 Jan 2020 07:00:00 +0530 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in association with National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) will be organising workshop on Basic Molecular Biology Techniques relevant to Cancer Research from January 28 to 31, 2020 at NICPR (ICMR), Noida. The workshop is funded by Department of Health Resource (DHR) with no course fee and will offer hands on training to participants. The workshop has various themes like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) including topics like Allele Specific PCR, Nested/Hemi-nested PCR, PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), Real Time PCR, Methylation specific PCR along with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) detection which includes PCR method and Hybrid Capture II (HC II). Other topics include Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Immunoblotting and tissue culture related techniques. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15525/merck-and-csir-imtech-open-high-tech-skill-development-center.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15525/merck-and-csir-imtech-open-high-tech-skill-development-center.html Fri, 10 Jan 2020 12:35:00 +0530  Merck, a leading science and technology company, announced the opening of new, non-profit center where Indian students and researchers can learn the latest genome-editing and single-molecule biomolecule biomarker detection technologies from Merck experts. “With the rapidly growing biopharmaceutical industry in India and demand for therapies, researchers who collaborate with us will benefit from our expertise toenhance their scientific competency and develop advanced technologies to accelerate development and production of new therapies,” said Sunil Punjabi, Country Speaker and Head of Research Solutions, Life Science, India. “They will gain hands-on experience and enhance their skills in areas such as cancer research and novel drug development, conducting real-time analysis on their samples as part of workshops here.” The center was developed by Merck in collaboration with CSIR-IMTECH, an institute of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, under the aegis of Ministry of Science and Technology. It focuses on research, development and training in new drug discovery, affordable healthcare, fast and accurate diagnostics as well as agriculture biotechnology. Located in Chandigarh, the center augments the Indiangovernment’s initiative for life science skill-building in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15472/dbt-to-strengthen-vaccine-development-for-potential-epidemic-diseases-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15472/dbt-to-strengthen-vaccine-development-for-potential-epidemic-diseases-.html Mon, 06 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is implementing the Ind-CEPI mission titled ‘India Centric Epidemic Preparedness through Rapid Vaccine Development: Supporting Indian Vaccine Development Aligned with the Global Initiative of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)’ to strengthen development of vaccines for the diseases of epidemic potential in India. CEPI is a global alliance financing and coordinating the development of vaccines against infectious diseases. From time to time, CEPI issues calls for proposals inviting applicants to submit funding proposals for projects to develop specific vaccine candidates or research that can directly support vaccine development. Presently, CEPI has an open call for proposals for Information for CfP2R Applicants - platform technologies to rapidly respond to Disease X. This call invites applications for the development of innovative platform technologies that can be used to develop vaccines and other immunoprophylactics to rapidly respond to future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases and unknown pathogens, known as “Disease X”. DBT solicits participation of Indian scientist for submission of applications to CEPI under the call. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15456/dbt-calls-for-research-proposals-for-new-drug-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15456/dbt-calls-for-research-proposals-for-new-drug-development.html Thu, 02 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +0530 India is a leader in global generic pharmaceuticals manufacturing. However, many generics manufactured in India are at the end of their respective product life cycle, with limited new research and development taking place on new drugs. Furthermore, our country has a high burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases and is vulnerable to epidemics. In order to keep pace with global innovation and to improve health outcomes, there is a need to foster R&D for new and cost-effective therapies. With the aim to take India at global map in terms of R&D innovations in the area of drug development in our country, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has initiated a new program on “Drug Development” with a vision to develop indigenous and costeffective new drugs against the following diseases: I. Communicable Diseases • Tuberculosis II. Non-Communicable Diseases • Cardio-Vascular Diseases (CVD), • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) and • Cancer (oral, head and neck, cervical and breast cancer) DBT in collaboration with its Public Sector Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) invites proposals in the area of “Development of Drugs from existing leads with established proof of concept”. This Call is intended for research and development activities focused ONLY on Lead optimization and preclinical development and Clinical therapeutic validation to a point where there is sufficient scientific evidence to justify filing for regulatory approval. The goal of this Call is to support milestone-driven proposals focused on lead optimization and preclinical testing of candidate therapeutics for the given four diseases ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15440/birac-launches-awards-for-women-entrepreneurs-in-ne.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15440/birac-launches-awards-for-women-entrepreneurs-in-ne.html Mon, 30 Dec 2019 14:05:00 +0530 The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has launched the special edition of Women In Entrepreneurial Research (WInER) Award for the women entrepreneurs in biotech sector in the states of North East Region of the country. The purpose of the Award is to recognize, reward and support women entrepreneurs in biotech sector implementing their innovative solutions in the north eastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. Under this award programme, top 5 women entrepreneurs implementing their innovative products/technologies in the north east region will be awarded with Award money of Rs.5 lakhs each; access to BIRAC’s expert mentor network; and opportunity to participate in BIRAC’s accelerator programme. Under this Award programme, a proposal can only be submitted by Indian company, registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956/2013 with woman entrepreneur as principal investigator. The company should be in existence for less than 10 years as on closure of the call. Minimum 51% of the shares of the Company should be held by Indian Citizens holding Indian passport (Indian Citizens do not include Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) holders). Under this programme, a woman entrepreneur should be the principal investigator of the submitted project for consideration under this application; an Indian Citizen holding Indian passport; and one of the promoter shareholders of the Indian Company. Only online applications are accepted for this BIRAC programme till January 15, 2020. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15362/csir-inks-mou-with-france-to-promote-st.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15362/csir-inks-mou-with-france-to-promote-st.html Wed, 18 Dec 2019 10:10:00 +0530 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in New Delhi between the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), India and the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France to establish a framework for cooperation between the two towards promotion and support of scientific and technological research. A team led by Director General, CSIR, DrShekhar C Mande met delegation from CNRS France, led by its President and CEO, Prof Antoine Petit. In view of the potentially beneficial and synergistic cooperation possibilities for translating science into technology CSIR and CNRS may explore strengthening their cooperation to foster joint innovation and transfer of technologies applicable to India or/and France and to other nations. This cooperation could include sharing good practices, promoting technology transfer and enhancing industry-academia cooperation. The broad research areas of mutual interest include biotechnology including plant and marine biotechnology; health research; environment and climate change studies; engineering science and technology;material science and technology;energy science and technology and water research. DG, CSIR, Dr Shekhar C Mande, highlighted that India and France have been natural partners and CSIR and CNRS have had longstanding relations starting from 1975 and that CSIR labs CSIR-IICT and CSIR-NCL are currently implementing joint programmes with CNRS, which have generated several joint publications, patents and Ph.Ds. Prof A. Petit, Head of CNRS, said that CSIR is a valued and trusted partner and believes that the MoU will boost cooperation even further and contribute to many critical areas such as health, water, energy and climate change among others and contribute towards addressing the global challenges. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15302/switzerland-partners-with-bioasia2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15302/switzerland-partners-with-bioasia2020.html Tue, 10 Dec 2019 17:35:00 +0530 Switzerland, consistently ranked no.1 in innovation, is widely known for innovation in big pharma with the presence of eminent pharma and life-sciences companies like Novartis, Roche, Lonza, Ferring Pharma, etc. The country is looking to forge closer ties with India which has grown to be a significant player in life sciences industry globally and has now partnered with the most widely attended life sciences convention BioAsia, as the Country Partner for the 17th edition, BioAsia 2020. Switzerland has a thriving ecosystem that's hugely powered by innovation in academia and startups. This, coupled with the ease of doing business and policies to attract and retain talent, make Switzerland the breeding ground for cutting-edge technologies and solutions. Switzerland's strength in healthtech is unparalleled with over 1,400 companies employing 58,500 professionals and generating CHF 15.8 Billion in revenue (in 2018). Swiss MedTech industry contributes 2.3% of the country's GDP. The Swiss Biotech industry alone is home to 312 companies, generating a revenue of CHF 4 Billion whilst investing over CHF 1.5 Billion in R&D, yearly.  Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary of the Industries & Commerce and Information Technology, Govt of Telangana said “Switzerland has an outstanding reputation globally as an extremely specialized production location for innovative lifescience products. This has become possible with an incredible focus on science backed by country’s strong academics in applied sciences and financially sound and research-based pharmaceutical companies. Telangana is a State committed to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and the focus of BioAsia has been centered around innovation over the years. Hence, we are truly delighted to welcome Switzerland onboard as the Country partner this 17th edition of BioAsia. Both Telangana and Switzerland have inherent strengths in life sciences and bringing them together will drive significant developments in the life sciences industry globally.” “Switzerland recognizes India as a strategic partner in healthtech. Hyderabad being one of the prominent hubs in life sciences and healthtech has been an attractive ecosystem for us to engage with. As a country partner at BioAsia, we're bringing a holistic representation of the Swiss healthtech ecosystem spanning from corporates to startups to academia to investors. We're eager to collaborate with the key players in India and pursue new solutions today, for tomorrow,” said Silvana Renggli-Frey, Deputy Consul General - Consulate General of Switzerland.  More than a 1/3rd of Swiss exports come from the pharmaceutical industry making it a significant contributor to the overall economy of Switzerland. Switzerland has placed itself as one of the most important stock exchanges for lifescience companies in Europe. There is an increasing interest from innovation centers, startups and universities to engage with India. For start-ups, the aim of Swiss organizations is to engage with drug development and product design services to achieve faster, safer drugs & devices in niche markets. Cantonal representatives of Switzerland are interested in leveraging BioAsia for investment opportunities in Switzerland. Indian companies can invest into Swiss cantons to avail the manufacturing facilities and specialized technologies that is a win-win for India and Switzerland alike. E V Narasimha Reddy, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, TSIIC said, “There are several Swiss based companies like Novartis, Lonza, Ferring, to name a few, which have large operations in Telangana. This showcases the close relationship the state has cultivated with Switzerland. Through platforms like BioAsia we are working towards attracting more Swiss organizations to Telangana.” BioAsia has benefitted from its extraordinary participant history including Nobel Laureates, Lasker Awardees, Breakthrough Prize winners, Food Laureates, established scientific and industry leaders, amongst others. This year too, BioAsia will bring a galaxy of established and next generation Leaders including Mr. Vas Narasimhan (CEO, Novartis), Dr. Carl June (University of Pennsylvania & CAR-T Expert), Dr. Peter Piot (Director, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Co-Discoverer of Ebola), Mrs. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (CMD, Biocon), Mr. Dilip Shanghvi (Chairman, Sun Pharma), Dr. Swati Piramal (VC, Piramal), among others. “The event will attract participation of leaders from over 50 Countries. Its been a tradition to invite a Partner Country and we are truly delighted to welcome Switzerland as the Country Partner for the first time which only goes to show the rapid growth in scale and magnitude of the event. We have had the pleasure of hosting Norway, UK, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, South Africa among others as Country Partners in the past years” added Shakthi Nagappan, Director (Life Sciences and Pharma), Govt of Telangana and CEO – BioAsia. With the theme of - Today For Tomorrow - BioAsia 2020, to be held between 17th to 19th February 2020 at Hyderabad, will explore the capabilities that Life sciences companies should invest in Today to thrive and create value Tomorrow. Currently newer technologies, and ubiquity of data and analytics is continuing to blur the traditional boundaries between therapeutics, medical technologies, consumer devices and information technology (IT). This rapidly evolving superfluid market is putting pressure on the life sciences companies to change their business models and personalize their products and services. Hence, at BioAsia 2020, these companies will deliberate on how they should be preparing themselves for the coming future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15173/india-to-be-a-world-leader-in-biotechnology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15173/india-to-be-a-world-leader-in-biotechnology.html Thu, 21 Nov 2019 17:00:00 +0530 Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has said India has the potential to emerge as the world’s top industry destination in biotechnology sector. Addressing the Inaugural function of the 3-day Global Bio-India Summit, 2019 in New Delhi, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said India has the expertise and the biotechnology sector has witnessed exponential growth in recent decades. Government has encouraged the sector by setting up hundreds of Biotechnology Parks and Incubators while thousands of Start-ups have been supported by the Government, he added. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said the Prime Minister has set a target of making India the top country in Science & Technology by 2030. As compared to 5% growth in scientific publications worldwide, India has notched a growth of 14% in this sphere, he said. “We have developed a number of vaccines and the rotavirus vaccine is now a part of the National Immunization programme, besides our laboratories have also produced vaccines against dengue and malaria. We are No.3 in Nanotechnology and our Tsunami Early Warning System has been ranked No.1 in the world”, he added. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said India plays a pioneering role in the UN sponsored Mission Innovation (MI) programme and is the leading country in three MI challenges on Smart Grids, Off-Grid Access to Electricity and Sustainable Biofuels. He said we are a “Changed India” today, and as Shri Narendra Modi has aimed, we will make a “New India” by 2022 and finally we aim to be the world leader, “Vishwa Guru”. Dr Harsh Vardhan said Biotechnology serves mankind helping in to move towards a biotechnology-led economy, transforming as many lives as possible, creating opportunities and promising development for all. He encouraged young innovators and entrepreneurs in the Biotech sector to come forward for the development of the country. “Government of India will support and assist their ideas to make it a reality. He said, as per the vision of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the wave of Information Technology 20 years ago is India Today and Biotechnology is the India tomorrow”, he said. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan said the Government has set a target to achieve 20% ethanol blending of automotive fuels. “When we took charge ethanol blending was less than 1%, today it has increased to 6% and further we have targettedto achieve 20% ethanol blending”, he said. Pradhan said we are committed to work towards greater decarbonisation and make India a gas based economy. Bio-energy will play an important role in this, he said. “Through innovations developed by our bio-energy scientists we are now working on utilising waste biomass by converting it into Biofuels. With 600MT of biomass, which can be used as raw material, India remains the only country with highest scope for growth of Biofuels”, he added. “In future ethanol will be produced from raw materials like, excess food grains, to help transform our 'Annadatas' to 'Urjadatas.'With 600MT of biomass, which can be used as raw material, India remains the only country with highest scope for growth of Biofuels”, said  Pradhan. Pradhan said the Petroleum& Natural Gas Ministry has instituted a Rs 300 croreStart-Up Fund. “I have advised my colleagues to have biofuels as a key focus area and provide stimulus to the industry by giving handholding support and offtake guarantee to new & emerging entrepreneurs in the Biofuel sector”, he said. In his address, Member, NITI Aayog, Dr. Vinod K. Paul said the Government and the private sector are working in unison to make Primary Healthcare success in the country. “The aspirations of the people of India have risen and from Primary Healthcare, we are now extending our reach to Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare”, he said. Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Renu Swarup said the 3-day Biotechnology Summit will discuss roadmap to achieve $100 billion bioeceonomy target. “We have scaled $51 billion already and the sector is growing at 14.7%. So the $100b target seems very modest”, she said. Dr. Harsh Vardhan and Dharmendra Pradhan later inaugurated the Global Bio-India Exhibition. Global Bio-India is one of the largest biotechnology stakeholders conglomerate being held in India for the first time. It has brought academia, innovators, researchers, start-ups, medium and large companies together on the same platform. Over 3,000 delegates from around 25 countries and over 15 states of India are participating in the mega event. More than 200 exhibitors, 275 Start-Ups and more than 100 Bio-Technology Incubators are participating in it. Biotechnology is recognized as the sunrisesector- a key driver for contributing to India’s USD 5 Trillion economy target by 2025. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15139/indian-bioeconomy-crosses-51b-in-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15139/indian-bioeconomy-crosses-51b-in-2019.html Mon, 18 Nov 2019 12:55:00 +0530 Bengaluru Tech Summit 2019 (BTS) was inaugurated at Bengaluru Palace on 18th November 2019 by Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa; Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka; Kris Gopalakrishna, Chairman - Vision Group on Information Technology, Govt. of Karnataka, Co-Founder & Executive Vice Chairman, Infosys; Dr. Kiran Mazumdar, Chairperson -Vision Group on BT, Government of Karnataka; Chairperson and Managing Director, Biocon Ltd, Mohandas Pai, Aarin Capital and Manipal Global Education, among others. According to Dr. Ashwath Narayan, “The Biotechnology sector has significantly enhanced the growth of India's global profile. ‘INDIA BIO’ at the Bengaluru Tech Summit will witness ‘Smart Bio #Pitchtuning Session’ wherein select early-stage Bio-startups will have the opportunity to listen to seasoned VC heads who will guide and fine-tune their pitch before going out to raise funds. Through the ‘Smart Bio #Enterprise Connect, being held exclusively for Biostartups we are providing a platform for early-stage ventures to engage and showcase their innovative ideas to large corporate entities, investors and industry leaders considering startups spend a lot of time and effort to reach out to the right people in the industry in order to sell their product/concepts/ideas. This is the first organized Enterprise Connect for Biostartups attempted by any State wherein we have over 20 biotech enterprises already confirming their participation. This whole initiative is to support startups in the areas of BioTech, MedTech, AgriTech and Diagnostics”. In her inaugural address, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar pointed out, “The Indian Bioeconomy has crossed $51 billion in 2019. This has been possible because of the technology explosion that is taking place within India especially in Bengaluru. The number of startups are increasingly growing in Bengaluru with a large number of first generation of entrepreneurs budding here. There are around 3000 startups in India currently out of which 957 were created within the last 12 months. The health-tech sector in the future largely depends on the area of IT-led Biodiagnostics which incorporates utilization of new age technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data etc. This convergence of IT & BT is the inflection point for the healthcare sector where huge opportunities lie." The summit has an excellent gathering of the world’s most influential leaders, Innovators, Industry Captains, Research Heads, Policy makers and Start-Ups from India and leading countries like Canada, The Netherlands, Finland, UK, USA, Australia, Switzerland, Israel, Germany, France, Japan, Sweden, Austria, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania and Estonia. The summit is witnessing deliberations over the next two days till 20th November covering important topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Impact of Blockchain, Impact of IoT, Cyber Security, Space and Drone Revolutions, Electric Vehicles, 5G, Genomics, Trends in Agriculture, Smart Therapeutics, Biotherapeutics, Smart Immunologics in Cancer Care and Intelligent Systems and Trends in Agriculture, to name a few.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15111/-cdfd-collaboration-with-promega-hosts-forensic-dna-profiling-forum.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15111/-cdfd-collaboration-with-promega-hosts-forensic-dna-profiling-forum.html Thu, 14 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0530 Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in collaboration with Promega India hosted the “Forensic DNA Profiling Forum” from 4th to 7th Nov at CDFD Hyderabad. The program included 4-Days hands-on workshop in Forensic DNA Fingerprinting. The workshop was designed for DNA Examiners/ Analysts involved in DNA profiling and reporting of cases in the Court of Law and  Workshop was aimed at equipping them with technical expertise in the field of human identification: from sample preparation to STR analysis. The course provided a forum to address the need of modern DNA typing labs for both forensic and relationship testing applications and examined issues of DNA database development, automation, streamlining workflow and improving efficiencies.  Dr Rajnish Bharti General Manager , Promega Biotech India Pvt Ltd added , “Forensic DNA testing constantly evolves with new technologies, procedures, and requirements. To maintain success, DNA Examiners must learn how to best adapt laboratory processes and improve their technical understanding of analysis procedures. I feel proud that from more than 25 years Promega has offering the STR chemistry for the forensic community & contributing to nation by making the world safer by solving the crime ”  “We are very pleased that CDFD and Promega have entered into a collaboration to conduct the workshop," said, Dr Debashis Mitra, Director CDFD. “We really wanted this workshop to be conducted for the last few years but due to certain constraints like space, infrastructure and lack of sponsors, it took some time. We thank Promega for coming forward & sponsoring the program.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15068/dbt-seeks-nanotech-interventions-in-dentistry-and-bone-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15068/dbt-seeks-nanotech-interventions-in-dentistry-and-bone-diseases.html Thu, 07 Nov 2019 11:35:00 +0530 The incidence of dental and bone diseases are increasing in India and throughout the world. With the increasing life expectancy and affluence, life style and dietary choices, the incidence and severity of bone diseases and dental disease are set to rise in India. Nanotechnology Interventions provide a unique opportunity, play a promising role, and has the potential to innovate new generation of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for dental and orthopaedic related problems afflicting our country. Hence, R & D Proposals are invited by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in the following thrust areas with the aim to encourage the research on the basis of (1) identification of unmet need, (2) novelty and need of nano-inerventions and (3) translational potential of the proposed work. Nano Interventions in Dentistry:  Any area pertaining to oral health and dentistry, which include Dental diagnostics, Prosthodontics, Endodontics, Conservative and aesthetic dentistry, Periodontics and Regenerative dentistry etc. Nano Interventions in Orthopedics/bone disease:  Infective, metabolic and neoplastic involvement of bone as well as bone tissue engineering. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15029/stempeutics-to-receive-us-patent-for-stempeucel.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15029/stempeutics-to-receive-us-patent-for-stempeucel.html Mon, 04 Nov 2019 07:00:00 +0530 Stempeutics Research announced that the United States Patent and Trademarks Office (USPTO) issued notice of allowance to grant the US patent for ‘Management of Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) using Pooled Mesenchymal Stromal Cell product Stempeucel®” Stempeucel® for the treatment of CLI is a breakthrough treatment option which directly addresses the root cause of the disease, unlike other drugs that typically treat the symptoms and not the disease itself. Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) is a progressive form of peripheral arterial disease, which blocks the arteries in the lower extremities, resulting in reduced blood flow. It is a debilitating disease which affects patients with severe pain in the feet or toes. Insufficient supply of blood flow results in the development of sores and wounds in legs and feet. If left untreated, patients may finally have to undergo the amputation of the affected limb as the last treatment option. In the US, the most common current treatments for CLI are characterized by high rates of primary amputations, multiple procedures and high rates of procedure-related complications. In such cases, the disease not only affects the quality of life but also increases the economic burden of patients. Stempeucel® is derived from allogeneic pooled mesenchymal stromal cells extracted from the bone marrow of healthy, adult voluntary donors. The company’s proprietary pooling approach allows an efficient manufacturing process with minimum wastage of resources in order to provide the product at an affordable cost to patients. This approach also allows more than one million patient doses from a single set of master cell banks, which is unique in regenerative medicine. The proprietary technology allows Stempeucel® to extend the therapeutic potential of the drug across multiple disease categories. Commenting on the US patent, B N Manohar, CEO of Stempeutics said, “This very important patent comes at the right time, just ahead of our planned PreIND meeting with US FDA. The patent being granted by USPTO is a strong recognition for Stempeutics for its sustained excellence of scientific and clinical work and underscores the global leadership in allogeneic, pooled MSC technology. We believe that the Stempeucel® product is a game- changer offering an advanced therapeutic treatment for millions of patients suffering from this dreadful disease.” Prof. Polani Seshagiri, a Stem Cell and Developmental biologist from the Indian Institute of Science-Bangalore, said, “I am impressed with the scientists working at the cutting-edge stem cell biotechnology at Stempeutics. In an industry that demands constant technological and scientific advances, a robust patent portfolio covering core innovations strengthens Company’s competitive edge. Stempeutics through its research innovations is demonstrating a firm commitment in bringing new generation of stem cell-based biologics in order to address unmet medical needs” Stempeutics is currently conducting a Phase 4 trial for CLI due to Buerger’s Disease and a Phase 3 trial for CLI due to Atherosclerotic Peripheral Arterial Disease in India.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15000/biocon-moves-up-on-top-10-global-biotech-employers-list.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/15000/biocon-moves-up-on-top-10-global-biotech-employers-list.html Wed, 30 Oct 2019 08:25:00 +0530 Biocon Ltd, an innovation-led global biopharmaceuticals company, has moved up in the Top 10 Global Biotech Employers ranking for 2019 and continues to be the only Company from Asia to feature on the prestigious U.S.-based Science magazine’s annual ‘Science Careers Top  20 Employers’ list, since its debut in 2012. Ranked at No. 6 among global pharma and biotech companies in 2019, Biocon has moved up from No. 7 in 2018 and No. 9 in 2017. Biocon has been consistently recognized for three key attributes: ‘innovative leader in the industry’, ‘is socially responsible’ and ‘leadership makes changes needed.’ The ranking is a result of the 2019 Science Careers Top Employers global survey conducted by the U.S.-based Science magazine to determine which companies in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry have the best reputations as employers globally. Biocon has consistently featured among the Top Ten Global Biotech players for several years, which is reflective of the entrepreneurial work culture that fosters innovation and a deep sense of purpose in the workforce at Biocon. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon said: “We are delighted to have moved up the ranks in this prestigious list of Top Global Biotech Employers. Our rank at No. 6 is an outcome of our commitment to create an inspiring workplace built on a strong foundation of innovation. The quality of our talent drawn from across the globe enables us to use cutting-edge science to develop high quality biopharmaceuticals with a potential to benefit a billion lives. We have consciously created a culture that encourages ideation, experimentation and collaboration to address unmet patient needs.” Biocon was ahead of leading global pharma companies like Novozymes, Roche, Eli Lilly, Abbott, Novartis, Pfizer etc. in the 2019 rankings.  The Top 5 global players in this year’s list are Alnylam, Regeneron, Incyte, Merck KGaA and Spark therapeutics. Respondents to the web-based survey were asked to rate companies based on 23 characteristics, including ‘innovative leader in the industry,’ ‘treating employees with respect,’ ‘is socially responsible,’  ‘work culture values aligned’ and ‘leadership makes changes needed.’   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14998/csir-conducts-whole-genomic-sequencing-for-biomed-applications.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14998/csir-conducts-whole-genomic-sequencing-for-biomed-applications.html Mon, 28 Oct 2019 10:00:00 +0530 The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) in India has conducted Whole Genome Sequencing of 1,008 Indians from different populations across the country. Announcing details of the IndiGen Genome project, the Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the whole genome data will be important for building the knowhow, baseline data and indigenous capacity in the emerging area of Precision Medicine.  The outcomes of the IndiGen will have applications in a number of areas including predictive and preventive medicine with faster and efficient diagnosis of rare genetic diseases, he added. The IndiGen initiative was undertaken by CSIR in April 2019, which was implemented by the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi and CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. This has enabled benchmarking the scalability of genome sequencing and computational analysis at population scale in a defined timeline. The ability to decode the genetic blueprint of humans through whole genome sequencing will be a major driver for biomedical science. Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the benefits of this initiative include epidemiology of genetic diseases to enable cost effective genetic tests, carrier screening applications for expectant couples, enabling efficient diagnosis of heritable cancers and pharmacogenetic tests to prevent adverse drug reactions. On the occasion, Dr Harsh Vardhan unveiled the IndiGenome card and accompanying IndiGen mobile application that enables participants and clinicians to access clinically actionable information in their genomes.  He emphasized that it ensures privacy and data security, which is vital for personal genomics to be implemented at scale. Dr Harsh Vardhan elaborated that this is being pilot tested in individuals across India and has evinced interest from several Indian commercial organisations. The outcomes of the IndiGen will be utilized towards understanding the genetic diversity on a population scale, make available genetic variant frequencies for clinical applications and enable genetic epidemiology of diseases. The whole genome data and knowhow for the analysis of largescale genomic data is expected to enable evidence and aid in the development of technologies for clinical and biomedical applications in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14984/indo-us-st-cooperation-proposal-receives-nod-from-the-cabinet.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14984/indo-us-st-cooperation-proposal-receives-nod-from-the-cabinet.html Thu, 24 Oct 2019 10:55:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation between India and the United States of America. Benefits: Agreement will open a new chapter in bilateral relations as both sides will leverage complementary strengths spurred by a significant convergence of mutual interests in science and technology. The Agreement would provide an opportunity to promote ‘high quality’ and ‘high impact’ research and innovation partnerships as well as broadening and expanding relationships between the extensive scientific and technological communities.  Salient features: The cooperation would be made in the various forms which include the following: Exchanges of scientific & technical information and experts. Convening of seminars and meetings. Training of scientists and technical experts. Conduct of cooperative research projects. Establishment of science & innovation-based public-private partnerships. Use of advance research facilities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14921/c-camp-collaborates-with-dutch-amr-consortium.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14921/c-camp-collaborates-with-dutch-amr-consortium.html Wed, 16 Oct 2019 16:35:00 +0530 A letter of intent for a new collaboration has been signed between Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) and the largest AMR public private partnership organization in the Netherlands, AMR Global, with an aim to work together towards building and nurturing innovations that address the global AMR threat. This LoI was signed at the ‘One Health’ AMR session of the ongoing Indo Dutch Technology Summit in New Delhi in presence of Bruno Bruins, Dutch Minister for Medical Care and Sigrid Kaag, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. C-CAMP, an initiative of Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, with a mandate to be an enabler of cutting-edge life science research and innovation is a globally established innovation hub for Antimicrobial Resistance solutions. It has fostered several solutions with immense potential to tackle AMR the world over while also retaining their efficacy in an Indian setting.  AMR-Global is a collaboration of public and private parties from across the Netherlands and currently spreading its wings beyond. The LoI will pave the way for deeper innovation ties between Dutch and Indian ecosystems to ensure a constant pipeline of AMR innovations, in diagnostics, prevention, drug discovery and vaccines that are globally effective and accessible. Finally, the LoI would be the first step towards facilitating adoption of ‘One Health’ in both geographies. Compared to other countries in the European Union, antimicrobial resistance rates are particularly low in the Netherlands, primarily because of early adoption of the ‘One Health’ approach, which aims to combat AMR holistically in the healthcare system, in animals, in food and in the environment through coordinated action. India, on the other hand is sitting on an epicenter of a possible AMR tsunami as Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, C-CAMP CEO and Director puts it. This is largely due to lack of antibiotic stewardship, indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animals and food and untreated effluent, waste and landfill. Also owing to the very nature of the AMR problem, no two countries or even regions in the world face the exact same AMR challenge. A ‘One Health’ approach could be the unifying factor in combating this menace. This LoI between C-CAMP and AMR Global recognizes the importance and vision of this game changing perspective and formalizes a joint effort towards realizing it. Welcoming the signing of this LoI, Minister for Medical Care, Government of the Netherlands, Bruno Bruins,“AMR is growing at such an alarming rate that we need to ensure the subject stays a top priority for governments. I am excited about the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed today between the Bangalore-based CCAMP and the Dutch public-private partnership AMR-Global, which will kick start India/Dutch collaboration in this field.  Sustainable production of antibiotics and use of these life-saving drugs need to be prioritized as part of the ‘One Health’ approach and this new collaboration between CCAMP and AMR-Global will help move this forward.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14846/evi-hilleman-labs-to-assess-new-shigella-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14846/evi-hilleman-labs-to-assess-new-shigella-vaccine.html Mon, 07 Oct 2019 16:40:00 +0530 The European Vaccine Initiative (EVI) and Hilleman Laboratories has announced that a multidisciplinary, international consortium coordinated by EVI has now received support from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) to advance a safe, efficacious and affordable Shigella vaccine being developed by Hilleman Laboratories. The project will be funded by EDCTP through a grant of €8.6 million. Elaborating about the project, Dr. Stefan Jungbluth, Head of Business Development at EVI said, “Through this project we aim to further develop a novel oral vaccine against Shigella that we expect will cover the commonly isolated pathogenic strains of this bacteria. This vaccine, pioneered by our partner, Hilleman Laboratories from India, has been optimised for use in low resource settings. It has a cost-of-goods advantage and is easy to manufacture and deliver.” Dr. Davinder Gill, CEO, Hilleman Laboratories said, “Hilleman Labs has developed a low-cost, easy-to-administer Shigella vaccine in collaboration with National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Disease (NICED) Kolkata and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Institute, New Delhi, India.  Considering the huge disease burden carried by Shigella, and given that there is no licensed vaccine currently available to address the disease, we are pleased to partner with EVI to further advance our vaccine with funding support from EDCTP and technical support of our consortium members. ShigOraVax will be the first-ever Indian vaccine developed to benefit people living in low and middle-income settings. We look forward to testing safety and immunogenicity of our vaccine and to establish clinical proof-of-concept in endemic setting.” Shigellosis is an acute enteric infection caused by consumption of food and water contaminated with bacteria from the genus Shigella. It is one of the leading causes of diarrhoea resulting in 165 million cases each year, and more than 212,000 deaths in all age groups†. It is reported as the second most common cause of diarrhoeal deaths in children under five years of age, after rotavirus.  More than 50% of the Shigella burden lies in Africa.  Despite its importance as a cause of major disease burden, there is still no vaccine available for use against Shigella. Vaccination has proven to be a key effective measure of preventing morbidity and mortality from childhood diarrhoeal diseases, as has clearly been shown by vaccines against the rotavirus, the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in children. The introduction of rotavirus vaccines has been demonstrated to be highly effective for reducing the morbidity and mortality caused by rotavirus infections in countries that have made such vaccines part of their universal vaccination programmes. Other partners in the project are Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands, the Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé, Burkina Faso, the Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Zambia, and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Together, through this project, the partners intend to develop the new Shigella vaccine candidate up to mid clinical stage. Specific objectives of the project include the preparation and conduct of a Phase Ia/Ib clinical trial in European and African adults, followed by an age de-escalating Phase II trial in Burkina Faso, and a multi-centre phase IIb clinical trial in Burkina Faso and Zambia. Moreover, specific epidemiologic data will be generated on the incidence of Shigella disease in the two African countries among children under five. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14815/ngbt-conference-2019-covers-advances-in-genomics-technologies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14815/ngbt-conference-2019-covers-advances-in-genomics-technologies.html Thu, 03 Oct 2019 10:50:00 +0530 SciGenom Research Foundation (SGRF), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting Science in India through research and education, organized the 9th annual ‘NextGen Genomics, Biology, Bioinformatics and Technologies (NGBT) Conference’ in Mumbai from September 30th to October 2nd. The three-day conference showcased speakers from multiple areas of biology and biology-enabling technologies, both from India and abroad.  This broad meeting covered advances in genomics technologies for basic and translational science and includes talks focused on wide areas of biology including human genetics, drug discovery, clinical medicine, biomarkers, diagnostics, animal, plant, agricultural and conservation Sciences. “Over the past nine years NGBT has evolved to create a forum for researchers, students, clinicians, plant and animal scientists, and technology/biology companies from India and across the globe to meet, share and gain knowledge on advances in science and technologies.   The science of genomics is revolutionizing healthcare, drug discovery, plant and animal sciences.   Our conference is intended to bring these cutting-edge advances accessible to scientist and aspiring students in India.  The ultimate goal of Science is to help the well-being of all in society and our hope is for our conference to be a catalyst towards this goal” said Dr. Sekar Seshagiri, NGBT Conference Chair and President, SGRF. The conference is an annual platform that focuses on aiding and encouraging scientific research in India and South Asia and is attended by many industry leaders from across the world. “We recently treated a lung cancer patient with the right drug based on her tumor mutation that resolved her lung cancer and improved her quality of life.  Genomics enabled precision medicine is changing cancer treatment by matching patients with the right drugs” said Dr Kumar Prabhash, Prof., Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai “I am pleased that the NGBT initiative has enabled scholars, thinkers and thought leaders from around the world to meet and exchange ideas. Scientific developments in the genomics space is going to radically change many areas including agricultural sciences. It will positively impact our farmers and their well-being” said Dr. K. K. Narayanan, Founder and former CEO of Metahelix, India. The conference featured scientific leaders from ACTREC, Tata Memorial Hospital, TIFR, IISER, IISc, NIBMG, NCBS, IIT, AIIMS, TNAU, KAU, SRMC, CCMB,  BGI, Johns Hopkins University, UCSF, Uni, of Frankfurt, the institute of Cancer Research UK, Uni of Toronto, Uni of Montreal, Goethe University, CMC-Vellore, Institute of Cancer Research: Royal Cancer Hospital, Tata Rallis, Genentech, 10x Genomics, Nanostring, PacBio, Oxford Nanopoere, MedGenome, AgriGenome, Nature, QIMR Berghofer, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and other leading organizations from across the world. SGRF also announced over 100 “meeting scholarships” to support student participation at the NGBT meeting.  The highly competitive meeting scholarships were awarded based on abstracts submitted for the NGBT conference presentation. “We are grateful for the support from prestigious journals such as Nature, Cell and Science, for their support for student poster prizes” said Dr Krishna Rajalingam, Professor, Univ of Frankfurt and co-chair of the NGBT meeting. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14782/global-bio-india-summit-2019-gears-up-to-showcase-the-latest-in-biotech.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14782/global-bio-india-summit-2019-gears-up-to-showcase-the-latest-in-biotech.html Fri, 27 Sep 2019 16:25:00 +0530 Biotechnology sector is recognized as the key driver for contributing to India's USD 5 Trillion economy target by 2024. As India progresses on this transformational journey, Global Bio-India 2019, the largest Bio event, would showcase opportunities in Indian Biotechnology sector to the world. Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and it's Public Sector Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) are organizing Global Bio-India Summit 2019 from 21-23 Nov in New Delhi, a mega international congregation of biotechnology stakeholders, including international bodies, regulatory bodies, Central and State Ministries, SMEs, large industries, bioclusters, research institutes, investors, and the startup ecosystem. Global Bio India 2019 is going to deliberate on the opportunities and key challenges in the areas of bio-manufacturing, clinical trials & drug discovery, capacity-building, creating global supply chains for achieving a growth-oriented road-map for biotechnology sector in the country. Investors meeting, exhibition, webinars, hackathons, B2B meetings are few salient components of the event. Global Bio-India 2019 would showcase key biotechnological innovations, products, services, technologies from national and international companies, start-ups and research institutes, identify funding and collaboration opportunities for research and development, explore licensing options for existing products, attracting major contract projects from international companies as well as major global venture funding into India and facilitate interactions of research institutions with the industry. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14749/biocon-biologics-expands-rd-footprint.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14749/biocon-biologics-expands-rd-footprint.html Tue, 24 Sep 2019 10:30:00 +0530 Asia’s premier biopharmaceuticals company, has announced that its subsidiary, Biocon Biologics, has acquired R&D capital assets for a 60,000 sq. ft  state-of-the-art ‘bench to pilot scale’ Biologics research facility at TICEL Bio Park in Chennai, India.   Biocon Biologics has acquired these assets from Pfizer Healthcare India Ltd. Dr Christiane Hamacher, CEO, Biocon Biologics, said: “The high-end integrated R&D facility in Chennai will enable Biocon Biologics to expand its R&D capability and accelerate its journey towards meeting its strategic long-term goal of addressing the needs of millions of patients worldwide. This investment will allow us to fast-forward development of our biosimilars from lab to pilot scale. R&D is at the core of what we do and I believe this facility will enable us to pursue breakthrough innovation in pursuit of providing affordable access to high quality biosimilars and inclusive healthcare solutions aimed at transforming patient lives globally.” The facility will house an early stage research and innovation center including a pilot scale R&D Unit, well-equipped with cell line development, drug substance process development from bench scale to 400 litre scale bioreactors, drug product formulation laboratories and analytical R&D laboratories. The facility is expected to be operational in a few months post qualification and will house over 250 scientists who will have access to state of the art R&D labs equipped with over 500 high- end process and analytical instrumentation. The new facility provides Biocon Biologics a significant time advantage in comparison to setting up a greenfield R&D project and will accelerate the global development of our biosimilars portfolio. Currently, Biocon Biologics has a 200,000 sq. ft state of the art Research & Development Centre at Biocon Park, Bengaluru, India. The Company has a product pipeline of 28 molecules, including 11 with Mylan, few with Sandoz and rest on its own. The financial details of the deal are confidential. TICEL Bio Park at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, is a hub for the biotech R&D industry in major domains such as medical biotechnology, nutraceuticals, agricultural biotechnology and bioinformatics and provides world class infrastructure support. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14741/usfda-completes-pai-of-biocon-facilities-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14741/usfda-completes-pai-of-biocon-facilities-in-bengaluru.html Mon, 23 Sep 2019 13:00:00 +0530 Biocon Biologics has received a total of eight observations from the US health regulator for its two new biologics manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru. The United States Food and Drug Administration(USFDA) conducted a pre-approval inspection (PAI) at two of the company's new biologics manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru from Sep 10 to Sep 19, 2019, the company said. The inspection included a new Drug Substance (DS) and a Drug Product (DP) unit. “At the conclusion of the inspection we received a Form 483 with four observations for the new DS facility, three observations for the new DP facility and one general observation,” Biocon spokesperson said in a statement. “We are confident of addressing these observations effectively through a Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) plan, expeditiously. The Pre-Approval Inspection of our new facilities does not have any impact on our current commercialization plans from our existing facilities." the statement said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14732/bengaluru-to-host-3-day-bts-event-from-november-18-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14732/bengaluru-to-host-3-day-bts-event-from-november-18-.html Mon, 23 Sep 2019 10:00:00 +0530 “Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS), an initiative of the government of Karnataka which has become a global catalyst for technology and innovation is scheduled to be held from November 18-20, 2019 with the theme “Innovation and Impact 2.0”. The 22nd edition of BTS will have a special focus on start-ups and innovation and is expected to draw stakeholders from across the globe who will participate in technology sessions, deliberations and knowledge exchange,” said Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka. Speaking to media Dr. Ashwath Narayan, said “The Government of Karnataka has a strong focus on Biotechnology. As part of our efforts to further enhance the development of the biotech industry in the state, we are organising India Bio 2019, as part of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2019. India Bio will showcase new innovations and technologies and act as the perfect platform for deliberations and knowledge exchange in the biotechnology space. Our aim is to propel the State as a biotechnology hub and contribute majorly to the $100 billion bio-economy target by 2025.” Karnataka is globally recognised as the IT and Bio capital of the country with Bengaluru being branded as the most dynamic city in the world. With the boundless support showered upon by the Government of Karnataka, the state and the city offer the most conducive ecosystem for startups to ideate, innovate and invent for a smarter future. With research, ideations and innovations, the city of Bengaluru and the state of Karnataka have taken leaps ahead on the ladder of technology bringing the spotlight time and again back to India. This year, the city is getting ready to further shrink borders and bring bigger and better technologies to the Indian soil with the 22nd edition of it's flagship event - Bengaluru Tech Summit 2019. Organised by the Department of IT & BT, Government of Karnataka, the event, since its inception, has been a strategic platform for industries, technologies and academia to understand and leverage the latest technological innovations for a smarter tomorrow. In the run up to Bengaluru Tech Summit 2019, the Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka has organised roadshows across the State and will be conducting a roadshow in New Delhi on October 4, 2019.   (photo caption:  Seen in picture from L-R, Prashant Kumar Misra, Director, IT and MD, KITS; Dr. E. V. Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka addressing the media and Kris Gopalkrishnan, chairperson for Vision Group for IT.) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14719/shoolini-university-puts-focus-on-ipr-issues.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14719/shoolini-university-puts-focus-on-ipr-issues.html Fri, 20 Sep 2019 11:00:00 +0530 School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institution's Innovation council (IIC), Shoolini University, based in Himachal Pradesh, organized a one-day workshop on Intellectual Property Rights on 17 September, 2019 with the theme 'IPR and Startup challenges and opportunities with special reference to women entrepreneurship in association with Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs of India (CWEI)'. CWEI was registered in 1996 as a civil society non-profit organization in New Delhi with a mandate to work in the sub-continent. This workshop was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr) PS Kausal, Vice Chancellor, UHF, Nauni, Solan. He congratulated Shoolini University for being among the top patent filers across the country. In a motivating speech, he highlighted the urgency for creating a mass 'IPR literacy' movement in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Dr. Kausal also stressed on the need to take benefits of innovations to the society at large. He indicated that Indian Institutions have very high potential, which has hardly been under utilized. Divya Kaushik, Scientist, Punjab Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) gave an overview on IPR as well as the different forms of IPR. She stressed on the significant role of IP in an innovation-based economy, different types of IPs, as well as the government policies and schemes for start-ups. She explained the conditions for patenting, non-patentable inventions, trademarks and brand building. Ms. Kaushik also took everyone through the entire procedure of getting copyrights, as well as the copyright act including for appropriate protection and use in the industry. She further discussed the process of patenting, documentation requirements, patent filing procedure, types of patent applications, and anatomy of the patent. The scientific session was concluded with an open house panel discussion on the topic How to ignite innovations in young researcher's mind and start-up opportunities & challenges for women Entrepreneurs in India. There were about 200 participants across different disciplines, Pharmacy, Engineering, Biotechnology, food technology, Basic Sciences and Management Sciences including faculty members. The participants benefited immensely about innovation and IP. The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks from Dean, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences to members of CWEI, guests, all the participants and team organizing committee. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14666/india-joins-the-global-antimicrobial-resistance-rd-hub.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14666/india-joins-the-global-antimicrobial-resistance-rd-hub.html Fri, 13 Sep 2019 12:00:00 +0530 India has joined the Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development (R&D) Hub as a new member. This was announced by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology in New Delhi. This expands the global partnership working to address challenges and improve coordination and collaboration in global AMR R&D to 16 countries, the European Commission, two philanthropic foundations and four international organisations (as observers). Congratulating India on its induction as a new member, the acting Chair of the Global AMR R&D Hub Board of Members and Director General of the Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control at the Public Health Agency of Canada, BersabelEphrem, said, “I am very pleased to welcome India as an important addition to our global partnership. Addressing AMR requires global action with active participation from all world regions and One Health sectors. Expanding the membership of the Hub works towards ensuring that different countries needs are incorporated when considering AMR R&D activities and actions”. The Global AMR R&D Hub was launched in May 2018 in the margins of the 71st session of the World Health Assembly, following a call from G20 Leaders in 2017. The Global AMR R&D Hub supports global priority setting and evidence-based decision-making on the allocation of resources for AMR R&D through the identification of gaps, overlaps and potential for cross-sectoral collaboration and leveraging in AMR R&D. The operation of the Global AMR R&D Hub is supported through a Secretariat, established in Berlin and currently financed through grants from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG). From this year onward, India will be the member of Board of members of Global AMR R&D Hub. By partnering with the Global AMR R&D Hub, India looks forward to working with all partners to leverage their existing capabilities, resources and collectively focus on new R&D intervention to address drug resistant infections. AMR is the ability of a microbe to resist the effects of medication that once could successfully treat the microbe. Today, the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance continues unabated around the world. Given the important and interdependent human, animal, and environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, India considers it reasonable to explore issues of antimicrobial resistance through the lens of One Health approach which should be supported by long-term commitments from all stakeholders. In a major boost to combat one of the gravest risks to global health a dedicated special vehicle in terms of Global AMR R&D Hub may allow partners to devote expertise in order to accelerate global action against antimicrobial resistance. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14658/dbt-calls-for-research-proposals-in-partnership-with-europe.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14658/dbt-calls-for-research-proposals-in-partnership-with-europe.html Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:55:00 +0530 Researchers and innovators from universities, research organisations and enterprises from India can team up with European partners in the calls for proposals published by the European Commission (EC) under its Research and Innovation programme 'Horizon 2020' (2014-2020). Through participation in 'Horizon 2020', Indian partners can benefit from access to talent, knowledge, data and infrastructures, and connect to world-leading teams, networks, value chains and address jointly global challenges. To ensure funding for successful Indian applicants, DBT and the EC have concluded a Co-Funding Mechanism (CFM) by which DBT agrees, in pre-selected calls, and subject to specific conditions and modalities, to fund the successful Indian participants that have been selected in Horizon 2020 project(s). On 2 July 2019, the EC published the 'Horizon 2020' updated Work programmes for 2019- 2020, in which the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has agreed to participate in 30 call topics in the areas of its mandate.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14641/indian-bio-economy-to-reach-100b-by-2025-birac-at-wes-2019-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14641/indian-bio-economy-to-reach-100b-by-2025-birac-at-wes-2019-.html Wed, 11 Sep 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Hosted by TiE Delhi-NCR, Women Entrepreneurship Summit: New Horizons 2019 successfully facilitated major knowledge-sharing panels on new ideas, lifestyle businesses, funding dilemma. This was followed by BIRAC’s role in enabling women entrepreneurship in biotech and women in tech among other sessions. With this, TiE Delhi-NCR aimed to provide an interactive platform to women leaders from diverse genres to guide, empower and accelerate the growth trajectory of the next-gen women entrepreneurs in India. Addressing the session around biotech women entrepreneurs and BIRAC’s role in enabling them, Dr Manish Diwan, Head-Strategic Partnership & Entrepreneurship Development, BIRAC, said, “Among all of our beneficiaries, the 60+ women founders that we facilitate have shown great aptitude in converting opportunities into value. Federal agencies like BIRAC act as enablers, facilitators, and incubators for budding start-ups. Our aim is also to encourage the next batch of biotech entrepreneurs to perceive their venture not as a nice-to-have option but a sincere vision.” “The Indian bio-economy stood at USD 50 billion in 2018. Innovations in biotech along with sincere efforts of all stakeholders can unlock the limitless potential of this space, enabling it to reach USD 100 billion by 2025,” he added. On receiving the WomENABLER Award, Sairee Chahal, Founder & CEO, Sheroes, commented, “I have been part of the TiE family for a long time and it is a matter of great honour for me to be named one of the WomENABLERs for the year 2019. I envision building a space where a hundred million women and more can be part of the ecosystem. That’s how you create a USD 5 trillion economy.” Speaking at the event, Geetika Dayal, Executive Director – TiE Delhi-NCR, said, “The idea behind Women Entrepreneurship Summit is to celebrate the achievements of women highfliers in entrepreneurship while accelerating the aspirations of emerging women innovators through an interactive platform. This falls in line with the TiE Delhi-NCR’s overarching mission of providing mentorship, networking, and funding opportunities to budding entrepreneurs across the country.” To recognize the contribution of women leaders in the ecosystem, the WomENABLER Award was also conferred upon Dr Anita Gupta, Director/Scientist & Associate Head, NSTEDB, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, Indra Sood, Leadership & HR Professional, Sopaan, and Anuradha Das Mathur, Founder & Dean, Vedica Scholars Programme for Women and Managing Director, CFO Collective; Founder Director, 9.9 Group.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14647/birac-nesta-challenges-highlight-role-of-rapid-tests-in-fighting-amr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14647/birac-nesta-challenges-highlight-role-of-rapid-tests-in-fighting-amr.html Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:40:00 +0530 Antibiotics have enabled us to combat disease and save millions of lives for generations, but bacteria are evolving resistance to the majority of today’s available antibiotics. With 10 million people expected to die globally by 2050 because of drug-resistant superbugs, new rapid diagnostic tests are urgently needed to reduce misuse and overuse of antibiotics. The role of rapid tests in the fight against AMR was the focus of an expert roundtable hosted today by BIRAC and Nesta Challenges. In association with India’s National Council of Science Museums and Science Museum Group, London, the event was held to mark the opening of a landmark new exhibition 'Superbugs: The End of Antibiotics?’ at Delhi’s National Science Center. Global experts from the diagnostic industry, clinicians, professors and leading inventors of the rapid diagnostic tests took part in the session to explore how these rapid tests would fit in to clinical pathways in India.  Since the Chennai declaration in 2013, India has mounted a huge effort to address antibiotic resistance. Reflective of this, BIRAC is supporting several Indian start-ups and SMEs competing in the Longitude Prize – a global competition to accelerate the development of a rapid, accurate, point-of-care diagnostic test to safeguard the future of antibiotics. Innovators competing in the Prize presented their diagnostic tests to the seminar attendees – which included representatives from the Government of India’s Department of Biotechnology. Dr Sundeep Sarin, Advisor Scientist-G, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India speaking at the event said, “It is not acceptable that patients still have to wait for a minimum of 24 hours to identify the right antibiotic to kill an infection. This is why the Department of Biotechnology and BIRAC have been collaborating with the Longitude Prize since 2014. We are giving support to Indian inventors and test makers so that they can find solutions that will be used around the world to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR).” Professor Till Bachmann, University of Edinburgh and Longitude Prize Judge said: “The potential of diagnostics in addressing AMR has been underestimated and undervalued. The Longitude Prize is a leading driver who has changed this. Today things are moving fast with new technologies enabling creation of a range of highly innovative tests that will allow more rational use of antibiotics. The market entry and adoption of these new diagnostics need to be supported so they reach patient as soon as possible.” Dr. Sanjay Bhattacharya, Consultant Microbiologist, Tata Medical Center, Kolkata said: “Today was a unique opportunity to bring test developers together with clinicians and lab experts. This is an important exercise because test developers need to understand the questions we need to answer in hospitals and clinics.” The exhibition ‘Superbugs: The End of Antibiotics?’ looks at all aspects of reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), from better hygiene and infection control to using fewer antibiotics in livestock feed and treatment.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14570/biocity-invests-in-early-stage-precision-medicine-biotech.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14570/biocity-invests-in-early-stage-precision-medicine-biotech.html Thu, 29 Aug 2019 15:45:00 +0530 BioCity, the pioneering life science incubator and business collective, has announced investment in precision medicine biotech, Kinomica Ltd., via the Innovate UK Precision Medicine Investment Accelerator. Spun out from Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Kinomica Ltd is an early stage precision medicine biotech developing novel technologies for companion diagnostics (CDx) and therapeutic development in precision medicines.  Graduates of the BioCity Accelerator and now based at Alderley Park, Kinomica Ltd have developed a powerful suite of advanced proprietary bioinformatics and phosphoproteomic analytical methods,that allows the direct measurement of multiple endogenous kinases.  Flagship innovation, KinoScan™ will focus on the field of oncology, working in collaboration with pharma to improve the monitoring of drug efficacy and response, and for the discovery of novel biomarkers to aid patient stratification and support superior clinical trial performance. Although initially focused on oncology, KinoScan™ has potential applications in other therapeutic areas such as autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and neurological diseases.  Kinomica Ltd has already worked in collaboration with big pharma, successfully applying its kinase analysis with on-market drugs. The development of companion diagnostics and the advancement of precision medicine is a key priority for the UK government.  This is the latest investment announcement by BioCity, which is increasingly positioning itself as a leading life science investor.  To date, BioCity has made investments in twenty-nine life science ventures. BioCity specialises in seed funding via convertible loans for very early stage ventures and co-investment in growing life science ventures.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14551/dbt-signs-agreement-for-next-phase-of-india-uk-cancer-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14551/dbt-signs-agreement-for-next-phase-of-india-uk-cancer-research.html Wed, 28 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Government of India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Cancer Research UK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Cancer Research Initiative, “Affordable Approaches to Cancer”. This was signed during the Inaugural Researchers Summit that was held in New Delhi from November 14th to November 16th 2018. The summit witnessed participation of scientists, researchers, epidemiologists, clinicians, public health professionals and industry in the field of oncology representing 40 different institutions (26 Indian and 14 UK) culminating in the development to 13 research concept notes after lengthy discussions and deliberations. This was followed by a Challenge Setting Meeting that was held in London during March 19th& 20th 2019. The two day meeting was attended by Members of the Advisory Panel (cancer experts and patient representatives drawn from both India and UK) and representations from DBT and Cancer Research UK. The Advisory Panel after extensive discussions has short-listed seven challenges for the research initiative. DBT and Cancer Research UK have partnered to launch a £ 10 million, 5 year research initiative focussed on finding affordable approaches to cancer. This research initiative aims to stimulate a focussed bilateral, multidisciplinary research effort to address important challenges in affordability in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment and drive collaboration between the two countries. By bringing together the complimentary research expertise of India and the UK, the initiative will accelerate progress in research with a potential to make significant progress against cancer consequences and impact cancer outcomes. DBT and Cancer Research UK’s Bilateral Research Initiative for Affordable Approaches to Cancer will be implemented in three phases; Phase I: Identifying Core Challenges; Phase II: Establishing New Research Partnerships, and Phase III: Program Awards. The Bilateral Initiative has successfully completed phase I. DBT, Cancer Research UK and DBT Wellcome Trust India Alliance have now signed a tripartite agreement that sets out the terms and conditions by which the India Alliance will undertake grant funded activities for the second and the third phase of the India-UK Affordable Approaches to Cancer initiative. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14524/pune-biotech-cluster-opens-at-nccs-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14524/pune-biotech-cluster-opens-at-nccs-.html Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:30:00 +0530 The Pune Biotech Cluster, a joint initiative between the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune set up with funding from the Department of Biotechnology has been inaugurated at the NCCS by Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India.  The project has been formulated with the goal of seamlessly integrating the high-quality work being done at various research organizations in the field of Biology, especially those addressing human disease biology. The Pune Biotech Cluster will draw its strengths from the rich research and academic ecosystem in Pune and would strive to impart high quality access and training to high end facilities including Bioimaging Facility (NCCS and IISER Pune); Proteomics Facility (NCCS); BSL-III Facility (NCCS); Whole Animal Imaging and Tissue Processing Facility (IISER Pune); and Cryo-electron Microscopy (IISER Pune).This initiative plans to set up a pyramidal structure, comprising research institutions, universities and other academic institutions along with biotechnology industries with a goal to set up a shared platform of national resources in an integrated manner. The academic institutions and industries would have the opportunity to take full advantage of each other's expertise in developing training modalities in the area of biomedical imaging and analysis including developing whole animal imaging facilities.   The Pune Biotech Cluster would liaise with the local community including start-ups and international entities for dissemination of knowledge and to learn from each other’s experience.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14518/new-licensing-agreement-for-oral-korsuva-with-peptelligence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14518/new-licensing-agreement-for-oral-korsuva-with-peptelligence.html Fri, 23 Aug 2019 14:05:00 +0530 Enteris BioPharma, Inc., a biotechnology company developing innovative drug products built around its proprietary oral peptide delivery technologies, announced its entry into a definitive licensing agreement with Cara Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CARA) for Enteris’ Peptelligence® technology in the ongoing development of an oral formulation of Cara’s first-in-class KOR agonist, CR845/difelikefalin (KORSUVA™). Peptelligence® is Enteris’ proprietary platform for the oral delivery of peptides and BCS class II, III and IV small molecules. The oral tablet formulation of KORSUVA™ (Oral KORSUVA™) was engineered using Peptelligence®. Oral KORSUVA™ is currently the subject of three separate Phase 2 clinical trials for pruritus in patients with hepatic impairment due to primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), stage III-V chronic kidney disease (CKD), and atopic dermatitis (AD). The agreement announced today will allow Cara to continue its Oral KORSUVA™ programs into Phase 3 and beyond. Under the terms of the deal, Enteris granted to Cara Therapeutics a non-exclusive, royalty-bearing license to the Peptelligence® technology to develop, manufacture and commercialize Oral KORSUVA™ worldwide, excluding Japan and South Korea. In exchange, Enteris will receive an upfront payment equal to $8 million, with 50% payable in cash and 50% payable in shares of Cara’s common stock. Cara is also obligated to pay Enteris milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones and low-single digit royalties based on net sales in the licensed territory. Cara retains the right to buy-out the royalty obligation for a period of two years under prespecified conditions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14476/icmr-launches-adjunct-faculty-scheme-to-promote-bio-medical-research-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14476/icmr-launches-adjunct-faculty-scheme-to-promote-bio-medical-research-.html Tue, 20 Aug 2019 10:25:00 +0530 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, is launching adjunct faculty scheme to develop and promote strong collaboration among medical, academic and scientific institutions. ICMR as part of the scheme will fund biomedical research both through intramural as well as extramural mode. The scientists both at the ICMR headquarters and its nationwide network of 26 institutes will be coordinating and carrying out these research activities. During their career the scientists have excelled in the area of their expertise and are updated by interacting with scientists from other organisations both national and intemational. ICMR circular mentioned that, “In order to apprise our scientists about the activities and the latest practises being undertaken at academic institutions it is desirable that the faculty from medical/academic institutions like medical colleges, universities and other institutions are given opporlunity to spend some time at ICMR Hqrs and Institutes to get acquainted with the research being carried out and will also provide them insight into our research efforts being carried out and the trends.” At the same time ICMR scientists will be exposed to academic knowledge by regular interactions with faculty from these academic institutions. This will create a knowledge source both for the coming faculty as well as our own scientists which will result in joint proposals for research. This will be very useful pathway for research flowing to academic institutions and the academic needs resulting in research initiatives. Additionally, the Scheme would also enable NRI/PIO and foreign nationals with strong Indian collaboration from overseas scientific community to participate and contribute to biomedical research in India. The Adjunct Faculty will undertake research in the field of biomedical research and ICMR priority areas of the nation where capacity building needs to be strengthened. It is proposed that the Adjunct Faculties under this scheme i.e. ICMR scientists/ scientists of leading specialists from non ICMR organisations in India as well as the faculty from academic institutions in India and abroad as described above may be allowed to spend up to three months at a time in a calendar year and extendable for another one/two terms as the case may be. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14362/exelixis-aurigene-to-discover-and-develop-novel-therapies-for-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14362/exelixis-aurigene-to-discover-and-develop-novel-therapies-for-cancer.html Fri, 02 Aug 2019 12:05:00 +0530 Exelixis has entered into an exclusive collaboration, option and license agreement with Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited (Aurigene), the India-based discovery biotechnology company focused on oncology and inflammatory disorders. The agreement gives Exelixis the opportunity to in-license as many as six programs from Aurigene, which has developed a focused approach to drug discovery that targets differentiated first-in-class and best-in-class opportunities with unique mechanisms of action. The deal is part of Exelixis’ ongoing strategy to build an innovative pipeline behind the company’s internally discovered, commercially available therapies, including its flagship product, CABOMETYX®(cabozantinib). Under the terms of the agreement, Exelixis will make an upfront payment of $10 million for exclusive options to license three preexisting programs from Aurigene. In addition, Exelixisand Aurigene will initiate three Aurigene-led drug discovery programs on mutually agreed upon targets, in exchange for additional option payments of $2.5 million per program. Exelixiswill also contribute research funding to Aurigene to facilitate discovery and preclinical development work on all six programs. As the programs mature, Exelixis will have the opportunity to exercise an exclusive option for each program up until the time of Investigational New Drug (IND) acceptance. If Exelixis decides to exercise an option, it will make an option exercise payment to Aurigene and assume responsibility for that program’s future clinical development and commercialization including global manufacturing.  Aurigene will be eligible for clinical development, regulatory, and sales milestones, as well as royalties on sales. Under the terms of the agreement, Aurigene retains limited development and commercial rights for India and Russia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14234/ccmb-unveils-new-next-gen-sequencing-facility.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14234/ccmb-unveils-new-next-gen-sequencing-facility.html Mon, 22 Jul 2019 11:05:00 +0530 Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Harsh Vardhan recently inaugurated the Next Generation Sequencing (NSG) facility at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad. The facility includes technology for high genome sequencing and also diagnostic sequencing of clinical samples. The state of art machine, acquired at a cost of Rs. 8 crore can sequence 18,000 samples in 8 minutes. The NSG would help prenatal genetic screening and counselling, thereby generating large scale genomic data critical for diagnosis and therapy.  Dr Harsh Vardhan also laid the foundation stone for a new Skilling, Training and Lecture hall complex at CCMB.  The Minister later laid the foundation stone for the ‘ scale up facility for agrochemicals ‘ proposed to be constructed as part of Agro mission project under CSIR. The project aims to develop processes that are cost effective and free from pollution related issues . The Agro mission is focused in promoting the interests of the farmers to develop sustainable agricultural practices. Later, addressing the staff and students of CSIR- CCMB, IICT and NGRI, Dr Harsh Vardhan, said that the NSG facility would help in finding drugs for rare genetic diseases, which the drug industry does not manufacture due to high costs involved. He said there is a need to develop Scientific Social Responsibility and ensure that research is transferred to industry, and help the public at large.  Addressing a press conference later, the minister said that the National Medical Commission Bill approved recently, by the Union Cabinet would soon be introduced in the Parliament. He said the Prime Minister is keen to achieve New India by 2022, and giving importance to the health of the citizens, as seen in the budgetary allocation to the Health Ministry, which has increased by 150%. The Minister said that the Ayushmann Bharat scheme has so far benefited 10.7 crore people, and 16,000 hospitals have been empaneled under this scheme. He also said that efforts are still on to convince the states of Telangana, West Bengal, Odisha and Delhi to join the scheme. He said the government is committed to eradicate TB by 2025. Intensified Indradhanush will be implemented to vaccinate all children, he said.  He further stated that prevention is the key in many diseases and a social movement on Eating Right should be  taken forward to educate our people, stressing the importance of inculcating right food habits. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14164/proteon-pharma-pioneers-a-revolutionary-approach-to-support-healthy-growth-of-chicken-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14164/proteon-pharma-pioneers-a-revolutionary-approach-to-support-healthy-growth-of-chicken-.html Thu, 11 Jul 2019 11:00:00 +0530 Rising demand for meat and eggs and a resultant turn towards intensive poultry production has in recent decades given rise to a number of health and environmental concerns that pose a challenge to the poultry industry. Bacterial disease causes huge economic losses while resulting in environmental waste and threat to human health. The solution lies in innovation to promote safe and sustainable animal farming. It is estimated that Campylobacter and Salmonella infections that are rampant in poultry together account for 9 in 10 reported cases of bacteria-related food poisonings globally. On the other hand, excessive use of veterinary drugs, feed additives and anti-microbials that are currently used to treat animals and prevent diseases can have major long term implications on human health and the environment. As one of the largest producers of poultry and eggs, India has also faced concerns over safety of its chicken stock and eggs. #IndiaForHealthyChicken is a powerful initiative that promotes the need for cultivating healthy birds for the larger good of human beings and the environment.  To address the challenges emanating from current farming practices, Proteon Pharmaceuticals, a Poland-based innovative biotechnology company has pioneered a revolutionary new approach to support healthy growth of chicken and other livestock. The new approach provides a sustainable tool for bacterial disease prevention. It also supports healthier poultry birds with improved performance. Professor Jarosław Dastych, the Founder CEO of Proteon Pharmaceuticals, is a leading scientist, an author of over 40 international publications and a co-author of 4 biotechnology-related patents. His research interests range from immunology, toxicology and molecular biology to the development of novel diagnostic tools and bacteriophage-based or related treatment of disease. Prof Dastych was in Mumbai today to discuss his revolutionary approach to breeding healthy poultry birds and the widespread benefits it will have on human and environmental health. The revolutionary new approach to bacterial control uses naturally occurring microorganisms ‘bacteriophages’ to eliminate pathogenic bacteria without causing any harm to the microbiome or gut flora of the birds. By promoting health growth of birds, this significantly reduces the need for use of antibiotics. “Bacteriophages a.k.a phages are microorganisms that are a natural element of our environment. Phages are everywhere, i.e. on human hands, skin, in the animal gut and in the soil. They are the oldest and most numerous organisms on Earth – and have been protecting humans and animals from bacteria for the last 3.5 billion years. Because lytic phages eliminate only their selected bacteria (they are unable to interact with animal or human cells), they are completely safe to birds or humans and they eliminate the bacteria without any damage to the microbiome, whose diversity is crucial for efficient feed conversion and immunity,” explained Professor Jarosław Dastych. Proteon’s innovation has been possible thanks to the development of an advanced phage-technology platform. The platform uses precision biology, genomics, bioinformatics and molecular biology to identify, test and select appropriate bacteriophages. Using Artificial intelligence, the technology then selects phages that can be developed for industrial production which are then delivered to the industrial farming environment in the form of feed additives. “The word bacteriophage actually means ‘bacteria eater’. These phages destroy their host cells through a natural process without interacting with human or animal cells. Neither do they contaminate the soil or the waters, nor do they leave residue in the meat. This makes them environmentally sustainable and healthy as well. Because they do not damage the microbiome, they help support growing naturally more healthy animals, which require fewer artificial and/or damaging solutions to prevent bacterial contamination,” adds Dr Bhushan Bhavsar, Managing Director - Vetphage Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. Vetphage Pharmaceuticals is a subsidiary Company of Proteon Pharmaceuticals SA. Vetphage handles all operations for the APAC region. As its MD, Dr Bhavsar is leading the movement #IndiaForHealthyChicken from the front. The products containing a cocktail of bacteriophage are 100% natural and biodegradable. They are used as feed additives for poultry and aquaculture, while the company is developing further solutions for pig and cattle farming. They help to reduce pathogenic bacteria without side effects, without leaving any residue and without creating antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. India is the third-largest egg producer in the world after China and the USA and the fourth-largest chicken producer in the world after China, Brazil and the USA. In India, the per capita consumption of eggs has gone up from 30 eggs per annum to 68 eggs per annum, and that of chicken from 400 gms per annum, to 2.5 kg per annum between 2012 and 2017. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/14149/can-stem-cells-be-used-to-treat-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/14149/can-stem-cells-be-used-to-treat-diabetes.html Tue, 09 Jul 2019 15:15:00 +0530 Diabetes is one of the most devastating diseases with Type 1 and Type 2 being the major forms. The root cause of Type 1 diabetes is considered to be the obliteration of cells of islet Langerhans. Stem Cell Treatment for Diabetes Stem Cells have opened up multitude research possibilities in Diabetes treatment. One such case is where the researchers extracted cells from human digestive tract and enabled the cells to produce insulin. Thus stem cells have been found to be effective in both treatments for diabetes type 1 and treatment for diabetes type 2. There are many sources from which stem cells can be extracted for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. These include: Teeth Bone Marrow Umbilical Cord Blood Cells The Placenta Embryos In recent years, stem cells research has turned into a critical piece for the understanding and possibly the solution for type 1 diabetes. Research has shown that stem cells can be developed in the lab. In 2004, the University of Pittsburgh developed insulin delivering beta cells by presenting two genes ‘cdk’ and ‘cyclin d’ via a virus. The analysts could deactivate the virus and furthermore keep stem cells from growing further. The research could prompt a superior accessibility of beta cells for future research purposes. With Type 2 Diabetes the body becomes insensitive and less able to deliver insulin, which transports glucose from the circulatory system into body tissues. Rather the sugar volume in the blood develops. The pancreas may build insulin generation however it doesn’t correct the issue. The stem cells treatment involves extraction of stem cells from the patient’s own bone marrow, adipose tissue or both. The specified amount of sample once extracted is processed in the laboratory and injected back into the body through various means of implantation such as intra – venous injection and intra – arterial injections. The results of stem cell therapy in diabetes are humongous. The patients experience fall in blood sugar level and blood glucose levels becoming more stable, lower post fasting blood glucose and elimination of hypoglycemia with further decrease in leg pain and hypertension. The symptoms of erectile dysfunction are also cured by this. Reasons why stem cells are beneficial for treatment of diabetes? Adult stem cells, undifferentiated and versatile, can change into the cells of countless organs and structures inside the human body. Numerous treatments utilize stem cells as they can reestablish harmed structures and restore falling flat cells adequately. These cells, isolated from Bone marrow and Adipose tissue, when implanted back into the body, multiply spontaneously to restore damaged tissues. They set up a microenvironment for secretion of growth factors cytokines which boost the cell growth. Stem Cell Therapy is better than conventional treatment as the long term use of steroids is dangerous for the newly generated diseases. If diabetes is left untreated, it can lead to diabetic foot, damage of kidney and other physical ailments. Stem cell science has seen significant headways over the most recent couple of years with numerous new advancements and disclosures being made. Stem cell treatment for diabetes can open new possibilities in the medical industry in near future. Authored by Mr. VipulJain (CEO,Advancells) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14133/thsti-with-uio-iavi-to-develop-hiv-preventive-products.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/14133/thsti-with-uio-iavi-to-develop-hiv-preventive-products.html Tue, 09 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Faridabad based Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), University of Oslo (UiO) and International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) have announced an award from the Research Council of Norway through the GLOBVAC (Global Health Vaccination and Research) program for the development of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) as HIV prevention products. Teams on three continents will work to engineer and optimize antibodies to extend their half-life, an improvement designed to increase the duration of antibody activity and potentially lead to longer intervals between protective doses. The consortium led by UiO received a research grant of 19.09M Norwegian kroner (about U.S. $2.2M) for a period of three years. The antibodies being developed in this project come from IAVI’s groundbreaking Protocol G, a cross-sectional study of about 2,000 HIV-infected participants from all over the world. Antibodies that can broadly neutralize many strains of HIV in laboratory tests have been identified in Protocol G donors from Africa. Scientists at IAVI’s Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC) at Scripps Research have engineered some of these antibodies for increased potency, and several antibodies are being investigated in clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDs. In this project, researchers at UiO will extend the half-life of antibodies already enhanced by NAC researchers. HIV antibodies typically offer protection for about two to four weeks, but with half-life modifications, duration can be prolonged for up to six months. NAC researchers will transfer antibody technology and provide scientific support to THSTI in Faridabad, India. At THSTI, scientists will also isolate and characterize new bNAbs from samples from Indian participants in Protocol G. Lead antibodies will then be engineered for extended half-life by UiO before being transferred back to THSTI for evaluation in non-human primate models. If animal tests of the bNAbs for safety and efficacy are promising, the antibodies may be evaluated in clinical trials in humans.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13967/biovet-to-expand-fmd-vaccines-manufacturing-facility-with-rs-200cr-investment-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13967/biovet-to-expand-fmd-vaccines-manufacturing-facility-with-rs-200cr-investment-.html Fri, 21 Jun 2019 10:55:00 +0530 Biovet, an animal health vaccine producing company, has embarked on a major expansion plan to create world’s largest FMD vaccine facilities in Malur, Karnataka. The company is investing Rs 200 crore for expanding the current vaccine manufacturing facilities for foot & mouth disease (FMD). Revealing the details Dr. Krishna Ella, Founder, Promoter of Biovet said: “Expansion of our FMD vaccine facilities to deliver 200 million doses is an important step to increase our contribution to meet the shortage of this vaccine in the country.  We are also excited to announce construction of a new State-of-Art Brucella Vaccine Production facility at the Malur site is underway to produce 100 million doses of Brucella vaccine per year.” The new investment at its existing site in Malur, Karnataka will not only increase the current vaccine manufacturing capacity from 200 to 500 million doses, it will also make Biovet as the largest FMD manufacturer in the world. According to estimates, India’s Foot and Mouth Disease control program requires 1000 million doses each year, whereas the current production capacity manufactured in the country is around 500 million doses.  There is an unmet need for 500 million doses, and Biovet aims to fulfill this gap through the planned expansion. Dr. Panduranga Rao, Vice President of Biovet said, "Our independent production lines for 3 separate serotype FMD viruses on completion will be the first of its kind in the world. Further, the new facility for Brucella Vaccines will place Biovet, as the world’s largest manufacturer of this vaccine”. Behind these achievements, Biovet is also facing a number of challenges especially in the area of costing. For the manufacturing of these vaccines, the adjuvant is imported from France while the serum is taken from New Zealand. At the end, each dose of the FMD vaccine is priced at Rs 9. "Our main objective is to give an affordable vaccine to the farmers. Since most of the components for our vaccines are imported, we do face costing challenges. We are trying to resolve these by upgrading our R&D units so that we are able to manufacture the components locally", said Dr Rao. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13894/biocon-biologics-facilities-in-bengaluru-receive-eu-gmp-certification.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13894/biocon-biologics-facilities-in-bengaluru-receive-eu-gmp-certification.html Fri, 14 Jun 2019 14:45:00 +0530 Biocon has received the Certificate of GMP compliance from EMA for its Biologics Drug Product (DP) as well as Drug Substance (DS) facilities at Biocon Park, Bengaluru. These facilities, used for the manufacture of Biocon’s portfolio of biosimilars, were inspected by the European agency in March 2019. This  was  a surveillance inspection of the company's existing  DP and DS facilities and a pre-approval inspection of the additional DP manufacturing line.  This certification will enable Biocon to continue addressing the growing needs of patients in the EU markets and enhance access to its high quality biosimilars.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13823/karnataka-showcases-biotech-innovations-at-bio-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13823/karnataka-showcases-biotech-innovations-at-bio-2019.html Thu, 06 Jun 2019 13:15:00 +0530 Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), Government of Karnataka, is leading a delegation to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to participate in BIO 2019, one of the largest biotechnology expos in the world. The delegation includes six Bio-startups under Capacity Building through Exposure visits and Workshops (under Karnataka Startup Policy). “The BIO International Convention which is held in USA during June every year, has been an important platform for the Department of IT, BT and S&T to showcase Karnataka’s biotechnology ecosystem to learn more about the perspectives of high-level government officials, key thought leaders and experts from around the world on the new opportunities and challenges facing the global biotech industry. “Since 2013, the Department of IT, BT and ST, Government of Karnataka, through its Biotechnology Facilitation Cell (BFC) at KITS, has continuously participated in this event along with members of Vision Group for BT, biotech companies, and researchers from top R&D institutes in the State and the country.” said Dr. S Balasubramanya, Sr. Consultant (Biotech), Karnataka Innovation & Technology Society, Dept. of IT, BT & S&T, Govt. of Karnataka who is representing KITS at BIO 2019. The six bio-startups that are being partially financed by KITS for participation in BIO 2019 include Sensivision, Health Technologies, Mocxa Health,Retisense, Atrimed Biotech, Viable Near Infra Red (VNIR) Biotechnologies and  Denovo Biolabs. “The event will witness the participation of around 16,000 delegates from over 74 countries and 48 states. On the agenda over three days are sessions on business partnering, education, networking, and an exhibition showcasing the promising advancements that the biotech sector is delivering. While it is an excellent platform for bio-startups to seek funding opportunities and potential buyers, it is also the perfect platform for likeminded interactions and exchange of ideas” said Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre. "We already have our prototype robotic, portable, smartphone-based video-EEG device ready for pilots. We would like to showcase it at the convention to explore licensing and partnership opportunities with medical device companies attending BIO 2019" - Ankita Kumar, Co-founder, Mocxa Health Pvt. Ltd. "Sensivision is focused on Asphyxia Management among new borns. Hence for our current and future pipeline of products, BIO International Convention would be a great place to collect new ideas and possibilities to build on" - Jayadeep, Founder - CEO, Sensivision Health Technologies Pvt Ltd. "We build medical sensing devices for use in physiotherapy, rehabilitation and diabetic foot treatment, with primary focus being to provide home-based diagnostics solutions. We are looking to demonstrate our solution in this conference as well as discuss opportunities for clinical studies using our products, so that we can achieve research backing for our product, and eventually get our product FDA certified" - Anshuman Singh, Director, Retisense Tech India Pvt Ltd. Sensivision Health Technologies is a medical device company focused on critical care segment of Neonates. Established in 2015, Sensivision designs and develops medical devices that uniquely address some of the challenging Neonatal conditions. Mocxa Health is an innovation-driven startup developing solutions for the diagnosis of seizures, epilepsy, sleep disorders and movement disorders. The startups uses programmable cameras, video & image processing, computer vision and robotics to create superior diagnostic products. Retisense aims to become the de-facto leader in Biomechanics platform for Sports and Healthcare by developing breakthrough sensing and analytics for all aspects of human movement. Retinsense’s Stridalyzer solution suite provide full-loop solutions to patients and healthcare professionals to diagnose, analyze, intervene and track recovery, through the use of patent-pending technologies and intuitive visualizations and reports, connect via the back-end patient management system. Atrimed Biotech is a two and a half year old start-up, working on novel small molecule therapeutics, currently focused on chronic inflammation driven skin diseases, pain management and cancer. Viable Near Infra Red (VNIR) Biotechnologies is a deep science startup leveraging its core strengths in “molecular probe technologies” to develop new paradigms in disease diagnostics. VNIR has several advanced molecular probes which are useful for early and reliable diagnostics of Alzheimer’s at antibody quality. Other diagnostic probes range from potential applications in point-of-care devices in diagnostics of malaria to prognostic markers like of reactive oxygen. Denovo Biolabs is specialized in product development through R&D and innovation for laboratory diagnostics and medical research. It is into development of quality Immunological tools to serve unmet demands of the industry. It also develops biopharmaceutical technologies to deal with Global healthcare needs in terms of accessibility and affordability of drugs. Denovo Biolabs provides wide range of customized services. Other established companies from Karnataka that are participating independently in BIO 2019 include Anthem Biosciences, Aurigene Discovery Technologies, Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, Eurofins Advinus, Richcore Lifesciences, Stelis Biopharma, and Syngene International.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13737/ccamp-inks-pact-with-roslin-innovation-centre-university-of-edinburgh-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13737/ccamp-inks-pact-with-roslin-innovation-centre-university-of-edinburgh-.html Wed, 29 May 2019 11:15:00 +0530 The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bengaluru, India’s premier bio-incubator and innovation hub, has signed a Letter of Intent with the Roslin Innovation Centre, at the University of Edinburgh, under the Indo UK Sister Innovation Hub agreement. The aim of the LOI is to foster and promote the best deep science innovations that impact both science and society in India and UK. The LOI was signed by Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO and Director of C-CAMP and John Mackenzie, CEO of the Roslin Innovation centre. This partnership with Roslin, whose scientists created the world’s first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep, will help develop joint translational research in livestock genomics and health. It will also open up avenues to C-CAMP and Roslin’s network of partners to develop new, productive relationships for doing business in both India and the UK. The LoI which was signed in presence of Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, India marks the inking of the Second Sister Innovation Hub by CCAMP after CCAMP’s first with California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, QB3 in 2016.  The collaboration with the Roslin Innovation Centre will strengthen Indo-UK bilateral ties in science-based entrepreneurship, research and business, especially in the Agriculture and Animal Health sectors. The new signing is envisioned to also augment C-CAMP’s current efforts in Agritech and Allied space under its recently launched Agri Innovation Centre program. On the occasion of the signing Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO & Director, C-CAMP said “This is only a beginning to wonderful discussions with colleagues at Roslin  Institute, the origin of Dolly The Sheep. Looking forward to possible collaborations on agritech, animal health and to build more bilateral innovation ties leveraging science for societal impact.” John Mackenzie, CEO of the Roslin Innovation centre, at the University of Edinburgh said: “We are delighted to have signed this agreement with CCAMP, which will help champion a range of important animal health projects in both countries. In addition, we hope to encourage others to follow our lead and help develop truly transformational technologies in livestock genomics and health.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13628/dyadic-serum-institute-to-develop-affordable-antibodies-and-vaccines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13628/dyadic-serum-institute-to-develop-affordable-antibodies-and-vaccines.html Tue, 14 May 2019 12:35:00 +0530 Dyadic International, a global biotechnology company focused on further improving and applying its proprietary C1 gene expression platform to speed up the development, lower production costs and improve the performance of biologic vaccines, drugs and other biologic products, at flexible commercial scales has announced a research and commercialization collaboration with Serum Institute of India Pvt., Ltd, one of the world's largest vaccine manufacturers, to develop and manufacture up to twelve antibodies and vaccines using Dyadic's C1 gene expression platform. This important collaboration is focused on making biologic vaccines & drugs accessible and more affordable to patients worldwide while lowering the financial burden on the global healthcare system. Under the terms of this collaboration, Serum anticipates applying Dyadic's C1 technology to express up to twelve proteins - 8 MABs and 4 rVaccines and will undertake commercially best efforts to fully develop and commercialize the proteins expressed from Dyadic's C1 technology. Dyadic has agreed to grant Serum the option to obtain an exclusive commercial sublicense for each of the twelve (12) proteins in return for certain research funding, milestone payments and royalties for 15 years from the date of the first commercial sale."We are very excited to collaborate with Serum as our philosophies are directly aligned. Our goal is to offer our C1 gene expression platform to biotech and pharmaceutical companies as well as renowned institutes and governmental agencies that are committed to reducing the cost of healthcare and saving lives. Serum is a worldwide leading vaccine and drug development institution and we are excited by the science and results we believe we can achieve together," said Mark Emalfarb, Dyadic's CEO."Serum has a proven track record of more than 50 years of developing and delivering affordable vaccines and drugs globally and we are eager to incorporate Dyadic's industrially proven C1 gene expression platform into our antibody and vaccine development and manufacturing programs," said Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India. He further stated that "In recent years, monoclonal antibodies have emerged as preferred therapeutic candidates for the treatment of a multitude of disorders and diseases. These include a broad range of cancers, auto-immune diseases, microbial infections. Traditionally, antibody treatment is extremely costly and not widely affordable in the developed and developing worlds. We at Serum are committed to finding ways to speed the development, lower the cost and improve the performance of high quality, affordable antibodies and vaccines which have the potential to treat and prevent various diseases in India and across the globe. Dyadic's C1 gene expression platform has the potential to help us deliver on our commitment to bring down the cost of biologics in order to make them more accessible and affordable to patients globally.""This collaboration will further demonstrate the potential of C1 to become a platform of choice for manufacturing protein-based biologics and vaccines because of its speed of development and low cost of goods," said Matthew Jones, Dyadic's CCO. Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. is the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by number of doses produced and sold globally (more than 1.3 billion doses) which includes Polio vaccine as well as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hib, BCG, r-Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccines. It is estimated that about 65% of the children in the world receive at least one vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute. Vaccines manufactured by Serum are accredited by the World Health Organization, Geneva and are being used in approximately 170 countries across the globe in their national immunization programs, saving millions of lives.Serum is ranked as India's No.1 biotechnology company, manufacturing highly specialized lifesaving biologics like vaccines using cutting edge genetic and cell-based technologies, antisera and other medical specialties.Serum was founded in 1966 by Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla with a mission of manufacturing life-saving immuno-biologics, which were in short supply in India and were being imported at extremely high prices. Thereafter, several life-saving biologics were manufactured by Serum with the result that the country became self-sufficient for Tetanus Anti-toxin and Anti-snake Venom serum, followed by the DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) group of Vaccines and then later with the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) group of vaccines.The philanthropic philosophy of Serum continues with its work on newer vaccines such as Rotavirus vaccine, Meningitis A vaccine and other combination vaccines.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13619/dbt-cdsco-organising-workshops-on-regulations-for-innovators.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13619/dbt-cdsco-organising-workshops-on-regulations-for-innovators.html Mon, 13 May 2019 15:55:00 +0530 Department of Biotechnology (DBT) jointly with Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is organizing a national series of six regulatory workshops across the nation on facilitating resolution of regulatory concerns faced by the innovators in India. This workshop series is being conducted by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and Clinical Development Services Agency (CDSA). Three workshops in the series have been conducted in New Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru. The fourth in this series is being organized on 29th May 2019 at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad. This workshop series aims to facilitate Make in India drive by helping the innovators. It will offer an opportunity to the innovators to interact with the regulators to resolve their regulatory issues thereby facilitating them to seek market authorization. Deliberations will be on various regulatory pathways applicable for the development of the new drugs, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical devices & IVD kits, phytopharmaceuticals from discovery to commercialization. It is intended to prove beneficial for innovators, personnel working in the government national laboratories, academics and research institutions, participants from non-governmental institutions, startups, SMEs, MSMEs, industry, researchers etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13519/transgene-astrazeneca-to-develop-innovative-immunotherapies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13519/transgene-astrazeneca-to-develop-innovative-immunotherapies.html Fri, 03 May 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Transgene, a biotech company that designs and develops virus-based immunotherapies against cancers and infectious diseases announces the signing of a collaborative research, option and exclusive license agreement with AstraZeneca to co-develop five armed oncolytic vaccinia virus candidates. Innovative oncolytic viruses resulting from this collaboration will use Transgene’s proprietary next generation viral platform Invir.IO. Under the terms of the agreement Transgene will contribute its oncolytic virus expertise, including viral design and engineering, to the collaboration as well as its novel and improved Vaccinia Virus (TK-, RR-) double-deleted backbone and will be responsible for in-vitro pre-clinical development. AstraZeneca will select the transgenes to be encoded within the virus and will be responsible for further in-vivo pre-clinical development and, subject to option exercise, clinical development and commercialization of these novel oncolytic immunotherapies. Transgene is to receive $10 million upon signing and additional pre-clinical success milestones of up to $3 million. Transgene is eligible to receive an option exercise payment on each candidate in the event AstraZeneca exercises its license option, as well as development and commercial milestones and royalties. Philippe Archinard, PhD, Chairman and CEO of Transgene, said: “We are pleased to have signed this important collaboration with AstraZeneca which further validates the potential of our world-leading Invir.IO™ oncolytic virus platform. We are looking forward to a productive collaboration with AstraZeneca as we believe the resulting armed oncolytic virus immunotherapies will provide cancer patients with better treatment options. In parallel, we will continue the development of our proprietary Invir.IO™ pipeline and remain on track to deliver multiple candidates for clinical development in 2020.” Commenting on the agreement, Jean-Charles Soria, Senior Vice President, Research & Development Oncology at AstraZeneca, said: “Oncolytic viruses have the potential to be transformational in oncology by directly causing tumor cell death, and also by delivering a potent payload in a targeted fashion that increases innate and adaptive immune system stimulation. AstraZeneca has an exciting portfolio of molecules that we believe may augment oncolytic virus activity. Transgene has been a leader in the development of vaccinia viruses for many years, and this collaboration will allow us to leverage their platform in the development of novel immunotherapies.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13463/sabinsas-manufacturing-arm-gets-funding-from-government-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13463/sabinsas-manufacturing-arm-gets-funding-from-government-of-india.html Thu, 25 Apr 2019 15:20:00 +0530 The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), under the Government of India’s Ministry of Science and Technology has sanctioned funding to Sabinsa’s parent company Sami Labs for research on “Development and standardization of manufacturing processes for large scale production of valuable secondary metabolites from callus-derived cells of vascular cambial explants of selected woody plant species.” Though Sami Labs has been granted funds by DSIR earlier on several other proposals for study on high value products, this is the first time the funding is received under the PACE scheme, a program aiming to support Indian industry with technology and IP acquisition and co-development projects with R&D institutions. Plants have been used not only for food but also as sources of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. A conservative estimate speaks of more than 100,000 known plant secondary metabolites and also more than 25% of these are potential lead candidates in medicine or are already being used in medicine. About six woody species, based on their commercial importance, were chosen for this project, and the respective secondary metabolites are targeted for production and commercialization. “The main objective of the current research is to avoid exploitation of trees for extraction of actives, but alternatively produce them by in vitroem> techniques in the lab followed by scale up at pilot level for evaluation of commercial feasibility,” said Sami-Sabinsa Group founder Dr. Muhammed Majeed. “Sami Labs has state-of-the-art laboratory set up with sophisticated analytical instruments for identification, characterization and quantification of the bio-active secondary metabolites.” Sami Labs is setting up a pilot scale facility in this regard, that will have perfusion bioreactors in a classified area with downstream processing of the extracts and purification of the actives. The scientists involved are highly confident to commercialize the products accessible through this novel route. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13443/reprocell-hanugen-to-custom-manufacture-clinical-grade-oligos-for-gene-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13443/reprocell-hanugen-to-custom-manufacture-clinical-grade-oligos-for-gene-therapy.html Wed, 24 Apr 2019 11:20:00 +0530 Bioserve Biotechnologies India Pvt Ltd, a REPROCELL Company and Hanugen Therapeutics have announced the launch of their custom manufacture offering for synthesis of milli molar scale clinical grade oligonucleotides for gene therapy. As a leading manufacturer and a pioneer of gene therapy solutions in India, Hanugen is uniquely able to offer its capacity to manufacture oligonucleotides at a large scale for clinical trials. They will soon be able to offer this production in a GMP-grade facility. Bioserve Biotech has offered nano molar and micro molar scale oligonucleotides for over 25 years. This partnership will help researchers in both companies to advance the translation of gene therapies, from discovery-level research to the optimization of gene therapy manufacturing unit operations. Ravdeep Anand, CEO of Hanugen, commented “This partnership should help small scale and start-up companies to quickly scale up for clinical trials without the need for pilot scale investments. Hanugen’s expertise and processes will accelerate the bench to patient speed”. "We are thrilled to now have our tools for simple oligonucleotide synthesis be part of a larger gene therapy offering. We will now offer our clients unifying gene therapy workflow," commented Lalith Kishore, CEO, Bioserve Biotechnologies India Pvt Ltd. The agreement was signed in presence of Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO, Centre for Cellular And Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) an initiative of Dept. of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India. Hanugen is a successful C-CAMP supported start-up.  "The agreement provides a vision of how collaborations between local companies like Hanugen with capacities and technology can tie up with companies like REPROCELL with the global reach and extended technology portfolios.  Together they can uniquely move this field forward, at both the therapeutic and research level. And most importantly provide simple and flexible solutions that streamline the delivery of effective therapies to patients", Dr Saiyed said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13438/st-research-requires-at-least-2-gdp-investment-kiran-mazumdar-shaw.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13438/st-research-requires-at-least-2-gdp-investment-kiran-mazumdar-shaw.html Tue, 23 Apr 2019 12:45:00 +0530 Co-founder and Chairman of Infosys Technologies, Mr Nandan Nilekani has said that India’s digital infrastructure will play a major role in reviving the economy. Mr Nilekani was addressing FICCI members at the National Executive Committee Meeting on ‘Digital India and its Impact on Economy and Industry’. He said that the country has witnessed dramatic transformation through Aadhaar-based e-KYC and online payments, adding that India’s digital data architecture will set the tone for business revival.  “Once data becomes the basis for decision-making in many sectors, you will see a big change,” said Mr Nilekani. Earlier, addressing a session on ‘India’s Growing Bio Economy’, Ms Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson, Biocon Ltd, said that the country’s Bio-economy sector is set to reach USD 200 billion by 2030. “Bio-economy is a crucial segment of our economy and the new government must focus on this in a big way,” she said. Pointing out that in India, the investment in research and development is less than 1% of GDP, Ms Shaw said, “we must invest at least 2% of our GDP in science, technology and research”. She said that our education system must embrace research culture and we must leverage the powerful tool of scientists and engineers available in the country. Ms Shaw also said that gene sequencing cost has come down substantially, which can be utilised for diagnosis of critical disease and in other areas — Indian companies can hugely benefit from gene sequencing. She also urged FICCI to take up the changes required in the Bio-diversity Bill with the government. In another session, Mr Rajeev Chandrashekhar, MP and Past President, FICCI, said that industry must play an important role in the deliberations on a secure India and a responsive governance structure. “We have to independently ensure our safety and security,” he said. Mr Chandrashekhar also said that, in another critical area, the process of reforms in governance started in 2014, and added that, “governance reforms with increased transparency will enhance efficiency of spending”. Mr Sandip Somany, President, FICCI in his opening remarks for the three sessions, talked about the contributions of the three speakers in their respective domains and also the challenges faced by these areas. “Digital empowerment has led to greater inclusiveness, with the efforts of government as well as several private sector enterprises,” while welcoming Mr. Nandan Nilekani. Ms Sangita Reddy, Senior Vice-President, FICCI, and Mr. K Ullas Kamath, Chairman, FICCI Karnataka State Council, gave the vote of thanks. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13376/cabinet-apprised-about-mou-between-india-and-brazil-in-the-area-of-biotechnology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13376/cabinet-apprised-about-mou-between-india-and-brazil-in-the-area-of-biotechnology.html Sun, 21 Apr 2019 09:00:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was apprised about an MoU signed in May, 2018 between India and Brazil. The MoU has been signed to strengthen the ties between India and Brazil to work out the future agenda for the collaboration for innovation in Science & Technology diplomacy to evolve a concrete strategic plan in the area of biotechnology education, training and research. The broad areas of collaboration are: Biomedicine and health, especially biotech based products Agriculture breeding practices Biofuel and bio-energy Nanotechnology and Bioinstrumentation Biodiversity and Taxonomy ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13294/syngene-international-and-birac-set-up-caps.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13294/syngene-international-and-birac-set-up-caps.html Fri, 05 Apr 2019 14:20:00 +0530 Syngene International Ltd., a leading global contract research organization, announced the opening of its Centre for Advanced Protein Studies (CAPS) by the Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. The Centre has been set up in collaboration with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) at Syngene’s campus in Bengaluru and will host a state-of-the-art GLP accredited analytical laboratory. Regulatory approval of complex biological molecules involves extensive and advanced analytics including assessment of physiochemical characteristics, efficacy, immunogenicity (antidrug antibody), contamination, strength and more. All these tests need to be performed in a GLP compliant analytical facility. Availability of appropriate certified facilities at affordable costs is a challenge that the start-ups, SMEs/MMEs and the academia in India, have to often face. CAPS will help address this challenge and will be a big boost in advancing biopharma research and product development in India. Spread across an area of 2000 sq. ft, the Centre will run under the ‘Innovate in India’ program of the National Biopharma Mission, Department of Biotechnology, announced by the Government of India. Speaking on the occasion, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Managing Director, Syngene International Ltd. said, “I am extremely excited to see this partnership between Syngene and BIRAC. In the last few years, India’s biotechnology sector has seen tremendous action. India has immense scientific and entrepreneurial talent available in the country which gives it strong potential to emerge as the R&D hub for the global biotechnology industry. The CAPS facility will provide the right ecosystem for this talent to pursue their research objectives.” Jonathan Hunt, Chief Executive Officer, Syngene International Ltd., said, “It is indeed an honour for Syngene to collaborate with BIRAC in setting up the CAPS facility. As India’s largest scientific services provider, this collaboration will help Syngene play an active role in the development of India's biotechnology industry as well as nurture the innovative spirit within the industry.” Apart from providing the necessary infrastructure support at affordable cost, CAPS will also focus on advancing technical skill development to global standards, by conducting various trainings and workshops involving eminent subject experts. National Biopharma Mission is an industry-academia collaborative mission of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and World Bank for accelerating early development of biopharmaceuticals and is being implemented by BIRAC.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13276/able-announces-international-regulatory-consortium.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13276/able-announces-international-regulatory-consortium.html Thu, 04 Apr 2019 10:30:00 +0530 The Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) has announced the formation of four consortia in the areas of Drug Discovery, Biopharma, Regulatory matters and Incubation. These are. INDIA International Drug Discovery & Development Consortium (IIDDDC)™ INDIA International Biopharma Consortium (IIBC)™ INDIA International Regulatory Consortium (IIRC)™ INDIA International Life Science Incubators Consortium (IILSIC)™ The objectives of the Consortia are: Develop a common point of view on matters or issues that need to be taken up to promote domestic and international R&D, investment, access, business and trade. To communicate the point of view to Indian and foreign public and private stakeholders. To serve as a prime, authentic and collective source of the India’s ecosystem in specific areas. To partner with Indian and State Governments in India and those of other countries to help them make policies or rules that are conducive to the ease of doing business. To partner with like-minded Domestic and International Associations, Groups or Consortia to develop consensus on issues that need resolution and improve India’s perception as a place for conducting business. To promote Brand India. Given the challenging times in International trade, regulations and resource crunch for R&D in the public sector, it is essential for the Indian Industry to develop platforms to arrive and project a unanimous perspective on issues and their solutions. Each Industry player may have their own plans, but they need to work together to address several macro level national and international policy related issues that impact the Industry in the medium to long term.As per Shrikumar Suryanarayan, President, ABLE “The 50 billion USD Indian Bio Economy is on a roll and is expected to touch 100 billion USD by 2025. The Industry and the public sector stakeholders need to work collaboratively within themselves and each other. The idea is to work together in a resource efficient manner and to project a positive Image about India’s capabilities and capacities in various areas. India’s skills are growing in many aspects and Drug Discovery is one of the important areas. The Governments at the Central and States level are working tirelessly to raise the Innovation quotient and the Industry needs to upscale it. The consortia will serve to improve focus and project a positive image of India. We encourage the serious players to join the consortia and help in the mission” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13250/dbt-cdsco-organising-workshops-on-regulations-for-innovators.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13250/dbt-cdsco-organising-workshops-on-regulations-for-innovators.html Tue, 02 Apr 2019 11:55:00 +0530 Department of Biotechnology (DBT) jointly with Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is organizing a national series of six regulatory workshops across the nation on facilitating resolution of regulatory concerns faced by the innovators in India. This workshop series is being conducted by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and Clinical Development Services Agency (CDSA). Two workshops in the series were conducted in New Delhi and Pune few weeks back. The third in this series is being organized on 9th April 2019 at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bengaluru. This workshop series aims to facilitate Make in India drive by helping the innovators. It will offer an opportunity to the innovators to interact with the regulators to resolve their regulatory issues thereby facilitating them to seek market authorization. Deliberations will be on various regulatory pathways applicable for the development of the new drugs, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical devices & IVD kits, phytopharmaceuticals from discovery to commercialization. It is intended to prove beneficial for innovators, personnel working in the government national laboratories, academics and research institutions, participants from non-governmental institutions, startups, SMEs, MSMEs, industry, researchers etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13198/astrazeneca-to-develop-dna-based-monoclonal-ab-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13198/astrazeneca-to-develop-dna-based-monoclonal-ab-platform.html Wed, 27 Mar 2019 11:50:00 +0530 US based Ichor® Medical Systems, Inc. (Ichor) has announced that it has entered into a collaboration and research license agreement with AstraZeneca for the development and clinical assessment of plasmid DNA constructs. The plasmids will encode monoclonal antibodies developed by AstraZeneca and will be delivered using Ichor’s TriGrid® Delivery System. Under the terms of the agreement, Ichor will receive upfront and annual payments along with development milestones. The development and optimization of in vivo expression of DNA-encoded antibodies delivered by the TriGrid is a particularly attractive product strategy in the recombinant monoclonal antibody market. Utilizing this approach, the TriGrid platform works to deliver DNA-encoding monoclonal antibodies directly into a person, after which that person’s own cells can begin to manufacture the antibodies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13139/ignite-innovate-incubate-birac-celebrates-7th-foundation-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13139/ignite-innovate-incubate-birac-celebrates-7th-foundation-day.html Wed, 20 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0530 BIRAC with its motto to ‘Ignite, Innovate, Incubate’, recently celebrated its 7th Foundation Day with conversations around the importance of nurturing and fostering innovation to accomplish the developmental goals of India. The Chief Guest of the Foundation Day was Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, Niti Aayog and other dignitaries present on the occasion were: Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT & Chairperson, BIRAC Ted Bianco, Former Director, Wellcome Trust Mohd Aslam, Adviser, DBT and MD, BIRAC Chris Karp, Director, Discovery & translational Science, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation The Foundation Day was well attended by over 300 participants including innovators, policy makers, investors, academic researches, startups and entrepreneurs. A delegation of over 20 women entrepreneurs from Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan also participated. The foundation day celebrations began with engaging conversations around the importance of translational research to take on big health challenges across India in particular and in the world in general. Dr. Ted Bianco, Former Director, Wellcome Trust opined, “Science needs to be ready for the next major epidemic that may come our way. With new diseases developing and being found across the globe, it is vital that research focuses on targeted mitigation of these. We need to move from reactive health science to pro-active health science”. The BIRAC foundation day also witnessed the commemoration of young innovators and scientists who made significant contributions to the fields of hygiene and sanitation and the reduction of the disease burden in India. Further BIRAC celebrated women in entrepreneurship, who were responsible for impactful biotech innovations, through the BIRAC TiE-WInER Awards. Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman NITI Aayog, while handing the awards stated, “BIRAC has done excellent work in being able to connect and communicate with upcoming innovators. It is important to not just function as the fund provider, but to handhold and aid young innovators to develop and scale their innovations for improved health outcomes in India”. Further, the ethos prevalent throughout the day also encompassed the need to promote and encourage the participation of women in the field of bio-technology. Success stories of women using bio-technology to create lasting solutions at the regional and global level were discussed and appreciated. Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology & Chairperson, BIRAC, said “Biotechnology holds enormous potential for impacting economic growth of the Country, which has been successfully demonstrated by BIRAC over these 7 years. Today across the country we have witnessed a growing demand for new innovation and these are technologically empowering the country. I am confident that India which has taken on a very strong leadership position will be a front runner in the Global ecosystem. The key to success is scalability and sustainability”. Dr. Chris Karp, Director, Discovery & Translational Sciences, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation adding optimism and energy to the audience, elucidated, “Our common goal is to harness (catalyze, source, nurture) innovation to develop and drive to impact transformative tools to address global health and developmental inequity. In terms of BIRAC’s motto- Ignite, Innovate, Incubate….Impact”. He provided many examples of such innovations on its way to impact. Furthermore, preceding the BIRAC Foundation Day, the Grand Challenges Learning and Evaluation meeting set the stage for the discussions around scalability, applicability and funding of innovations targeted towards combating developmental issues worldwide. Echoing the take aways from the meeting, which was attended by over 100 participants from across the globe who have been associated with grand challenges, Dr Shirshendu Mukherjee, Mission Director, PMU-BMGF, explained, “We cannot just innovate for the sake of innovation. We need to understand the gaps and needs of the beneficiaries and then create innovative solutions to address those issues. Thus, ensuring an inclusive dialogue allows for successful last mile delivery of innovations from the labs to the land.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13114/dbt-teri-set-up-nanobiotechdbt-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13114/dbt-teri-set-up-nanobiotechdbt-.html Fri, 15 Mar 2019 14:35:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre (TDNBC) have set up Nanobiotech@DBT. This platform will bring together the nanobiotechnology community and translate lab-based research into practical applications that benefit society. On the occasion, Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, TERI, said, “The idea is to convert research into scalable ideas that lead to the kinds of applications that farmers, doctors and others in allied areas need.” Dr Alok Adholeya, Senior Director, Sustainable Agriculture division, TERI, added, “This platform is one of the key steps in bringing the nanobiotechnology community together to collaborate and share resources, information, knowledge, facilities, ideas, and infrastructure to create impactful and strategy driven research.” TDNBC, which is implementing the Nanobiotech@DBT platform, will provide support from ideation to conceptualisation, implementation, incubation, and commercialisation. The platform will utilise both physical and virtual platforms for researchers and stakeholders to connect. It will be the first of its kind platform to bring all nanobiotechnology related research to a common platform and provide regular online updates on the DBT’s nanobiotechnology supported projects, nano-biocommunity, facilities and infrastructure, and related information and links. It will focus on five key areas of (i) Diagnostics & Imaging (ii) Nanomedicine & Therapeutics (iii) Delivery Vehicle (iv) Nanoenabled Systems & Devices; and (v) Agriculture, environment, nanotoxicology. Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT, spoke about the platform at the International workshop on ‘Disruptive Translational Research in Nano-biotechnology: Advancing Sustainable Food Systems and Human Health Solutions’ in India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on Wednesday. The workshop was organised by Deakin University, Australia, in association with TERI and DBT. “Translational research requires human resource, expenditure, deep domain research experience, and a whole ecosystem. Currently, there is a gap in translational research that we need to plug. Research is not getting translated into products. TDNBC, with its vast experience, is in a great place to do this,” Dr Swarup added. Stressing on the importance of regulation in product development, she added, “The DBT has made efforts and prepared guidelines for the pharmaceutical sector. TERI and other partners could do the same for agriculture sector. This will benefit not just regulators, but also innovators and the industry at large.” Speaking on the Indo-Australian collaboration of TERI and Deakin University, she said, “We have to take partnership in this field beyond India and Australia. Going forward, it should be opened up to neighbouring countries. There are large opportunities for the Centre to provide leadership for research, capacity building, and innovation in translational research in the region.” Rakesh Kapur, Joint Managing Director, Indian Farmers Fertilisers Cooperative Ltd, and a member of the governing board of TDNBC, delivered the guest of honour address at the event. He stressed that research has to be of use to the industry. “As compared to conventional fertilisers, 20 per cent less nanofertilisers are required to be applied. With nanobiotechnology, there will be rapid disruptive change in the usage of fertilisers,” he said.  At the workshop, Dr Adholeya also announced a collaboration with Aurea Systems, Germany, to launch TERI’s mycorrhiza products in India. Aurea has been marketing the product in North America and Europe and is set to enter the Indian market with this collaboration. Mycorrhiza is a biofertiliser that has the potential to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers globally by nearly 50 per cent.  John Stanhope AM, Chancellor, Deakin University said, “Nanobiotechnology has opportunities in agriculture, health, food, and environment. When industries and research come together, they make a powerful team.” A collaboration between TERI and Osho Resources India for bioreclamation of fly ash dumps, coal and coal waste dumps, and Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) was also announced. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13099/hitgen-and-sparc-enter-into-research-collaboration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13099/hitgen-and-sparc-enter-into-research-collaboration.html Thu, 14 Mar 2019 13:10:00 +0530 China based biotech company HitGen Ltd. and Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd. (SPARC) has announced a research collaboration to identify novel small molecule leads for targets of interest. Under this collaboration, HitGen will apply its advanced technology platform, based on DNA-encoded library design, synthesis and screening, to discover novel leads for SPARC. Dr. Jin Li, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of HitGen said, “We are delighted to enter into collaboration with SPARC, a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Mumbai. This collaboration further emphasizes the role of HitGen in the rapidly developing field of DNA-encoded chemistry. We will work closely with SPARC scientists to generate novel leads for their innovative research programs to address unmet medical needs.” Anil Raghavan, CEO of SPARC said, “We believe HitGen’s unique DNA-encoded library based screening platform combined with SPARC’s in-house research expertise, shall accelerate our drug discovery efforts. We look forward to collaborating with HitGen to bring innovative medicines for patients with serious medical conditions.” Under the terms of the agreement, HitGen will receive upfront payment and will be eligible for certain milestone payments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13034/dbt-celebrates-the-journey-of-indian-women-in-science.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13034/dbt-celebrates-the-journey-of-indian-women-in-science.html Fri, 08 Mar 2019 13:20:00 +0530 Department of Biotechnology in Partnership with India International Centre, New Delhi, has organized a Photo Exhibition titled "Celebrating Indian Women in Science: An Incredible Journey".  The aim of the exhibition is to remember, acknowledge and showcase the stories of great Indian women scientists on International women’s day, who have contributed to the development of science through their outstanding work. Addressing a press conference at the venue Secretary DBT, Dr. Renu Swarup said that Women Scientists play an important role in the socio-economic development of a Nation and for over 100 years women scientists in India have proven their strength and made great contributions to the scientific growth of the country. “It is important to celebrate the journey of women in science in India, it is important to remember, acknowledge and showcase the stories of these women scientists who have contributed to the development of science through their outstanding work.” said Dr. Swarup. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Secretary, DBT and President, IIC  at the India International Centre in New Delhi. The Exhibition will remain open till 15th March, 2019. 40 women scientists from various fields of science have been featured in the posters. A panel discussion on the same topic was held today at the India International Centre as well. The panel discussion and inauguration was attended by renowned women scientists from universities, institutes, IIT Delhi, and Principals of Delhi colleges.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13013/c-camp-conducts-workshop-with-usfda-on-amr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/13013/c-camp-conducts-workshop-with-usfda-on-amr.html Wed, 06 Mar 2019 16:35:00 +0530 The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms – C-CAMP, a Department of Biotechnology - DBT, Government of India initiative recently put together a workshop by the US FDA on 'US FDA Regulatory Process for Anti-microbials'. This was the first of the programmes planned under the CARB-X Global Accelerator Network, of which C-CAMP is the only accelerator for the Rest of the World (RoW) region i.e. outside of USA and Europe. The speakers from US-FDA included Dr. Edward Cox, Director of the Office of Antimicrobial Products and Dr. Sumathi Nambiar, Director of the Division of Anti-Infective Products, Office of Antimicrobial Products who spoke extensively on the Regulatory Pathways for approval of Anti-microbial therapeutics and provided information on the role of diagnostics in anti-infective trials.  “The development of any new anti-bacterial drug is challenging. It is difficult both scientifically and economically. But it is a very important part of drug discovery. We need new drugs since it gets very difficult to keep up with new resistance that keeps coming up. A strategy combining stewardship and science is needed to help combat antimicrobial resistance”, pointed Dr Edward Cox during the workshop. Meetings between the US FDA Regulators and few start-ups and other companies working in AMR were also arranged as part of the workshop. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12995/c-camp-joins-carb-x-to-combat-anti-microbial-resistance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12995/c-camp-joins-carb-x-to-combat-anti-microbial-resistance.html Tue, 05 Mar 2019 11:45:00 +0530 The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms – C-CAMP, a Department of Biotechnology - DBT, Government of India initiative, has joined the CARB-X Global Accelerator Network (GAN) for projects funded by CARB-X. CARB-X is the world's largest public-private partnership devoted to early development antibacterial R&D. C-CAMP is excited to join the global network and is the only accelerator in this network for all regions outside of USA and Europe. This was announced globally on February 26, 2019. The spread of drug-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs, is a growing threat to public health and a concerted global effort is needed to develop new therapeutics, diagnostics and preventatives to combat drug-resistant bacteria. The CARB-X GAN is a one-of-a-kind powerhouse of knowhow in antibacterial drug development, the development of rapid diagnostics, business and regulatory strategy, and other highly specialized areas essential to accelerating CARB-X’s portfolio of funded projects targeting drug-resistant bacteria. CARB-X GAN brings together 10 world-class organizations from six countries (Denmark, Germany, India, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States) into a single global network of expertise to provide scientific, technical and business support to the growing numbers of CARB-X-funded antibacterial research projects. The CARB-X GAN now comprises of: Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms - C-CAMP (Bengaluru, India), California Life Sciences Institute - CLSI (California, USA), MassBio (Boston, USA), RTI International (North Carolina, USA), the Wellcome Trust (London, UK), BaselArea.Swiss (Basel, Switzerland), BioInnovation Institute (Copenhagen, Denmark), Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics - FIND (Geneva, Switzerland), German Center for Infection Research - DZIF (Braunschweig, Germany), and Institute for Life Sciences Entrepreneurship - ILSE (New Jersey, USA). Speaking about the partnership, Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO and Director, C-CAMP, said “Antimicrobial Resistance is a major global health challenge and more so in India. We are excited about joining the CARB-X Global Accelerator Network, which supports innovative research targeting AMR in India and elsewhere in the world. We look forward to working with CARB-X-funded companies to support their innovative product development and collaborating with other accelerators in the network.” Kevin Outterson, Executive Director of CARB-X and Boston University law professor said, “We are expanding our accelerator network to increase support for the development of new antibiotics, rapid diagnostics, vaccines and other life-saving products that the world so urgently needs to fight the rise of drug-resistant bacteria. Antibacterial product development is challenging, and CARB-X’s portfolio is growing rapidly. As a group, the Global Accelerator Network is an outstanding source of expertise and forceful ally in the global fight against drug-resistant bacteria.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12955/telangana-govt-signs-mou-with-chinese-medical-zone.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12955/telangana-govt-signs-mou-with-chinese-medical-zone.html Thu, 28 Feb 2019 10:35:00 +0530 At the recently held BioAsia 2019 event, Asia’s largest Biotechnology and Life-sciences forum and the annual flagship event of the Government of Telangana, an MoU was signed between the Government of Telangana, India and Taizhou Medical Hi-Tech Development Zone (Taizhou Zone) supported by the Government of Taizhou, China.  Under the MoU valid for 2 years, the Chinese Medical Zone and the Telangana Government have discussed and agreed to share the know-how and offered to support and assist the research in the field of life sciences, biotechnology and medical devices along with identifying new technologies and industry requirements with a view to expand the public industrial service platforms in the industrial cities. They will support and facilitate matchmaking of companies and research institutes from their respective regions, in the related fields towards R&D, regulations, manufacturing practices, commercialization and other areas of mutual interest. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12946/industry-startups-collaboration-for-better-outcomes-bioasia-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12946/industry-startups-collaboration-for-better-outcomes-bioasia-2019.html Wed, 27 Feb 2019 13:00:00 +0530 On the concluding day of the 16th edition of BioAsia 2019, industry and healthcare stalwarts got together and came to the conclusion that healthcare outcomes in India can be best elevated if industry partners with the startups. Today, many startups are coming up with amazing innovations to address a number of disease burdens in India. Unfortunately, few ideas get stuck up due to regulatory constraints or funding disapprovals and are unable to reach the market. “India is currently being run by entrepreneurship that needs to be pushed further. Startups should partner with the established companies and collectively bring out healthcare solutions. Often, startups hesitate to collaborate as their prime focus is on their technology. But in order to take the technology ahead, a business model needs to be developed, of which technology forms only 10 per cent. There are so many other parameters involved in making the product reach the end users. Another major factor affecting the growth of startups in India is the regulation. More focus should be given to the science part”, mentioned Dr Krishna Ella, CMD, Bharat Biotech. Supporting this thought further, Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals said, “Industry can play a major role in facilitating the startups and their ideas to the market. But the government is equally responsible in giving the required push. For example, the Israeli government gives full funding support to the incubators in promoting the startups. Any new firm can start working on its idea with the government pitching in around 80 per cent of the funding. A similar arrangement needs to be built in our country as well”. Although the government has been doing its bit to promote a large number of innovations through various grants, the ground reality seems to be different. India needs to develop a pathway where technology, collaborations and policies can fit together and put innovations as a top priority for achieving better health outcomes.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12939/india-needs-good-innovation-policy-talk-point-at-ceo-conclave-in-bioasia-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12939/india-needs-good-innovation-policy-talk-point-at-ceo-conclave-in-bioasia-2019.html Tue, 26 Feb 2019 20:55:00 +0530 At the ongoing 16th edition of BioAsia 2019, an exclusive conclave with the CEOs of top pharma companies was conducted. Among the many issues discussed, a special focus was put on promoting scientific innovations in India when compared to the US and China. "India is in need of a good innovation policy. To make that happen, a conducive environment is required. Free hand needs to be given to the researchers. If we want biology research to flourish in India, we do not need a number of ministries heading or controlling it. There should not be any restrictions", pointed out Pankaj Patel, Chairman & MD, Zydus Cadila. In sync with this thought, Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr Reddy's Labs, mentioned, "A lot of innovation is happening in the biopharma sector in China. India is way behind in this aspect. India is not just limited to move ahead in the biosimilar arena. Much more can be achieved here in India". Preceeding the CEO conclave, a special interaction with Prof Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India was organised at the event. Prof Subramanian said, "Today, we need to give full importance on understanding the basic research, without thinking about its return. Once the industry invests in basic research by collaborating with the academics and the government, focus can be put simply on the basic research and the road to innovation can move ahead in the right direction".   Other thought-provoking interactions also took place at the event focused on personalised medicines, designer DNA drugs, bridging the gap between clinical care and clinical research, to name a few. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12906/bioasia-2019-disruption-in-healthcare-lifesciences-and-biotech.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12906/bioasia-2019-disruption-in-healthcare-lifesciences-and-biotech.html Fri, 22 Feb 2019 16:40:00 +0530 BioAsia, the annual global life sciences confluence hosted by the Government of Telangana, announced that the 16th Edition of the event, to be held at Hyderabad between February 25 - 27, 2019 - will deliberate on the disruption required in Lifesciences, Healthcare and Biotech industry. The theme for this edition is "Life Sciences 4.0 - Disrupt the Disruption", which will focus will be on healthcare being re-imagined as a result of technological disruption. ESL Narasimhan, Governor of Telangana will inaugurate the event on February 25, 2019. The details of the 16th Edition of BioAsia were shared by Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Principle Secretary - Industries & Commerce & IT, Govt of Telangana in the presence of K Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Suresh Chukkapalli, Honorary Consul General, Republic of Korea (Hyderabad), Shakthi M. Nagappan, CEO, BioAsia & Director (Life Sciences), Government of Telangana and Dr. Srivari Chandrasekhar, Director, CSIR-IICT. Over the past 15 years, BioAsia has helped attract investments to the tune of about Rs.15,000 crores and organized around 16,000 business partnering meetings during the event. Eminent leaders and senior government officials from around 95 countries have attended the event and close to 250 MoUs & LoIs have been exchanged at the forum. This edition of BioAsia has South Korea as the Partner Country with South Africa and Spain being the international partners for the event. These partners will lead a sizeable delegation from the related fields from their respective countries. 4 other Indian States have joined with BioAsia in organizing the next BioAsia including Karnataka, Odisha, Assam and Gujarat making it truly a National initiative. While announcing the details, Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary - Industries & Commerce & IT, Govt of Telangana said, “BioAsia today serves as an industry platform for networking and policy advocacy in addition to investment promotion. The State Government is committed to utilize this global platform to advocate the concerns of the industry and help build a conducive ecosystem for businesses to thrive. As an outcome of the deliberations at the 15th edition of BioAsia, an Innovator Cell at Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDCSO) has now been established by the Government of India.” The event will bring around 100  eminent speakers from across the globe, with some of the best minds and leaders from their fields, including Prof. Krishnamurthy Subramaniam, Chief Economic Advisor to Govt of India, Dr. Don Cleveland, Ludwig Cancer Research, Univ. of California, San Diego (Breakthrough Prize for Life Sciences 2018), Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Dr. S Eswara Reddy, DCGI, CDSCO, Mr. KT Rama Rao, Working President, TRS, Mr. Badhri Srinivasan - Head, Global Development Operations – Novartis, Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Axilor Ventures, Mr. Thomas Arista, Dy Director, US FDA, Mr. Kurt Stoeckli, President and Chief Scientific Officer, Glenmark Pharma, Mr. Glenn Saldanha, CMD, Glenmark Pharma, Mr. Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Ms. Karenann Terrell, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, GSK, UK, Mr. Peter Lee, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Healthcare, USA, Mr. Atanu Roy, CIO, Sun Pharma and Ms. Sangita Reddy, Joint MD, Apollo Hospitals to name a few. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12779/india-health-fund-announces-tb-quest.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12779/india-health-fund-announces-tb-quest.html Fri, 08 Feb 2019 16:30:00 +0530 The India Health Fund (IHF), seeded by the Tata Trusts, with strategic support from The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has announced the launch of the TB Quest - a quest for innovations towards eliminating tuberculosis. This is being co-partnered by the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology, and Centre for Cellular And Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), an initiative of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, The Global Fund, Social Alpha, Stop TB Partnership, and the Tata Trusts. The TB Quest is aligned with IHF’s vision to support the adoption and scale-up of innovative products and processes through comprehensive support to innovators including funding, technical mentorship, handholding for lab to market journey, and dialoguing with policy and programme experts for roll-out. The Government of India has set a target of eliminating TB by 2025, a vision that demands innovative ideas, bold approaches, and unprecedented investments by stakeholders across the board.  To realise this goal, IHF is committed to bringing together various partners and stakeholders, pooling expertise and resources, fostering innovations and translating these from “lab to last mile”. TB Quest is a result of this vision. The call for innovations in products, technologies and processes are, specifically, in the following thematic areas:  Bring the ‘missing’ TB patients within the purview of care, including notification, through innovations to find new cases and ensure care continuum  Screening and appropriate management for Latent TB Infection (LTBI) among all identified high risk population groups in India Infection control in settings such as health care facilities, crowded habitations, congregate settings, including workplaces where transmission is high Address gaps in the supply chain of anti-TB drugs and consumables in public and private sectors   Selected applications stand to receive wide support, including milestone-based funding support for validation, beta prototyping, feasibility studies and product/ process evaluation, as applicable. The awardees will benefit from collective engagement with  global  stakeholders and access to the global ecosystem working towards TB elimination. They will also have the opportunity of presenting their innovations to RNTCP aiming at integration with the National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination (2017-25) Applications will be accepted till April 8, 2019.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12750/india-sets-on-biotech-research-projects-with-finland.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12750/india-sets-on-biotech-research-projects-with-finland.html Thu, 07 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the MoU between India and Finland for collaborating based on mutual interest in the field of Biotechnology, for funding and implementing ambitious industry-led innovative and transnational projects within the broad scope of research development and innovation. The MoU will support creation of long-term Research, Development & Innovation collaboration mechanism and to establish and strengthen cooperative network between Indian and Finnish organizations. By funding need-oriented, ambitious joint projects of high international standards, the two countries aim to help reach world-class innovations beneficial to both countries. It will also facilitate knowledge sharing and knowledge generation among scientists, researchers and industry in the two countries. Identifying innovation as the cornerstone of the collaboration, both DBT and Business Finland have agreed to cooperate with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), the Public Sector Enterprise of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India for funding and implementing ambitious industry-led innovative and transnational projects. Based on their mutual interest following research areas have been identified- Mission Innovation: Biofuture platform: biofuels, bioenergy and biomass based products Environmental and energy applications of biotechnology Business development of start-up and growth companies; Education technologies and games in life sciences Other fields of life science industry ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12723/iqvia-to-develop-solutions-for-life-sciences-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12723/iqvia-to-develop-solutions-for-life-sciences-industry.html Tue, 05 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 IQVIA has announced the launch of IQVIA Biotech and its new approach to delivering tailored clinical and commercial solutions for small biotech and biopharma companies. This solutions suite, supported by more than 1,000 dedicated employees, will deliver simplified operating procedures, specialized teams, and services to provide a more agile way for these innovators to reach their drug development and commercialization milestones. From initial planning to trial design and implementation to market launch and commercialization, IQVIA Biotech delivers a transparent and streamlined process with a deep foundation in science. IQVIA’s novel solutions incorporate unparalleled real world evidence resources, advanced analytics, and transformative technology to drive efficiencies and innovation. The company’s deep therapeutic and scientific expertise allows the IQVIA Biotech team to address specific needs at each milestone on the clinical development path and on the pre- and post-approval commercialization path. Key therapy areas for IQVIA Biotech include oncology, central nervous system, dermatology, cardiovascular, and immunology, among many areas of expertise. But at the core of this offering is the team serving these clients.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12691/thsti-dabur-to-develop-therapeutics-for-nafld.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12691/thsti-dabur-to-develop-therapeutics-for-nafld.html Fri, 01 Feb 2019 11:30:00 +0530 The Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), an autonomous institute of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dabur India Ltd for joint development of herbal extracts as therapeutics for Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Dabur is a global leader in herbal extract-based healthcare business. THSTI has strong expertise in Drug Discovery and Development. Both the collaborators bring complementary skills for Herbal Extract based drug discovery & development. This is an Academia-Industry collaboration, in tune with joint efforts of DBT with AYUSH for herbal extraction based therapeutic development. The MoU was signed in the presence of officials from both THSTI and Dabur India Ltd. including Prof. Gagandeep Kang (Executive Director) and Dr. Madhu Dikshit (THSTI National Chair). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12668/pherecydes-pharma-treats-patients-effectively-with-bacteriophage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12668/pherecydes-pharma-treats-patients-effectively-with-bacteriophage.html Wed, 30 Jan 2019 16:30:00 +0530 Pherecydes Pharma, a biotechnology company specialized in the research and development of anti-infective therapies based on the use of bacteriophages, announces that its bacteriophage therapies have been successfully used to treat a patient with relapsing Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic-joint infection (PJI). The results of the treatment were published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases at the end of last year. The patient had relapsing severe prosthetic joint infection of the hip. As a salvage treatment, in combination with antibiotics, phages selected by Pherecydes from its library and manufactured in an R&D laboratory according to a strict quality control process were applied onto the infection site during surgery. Phages were well tolerated and the treatment led to a favorable outcome. Phage therapy is an innovative therapeutic approach against bacterial infections, particularly those acquired in hospitals (HAI) - and/or resistant to antibiotics. According to the O’Neill report, if antibiotic resistance continues to increase it will result in the deaths of 10 million people each year and a 2 to 3.5% reduction in global GDP from 2050 onwards. The WHO estimates that the annual costs generated represent €7bn ($8.3bn) in Europe and $6.5bn (€5.5bn) in the United States. The rapid development of antibiotic resistance has become a major public health issue. In 2017, the WHO published a list of priority targets, which includes those pathogens selected by Pherecydes. “We are delighted to report the successful use of our bacteriophages for the treatment of a patient,” said Jérôme Gabard, COO of Pherecydes Pharma. “We will continue with our work on phage therapy to provide a new option to address the antibiotic resistance issue.”       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12594/merck-partners-vertex-for-two-dna-damage-response-inhibitors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12594/merck-partners-vertex-for-two-dna-damage-response-inhibitors.html Fri, 25 Jan 2019 10:30:00 +0530 Merck, a leading science and technology company, has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals for two DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) inhibitors - M9831 (formerly known as VX-984) and an additional pre-clinical compound - in the field of gene editing for six specific genetic disease indications. Merck will receive an upfront payment in addition to milestones and royalties on future net sales and retains the rights to both assets in all other disease areas, including oncology, with the ability to develop both these compounds in-house, or to license them to future partners in the gene editing field. Vertex has the option to add indications to the license grant. Both molecules were acquired in a licensing agreement from Vertex in 2017, and are part of Merck's broad portfolio of DNA Damage Response (DDR) inhibitors. "This transaction illustrates our determination to maximize value creation from our pipeline," said Belen Garijo, Member of the Executive Board and CEO Healthcare, Merck. "We are rapidly advancing our leading-edge DDR portfolio in oncology and are delighted to see the potential benefit of DNA-PK in genetic diseases through the enhancement of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing." Merck is investing significant resources into the promising area of DDR, and has considerable expertise and experience in developing DDR molecules, with the objective of becoming one of the leading players in this therapeutic area. The company is currently investigating four DDR molecules, including two ATR inhibitors, an ATM inhibitor and an investigational small-molecule of DNA-PK. DNA-PK is a key enzyme that could potentially enhance the efficacy of many commonly used DNA-damaging agents such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Pre-clinical studies have shown that DNA-PK inhibitors can enhance CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. CRISPR/Cas9 is a technology used to modify genetic sequences and is being investigated for the treatment of various genetic disorders. This collaboration licenses two compounds to study the potential DNA-PK-inhibitor-mediated enhancement of gene editing for the treatment of six genetic diseases included in the license grant to Vertex.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12539/kane-biotech-positions-dispersinb-for-wound-care-treatment-in-u-s-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12539/kane-biotech-positions-dispersinb-for-wound-care-treatment-in-u-s-.html Fri, 18 Jan 2019 21:50:00 +0530 Kane Biotech has announced the kick-off of their new human health strategy. Efforts will be focused on development of a wound care hydrogel containing Kane’s patented enzyme DispersinB. Marc Edwards, Chief Executive Officer of Kane Biotech, stated, “I believe DispersinB could be a technology platform with a variety of applications in various fields. With DispersinB hydrogel, our aim is to not replace existing wound care treatments, but to greatly improve their activity and efficacy through the removal of bacteria biofilm. This first product, due to its unique impact on biofilms, has the potential to be the missing link in wound care.” This strategy is further fortified by the Corporation’s renewal of its exclusive worldwide license agreement with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, now part of Rutgers University, for all human, animal and industrial applications of the DispersinB enzyme. The discovery of DispersinB was made by Dr. Jeffrey Kaplan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral Biology at UMDNJ, who was able to show that the novel enzyme is responsible for the dispersal of bacterial biofilms.  Kane Biotech is delighted to be able to count on Dr. Kaplan’s continued support in the development of the DispersinB technology platform. Kane has taken a number of measures to accelerate the development and commercialization of the DispersinB technology including, the creation of a Scientific Advisory Board (S.A.B.) and the appointment of Dr. Gordon Guay as Chief Scientific Officer. Following a full technology review by their S.A.B., Kane Biotech identified DispersinB as the company’s key area of focus moving forward in human health. “DispersinB is a unique enzyme that is capable of greatly enhancing the efficacy of available wound care treatments by dissolving bacterial biofilm, which could significantly improve patient outcome and timelines,” added Dr. Gordon Guay, Chief Scientific Officer of Kane Biotech. Kane has also retained the services of the international regulatory consultant Amarex Clinical Research, a CRO with extensive experience in FDA submissions. With their help, Kane Biotech plans to conduct additional clinical studies and seek regulatory approval moving forward in 2019. Furthermore, Kane Biotech recently submitted a proposal under the Military Infectious Diseases Research Program (MIDRP) with Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) open concepts request for project information. MTECs mission is to assist the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) by providing cutting-edge technologies and supporting effective life cycle management to transition medical solutions to industry that protect, treat, and optimize Warfighters’ health and performance across the full spectrum of military operations. MTEC has already given first stage approval to this project. “Our team worked very hard to put the proposal together and we are excited that it was well received, we are looking forward to further interactions with the U.S. Department of Defense,” stated Marc Edwards Chief Executive Officer of Kane Biotech. Wound care is currently the most expensive area of care with multiple complex solutions. Chronic wounds present a significant financial burden to the U.S. healthcare system. A 2018 study of Medicare data estimated the cost to treat these wounds at between $28 billion and $32 billion. The treatment of chronic wounds is a major challenge for health care providers, with a high failure rate leading to amputation, sepsis and deathi. One of the major reasons for this failure is the formation of bacterial biofilms, which are present in 60% of chronic woundsii,iii. Biofilm formation can make bacteria up to 1000 times more resistant to antibiotics, antimicrobial agents, disinfectants and the host immune systemiv.  Ultimately, anti-biofilm therapies have the potential to significantly increase the ability of healthcare providers to effectively treat wound infections.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12463/ge-healthcare-to-work-on-more-precise-cancer-immunotherapies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12463/ge-healthcare-to-work-on-more-precise-cancer-immunotherapies.html Thu, 10 Jan 2019 10:30:00 +0530 GE Healthcare and Vanderbilt University Medical Centre (VUMC) has announced a five-year partnership to enable safer and more precise cancer immunotherapies. Multiple diagnostic tools will be developed to help predict both the efficacy of an immunotherapy treatment and its adverse effects for a specific patient before the therapy is administered. This would allow physicians to better target immunotherapies to the right patients and avoid potentially damaging, ineffective and costly courses of treatments. Immunotherapies use the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells and can be more effective than traditional treatments, but response rates are often low and side effects can be severe. GE Healthcare and VUMC will retrospectively analyze and correlate the immunotherapy treatment response of thousands of VUMC cancer patients, with their anonymized demographic, genomic, tumor, cellular, proteomic and imaging data. They will then develop AI-powered apps that draw on this data to help physicians identify the most suitable treatment for each individual patient. Simultaneously, GE Healthcare and VUMC will develop new positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging tracers, which together with the apps, will help physicians to stratify cancer patients for clinical trials. It currently takes an average of 12 years and costs almost $2 billion to bring a drug to market. In many cases, inappropriate patients are recruited to participate in immunotherapy trials, incurring unnecessary expense and slowing down approvals of new therapies. It is hoped that the PET tracers will ultimately also be used to monitor the efficacy of immunotherapies in everyday practice. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12375/cabinet-apprised-of-two-bilateral-mous-in-the-area-of-biotechnology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12375/cabinet-apprised-of-two-bilateral-mous-in-the-area-of-biotechnology.html Mon, 31 Dec 2018 10:45:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been apprised of two Bilateral Memorandums of Understanding signed between India and Cuba, and India and Korea in the area of Biotechnology. The MoUs were signed on 22nd June 2018 at Havana, Cuba and on 9th July 2018 at New Delhi, respectively. The MoUs signed with Cuba and Korea are in the agreed areas of collaboration and objectives in the field of Science & Technology, wherever the expertise in these areas exist in the country. The MoUs have been signed to strengthen the Indo-Cuba and Indo-Republic of Korea bilateral ties, to work out the future agenda for the collaboration for Innovation in S&T Diplomacy to evolve a concrete strategic plan in the area of biotechnology education, training and research. The proposal has the potential towards employment generation for more than 50 postgraduates and Ph.Ds in biological sciences and related areas for a period of upto five years. India and Cuba signed a bilateral MoU to deepen collaboration on biotechnology on 22nd June 2018 during the visit of President of India to Havana, Cuba. The Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of the Republic of Cuba, have signed the MoU on 22nd June,2018 at Havana. India and Korea have signed an MoU in the area of Biotechnology and Bio-economy. The MoU aims to broaden and deepen cooperation between the two countries in Science & Technology, in the fields of Biotechnology and encouraging industrial R&D and related bilateral investment flows.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12369/researchers-isolate-protein-which-helps-viruses-to-multiply-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12369/researchers-isolate-protein-which-helps-viruses-to-multiply-.html Fri, 28 Dec 2018 17:25:00 +0530 A collaborative study led by a team of Indian scientists has identified a key protein which helps dengue as well as Japanese Encephalitis viruses replication inside human body by inhibiting anti-viral cytokines. This finding could pave way for development of targeted therapeutic agents against dengue and JE viruses.   Normally when platelets circulate through blood vessels with an intact endothelium layer, they remain in their original inactivated state. During dengue infection, platelets get activated, and they release an elevated amount of cell-signalling protein called Platelet Factor 4 (PF4). In the study which used blood samples from dengue patients, scientists found that Platelet Factor 4 inhibits anti-viral machineries of immune cells by inhibiting secretion of anti-viral cytokines (small proteins) such as interferon. In order to inhibit function of Platelet Factor 4 scientists targeted its receptor called CXCR3. Using a small molecule antagonist to CXCR3, researchers could inhibit the virus replication. “We have shown that inhibition of PF4-CXCR3 axis can abrogate virus replication. We feel that the same mechanism may exist in other viruses too. Therefore, our findings indicate development of potential targeted anti-viral drug,” explained Dr. Prasenjit Guchhait of Faridabad-based Regional Centre for Biotechnology, who designed the study. Since this approach may help find new anti-viral drugs for not just dengue and JEV but other viruses too, the research team is now validating its findings in animal studies involving genetically modified mouse with inactivated PF4 gene. Researchers hope that these mice may exhibit less infection against these viruses. Besides, they are also working on designing better small molecules against PF4 or CXCR3.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12323/marine-biotechnology-a-fast-emerging-sector-of-blue-economy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12323/marine-biotechnology-a-fast-emerging-sector-of-blue-economy.html Thu, 20 Dec 2018 17:40:00 +0530 One of the fastest emerging high-technology sectors in Blue Economy is marine biotechnology. It has wide-ranging applications in industrial sectors including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, molecular probes, enzymes, fine chemicals and agrichemicals. Among various sub-sectors of marine biotechnology, the biopharmaceutical sector is expanding globally. The EU is a leader in this sector. According to a recent estimate, the pharmaceutical market of the EU is likely to reach € 8.6 billion in 2016 and has registered a compound growth of 12.5 per cent during the period 2011-16. Marine biotechnology produces several kinds of products. For example, biopolymers are useful in wound dressing, bio-adhesives, dental bio-materials, tissue regeneration and 3D tissue culture scaffolds. Specific marine fish species are used for drug development to cure cancer, pain and inflammation, various forms of infections, malaria, schizophrenia, Alzheimer, and neovascular diseases. Sponges are used to prepare drugs for diseases like cancer, inflammation, viral infections, malaria and cardiovascular issues; coral for inflammation and wounds; marine fishes for inflammation, cancer, neovascular diseases and hypertriglyceridemia, among others. At the upcoming Blue Economy Conclave 2019, Marine Biotech along with fisheries, technology, education and many more, will be at the forefront. The conclave is being jointly hosted by the Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICCI). Leaders from union ministries, business and industry associations and societies, and industry experts are uniting their efforts with the sole intent of promoting the blue economy of India. The event is being held at CIDCO Exhibition center, Navi Mumbai from 7-10th January, 2019. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12191/skill-development-to-be-built-for-nanotechnology-karnataka-cm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12191/skill-development-to-be-built-for-nanotechnology-karnataka-cm.html Wed, 05 Dec 2018 19:40:00 +0530 The Decennial edition of 'BENGALURU INDIA NANO 2018' opened today at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru with the theme 'Nano for a Better World'.  The focus of the event will be on a range of issues pertaining to Research, Technology Development, Skills Requirement, Risks Issues, Regulatory & Governance Structure, Investment and Collaborations between R&D, Academia & Industry. The Event is expected to have significant participation from Chief Scientific Officers, Chief Technology Officers, Policy Makers,  Scientists, Chemists, Research Leaders / Fellows / Advisors from Industry, Venture Capitalists, Governments and Research Institutions. During the inaugural address, Prof CNR Rao, National Research Professor congratulated Karnataka government for its tremendous support towards science over the years. "The National Institute of Nanotechnology in Bengaluru has started functioning with full support from Karnataka government. There are a number of challenges facing the mankind today. In order to address those, it is imperative to discover something new and innovative that can make a whole lot of difference for everyone. It is an open challenge for the Nanotech institute to come up with something in line with a Na-Nose for early detection of lung cancer", said Prof CNR Rao. The inaugural ceremony was also graced by the presence of HD Kumaraswamy, Chief Minister, Karnataka, and KJ George, Minister for IT, BT, Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka. "Over the years, Bengaluru has become the science capital of India and soon the city will be recognised as a Nanotech hub. It is an open invitation for the industry captains to come ahead and work towards building Centres of Excellence (CoE) along with academia, for promoting the field of nanotechnology. Also, skill development needs to be built for this sector. The government will provide all the support required by carrying out public-private partnerships in naotechnology", mentioned HD Kumaraswamy. The inaugural function also saw the felicitation of Prof S Sampath, Dept of Inorganic & Physical Chemistry, IISc, Bengaluru for receiving the Prof CNR Rao Bengaluru India Nano Science Award 2018. Bengaluru India Nano 2018 is packed with conferences, exhibitions, tutorials and much more for the coming two days (6th & 7th Dec 2018).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12147/digital-is-the-key-highlight-at-bengaluru-tech-summit-2018.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12147/digital-is-the-key-highlight-at-bengaluru-tech-summit-2018.html Thu, 29 Nov 2018 18:15:00 +0530 The 21st edition of Karnataka State’ flagship Information Technology and Biotechnology event, Bengaluru Tech Summit was inaugurated today, 29th Nov at the Bengaluru Palace by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, H D Kumaraswamy.  The three-day extravaganza is set to be bigger, better and more engaging than ever with global participants, industry captains, futurists and innovators showcasing the proud legacy of innovation in Karnataka. The event is being organized by the Department of Information Technology and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, in association with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Bengaluru, with the support of reputed national industry associations like NASSCOM, IESA, TIE, ABAI etc. Keeping in view the focal theme this year, ‘Innovation and Impact’, particularly the convergence of technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Blockchain etc. that helps in providing solutions for the challenges faced in health, education, agriculture, energy etc., sectors. While the big players have an advantage, it is the SMEs and Startups that need encouragement. Speaking at the inauguration, H D Kumaraswamy, expressed his delight to be present at the inaugural function of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2018. “Karnataka has been consistently ranked high when it comes to foreign direct investment and employability. The IT, BT and related sectors have provided direct employment to over a million people and indirect employment to 3 million people in Bengaluru alone. The number of engineering and R&D centres of Multi-National Companies in India has increased from 943 in 2016 to 976 in 2017 as per a study conducted by the consulting firm, Zinnov. 65% of the MNCs who have their global in-house centres are from the USA. 37% of the GIC centres of MNCs are in Bengaluru. This goes to prove that technology engagement in the State is the bedrock of the strong foundation for investments. Karnataka is indeed the first choice for technology investments, worldwide,”  he said. S Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Vision Group on IT highlighted the fact that Bengaluru is being termed as the innovation capital of India. While talking about the entrepreneurship culture that has gradually developed in Karnataka, he congratulated Biocon on completing 40 years. "This year we are proudly celebrating 40 years of the Indian biotech sector. We no longer refer to it as the biotech sector, we are now calling it the bioeconomy. This is the digital era where the bioeconomy is being valued at $53 billion. 50 per cent of this value is being contributed by the biopharma sector. The best part is that the Med Tech sector has gained a share of about $12 billion. These achievements have largely been possible due to a symbiotic relationship between academia, government and industry in Karnataka", said Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon. Adding on with the international perspective, Kate Jones, Minister for Innovation & Tourism Industry Development, Queensland Parliament, Australia said, "We have a long history of innovation and we are proud of the fact that our country is leading in the sector of medical technology. We are also investing heavily in robotics and computer 3D modeling". She also announed that the Queensland Government’s first official Queensland-India Trade and Investment Strategy has been launched that is set to deliver a $1.5 billion trade boost to the state’s economy. The inaugural event also saw the unveiling of the ‘Innovate Bengaluru’, an Augmented Reality embedded book. This innovative media tech product published by Raintree media and Global Village Publishing, is all about Bengaluru’s innovators and innovative ecosystem. The coming 2 days of the event has the support of leading IT and Electronics Associations, such as NASSCOM, IESA, TiE, ABAI, Data Security Council of India (DSCI) etc. The conference focus would be on Blockchain, AI, ML & Robotics, Intelligent Apps and Analytics, Immersive Experience (AR/VR), IOT, Telecom, Cyber Security, BioPharma, BioAgri, BioEnergy & BioFuels, BioServices, BioInformatics, Investment & Finance and much more.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12117/2nd-national-biotechnology-conclave-driving-inclusive-growth-for-india-bio-economy-vision-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12117/2nd-national-biotechnology-conclave-driving-inclusive-growth-for-india-bio-economy-vision-2025.html Tue, 27 Nov 2018 10:35:00 +0530 The 2nd National Biotechnology Conclave was recently organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology in New Delhi. The theme of the conference was ‘Driving inclusive growth for India Bio-economy Vision-2025’. Dr Rajesh Jain, Chairman, CII National Committee on Biotechnology & MD Panacea Biotec; Ranga Chandrasekhar, Deputy Drugs Controller, CDSCO, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Samir K Brahmachari, former director general, CSIR; Dr Alka Sharma, Advisor, DBT; Dr Mahesh Bhalgat, co-chairman, CII National Committee on Biotechnology & Executive Director & COO Shantha Biotechnics along with other prominent leaders of health industry were present at the conference. Dr Alka Sharma revisited biotechnology strategy in 2015, key components being innovation and entrepreneurship and said, “Government is making several efforts towards achieving the bioeconomy vision- 2025 with the overall aim of making India a hub for design and creation of world class biotechnology products.” Prof Samir K Brahmachari said, “Today our country has 10 million worth of biotech industry and that none of the companies are able to cross 5000 crores. While pharma companies are easily billion dollar plus, the ecosystem for biotechnology is missing with low philanthropy. The future of biotechnology lies in promoting high value futuristic enterprises and encourage young people to create crore worth of companies and then aquire them. IoT of health is the future.” Vaccine industry has earned India a special place in the global arena. Indian vaccine companies have excelled at successfully collaborating with global partners ensuring technology access and product development by adopting innovative technologies. However, there still remains a scope of harnessing the full potential of the sector. In line with this, panel consisting of Dr Mahesh Bhalgat, Dr Alka Sharma, Dr Rajesh Jain, Dr Suresh Jadhav, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India; Dr Nachiket Mor, Director-India office, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Dr Davinder Gill, CEO, Hilleman Laboratories discussed about the key regulatory policies that builds close synergy between regulators; industry and academia. A CII-Sathguru Report titled “Roadmap on Indian Biosimilars Industry: Roadmap to actualize global leadership” was also released at the Conclave. This report talks about the domestic as well as global market for biosimilars focusing on the success achieved so far and roadblocks ahead. India is poised to be the world’s largest hub for manufacturing biological drugs. It’s been evident for a decade now that biological drugs are the future of medicine. In order to realize the full potential of biosimilars, it is essential to encourage public policy and regulatory environment to support R&D that drives biosimilar innovation. In line with this, panel consisting of Pushpa Vijayraghavan, Director, Sathguru Management Consultants; Dr SR Rao, Senior Advisor, DBT; Dr Anil Koul, Director CSIR; Atin Tomar, President, CPL Biologicals Pvt. Ltd, Jaspreet Singh, Formerly Head-Biosimilars, Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Sunil Thakur, MD, Quadria Capital discussed about the current state of biosimilars and prospects for the future. Setting the context of the conclave, Dr Rajesh Jain said, “In the last five decades, the journey of the Indian biotech industry has been transformational, making it a sunrise industry for Indian growth on the global frontier. The country is currently amongst the top 12 biotech destinations in the world and ranks third in the Asia-Pacific region. The Indian biotech industry includes 800 companies, records the second-highest number of USFDA–approved plants (only after the United States), and has generated annual revenue of approximately $11.6 billion in FY2017. The potential of all growth areas of the the biotechnology sector and the associated challenges.” Dr Mahesh Bhalgat stated, “All stakeholders of the biotechnology ecosystem need to play a transformative and catalytic role in building a US $100 billion Indian bioeconomy.” It is reported that a significantly rising number of middle-class Indians incur losses of around $23 billion annually in treating or getting tested for NCDs. Precision medicine is the most promising economical solution for middle-class Indians. Targeted therapies aim to reduce the costs of hospice stay to markedly reduce overall financial, physical and psychological costs seen with experimental diagnosticians, precision medicine is already being practiced in several specialties like oncology, cardiology, psychiatry and diabetology. In line with this, panel discussion discussing about the opportunities and challenges as the India healthcare industry transforms towards precision medicine practices was held. The conference also highlighted the importance of ‘Make in India’ in biotechnology sector and the National Biotechnology Development Strategy which has provided a strategic roadmap for India’s emergence as a global biotech innovation hub with a target of $100 billion by 2025.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12103/pris-to-help-india-achieve-100b-bioeconomy-target.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12103/pris-to-help-india-achieve-100b-bioeconomy-target.html Fri, 23 Nov 2018 15:50:00 +0530 More than 200 biotech researchers from public and private laboratories are expected to gather in Bangalore in January 2019 to kick start a new series of events to build synergies between national centers and private industries to propel the country towards the $ 100 billion BioEconomy by leveraging on each other’s strengths. The event is being organized by the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE). “We are planning to initiate a series of Industry –PRIs (public research institute) meetings that will help both sides understand and synchronize their complementary strengths. We hope it will collectively improve efficiency and outcomes of the Indian Public and Private Research system,” said ABLE President, Mr Shrikumar Suryanarayan. The event is part of ABLE’s BioEconomy Conclave  series and will be held on Jan 31 and Feb 1 and will have outstanding presentations from the Public Research Institutes. According to ABLE’s latest estimates, the national BioEconomy is forecast to cross the $ 50 billion mark in 2018.  Currently, India has about 600 companies active in biotechnology and 1,732 startups have come up in the last 6 years, with investments of over $ 3 billion. Dr. K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India states “The Indian Scientific public research system is one of the largest in the World and has proven to be an important factor in creating a large national indigenous scientific infrastructure. Indian Institutes are well recognized for their scientific depth and achievements. The proposed PRIs-Industry meet is a good initiative and will lead to synergies. I wish it all success.” India has a large network of more than 300 publicly-funded research laboratories in the fields of Agriculture, Health, Medicines, Biotechnology, Science, Technology, Industrial research etc. This has resulted in significant progress and generation of Intellectual property. Hundreds of innovative products and technology solutions are available in these public laboratories that could be tapped by the fast growing biotechnology industry. Added Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman of ABLE and CMD of Biocon:“The Indian Biotechnology sector has spearheaded the concept of a “Bio-Economy” rather than a Biotechnology sector.  This is shaped by the convergence and rapidly obliterating borders between various technologies, leading to disruptive innovation. This is a time for creating yet another innovation in the way Public Research Institutes engage with Industry to take new ideas to the market. CSIR provides the ideal platform to create new PPP models that can deliver scope and scale for market specific innovation.” The two-day conclave will have 9 sessions dedicated to different segments of BioEconomy and top experts from national laboratories and biotech research leaders are expected to discuss and strategize together to lean on each other for greater common good. Since research is expensive, private industry tends to focus its efforts on applied aspects whereas the public sector focuses on more basic aspects that have a broader reach. Like other governments, the Government of India too spends heavily on basic research through its various ministries and has created a large network of leading Institutes The more important aspect of translating Intellectual property into marketable products and services is a domain that has traditionally been stronger in the private sector.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12068/merck-to-offer-innovative-thinking-to-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12068/merck-to-offer-innovative-thinking-to-industry.html Tue, 20 Nov 2018 13:10:00 +0530 From drug discovery and development to manufacturing and diagnostics, the Life Science business of Merck is dedicated to solving the toughest problems in life science by collaborating with the global scientific community. As a part of its outreach to the industry Merck in India has launched an initiative for emerging startups at the Bio Economy India Conclave 2018 in Pune. With this program Merck intends to collaborate with startups from incubation phase until they achieve a scalable solution or a final market ready product. Startups will benefit from the vast knowledge that Merck has amassed over the years, working closely with our customers from academia, biotech and pharma to help deliver the promise of their work better, faster and safer. On registering at www.merckindiastartups.com Merck offers startups support with Regulatory Consultation, provide Access to Subject Matter Experts and opportunity to enroll in the training programs on offer. Besides the above solutions a communication hub within the platform will drive networking among fellow startups, incubation centers, leading academic Institutes and, pharma & biotech companies across the country. This platform has the potential to be that social forum where the important stake holders of the Life Science industry can get together and interact virtually. This is Merck’s offering to fuel innovative thinking and faster to market approach within the Life Science industry. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12045/india-bio-to-showcase-innovation-impact-of-biotech-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12045/india-bio-to-showcase-innovation-impact-of-biotech-industry.html Fri, 16 Nov 2018 16:55:00 +0530 The Dept. of IT & BT, Government of Karnataka is organising the 18th edition of its flagship event INDIA BIO from 29th November to 1st December 2018 at Bengaluru Palace, Bengaluru under the umbrella of the prestigious Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) which is celebrating its 21st edition. This year, INDIA BIO will showcase the consistent focus of the Biotech industry towards new innovations and impactful progress in its growth trajectory through the aptly chosen theme, Innovation & Impact. The BTS 2018 event spectrum would include multi-track conference, B2B Expo, Thought Leaders Conclave, IT Export Awards, Bio Excellence Awards, Bengaluru Tech Exchange, Show Stoppers- Product Launch and Global Innovation Zone, Startups, and posters. At the conference front, BTS 2018 will be graced by the presence of Jaap Akkerhuis, Member, Internet Security & Stability Advisory Committee at ICANN Amsterdam Area, Netherlands; Dr. Ganesh Kishore, Managing Partner, Spruce Capital Partners LLC, San Francisco, CA, USA; Dr. Ashok Gulati, Infosys Chair Professor for Agriculture, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations; Damien Manuel, Director for the strategic research centre – Cyber Security Research and Innovation, Deakin University Melbourne, Australia and Dr. Edmond Rock, National Institute of Agronomical Research, Research Director, Human Nutrition Unit & Scientific Officer for India, International Affairs, France, as the keynote speakers. The INDIA BIO event conference will be focusing on the trending topics including Artificial Intelligence, Non- Communicable Diseases & Therapies, eHealth innovations, Brain Research, Industrial Biotechnology, Neuromodulation, Genetic disorders, to name a few. Another major highlight of the BTS event includes a virtual Global Hackathon in collaboration with Global Innovation Alliance Partners and Startup Innovation Hubs from across the globe to create solutions that address local or global societal needs. Alongside, BTS 2018 in association with IDRL is bringing India’s biggest and most extravagant drone racing competition till date. During the event, drone racing will take the form of an extravagant night drone racing track as top pilots compete for the biggest prize in the history of drone racing in India on the grandest track ever built. Overall, the BTS 2018 event will have over 250 experts addressing 3500+ delegates and 300+ exhibitors showcasing their services, products and technologies to 11000+ visitors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12015/a-new-revolution-for-the-wound-care-market-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12015/a-new-revolution-for-the-wound-care-market-in-india.html Wed, 14 Nov 2018 10:25:00 +0530 +dalethyne, a path breaking molecule, only one of its kind in the world, invented after 18 years of untiring research since 2000 by Kayapan Satya Dharshan, the Founder and Chairman of  Indonesia based Dermozone , is all set to  revolutionize the wound care market in India. +dalethyne would be the key ingredient of the new Dermozone range of  wound care products soon to be launched in India. “After more than 3 years of extensive market study and research in India we are all set to launch our +dalethyne based Dermozone wound care range of products which has received overwhelming initial response from Hospitals and Doctors for the treatment of chronic and acute wounds like Diabetic Foot Ulcers, decubitus ulcer, deep cavity wounds, burns, and post-operative / traumatic wounds.”  said Kayapan Satya Dharshan. “In many cases our wound care products have been lifesaving and also have prevented near certain amputations of patients suffering from Diabetic related wounds.” +dalethyne is a clinically tested compound obtained from artificial segregation of naturally abundant fatty acids in virgin olive oil. It has proven effect of anti-microbial, fungicidal and antiviral quality with deep skin-penetrable quality. Investigations have revealed that +dalethyne reduces inflammation and accelerates wound healing. +dalethyne has been patented in several countries under the name of Kayapan Satya Dharshan and this patent is certified as a Novel Innovation Patent in Geneva. And this has been ranked as 10 out of 10 in Geneva which is the highest grade value in the Patent history and Kayapan Satya Dharshan patent is treated as a Novel Findings in IP & Patents. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12005/nosopharm-appoints-dr-sarah-gould-as-chief-development-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/12005/nosopharm-appoints-dr-sarah-gould-as-chief-development-officer.html Mon, 12 Nov 2018 16:15:00 +0530 Nosopharm, a France-based biotechnology company dedicated to the research and development of new anti-infective drugs, announces today the appointment of Dr Sarah Gould as chief development officer. In this post, she will oversee the translation of Nosopharm’s R&D programs from the pre-clinical to the clinical development stage. Dr Sarah Gould brings over 20 years’ experience in non-clinical pharmacology and toxicology. She was previously at Adocia, where she was non-clinical director for pharmacology and toxicology. Prior to this, Dr Gould worked as senior director for non-clinical safety at Sanofi Pasteur and held several positions at AstraZeneca UK. She has a PhD in Biological Sciences from Victoria University of Manchester.  "We are thrilled to welcome Dr Sarah Gould as chief development officer. We have reached a crossroads in the development of NOSO-502. Sarah has the proven track record to make this first-in-class antibiotic progress towards the next step: entry into the first-in-human clinical studies,” said Philippe Villain-Guillot, co-founder and chief executive officer of Nosopharm. “I’m delighted to have this opportunity. I’ve worked for many years in big pharma, where I gained a lot of experience in drug and vaccine development. To now take that expertise to Nosopharm, an evolving biotech, and to use it to develop a much-needed antibiotic is a pleasure. It will no doubt be a challenge but I hope to continue to learn as biotech companies reshape the pharmaceutical drug development model and learn how to keep the creativity and flexibility that they bring,” said Dr Sarah Gould. Nosopharm’s lead candidate, NOSO-502, is the first clinical candidate in the novel antibiotic class called Odilhorhabdins (ODLs). It inhibits the bacterial ribosome with a new mechanism of action and is intended for the treatment of nosocomial infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae, including polymyxin- and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). NOSO-502 has proven to be effective in vivo in several Enterobacteriaceae infection models and demonstrated antibacterial activity in vitro against multi-drug resistant clinical isolates (KPC, NDM, and OXA among others). Nosopharm expects IND-enabling studies to start in 2019 and to launch first-in-human studies with NOSO-502 in 2020. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11902/dbt-holds-roundtable-in-berlin.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11902/dbt-holds-roundtable-in-berlin.html Wed, 24 Oct 2018 12:20:00 +0530 A roundtable meeting was held entitled "Innovate in India" in Berlin. Development partners, donors and representatives of multilateral organizations explored collaborations to innovate in India. According to a statement, the meeting was organized by the Program Management Unit of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council. Government of India and was held on the sidelines of the Annual Grand Challenges Meeting 2018. The meeting saw participation from agencies/organizations such as Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), United State Agency for International Development (USAID), Wellcome Trust and Grand Challenges Canada among others. Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology said "In the past two decades, we have made major advances in Science and Technology which have transformed the lives of millions in the country. As India aspires to become a global leader in research and development, it will be important to continue to foster collaborations between countries and interested donor agencies to achieve common goals, " reported UNI. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11779/over-800-delegates-attend-8th-ngbt-conference.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11779/over-800-delegates-attend-8th-ngbt-conference.html Mon, 01 Oct 2018 17:05:00 +0530 SciGenom Research Foundation (SGRF), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting science in India through research and education, organized the 8th annual conference on ‘NextGen Genomics, Biology, Bioinformatics and Technologies (NGBT) Conference’ in Jaipur from September 30th to October 2nd. The conference showcased the application of NextGen sequencing and genomic technologies for basic and translational science in all areas of Biology, including human genetics, drug discovery, clinical medicine, biomarkers, diagnostics, animal, plant and agricultural sciences. It also covered basic biology, cellular signaling, cancer and plant biology.   Speaking about the conference Dr Sekar Seshagiri, NGBT Conference Chair said, “Genomics is clearly the future in the healthcare space especially when we need precision care to manage life threatening disorders. The science directly impacts the cost of healthcare positively by providing insights to deliver personalized care to patients. NGBT is an ideal platform to share knowledge and find out about the new and emerging technologies in biology or biology-enabling technology areas like genomics. Such forums help in understanding the real life challenges and the ways to address them by engaging renowned experts from across the globe.” The 2018 NGBT conference was jointly hosted in collaboration with Toronto Recombinant Antibody Centre (TRAC), Toronto, Canada, Birla Institute of Scientific Research (BISR), Jaipur, India, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS), Jaipur, India, Eternal Heart Care Centre & Research Institute (EHCC), Jaipur, India, SMS Medical College Hospital (SMSMC), Jaipur, India, and Institute of Bioinformatics (IOB), Bengaluru, India. The conference featured technology leaders representing National University of Singapore, University of Toronto, University of Montreal, Pacific Biosciences, MedGenome, Genentech, Indian Institute of Science, BGI, Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB), Johns Hopkins University, 10X Genomics, Nature Genetics, National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, REVOLUTION Medicines and other leading organizations from across the world.  “Genomics industry is still at a nascent stage in India. While genomic profiling is the way forward for healthcare, we need to create ample awareness amongst medical community to leverage its potential. NGBT conference provides a platform that brings together accomplished national and international speakers, thinkers and thought leaders that shape the course of scientific discovery, research and innovation. India with its huge biodiversity and genetic pool, can contribute much more to the world's genomic database and to the growth of future medicine. NGBT provides an environment of exchange of ideas and provides opportunities for people to form collaboration. “said  Sam Santhosh, Trustee, SGRF (SciGenom Research Foundation) and Founder & Chairman, MedGenome. Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Director ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, has been awarded the 2018 SGRF Excellence in Science Award.  He will be delivering the award lecture and accepting the award at the 2018 NGBT in Jaipur. At the 2018 NGBT, on Oct 1st, Dr. Manjunatha Kini, NUS, Singapore, is organizing a special symposium “Live and Let Live: Snakebite Cure Symposia” that will bring together experts on snakes and snake bite with a mission to find better treatments for snake bites. The 2018 NGBT conference was attended by over 800 delegates from India and various parts of the world. There were 12 keynote lectures and 80 talks over the course of three days. The highlight of this year’s conference was the "Live and Let Live: Snakebite Cure Symposia" that brought together experts on snakes and snake bite with a mission to find better treatments for snake bites. SGRF also announced over 100 “meeting scholarships” for students pursuing scientific research. The recipients of the scholarship were selected based on abstracts submitted for the NGBT conference. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11624/medgenome-suggests-personalized-cancer-vaccine-approach-for-lynch-syndrome.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11624/medgenome-suggests-personalized-cancer-vaccine-approach-for-lynch-syndrome.html Thu, 06 Sep 2018 10:05:00 +0530 A breakthrough study on ‘cancer vaccine approach for personalized treatment of Lynch Syndrome’ by MedGenome was published in Scientific Reports this month. The published study in collaboration with Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (KCHRC), Goraj, examines the feasibility of treating Lynch syndrome using a personalized cancer vaccine approach by identifying potential immunogenic tumor specific alterations. Lynch Syndrome (LS), also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is caused by mutations in genes involved in the repair of DNA replication errors such as MLH1, MSH2, MSH3, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM. LS increases the life-time risk of developing cancers of other organs, such as cancers of the colon, stomach, small intestines, liver, kidney, uterus, brain, pelvis and prostate among others. LS is the most common hereditary CRC syndrome accounting for 2–5% of all CRCs. In the developed world, the estimated number of affected individuals range from 0.3-0.5% of the population. Accurate prevalence details are sparse from developing countries. In India, while the overall incidence of CRC is comparatively lower (4.4 per 100,000 in men and 3.9 per 100,000 in women) than in the west, a large percentage of patients develop CRC before the age of 45 with a higher proportion (10–15%) of LS-CRC cases as confirmed through microsatellite instability (MSI). Statistics says that 12-17% of all colorectal cancers have MSI but only 3 % of these are due to Lynch syndrome. MedGenome study reported a germline heterozygous frame-shift mutation in the mismatch repair MLH1 gene which was identified in members of two unrelated LS families. Dr. Rakshit Shah, Surgical oncologist, KCHRC, Vadodara stated, “The screening for genetic mutation in colorectal cancer patients especially those with familial history could help in identifying those that are vulnerable to the disease. Such genetic based screening could be an efficient way of preventing colorectal cancer. Families with history for colorectal cancer like lynch syndrome should be advised to undergo genetic screening and if they carry mutations like MLH1 they are likely to develop colorectal cancer before the age of 50. Our study is unique as genetic screening in familial colorectal cancer has not been widely reported in our country.”   To this end, MedGenome used its proprietary neoepitope prioritization pipeline OncoPeptVAC to select potential immunogenic peptides from whole-exome and RNA-seq data generated from the patient tumor. From a list of over fifty predicted neoepitopes, three neoepitopes were tested in an ex vivo CD8+ T cell activation assay confirming their immunogenicity. The MedGenome study reports many potential immunogenic peptides from a Lynch syndrome-affected individual who has progressed to develop colon cancer using OncoPeptVAC. The immunogenicity of several peptides derived from somatic mutations in AXIN2, PIGO and MSH6 was validated using T cells from affected individuals, as well as HLA-matched healthy donors. Additionally, the study also analyzed the tumor microenvironment using a transcriptome-based tumor microenvironment analysis platform OncoPeptTUME, uncovering high infiltration of CD8+ T cells that lack expression of markers of activated phenotype. The potential mechanism of immune suppression, the study suggests may arise as a result of high T-regulatory cell (Treg) and myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) infiltration. It is possible that the development of CRC in the affected individual was contributed by the lack of anti-tumor immune response. Taken together, this study provides a basis for considering the use of a cancer vaccines to treat or delay the onset/relapse of LS-CRC. “Given that Lynch syndrome has limited treatment options, this study provides a basis for considering a cancer vaccine approach that could be used either as monotherapy or in combination with established immuno-oncology or chemotherapy drugs”, added Dr. Amit Chaudhuri, VP R&D, MedGenome and a Senior author of this study. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11609/plasticell-gets-pilot-contract-to-develop-regenerative-medicines-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11609/plasticell-gets-pilot-contract-to-develop-regenerative-medicines-.html Tue, 04 Sep 2018 12:55:00 +0530 Plasticell Ltd, a developer of stem cell technologies and regenerative medicines, has been contracted by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in a pilot programme to develop regenerative medicines for the treatment of injuries resulting from combat or terrorism.  Plasticell will deploy its combinatorial stem cell screening platform, CombiCult®, to develop technologies for the conversion of pluripotent stem cells into platelets that promote tissue recovery and regeneration.  “This defence-related work is an extension of Plasticell’s programme for manufacture of universal platelets from stem cells in vitro, to supplement or replace donor-derived material which is perishable and in short supply. Platelet transfusions are used in a number of medical applications but could also be used to treat individuals exposed to high levels of radiation from civilian, military or terrorist sources. In addition to their key role in blood clotting, platelets have been shown to promote wound healing, nerve regeneration and musculo-skeletal regeneration, all of which are especially relevant to recovery from various forms of battlefield injury” commented Dr Yen Choo, founder and Executive Chairman of Plasticell.  As part of this programme, Plasticell will expand its existing collaboration on artificial platelet biology with Kings College London. The MoD’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), which develops technological innovations that provide an advantage to defence and national security, will fund the research programme and if successful, may provide further support through to potential applications in the front line. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11490/india-loses-its-vaccine-export-sheen.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11490/india-loses-its-vaccine-export-sheen.html Tue, 14 Aug 2018 18:10:00 +0530 India, once called as the vaccine capital, is slowly losing its sheen because of various reasons, primarily the aggressive marketing strategy of China and Korea and the lacklustre policies of the government of India, say experts. Vaccine exports from the country plunged by eight per cent during 2016-17 and nearly four per cent in the previous fiscal year. India exported vaccines worth USD 653.40 million in 2017-18 while it was USD 679.28 million in 2016-17, according to data of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council, a body under the Ministry of Commerce. Over 70 per cent of vaccines were exported based on UNICEF requirement, which recently changed its procurement policy from yearly indent to quarterly, resulting in uncertainty over production schedule, said chairman and managing director of Bharat Biotech Krishna Ella. The method adopted by the international body on vaccine procurement gave an edge to Korea and China on price bargaining resulting in price erosion, Ella said. Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech and Biological E Limited were the leading suppliers to UNICEF. He said the government of India needs to shed bureaucracy-centric policies and develop science-oriented ones to encourage vaccine-manufacturers.  According to industry sources, some of the Korean companies such as LG Chem and Samsung were spending millions of dollars on expansion and modernising their facilities. Koreans and Chinese have become aggressive; both were getting into the markets of developed countries which India has been exporting to. Director General of Pharmexcil Uday Bhaskar said vaccine constituted 3.78 per cent of the total pharmaceutical exports last year. Though there has been a negative growth of 10.25 per cent till February last year, it recovered in March and ended up at 3.81 per cent.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11389/venture-center-pune-hosts-birac-big-conclave-for-innovators.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11389/venture-center-pune-hosts-birac-big-conclave-for-innovators.html Tue, 31 Jul 2018 11:05:00 +0530 On July 27 and 28, Venture Center hosted the annual Biotech Ignition Grant (BIG) Conclave of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).   The Biotech Ignition Grant of BIRAC is a pioneering early stage grant-funding program supporting innovative ideas right from concept to proof-of-concept to advanced validation stage.   The BIG conclaves are an annual congregation of India’s emerging biotech start-ups and entrepreneurs, leading mentors, investors, and industry experts.   Speaking at the inauguration of the event, Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary DBT, said “The Biotech Ignition Grant has supported over 300 early stage biotech start-ups and entrepreneurs. Going forward, incubators will need to explore mechanisms to ensure that these enterprises become sustainable and scalable.”   In keeping with the target of 100 billion US dollars for the Biotech sector by 2020, Dr. Swarup also spoke of the need for established incubators such as Venture Center to reach out to innovators in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.   The conclave was also addressed by Md Aslam, MD BIRAC and Dr. Manish Diwan, Head Strategy Partnership & Entrepreneurship Development at BIRAC.   The opening session was followed by induction of the latest recipients of the BIG grant and a valedictory session and certificate distribution for all entrepreneurs who have successfully completed their BIG project.   The event also saw leading first generation biotechnology entrepreneurs such as Sunil Bhaskaran of Indus Biotech, Chandrasekhar Nair of Bigtec Labs and Deepa Bhajekar of D Technology reflect on their entrepreneurial journeys.   Seasoned mentors such as Srikant Sastri, Dr. Satya Dash, and Prof. Ravi of IIT Bombay engaged with the participants to address issues such as pitching to an investor and practical insights on medical device innovation.   Several BIRAC BIG Grantees also had the opportunity to network with and showcase their products and technology to over 30 selected mentors, investors and industry experts. Many of these start-ups are now looking to scale up and overcome challenges such as regulatory hurdles and clinical trials.   To address this need, other activities at the conclave included mentoring and regulatory clinics, in addition to the peer-to-peer learning sessions on a variety of topics such as raising investment, regulatory challenges, and scaling up, where the participants could learn from the experiences of their fellow start-ups. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11193/healthcare-and-biotechnology-sector-on-a-growth-path.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11193/healthcare-and-biotechnology-sector-on-a-growth-path.html Wed, 27 Jun 2018 13:20:00 +0530 India’s health care sector will change dramatically over the next few years. The pharmaceutical industry alone will reach a volume of 45 billion dollar by the year 2020. As the world’s largest supplier of generic drugs, India furthermore has the second largest number of USFDA-approved manufacturing facilities outside the US. The forecasts for the future of the biotechnology industry are similarly positive: By 2019, it is expected to reach a total sales volume of 10.7 billion dollar. The Indian government supports both of these key industries and promotes innovation, research and investment. The leading trade fairs analyticaAnacon India and India Lab Expo 2018 in Hyderabad from September 06 to 08 therefore offer the ideal platform for all manufacturers of analysis, laboratory and biotechnology products. Since 2015, analyticaAnacon India and the India Lab Expo have been held simultaneously. Together, they provide the leading platform for analysis, laboratory and biotechnology in the Indian subcontinent, covering the entire value chain for industrial and research laboratories. This year, analyticaAnacon India and India Lab Expo will be present in Hyderabad from September 06 to 08 at the HITEX Exhibition Center. Last year, 259 exhibitors from 11 countries presented the latest developments and market trends in the fields of laboratory instruments, analysis, diagnostics and biotechnology in Hyderabad. The trade fair registered 7,714 visitors. This year, the trade fair will occupy more than 10,500 square meters of commercial space and cover the entire spectrum of analysis, laboratory technology, biotechnology and diagnostics. New: Mumbai edition of the event In addition to the annual flagship event in Hyderabad, analyticaAnacon India and India Lab Expo took place for the first time in Mumbai from April 25 to 26 this year, at Bombay Exhibition Centre.The debut edition brought together more than 100 exhibitors and gathered 3,713 trade visitors in two days. “We got an overwhelming response from the western market. The exhibitors were satisfied to get access to a broad range of new sales markets. The Maharashtra region with Mumbai as the financial and business capital of Indiaoffered many new customers from biotechnology, food processing, chemical and pharmaceutical market”, Susanne Grödl, Exhibition Director of analytica, sums up the event. Knowledge exchange with experts Turning all eyes on the Hyderabad-edition now, visitors to analyticaAnacon India and India Lab Expo have the opportunity not only to find out about the latest products, technologies and innovations, but also to exchange views with experts. Numerous national and international exhibitors provide compact and application-oriented presentations of solutions for the industry. Renowned scientists make their expertise available in workshops and discussion rounds. Once more in 2018: Attractive supporting program concomitantly with the exhibition Visitors will benefit from an additional supporting program at the analyticaAnacon India and India Lab Expo. The Live Lab “Food and Pharma Analysis” allows participants to experience current analyses and experiments first-hand. One highlight of the event will once again be the “Buyer–Seller Meetings” on all three days of the trade fair. Exhibitors and visitors can contact each other directly and exchange about their mutual needs. The Buyer-Seller Meetings facilitate direct contact between exhibitors and buyers from domestic and international markets through prescheduled meetings. This tailor-made match-making- platform allows exhibitors to contact possible business partners filtered by branch, position or companies. In return it allows visitors to search for specific applications or brands.Exhibitors can meet new companies and potential customers, which otherwise would have not been possible within a span of three days.A total of 852 contact meetings took place last year – and at this year’s analyticaAnacon India and India Lab Expo in Hyderabad in September, there will certainly be even more.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11106/sartorius-stedim-biotech-siemens-sign-pact-in-the-area-of-automation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11106/sartorius-stedim-biotech-siemens-sign-pact-in-the-area-of-automation-.html Tue, 12 Jun 2018 18:00:00 +0530 The Siemens technology group and Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB), a leading international supplier for the biopharmaceutical industry, have agreed on long-term cooperation in the area of automation.   This agreement provides that Sartorius Stedim Biotech will preferably use Siemens automation technologies, which will include industrial PCs, the S7-1500 software controller, the TIA Portal and the SCADA system Simatic WinCC, among others.   These hardware and software components will be employed in many products and solutions that SSB offers its customers for the development and manufacture of biopharmaceuticals, such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.   Sartorius Stedim Biotech has already been using established Siemens automation solutions for process control in its large-scale bioreactor and filtration systems for quite some time.   To standardize its own product portfolio even further, SSB has decided to introduce a new, configurable automation system for its range of systems.   Under the agreement recently concluded, cooperation between the two companies will therefore be extended to further Sartorius Stedim Biotech products. These will be successively equipped with Siemens automated solutions in the coming months and can thus be integrated into process control systems, such as Simatic PCS 7 and Simatic Batch.   Essentially, such SSB products are single-use bioreactors of the BIOSTAT® STR series, various filtration systems and the FlexAct® system. The latter is a flexible module that is used to control many different process steps within biopharmaceutical production.    During this year’s ACHEMA trade show that will be taking place from June 11 to June 15, 2018, in Frankfurt, Germany, Siemens and Sartorius Stedim Biotech will be jointly presenting the FlexAct module, a first product based on the new automation platform.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11099/medgenomes-oncopept-wins-best-overall-genomic-solution-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11099/medgenomes-oncopept-wins-best-overall-genomic-solution-award.html Mon, 11 Jun 2018 17:05:00 +0530 MedGenome's OncoPept platform of advanced genomics-based solutions designed to accelerate cancer immune-oncology research, was named the winner of the 2018 MedTech Breakthrough Awards for 'Best Overall Genomics Solution.' OncoPept platform is used by researchers to help identify biomarkers aimed at delivering personalized therapies including more durable, improved and responsive cancer immunotherapy treatments. It offers a personalized cancer therapy approach leveraging a novel T cell receptor binding algorithm to predict personalized cancer vaccine candidates, and provides a high-throughput multi-dimensional view of the tumor microenvironment using NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) based solutions. "We thank the MedTech Breakthrough Awards for recognizing our research solutions that benefit a global community of patients dealing with various types of cancer.  As a leading genomics-based research company, it is our mission to improve health worldwide by developing deep insights into diseases, ultimately leading to treatments and – eventually – cures," said Dr. Amitabha Chaudhuri, VP, Research and Development at MedGenome. "The genomics market is incredibly competitive, and we are thrilled to recognize industry innovator, MedGenome, for their breakthrough OncoPept cancer immunotherapy biomarker platform," said James Johnson, Managing Director at MedTech Breakthrough. "MedGenome's solutions are delivering a truly personalized cancer therapy approach, and we are excited to recognize their platform as our 'Best Overall Genomics Solution' award winner in the 2018 MedTech Breakthrough Awards program." The MedTech Breakthrough Awards recognize the top companies, people, platforms and products in the health, fitness and medical technology industries today. The mission of the MedTech Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the creativity, hard work and success of health and medical technology companies, services and products. With over 3,000 global nominations this year for the MedTech Breakthrough Awards, the competition was incredibly fierce. Notable winners from other categories include GE, WebMD, FitBit, Philips, 23andMe, Humana, Abbott, Apple and an impressive list of top companies and startups in the MedTech industry.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11044/thrombolytic-science-to-participate-in-2018-bio-international-conference.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/11044/thrombolytic-science-to-participate-in-2018-bio-international-conference.html Thu, 31 May 2018 14:30:00 +0530 Thrombolytic Science, LLC (TSI), a clinical stage vascular health company developing biotechnology products to treat thrombotic diseases such as myocardial infarction (MI, or heart attack) and stroke, today announced that it will meet with potential partners at the 25th BIO International Conference from June 4th to June 7th in Boston, Mass. TSI recently completed a Phase I clinical trial of its treatment regimen, a next-generation clot-dissolving therapy that mimics nature’s safe and efficient fibrinolytic system in the treatment of clot-induced diseases. A first-in-human, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated the overall safety and tolerability of its treatment regimen in healthy adults. TSI is now preparing to enter human proof-of-concept trials in patients experiencing ischemic stroke and MI. The only treatment currently available for ischemic stroke is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which requires to be administrated within a 0-to-4.5-hour time window, and which carries a risk of brain hemorrhage. The main treatment for heart attacks is primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, or balloon angioplasty), an invasive procedure that may cause smaller clots to break off and occlude smaller vessels downstream of the initial blockage, thereby increasing risk of future events. “We are excited to participate in the 2018 BIO International Conference and share our vision and plans regarding the potential for changing treatment standards in blood clot-related diseases,” said Alexis Wallace, President and Chief Executive Officer of TSI. “We encourage BIO guests to use the One-on-One Partnering platform to schedule meetings with TSI representatives.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10722/suryanarayan-takes-charge-as-able-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10722/suryanarayan-takes-charge-as-able-president.html Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:20:00 +0530 A new team of elected Executive Council, led by  Mr Shrikumar Suryanarayan, chairman of Sea6Energy, as President has taken charge at the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) on April 1, 2018. Biocon and ABLE’s Founder, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw will continue to play the role of Non-executive Chairperson of ABLE. A new logo is also being designed to add up to the changes. Prior to this role, Suryanarayan was the vice president of the organization for the past three years and has been associated with ABLE for a long time, starting as Honorary Director-General, nearly 10 years ago.  A former R&D head of Biocon, Mr Suryanarayan is currently the chairman of startup, Sea6Energy, a prominent company in the field of Biostimulants and biofuels, based in Bengaluru and operations in Indonesia. “Biotechnology touches many important sectors of our economy and has a major role to play in improving the prosperity and health of the people of our country. ABLE will continue its role to facilitate the development of this sector and to work with the government to ensure that India can become a world leader in this important sector,” said the new ABLE President, Mr Suryanarayan. The new Executive Council of ABLE comprises of Shrikumar Suryanarayan (Sea6Energy) as President, G S Krishnan (Novozymes South Asia) as Vice President, Dr Goutam Das (Goutam Das Consultancy) as General Secretary, and Dr Anand Anandkumar (Bugworks Research) as Treasurer. The other EC members include Dr K K Narayanan (ex-President, ABLE), Dr P M Murali, (Evolva Biotech & ex-president, ABLE), Dr Vijay Chandru (Strand Life Sciences & ex-President ABLE), Dr Raja Mugasimangalam (Genotypic Technologies), Sujay Shetty (PWC), Ravi Bhola (KNS Partners), Dr Shriram Ragavan (Evolva Biotech) and Dr Jayashree Aiyar (Syngene International). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10667/syngene-inks-drug-discovery-agreement-with-gsk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10667/syngene-inks-drug-discovery-agreement-with-gsk.html Tue, 27 Mar 2018 12:40:00 +0530 Biocon's contract research arm Syngene International inked a drug discovery agreement with global drug firm GSK. The multi-year R&D agreement between the two companies will focus on accelerating the discovery of new drug candidates using Syngene's discovery services platforms. As part of the collaboration, Syngene will set-up a customised discovery research laboratory to support projects across several therapeutic areas.  A team of Syngene scientists will work closely with GSK's global R&D teams on discovery research projects to identify new drug candidates with the potential to address some of the world's most pressing healthcare needs. Syngene started offering discovery services to global R&D focused organisations from 1994 onwards. Over the years, it has consolidated its position in offering integrated discovery, development and manufacturing services across small and large molecules within both the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10625/uk-us-genomic-companies-to-study-indian-population.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10625/uk-us-genomic-companies-to-study-indian-population.html Tue, 20 Mar 2018 16:15:00 +0530 A UK-based genomics data platform and an American genetics company collaborated to create the world’s largest project of its kind to study Indian population.  Cambridge-headquartered Global Gene Corp (GGC) said its new multi-year tie-up with Regeneron Genetics Center (RGC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of New York-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, is aimed at finding innovative diagnosis and therapies for rare diseases. “We believe that genomics will help India achieve a paradigm shift in healthcare,” said Deepak Bagla, managing director and CEO of Invest India, the country’s investment promotion and facilitation agency which is supporting GGC to build world-class capabilities in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Invest India said the latest collaboration marks a step forward in the Indian government’s “Healthcare for All” plans, particularly with the Ayushmann Bharat initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sumit Jamuar, chairman and CEO of GGC, explained that this “genomics revolution” is crucial to the delivery of improved healthcare for all. His company is working to solve the problem of genomic data bias, where 81 per cent of genomics data comes from Caucasian populations of European ancestry; India with 1.3 billion people represents 20 per cent of the world’s population, yet its population contributes less than 1 per cent of genomic data and insights. The new tie-up with RGC will sequence the exomes of people from the Indian subcontinent in order to gain insights into allelic (alternative forms of genes) architecture and specified diseases. Genomic sequencing data generated by the RGC will be paired with de-identified medical records from consenting patients to examine links between human genetic variations and disease in these populations. medicines developed with human genetic evidence have had substantially higher success rates and patient care has benefited.  Exome sequencing records every letter in the DNA of the exome, the 1-2 per cent (30 to 40 million basepair letters) of the genome that encodes all known proteins and that is believed to have the most direct relevance for therapeutic development and understanding of inherited disease.  GGC was set up with a vision to democratize healthcare through genomics. It is focused on building a longitudinal, genomics data foundation and insights for under-explored patient populations in Asia, Middle East, Latin America and Africa. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10620/research-connects-stem-cell-therapy-with-restoring-fertility.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10620/research-connects-stem-cell-therapy-with-restoring-fertility.html Mon, 19 Mar 2018 17:40:00 +0530 A new research suggests that young women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) may be able to use their own bone marrow stem cells to rejuvenate their ovaries and avoid the effects of premature menopause. The preliminary results from the ongoing ROSE clinical trial will be presented at ENDO 2018, the 100th annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, in Chicago, Ill. "In the two participants who have completed the treatment to date, serum estrogen levels have increased as soon as 3 months after the injection of stem cells, and the effect has lasted for at least one year. Their menopausal symptoms have been alleviated, and six months after the injection of the stem cells into the ovaries, they have resumed menses," said senior author Ayman Al-Hendy, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Gynecology and Director of Translational Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The researchers plan to enroll 33 participants in their clinical trial. For the two patients who have undergone the procedure so far, they collected each woman's own mesenchymal stem cells from her posterior iliac crest bone marrow and used minimally invasive laparoscopy to inject the cells into one ovary, keeping the second, untreated, ovary as a control. The authors followed the patients closely with frequent blood work, imaging of the ovaries, menopausal symptom questionnaires, and safety studies. Now that both women's estrogen levels have increased significantly and they have begun to menstruate, the research team looks forward to the possibility that they may again become fertile. "Ultrasound imaging of treated ovaries shows significant size increase in the treated ovaries compared to the contralateral untreated ovaries. In the cases completed so far, the patients have tolerated the treatment very well with no complications or side effects," Al-Hendy said. The ovaries produce hormones and eggs typically until menopause in the early fifties, when they stop working. About 1 percent of women have POI, and some are as young as in their teens, the authors wrote in their abstract. With POI, the ovaries stop working and the women enter early menopause. They lose the ability to menstruate, ovulate and have children using their own eggs, and they may be at increased risk for menopausal symptoms including hot flushes, night sweets, mood swings and vaginal dryness, and for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis-related fracture and earlier cognitive function decline, Al-Hendy said. The authors are currently enrolling new participants with the goal of following more patients for a longer period.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10600/pieriandx-unites-with-cancer-genetics-to-enrich-patients-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10600/pieriandx-unites-with-cancer-genetics-to-enrich-patients-care.html Thu, 15 Mar 2018 12:35:00 +0530 PierianDx, the leading genomics technology company that enables precision medicine programs and molecular testing for healthcare organizations, announced partnership with Cancer Genetics, Inc. (CGI). The partnership will provide a comprehensive precision oncology testing and workflow solution to enhance patient care. CGI is a leader in enabling precision medicine for oncology through molecular markers and diagnostics. The partnership combines CGI's Focus::NGS® offering, a suite of next generation sequencing (NGS) tests providing a comprehensive view of the patient genomic profile for both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, with PierianDx's integrated NGS workflow and analysis solution: Clinical Genomics WorkSpace™ (CGW), allowing for streamlined and accurate analysis, interpretation, and reporting. Nagarajan, PierianDx founder and CEO, noted that the partnership will produce actionable clinical insights and reports for pathologists and oncologists utilizing both PierianDx interpretation services and CGW’s KnowledgeSpace™ which cultivates and curates billions of biomedical findings, expanding its intelligence with each use. The KnowledgeSpace™ includes curated variant classification guidelines by the Association of Molecular Pathology (AMP), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). PierianDx’s board-certified molecular pathologists and medical geneticists will further review cases to make assessments on medical meaningfulness of variants. This information will include recommended therapeutic options, more aggressive or conservative disease monitoring, as well as recommended clinical trials, each of which offered in the appropriate clinical context. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10516/aldeyra-therapeutics-jj-collaborate-to-treat-systemic-inflammatory-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10516/aldeyra-therapeutics-jj-collaborate-to-treat-systemic-inflammatory-diseases.html Thu, 01 Mar 2018 18:10:00 +0530 Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc. a biotechnology company devoted to development of next-generation medicines to improve the lives of patients with inflammatory diseases. The company announced that it has entered into a collaborative research agreement with Janssen Research & Development, LLC (Janssen), one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Aldeyra plans to collaborate with Janssen on the development of novel drugs designed to sequester pro-inflammatory aldehyde mediators, a new class of therapeutic targets. Aldeyra's aldehyde sequestration platform represents a novel therapeutic class, led by reproxalap, a first-in-class drug candidate that has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in four Phase 2 clinical trials. The agreement is intended to advance the development of existing analogs of reproxalap for the treatment of systemic inflammatory diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10470/day-2-of-bioasia-2018-witnesses-investments-from-biocon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10470/day-2-of-bioasia-2018-witnesses-investments-from-biocon.html Sat, 24 Feb 2018 10:45:00 +0530 BioAsia, Asia’s largest Biotechnology and Life-sciences forum and the annual flagship event of the Government witnessed investments from India’s largest biopharmaceutical company -Biocon. The Bangalore based company will be expanding its current presence in Hyderabad on APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) Intermediates to add 500 new jobs. The company will also soon start an R&D lab of its subsidiary Syngene in Genome Valley, Telangana, which is expected to generate another 1500 high tech jobs. Appreciating Mr. KT Rama Rao - Minister of Industries & Commerce, Govt. of Telangana, Biocon MD Kiran Mazumdar Shaw remarked that she was very impressed with his visionary leadership. She opined that when the industry sees leadership like this, they are motivated to come forward and support them. Some insightful deliberations by global leaders of Life Sciences with key note sessions by Professor Michael Hall, Lasker Awardee, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland, Dr.Shreeram Aradhye, Chief Medical Officer, Novartis Pharma, USA and Dr.Udit Batra, Member of the Executive Board, CEO Life Science, Merck, Germany also took place. In his keynote, Prof. Michael Hall explained in detail the TOR (Target Of Rapamycin) – TOR signaling, journey of Rapamycine being used in suppressive drugs, antifungal drugs and now in cancer drugs to control cell growth. Dr. Shreeram Aradhye emphasized on the role of technology and analytics in improving efficiency in healthcare and thereby improving the longevity and quality of human life. Dr. Udit Batra spoke about the low penetration of biologics in India despite the high affordability and increasing availability of biologics. He further elaborated on how Merck’s wide portfolio is helping them exploit the US$ 64-65 billion market in India. The highlight of Day 2 was the CEO Conclave which explored the key recent developments in the Indian Life Sciences industry and the actions that manufacturers and the government are taking to ensure holistic growth, with a focus on putting patients first. The panel was chaired by Mr. KT Rama Rao - Minister of Industries & Commerce, Govt. of Telangana and the eminent panel included Mr. Eswara Reddy, Drug Controller General of India Mrs. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman & Managing Director, Biocon Ltd. Mr. Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Mr. Jawed Zia, Country President, Novartis India Ltd Dr. Philip Larsen, Head of TA Diabetes Research & German HUB Chief Scientific Officer, Sanofi Mr. Gregory Reh, Vice Chairman, US & Global Life Sciences Sector Leader, Deloitte The key themes for Day 2 were (i) Innovation & Exponential Medicine Conference, (ii) Cancer Diagnostics & Biomarkers and (ii) Supply Chain & Logistics in Indian Biopharma. Under theme (i), Mr. Gregory Reh, Vice Chairman, US & Global Life, Sciences Sector Leader, Deloitte chaired the first session on the discussions around how Life Sciences companies are bolstering R&D pipelines through deal-making, the Industry trends and emerging Partnership Models and the critical role the Asian continent. Mr. Sudeep Krishna, Head (Life Sciences), Deloitte conducted a fireside chat on disruption in Healthcare and Life Sciences with Ms. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals and Ms. Terri Bresenham, President and CEO, Sustainable Healthcare Solutions – GE Healthcare. Mr. Utkarsh Palnitkar, Former Life Sciences Head, KPMG India deliberated on whether India ready to usher in the new era of Biologics. Two other panels deliberated on the Role of Industry, Academia, Government and Service Providers in creating an Innovative Ecosystem in Life Sciences. While talking about Hyderabad’s growing prominence as a life sciences and technology hub, KT Rama Rao - Minister of Industries & Commerce, Govt. of Telangana said, “Hyderabad has an established ecosystem of healthcare and life sciences companies. Out of the 160 USFDA approved companies, more than 60 are located in Hyderabad. Genome Valley 2.0 will focus on innovation in nano-sciences and radiotherapy as well as API manufacturing. Telangana State hopes to leverage its strong position to become the Gateway of India for biotechnology and life sciences.” He further added, “The government needs to incentivize R&D and act as an enabler to companies that are transitioning from chemicals to biologics. It is also important to look at Lifesciences as a spectrum and synergies flowing from medical devices to generics and the next.” Theme (ii) was kicked off by a plenary address on Precision Oncology, Immunotherapy in Cancer-Current trends, New Developments in Cancer Diagnostic Radiology. A session on cancer diagnostics was chaired by Dr. Shanthi Naidu, Head of Department, Laboratory Medicine, Care Hospitals. Under Theme (iii) Prof. Devendra Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Director, BSMA steered the panel discussion on Building the Supply Chain as a Core and Competency of the Indian Bio-pharma Industry. Prof. Devdip Purkayastha, Strategic Business Development, DHL chaired a session on Optimizing Packaging and Transportation and Securing the Best-in-Class Ocean and Airfreight for Biologicals and Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Prasad Deshpande, Vice President & Head, Global Procurement, Supply Chain, and Contract Manufacturing, Biocon Limited deliberated with panelists on Ensuring Product Quality and Integrity in the Emerging Cold Chain Network of Asia. Insights were provided on Revolutionizing Bio-production. Eminent speakers from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation India, Biolog Europe & Reliance Life Sciences also addressed the gathering. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10403/vinayaka-mission-signs-mou-to-produce-economical-nano-sensors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10403/vinayaka-mission-signs-mou-to-produce-economical-nano-sensors.html Wed, 14 Feb 2018 15:15:00 +0530 Salem based Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US-based Global Institute of Nanotechnology to produce low-cost nano sensors for diagnosis and preventive care. Vijay K Varadan, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Nanowear Inc, and Director, Global Institute of Nanotechnology in Engineering and Medicine, have come up with indigenous technologies that will measure health parameters such as ECG, heart rate, blood pressure and wireless brain-machine interface that can be used for diagnosing autism and sleep disorder. Fabric such as bedsheets and undergarments embedded with nano sensors measure various parameters. The data are then transmitted to cloud through smart-phones. The product costs $400 and is USFDA approved. Although the tools are easy to use, they are expensive. Researchers and medical fraternity will work together at the Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology run by the foundation to find a cost-effective solution. The foundation will also set up mobile clinics at its four hospitals in Puducherry and Salem to conduct clinical trials. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10397/new-isoluter-hydro-dme-rapidly-removes-matrix-interferences-from-urine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10397/new-isoluter-hydro-dme-rapidly-removes-matrix-interferences-from-urine.html Wed, 14 Feb 2018 11:10:00 +0530 A leading global supplier of solutions and technology for analytical, medicinal and peptide chemistry, is pleased to announce the launch of ISOLUTE® HYDRO DME+ fixed well plates and columns, for the efficient removal of matrix components from urine, using a simple pass through workflow.  The novel (patent pending) dual mode extraction (DME) methodology has been developed by Biotage to provide more effective removal of matrix components such as salts, creatinine, urea, pigments and residual hydrolysis enzymes from urine using a combination of liquid partitioning and scavenging modes. Compared to the dilute and shoot approach, analyte sensitivity is increased, and instrument sensitivity is maintained over multiple injections, improving assay robustness and reducing costly downtime. The inclusion of Biotage® HYDRO frit technology means that urine samples can be hydrolyzed in-situ in the well or column, eliminating the need for a post hydrolysis sample transfer step.  ISOLUTE® HYDRO DME+ products can be processed using 96-well compatible positive pressure manifolds (e.g. Biotage® PRESSURE+ 96/48), vacuum manifolds (e.g. VacMaster™-96/-10-20) and automated sample extraction systems (e.g. Biotage® Extrahera). Raw urine samples of up to 200 µL can be cleaned up using the 400 mg 96-well plate and column formats. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10376/ihf-to-promote-research-for-tb-malaria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10376/ihf-to-promote-research-for-tb-malaria.html Mon, 12 Feb 2018 10:45:00 +0530 An initiative by Tata Trusts, the India Health Fund (IHF) in collaboration with the Global Fund has come forward to financially support innovations and technologies designed to combat tuberculosis and malaria. The IHF aims to support new products and strategies that impact the entire lifecycle of TB and malaria, from prevention to post-cure recovery. It has recently invited project proposals. The four areas of research for which applications are invited include: use of technology and data science to strengthen surveillance of TB and malaria, inform early warning systems, and improve early detection and prompt treatment; promotion of robust molecular diagnostic facilities feasible for primary healthcare in low-resource settings; innovations on effective communication strategies that will prevent transmission of TB and malaria, and enable people to protect themselves from the diseases, and, finally, research on innovative approaches to vector surveillance. The IHF intends to support individuals and organisations with already germinated innovative strategies, services, products, such that they become sustainable and scalable solutions in addressing TB and malaria. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10258/the-powerful-nano-weapon-against-resistant-bacteria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10258/the-powerful-nano-weapon-against-resistant-bacteria.html Thu, 25 Jan 2018 16:15:00 +0530 Scientists from the Palacký University (UP) in Olomouc have discovered a unique mechanism that enables bacteria to defend themselves against silver nanoparticles, which are widely used in antibacterial therapy. This mechanism does not require the bacteria to undergo genetic changes, and differs significantly from mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. The scientists have also found a way to suppress bacterial resistance to nanosilver, which could be crucial in addressing the global antibiotics crisis.  The long-standing overuse of antibiotics during the second half of the last century has caused increasing levels of bacterial antibiotic resistance. Therefore, in recent years, many chemists, microbiologists, and physicians have studied the antibacterial effects of silver nanoparticles, which have gradually become incorporated into dozens of commercial products as well as successful options for local antibiotic therapy and preventing the evolution of bacterial infections. In 2006, scientists from the Palacký University in Olomouc described in detail the effectiveness of silver nanoparticles against a wide range of bacteria including highly resistant strains. However, scientists and physicians have been unable to determine whether repeated exposure to nanoparticles can cause bacteria to develop resistance similar to that seen with antibiotics. After approximately five years of work, this question has been answered by researchers from the Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials (RCPTM), the Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, and the Faculty of Medicine of the Palacký University in Olomouc. According to the scientists, silver nanoparticles have a lot more to contribute in the fight against bacterial infections. The team from Olomouc has developed a technology protected by European and American patents that involves using strong chemical bonds to anchor silver nanoparticles to materials such as plastics, metals, and textiles. The scientists also reported the high activity of silver nanoparticles against yeasts and the possibility of restoring antibiotics' activity against multi-resistant bacteria while simultaneously applying nanosilver at very low concentrations that are non-toxic to mammalian cells. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10220/15th-edition-of-bioasia-2018-to-kick-start-from-february-22nd-2018-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10220/15th-edition-of-bioasia-2018-to-kick-start-from-february-22nd-2018-in-hyderabad.html Thu, 18 Jan 2018 20:20:00 +0530 BioAsia, the annual flagship event of the Government of Telangana, will start from February 22, 2018 at HICC in the city of Hyderabad - the life sciences hub of India. This year the event completes 15 successful years of bringing together all the stakeholder of Pharma and Life Sciences sector from national and international arena. During this journey, BioAsia has emerged as the most preeminent technology and bio-business convention in Asia for Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and healthcare. This event scheduled for February 22 - 24, 2018 is expected to witness participation of 1,500 delegates from over 55 countries with 100 High profile speakers and 500 Corporates. The Life Sciences sector in India is facing unprecedented change, driven by a convergence of demographic growth, urbanization, digitization, and a continued push on financial inclusion. At the same time, the evolving regulatory regime in price control, generic drugs, and the implementation of GST has brought healthcare stakeholders back to the drawing board. Some of the Mega Trends (enclosed) in the sector suggests a need for companies to relook at their existing strategies and reorient their business models. With the theme of RIGHT TIME, RIGHT NOW BioAsia 2018 will deliberate on the strategies to take on this rapid pace of change, innovative ways to develop new models for distribution & healthcare delivery and the opportunities exist right now for the Life Sciences value chain. Ireland, Netherlands and South Africa are the International Partners for the 15thEdition of the event whereas the States of Gujarat, Assam and Rajasthan are the Indian State partners for the event. A high-profile delegation from these regions will be attending a series meeting to explore the business opportunities, collaborations in the field of research & innovation and sharing know-how to meet the requirement of affordable drugs and treatment for emerging diseases. Mr. KT Rama Rao, Minister for Industries and Commerce, IT, E&C, MAUD, Mines & Geology, Public Enterprises and NRI Affairs, Govt. of Telangana said, “Hyderabad has always been known as the top Pharma and Life Sciences destination worldwide. Genome Valley, has become the largest innovation and life sciences cluster in Asia and has the privilege of being India's first and only systematically developed R&D and clean manufacturing ecosystem, is a shining example of Telangana’s dominant position in Life Sciences sector. With new industrial clusters like Pharma City and Medical Devices park, Hyderabad is ready to assume leadership role of the life sciences industry in Asia and the world. BioAsia has been an integral part of the Hyderabad’s growth story and we are committed to magnifying the scale of the event to greater heights. As has been the case in the past, BioAsia 2018 will witness some of the marquee global leaders of the industry visiting Hyderabad and will certainly augment the growth of not only the country’s Life sciences and Healthcare industry but will also strengthen the leadership of Telangana in this field.” “BioAsia over the years has emerged as one of the preeminent meetings in Asia for the Life Sciences and Healthcare sectors. BioAsia 2018 will attract about 1500 participants globally and the response to the event has been overwhelming. The event is strongly supported by various government organizations including the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Biotechnology, BIRAC among others and Deloitte will be the knowledge partners for the event. We are looking forward to BioAsia 2018 to leverage our industry friendly policies and the advanced infrastructure to attract more global companies”, added Mr. Jayesh Ranjan (IAS), Secretary to Govt of Telangana, I&C Department & ITE&C Department. The exhibition at the event venue with about 100 exhibitors and startups will showcase some of the most innovative products, services and solutions in Life Sciences, Medtech and healthcare. BioAsia 2017 witnessed participation of around 1,500 registered delegates from 51 countries. It also conducted around 1,200 trade, partnership & deliberation meetings at the event and witnessed investments of close to INR 3,400 Crores during the event. Megatrends & Opportunities in times of change: RIGHT TIME, RIGHT NOW The Life Sciences sector in India is facing unprecedented change, driven by a convergence of demographic growth, urbanization, digitization, and a continued push on financial inclusion. At the same time, the evolving regulatory regime in price control, generic drugs, and the implementation of GST has brought healthcare stakeholders back to the drawing board. The past year has been challenging for Indian generic companies from an export perspective as well.  Price erosion, coupled with regulatory activism and protectionism has significantly impacted export revenues and margins. What strategies should companies deploy to take on this rapid pace of change? How will healthcare stakeholders work together in ever more innovative ways to develop new models for distribution and healthcare delivery? Why is this the right time and what opportunities exist right now for the Life Sciences value chain? Be a part of the discussion at the 15th edition of BioAsia. Several megatrends are impacting the Indian market: Demographic Dividend: India will have 238M young people (15-24 yrs) and 68% productive population by 2025  Growing Middle Class: The Indian middle-class size will go up to 547M in 2025 from 267M in 2015  Urbanization: The urbanization rate will go up to 40% (583M) in 2030 from 31% (372M) in 2010  Technology Adoption: The total internet users in India to reach ~346M by 2018 (from 252M currently)  Financial Inclusion: The population with financial access increased from ~300M to ~475M over 2011-15  Within the life sciences and healthcare sector specifically, some of the key drivers of change are: There is a rise in the incidence and prevalence of non-communicable diseases The burden of NCDs is increasing due to aging population, sedentary lifestyle, diet changes, and rising obesity levels The shifting disease burden coupled with improved diagnostics, growing awareness and rise in precautionary treatments will drive demand for chronic care hospitalization in India The rising demand for chronic care will propel at-home care services such as post-surgery care, oncology treatment and physiotherapy The rise in middle class and greater health insurance coverage is likely to fuel healthcare expenditure growth Private healthcare services will continue to grow and reach beyond Tier 1 cities There is an accelerating trend of innovation and use of technology in healthcare delivery Growing technologies such as health apps and telemedicine, will improve access and quality of healthcare delivery services mHealth, which is one of the fastest growing sectors within digital healthcare in India, has helped improve disease awareness, ease access to healthcare services and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs The E-health initiative, which is a part of ‘Digital India’, facilitates maintenance of health records and appointment bookings using eKYC data of Aadhaar number  The evolving regulatory framework requires all healthcare stakeholders to work together to adapt to the changing environment Focus on generics: The Union Health Ministry is working on a regulatory framework on the use of generic drug names in labelling and prescriptions. The Medical Council of India (MCI) has mandated doctors to prescribe using the generic name to ensure a rational prescription and use of drugs  Price regulation The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority capped prices of cardiac stents and knee implants in 2017  GST rollout With the implementation of GST, healthcare companies are focused on how to best reconfigure their supply chain and business processes to maximize efficiencies under the new regime. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10135/acquisition-of-atlanta-biologicals-by-bio-techne.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10135/acquisition-of-atlanta-biologicals-by-bio-techne.html Wed, 03 Jan 2018 12:15:00 +0530 Bio-Techne Corporation is a leading developer and manufacturer of high quality purified proteins especially cytokines and growth factors, antibodies, immunoassays, as well as biologically active small molecule compounds.  The company announced that it has acquired all of the stock of Atlanta Biologicals and its affiliated company. The transaction is financed through available cash on hand. Atlanta Biologicals was founded in 1992 and has focused on supplying cell culture sera, media and reagents for the life science research market. The acquisition is expected to be slightly accretive to Bio-Techne's adjusted earnings per share for its fiscal year 2018.  The companies are confident with the strategic fit between them, given their shared commitment to provide quality products and excellent customer service. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10072/spark-therapeutics-luxturna-got-fda-approval-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10072/spark-therapeutics-luxturna-got-fda-approval-.html Wed, 20 Dec 2017 12:50:00 +0530 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec-rzyl); a new gene therapy, to treat children and adult patients with an inherited form of vision loss that may result in blindness. Luxturna is the first directly administered gene therapy approved in the U.S. that targets a disease caused by mutations in a specific gene. It is approved for the treatment of patients with confirmed biallelic RPE65 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy that leads to vision loss and may cause complete blindness in certain patients.  Hereditary retinal dystrophies are a broad group of genetic retinal disorders that are associated with progressive visual dysfunction and are caused by mutations in any one of more than 220 different genes.  Luxturna works by delivering a normal copy of the RPE65 gene directly to retinal cells. These retinal cells then produce the normal protein that converts light to an electrical signal in the retina to restore patient's vision loss. Luxturna uses a naturally occurring adeno-associated virus, which has been modified using recombinant DNA techniques, as a vehicle to deliver the normal human RPE65 gene to the retinal cells to restore vision.  Luxturna should be given only to patients who have viable retinal cells as determined by the treating physician(s). Treatment with Luxturna must be done separately in each eye on separate days, with at least six days between surgical procedures. It is administered via subretinal injection by a surgeon experienced in performing intraocular surgery.  The safety and efficacy of Luxturna were established in a clinical development program with a total of 41 patients between the ages of 4 and 44 years. All participants had confirmed biallelic RPE65 mutations. The primary evidence of efficacy of Luxturna was based on a Phase 3 study with 31 participants by measuring the change from baseline to one year in a subject's ability to navigate an obstacle course at various light levels. The group of patients that received Luxturna demonstrated significant improvements in their ability to complete the obstacle course at low light levels as compared to the control group. The FDA granted this application Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy designations. Luxturna also received Orphan Drug designation, which provides incentives to assist and encourage the development of drugs for rare diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10040/fda-grants-fast-track-status-to-renova-therapeutics-heart-failure-drug.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/10040/fda-grants-fast-track-status-to-renova-therapeutics-heart-failure-drug.html Fri, 15 Dec 2017 13:00:00 +0530 Renova Therapeutics is developing definitive, one-time gene therapies and peptide infusion treatments to restore the health of people suffering from cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This biotechnology company  announced that the U.S. FDA has granted Fast Track designation for the company's lead product candidate, RT-100 AC6 gene transfer (Ad5.hAC6), to treat heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).  The FDA's Fast Track program is designed to expedite the development and review of drugs and biologics with the potential to treat serious or life-threatening conditions and address an unmet medical need. The designation allows for Rolling Review of a New Drug Application (NDA) or Biologic License Application (BLA). The designation also provides eligibility for Priority Review, if relevant criteria are met, potentially resulting in quicker access to patients. RT-100 AC6 gene transfer involves infusing an inactivated adenovirus vector encoding human adenylyl cyclase type 6 (Ad5.hAC6) into the arteries that feed the heart during cardiac catheterization, a commonly performed procedure. AC6 is a protein found in heart muscle cells that regulates heart function and appears to be down-regulated in heart failure patients.  Results of a Phase 2 clinical trial indicate that, through a one-time administration, RT-100 safely increased heart function beyond optimal heart failure therapy. The treatment also lowered the heart failure hospitalization rate at 12 months, which will be the primary endpoint in the program's upcoming Phase 3 trial.  Renova Therapeutics will conduct a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind multicenter Phase 3 trial of intracoronary delivery of RT-100 to evaluate safety and efficacy. This pivotal trial – known as FLOURISH (Heart Failure with Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: One-time Gene Transfer Using RT-100 – Intracoronary Administration of Adenovirus 5 encoding Human AC6) – is expected to commence in Q1 2018 in the United States. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9987/bengaluru-india-nano-2017-gets-started.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9987/bengaluru-india-nano-2017-gets-started.html Thu, 07 Dec 2017 15:20:00 +0530 India's pioneering Nano-science and Nanotechnology Event, Bengaluru India Nano 2017 enters the 9th edition willing to surpass all preceding versions. Industry, Research, Academia & students interaction is organized by the Department of IT, BT, S&T, Government of Karnataka and Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Karnataka Vision group on Nanotechnology and MM Activ Sci Tech Communications, the event will be continued till the 8th of December with Post-Conference Tutorials on December 9, 2017 at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru.The inaugural ceremony was presidented by Prof. C.N.R. Rao, FRS, Linus Pauling Research Professor; Honorary President, JNCASR, Chairman, Vision Group on Science & Technology and Nanotechnology, Govt of Karnataka, Shri Gaurav Gupta, IAS Principal Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, by Smt. K. Ratnaprabha, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, Prof Paul S. Weiss, UC Presidential Chair, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Distinguished Professor of Materials Science & Engineering, California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA, Shri. M.R. Seetharam, Hon’ble Minister for Planning, Statistics, Science and Technology, Govt. of Karnataka, Dr. H. Honne Gowda, Managing Director, Karnataka Science & Technology Promotion Society.Speaking at the inaugural Prof. A. K. Sood, FRS, President, INSA & Professor, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru gave an overview “We have 4 key themes and 4 eminent keynote speakers who will cover all the contemporary aspects of nano technology, Spark X is for encouraging and even to excite the young in the field of nano technology. And we have selected 10 young minds from an array of student to appreciate their achievement.”He further added, we have already registered about 50 domain experts presenting in various sessions from India and around 10 international delegates representing their area of expertise in various sessions. More than 600 delegates, with more than 500 student registration and about 50 stalls as well as 96 poster presentation in the exhibition has  confirmed many more footfalls in the Bengaluru India Nano 2017.“The more work you do in Nano the more possibilities coming up in this field.  Since the last time two new nano institute have been Started in India in Bengaluru and Chandigarh.  We are very hopeful the institute will contribute tremendously to the industry who is showing great interest in the nano industry”, said Prof. C.N.R. Rao, FRS, Linus Pauling Research Professor; Honorary President, JNCASR; Chairman, Vision Group on Science & Technology; Chairman, Vision Group on Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka. He also added that “Any new thing grows from a seed to a tree then it becomes a forest then it becomes a continent. NanoScience is also like that, thus I am glad to be a part of this endeavor.Prof. Paul S. Weiss, UC Presidential Chair; Distinguished, Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry; Distinguished Professor of Materials Science & Engineering, California Nano Systems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA mentioned that “ The world is in a paralysis state at the present, science can bridge this gap that we have created. The involvement of politicians of different country comes into power here as today we all have this special opportunity that has been created.“Bengaluru is gaining strong foothold in the emerging field of nanotechnology, which is considered as the next big technological revolution and enormous scope for its commercial expansion”, said Shri M. R. Seetharam, Hon’ble Minister for Planning, Statistics and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka. He added by saying “To create awareness about astronomical concepts and to help students to learn science, technology, engineering and mathematics, we are establishing first 3D planetarium with state-of-the-art projection systems in Mangalore at an estimated cost of Rs. 35.69 crores. This planetarium will be open to the public in January 2018. Also, we are taking action to establish 5 more mini planetariums; one each in Dharwad, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Madikeri and Gadag. We have also upgraded Jawaharlal Nehru planetarium with a modern projection system at a cost of Rs. 12.00 crores as per the present day requirements.”Attending her first event after being assigned as the Chief Secretory Smt. K. Ratnaprabha, IAS thanked the Science and Technology Dept., Government of Karnataka for creating this opportunity for the scientific community also, all the stake holders through Bengaluru India Nano 2017, she said “Karnataka is the top destination for investment according to the study on September 2017 by DIPP, and one of the reason is our R&D sector.”Prof. Ashok K. Ganguli, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, Punjab was awarded the Prof. C.N.R. Rao Bangalore INDIA NANO Science 2017 Award with a cash prize of 1 lakh rupees by CNR Rao Foundation. The award was presented by Prof. C.N.R. Rao.The 2 day Conference and the third day of Tutorial will be addressing the latest trends in Nanotechnology focusing on Nano-sensors, Nano in Energy Sector, Nano Manufacturing & Scalability and Nano-Medicine. The Post Conference Tutorials would cover Nano Fabrication Technologies; Surface Probe Microscopy and Bioimaging. The RICH Forum (Research Industry Collaboration Hub) will witness presentations on emerging nanotechnologies, which can be commercialized. Nano SparX is the new feature that has been added in the previous year which will showcase emerging business ideas by start-ups and young researchers. All in all,  Bengaluru India Nano 2017 will be addressed by over 30 Speakers spread across 13+ Sessions and will see participation of over 500 delegates from Industry, Academia and Research as well as representation from multiple countries including USA, Japan, UK and Korea.The key features would be the Nano Exhibition with the DST NANO MISSION Pavilion that will showcase the finest of the emerging technologies. The other significant feature of the event would be the Nano Excellence Awards including prestigious Prof. C.N.R. Rao Bengaluru INDIA NANO Science Award.The session on Nano for the Young is organized exclusively for degree students aimed at popularizing nanoscience among them, so as to attract to the field of Nanotechnology.  The programme will be attended by over 400 under graduate students of science and engineering. NanoSparX·        NanoSparX is a special highlight contest conceptualized to encourage and enthuse young students to think about innovative solutions based on nanotechnology for any problem of social relevance. This contest is about ideas that can be pursued for feasibility study within a short time.·        The top two ideas will be given awards of INR 50000 each. The Award Committee will also suggest possible mentors for the award winning teams if they do not have one already.Poster·        Poster Presentation is aimed at generating new breakthrough ideas in Nanotechnology and helping put these ideas into practice through interaction of poster presenters with distinguished visitors from industry, research organizations and the investment community seeking cutting edge innovations, solutions and collaborations.·        Best 5 Poster paper will be Awarded with Rs. 20,000/- each ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9950/cancer-genetics-partners-with-icon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9950/cancer-genetics-partners-with-icon.html Mon, 04 Dec 2017 11:05:00 +0530 Cancer Genetics (CGI) has announced a partnership with the Indian Cooperative Oncology Network (ICON) to promote the use of precision cancer medicine in India. ICON is a professional organization focused on advancing clinical cancer research in India. Under the terms of the alliance, ICON will work with CGI on educational and collaborative oncology clinical research activities in India to drive use of genomic technologies in the clinic. According to CGI, the partners will also study and analyze benefits and trends of genomically informed targeted therapies with the goal of generating new recommendations for the optimal use of molecular assays in cancer treatment. As part of this effort, CGI plans to host a session and panel discussion at ICON's upcoming annual meeting in March to discuss new technologies in cancer care such as liquid biopsy and next-generation sequencing. CGI President and CEO Panna Sharma stated that there is a severe shortage of properly trained physicians in India, with only 2,000 specialized oncologists to treat the vast number of patients. This discrepancy encourages partnerships with Western companies to improve patient care in India, thereby opening up a huge market with high unmet medical need. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9896/extension-of-orchards-collaboration-with-manchester-university-to-include-sanfilippo-syndrome-type-b.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9896/extension-of-orchards-collaboration-with-manchester-university-to-include-sanfilippo-syndrome-type-b.html Mon, 27 Nov 2017 15:45:00 +0530 Orchard Therapeutics Limited (“Orchard) announced that, it has acquired an exclusive license to develop lentivirus-based autologous ex-vivo gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type B (or MPS-IIIB) from The University of Manchester, UK.  The technology developed in Professor Brian Bigger’s laboratory and recently published in the journal Brain. It involves the use of a high-titre lentiviral vector to drive the expression of a codon-optimized α-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU) gene under the control of the myeloid-specific CD11b promoter (LV.CD11b.NAGLU). MPS-IIIB is a rare neurodegenerative inherited lysosomal storage disease. It is caused by mutations in the NAGLU gene. The disease, which affects children as early as 2 years of age, results in severe and rapidly progressive brain disease and neurological symptoms. Currently effective treatment option for MPS-IIIB is not available. This programme in MPS-IIIB complements the existing collaboration program between Orchard, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in MPS-IIIA. Autologous ex-vivo lentiviral haematopoietic stem cell gene therapy is expected to correct neurological manifestations. It happens through the engraftment of subpopulations of haematopoietic stem cells in the central nervous system.Thus it provides the supranormal and widespread enzyme expression throughout the brain.  In both MPS-IIIA and MPS-IIIB, preclinical studies have produced encouraging results, showing a normalization of heparan sulphate levels in the brain and peripheral organs, as well as neurological disease correction. Dr Jesus Garcia-Segovia, Orchard’s VP Clinical Development, CNS and Metabolic Disorders stated: “The incorporation of MPS-IIIB into our development pipeline is a significant milestone in the consolidation of our neurometabolic franchise, which is currently focused on the development of autologous ex-vivo haematopoietic stem-cell gene therapy for children suffering from MPS-IIIA. We are very excited at the possibility of bringing effective treatments capable of addressing the high unmet medical need in children suffering from these devastating conditions”. Prof Brian Bigger, Professor of Cell and Gene Therapy in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester commented: “It’s incredibly exciting for us to work with our trusted partner Orchard Therapeutics to translate another autologous ex-vivo gene therapy that has demonstrated efficacy in a preclinical mouse model of MPS-IIIB into clinical development and scale-up”.  Dr. Andrea Spezzi, Orchard’s Chief Medical Officer added: “MPS-IIIA and MPS-IIIB are devastating diseases. Orchard and its collaborators are highly motivated to develop gene therapies to address the root cause of these disorders and will work tirelessly to make treatments available to patients as soon as possible.  We are now focussing all our efforts on completing the preclinical activities required, to start the clinical studies in MPS-IIIA till the end of 2018 and thereafter in MPS-IIIB”.  Orchard’s development pipeline of autologous ex-vivo gene therapies includes novel treatments for primary immune deficiencies, and inherited metabolic disorders including other undisclosed early and late-stage programmes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9843/karnataka-govt-gives-out-bio-excellence-awards.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9843/karnataka-govt-gives-out-bio-excellence-awards.html Sat, 18 Nov 2017 18:55:00 +0530 At the recently held Bengaluru Technology Summit-2017 at Bengaluru Palace, Government of Karnataka gave out Bio-Excellence awards with the purpose of recognizing those biotechnology firms that have shown dynamic leadership and outstanding contribution in their chosen fields of biotechnology activities. ABLE had been entrusted with the selection process. Besides the Bio-Excellence Awards, the firms were also shortlisted for another set of awards, called the Emerging Company, in the specified categories. To fulfill the nominations process, applications were invited from various biotechnology firms based in Karnataka for the Bio-Excellence as well as the Emerging Company Awards. For the selection procedure, various parameters such as the annual turnover (FY 2016-2017), percentage change in turnover over previous year (FY 2015-2016), five significant developments in the calendar year 2017, and contribution or recognition of the top management towards any significant business leadership, policy impact etc. were considered. The award categories were broadly classified into 5 sections- Biopharma & Healthcare, Bioservices, Agri & Animal Biotech, Bioindustrial and Bio-IT, Genomics, System Biology. Each of these were further divided into the Bio-Excellence and Emerging Company titles. List of the Winners are- Bio-Excellence Award for Agri & Animal Biotech- MULTIPLEX BIOTECH Bio-Excellence Award for Biopharma & Healthcare- BIOCON Bio-Excellence Award for Bio-IT, Genomics, System Biology- STRAND LIFE SCIENCES Bio-Excellence Award for Bioindustrial- NOVOZYMES SOUTH ASIA Bio-Excellence Award for Bioservices- SYNGENE INTERNATIONAL Emerging Company Award for Agri & Animal Biotech- SEA6ENERGY Emerging Company Award for Biopharma & Healthcare- CARDIOTRACK Emerging Company Award for Bioindustrial- STRING BIO Emerging Company Award for Bio-IT, Genomics, System Biology- VIBRANT HEALTH SCIENCES Emerging Company Award for Bioservices- AFFIGENIX BIOSOLUTIONS Apart from the Bio-Excellence and Emerging Company awards, a set of Lifetime Achievement Awards were also given out during the session, to honour the outstanding contributions of eminent scientists in the field of Biotechnology.  Winners- Prof. H Sharat Chandra, Director, Centre for Human Genetics; Emeritus Professor, Indian Institute of Science and Honorary Professor at the JNCASR; Chairman, IBAB Governing Body Prof. Narayanrao Yathindra, Professor and Director, Institute of Bioinformatics & Applied Biotechnology (IBAB) Prof. Govindarajan Padmanaban, Former Director, Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), Bengaluru ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9835/us-researchers-use-stem-cell-therapy-to-reverse-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9835/us-researchers-use-stem-cell-therapy-to-reverse-diabetes.html Fri, 17 Nov 2017 14:50:00 +0530 A team of scientists at Boston have successfully reversed Type 1 diabetes in mice using stem cell therapy, paving the way for new treatments for the chronic disease in humans. The team infused the mice suffering from Type 1 diabetes with pre-treated blood stem cells to produce more of a protein called PD-L1, which has a potent anti-inflammatory effect against Type 1 diabetes. The treated stem cell could curb the autoimmune reaction of the cells and reverse the abnormally high blood glucose condition in mice. Almost all the mice were cured of diabetes in the short term, while one third maintained normal blood sugar levels for the duration of their lives. The study found that the production of PD-L1 is altered in blood stem cells from diabetic mice and humans. This prevents production of PD-L1, even early in the disease. When a healthy gene was introduced for PD-L1 into the stem cells, the treated cells reversed diabetes in the mice. Removing the deficiency of PD-L1, using cell-based therapy may provide a novel therapeutic tool for the disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9800/c-camp-receives-national-award-for-entrepreneurship-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9800/c-camp-receives-national-award-for-entrepreneurship-.html Mon, 13 Nov 2017 12:30:00 +0530 Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO and Director, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), received the National Entrepreneurship Award on behalf of C-CAMP during the Awards Ceremony for the National Entrepreneurship Awards 2017. The award was presented by Shri Arun Jaitley, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, in presence of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Honourable Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Govt. of India, Shri Anantkumar Hegde, MoS, MSDE and Smt. Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE) has instituted the National Entrepreneurship Awards to encourage entrepreneurship across the country. The awards recognize entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship ecosystem builders for their outstanding efforts. The Awards also seek to highlight models of excellence for others to emulate and improve upon. C-CAMP received the Recognition Award in the Government Category. C-CAMP bio-incubator has in the last few years emerged as a thriving hub for innovation and a vibrant ecosystem, where it has supported over 85 innovative biotech/life science start-ups through Seed funding, Bio-incubation, Mentorship and other facilitation Activities. The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) is a Department of Biotechnology DBT, Govt. of India) initiative and a member of the Bangalore Life Science Cluster, which includes NCBS and InStem. C-CAMP was established with the aim of enabling cutting-edge bio-science research and entrepreneurship by: i) making available state-of-the-art technologies and providing training on these technologies to academia and industry, ii) building a thriving ecosystem to stimulate innovation and promote bio-tech entrepreneurship in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9765/nanotechnology-experts-to-congregate-at-india-nano-2017.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9765/nanotechnology-experts-to-congregate-at-india-nano-2017.html Thu, 02 Nov 2017 17:25:00 +0530   The 9th edition of India's premier Nano-science and Nanotechnology Event Bengaluru India Nano 2017 will be held between December 7 & 8, 2017, with Post-Conference Tutorials on December 9, 2017 at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru.   Prof. C.N.R. Rao, Chairman of Karnataka’s Vision Group on Nanotechnology, at the curtain raiser and press interaction, unveiled the event spectrum with the core Theme “Nano Horizons” that promises to delve deep into advancements in nano-science and technology and its impact on various Industry sectors. The Press Conference was also addressed by Mr. Gaurav Gupta, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka alongside Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, FRS, Chairman, Conference Executive Committee, Bengaluru INDIA NANO Event and President, INSA & Professor, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.   This unique event which has emerged as a leading forum for Industry, Research, Academia & students interaction is organized by the Department of IT, BT, S&T, Government of Karnataka and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Karnataka Vision group on Nanotechnology and MM Activ Sci Tech Communications.    Prof. C.N.R. Rao said, “In 2007, when we launched the Nanotech Event in India, not many people believed that nanoscience could deliver the next generation of technologies. However, today the world is witnessing the promise of nanotechnology across verticals, such as engineering, medicine, energy, transportation and communication, to name a few. Our endeavour has always been to create an ecosystem that brings together the best minds from the industry, research and academia, globally, on a single platform. And with the able support of the Karnataka Government, we are proud to recognize and encourage new talents in this ever-evolving field.”   Mr. Gaurav Gupta further added, “Internationally, Karnataka is recognized as the IT capital of India, but we are so much more. The Government of Karnataka has been making constant efforts to boost scientific research and development, especially in exciting areas like nanoscience and nanotechnology. With ‘Nano Horizons’ as the core theme of Bengaluru India Nano 2017, we will be looking at the latest industry trends as well as emerging business ideas by start-ups and young researchers.”   Prof. Ajay K. Sood, President, INSA, spoke about the four major themes of the event- Nanosensors, Nano in Energy Sector, Nano Manufacturing & Scalability and Nano-Medicine.   The Post Conference Tutorials would cover Nano Fabrication Technologies; Surface Probe Microscopy and Bioimaging. The RICH Forum (Research Industry Collaboration Hub) will witness presentations on emerging nanotechnologies, which can be commercialized.   Nano SparX is the new feature that has been added in the previous year will showcase emerging business ideas by start-ups and young researchers. All in all,  Bengaluru India Nano 2017 will be addressed by over 30 Speakers spread across 13+ Sessions and will see participation of over 500 delegates from Industry, Academia and Research as well as representation from multiple countries including USA, Japan, UK and Korea.   The Nano Exhibition will include The DST NANO MISSION Pavilion that will showcase emerging technologies and companies as well as Institutes of National Importance like IITs, NIT, IISc, INST and so on. The event will also feature poster presentations by researchers and graduate students from leading institutes across India.    The other significant feature of the event would be the Nano Excellence Awards including prestigious Prof. C.N.R. Rao Bengaluru INDIA NANO Science Award; Bengaluru INDIA NANO Innovation Award; Malhotra Weikfield Foundation Nano Science Fellowship Awards; Best Poster Awards, Nano SparX Awards and Best Exhibitor Awards.    The session on Nano for the Young is organized exclusively for degree students aimed at popularizing nano-science among them, so as to attract to the field of Nanotechnology.  The programme will be attended by over 400 under graduate students of science and engineering.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9364/lifecell-becomes-indias-biggest-cord-blood-stem-cell-registry-for-unrelated-use.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9364/lifecell-becomes-indias-biggest-cord-blood-stem-cell-registry-for-unrelated-use.html Tue, 08 Aug 2017 11:40:00 +0530 In spite of being a highly populated country, India has lacked availability of donor cord blood samples and registered bone marrow donors. The number of cord blood units preserved with public banks in India is collectively around 5,000. The probability of finding a matching unit from this small inventory is low, leaving over 70% of Indian patients requiring donor stem cells in the lurch. According to an ICMR study only when the inventory increases to >250,000 would almost every patient find a match. In order to address this challenge, LifeCell had earlier this year, launched the community stem cell banking model that works on the concept of sharing of stem cells among a community of families banking with the company. Within just four months of launch, the registry has recorded preservation of over 5,000 qualified units available for sharing with an unrelated patient within the community. While LifeCell has surpassed the collective number of available samples across public banks in the country, this is however just the beginning, as the company expects its existing customer base to upgrade to the community banking model and grow this number 10 times larger by the end of the year. Combined with its organic growth rate it's only a matter of a few years when soon every patient will have access to a well matched cord blood units vital for a life-saving transplant. Importantly it's not just quantity that matters but also the quality. All the units in the registry meet the current US FDA standards for listing, thereby addressing the concern that the medical fraternity world over has on the quality of samples stored in private banks. LifeCell will also undertake the high-cost, high resolution HLA typing of samples, based on next generation sequencing. This brings a host of benefits as against the relatively low-cost, low-resolution HLA typing, including: -          Greater chance of finding a match. Traditional HLA sequencing can lead to incomplete HLA information hampering the chances of finding a match -          Better matching leading to better treatment outcomes giving transplant physicians, the confidence on the quality of the sample  Speaking about the milestone, Mr. Mayur Abhaya, CEO, LifeCell said “The community banking model amalgamates the open access of a public bank with the availability of precious, vast yet underutilized stem cell resources of a private bank, all this at no additional cost and within the framework of a community. This has laid the ground for the creation of an unprecedented, Indian origin stem cell registry. We envision a time, in the not too distant future, when families in need of stem cells for transplants have to look no further than our registry for matching samples. Our hi-resolution sequencing of HLA typing would escalate the standards in the search of matching units for transplants. A country with such a large population deserves this and we believe our endeavour would ensure that in the coming times, patients would have no inferior access to high quality, well matched samples.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9349/bioclay-might-end-the-supremacy-of-pesticides-and-chemical-fertilizers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9349/bioclay-might-end-the-supremacy-of-pesticides-and-chemical-fertilizers.html Thu, 03 Aug 2017 14:00:00 +0530 In a recent discovery, a fleet of researchers, including Inidan-origin researchers, have found a non-sized degradable clay which might be considered as the best reply to pesticides and chemical fertilizers. The newly discovered clay has the potential to provide best the protection to crop against the specific disease causing pathogens. Researcher Neena Mitter from the University of Queensland in Australia said, “BioClay is an environmentally sustainable alternative to chemicals and pesticides and could be a game-changer for crop protection.” The study was recently published in Nature Plants. “In agriculture, the need for new control agents grows each year, driven by demand for greater production, the effects of climate change, community and regulatory demands and toxicity and pesticide resistance,” she said. “Our disruptive research involves a spray of nano-sized degradable clay used to release double-stranded RNA that protects plants from specific disease-causing pathogens,” the researcher explained. Mitter further stated that the technology reduced the use of pesticides without altering the genome of the plants. Once BioClay is applied, the plant ‘thinks’ it is being attacked by a disease or pest insect and responds by protecting itself from the targeted pest or disease, Mitter noted. A single spray of BioClay protects the plant and then degrades, reducing the risk to the environment or human health. She further said BioClay met consumer demands for sustainable crop protection and residue-free produce. The cleaner approach will value-add to the food and agri-business industry, contributing to global food security and to a cleaner environment. Another researcher Zhiping Xu said BioClay combined nanotechnology and biotechnology. "It will produce huge benefits for agriculture in the next several decades and the applications will expand into a much wider field of primary agricultural production," Xu said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9250/mumbai-biotech-projects-incubated-in-indias-first-diy-bio-lab-and-bioincubator-at-bioriidl.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9250/mumbai-biotech-projects-incubated-in-indias-first-diy-bio-lab-and-bioincubator-at-bioriidl.html Thu, 13 Jul 2017 14:30:00 +0530 After the successful launch of tech start-ups incubated at RiiDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar launched BioRiiDL an incubation cell for biotechnology start-ups and a DIY bio lab. BioRiiDL aims to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship in various aspects of Bio Technology. To encourage and support this initiative Bio RiiDL has set up DIY BIO LAB, a space where biologists can come, execute their ideas and innovate, even after completion of their studies, they can come and work on their own projects and a bioincubator where potential projects can be taken into the market. The BioRiiDL will facilitate 100 students in the first year. This is the first DIY Bio lab in India, students will have access to mentoring from Scientists and Experts, access to investors via RiiDL, a chance to become a part of global discussion biologist group. Applications for the bio-incubator are accepted year round. A screening committee evaluates the applications on several criteria—technical merit, proof of expertise, economic viability, funding and compatibility with the incubator. Selected start-ups are provided lab and office space, high-end equipment, scale-up facilities, technical support and centralised utilities for process development to help the innovators mature their ideas and attain commercialization. The first Bio-entrepreneurship Incubation Program by BioRiiDL announced in May 2017, received 33 applications from across India including Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bhopal and Mumbai. 12 Teams formed from these applications participated in a pitch competition. From these 12 teams, 5 teams were selected and given the opportunity to pitch for the final incubation. These teams were also given the opportunity to interact with mentors.  These mentors helped them to formulate their idea realistically. The winner’s will be incubated at BioRiiDL Labs for next 6 months.  Five shortlisted start-ups were given 7 minutes each to present their ideas to a panel of biotech experts and investors to win funding and further access to the BioRiiDL Labs. After their pitch, the start-ups had to answer questions raised by the biotech experts and investors present. Supported by funding from Somaiya Vidyavihar,  The first prize was won by Team INDRA  Name of the Founders - Krunal Patel, and Amrit Om Nayak College/ Institute Name – K.J.Somaiya College of Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering Department - Mechanical Post Graduation - University Of Washington, University of Washington Name of the start-up - INDRA (Water recycling with monitoring & analytics) Indra provides onsite wastewater recycling & reuse backed by Industry first smart data monitoring and analytics platform. Their patent pending design is compact, scalable, cost-effective and measurable. It is capable of removing a variety of pollutants including suspended solids, organics, dissolved heavy metals, emulsified oils, superbug pathogens and other toxic pollutants. Applications range from waste water recycling at commercial & domestic facilities to treatment and reuse of industrial process water.  Impact on the society - Increasing water scarcity and higher water costs make it mandatory for all facilities to implement water management provisions, and by implementing this solution, people and businesses would not only be saving water but would also have monetary benefits.  2nd Prize winners - Jalparivartan  Name of the Founders - Dipeshsingh Rajpurohit and Bhavik Mehta College/ Institute Name –VIT University,Vellore and Chetna institute,Bandra Department – Biotechnology Name of the start-up - Jalparivartan Transforming Water recycling -  Developing a novel microbial consortium and immobilized enzymes for Waste water treatment Rapid industrialization and urbanization over the past many decades has resulted in contamination of all the components of the environment that is the air, the food, the soils and most importantly water. Every day about 62000 Million liters of sewage gets generated of which only about 20000 million liters gets treated. Even out of this, almost 40% is not treated up to the mark and ends up in the oceans or fresh water reserves contaminating them. This will lead to a situation very difficult to deal with if not taken care of now. The miniscule amount of sewage treatment at present suggests a large gap to be filled in. One of the major reasons for this is the inefficiency of the treatment plants in achieving the desired quality of water as suggested by the Pollution control board (PCB).These Sewage treatment plants are not up to the mark in treating the complex sewage generated across the country. Bio augmentation is generally an option of choice to achieve the desired quality. Now, what is bio augmentation? It is the addition of pollutant-degrading microorganisms to augment the biodegradative capacity of indigenous microbial populations. However, bio augmentation to be successful requires a careful screening and optimization to attain a perfect mix of strains that help achieve the desired quality. While there are few players in the market who offer microbial consortia hardly there are any companies offering enzymatic solutions. Jalparivartan aims to provide an innovative bio solution consisting of screened microbial strains with high degradation capacity coupled with a strong blend of enzymes immobilized in a very specific design helping achieve the desired level of waste water treatment in a most cost effective way.  3rd Prize winner - It was a tie between 2 teams, please find the team details below.  Name of the Founders – Sulakshana and Khushbu  College/ Institute Name – KJ Somaiya college of Science and Commerce and JNTU Hyderabad Department – Biotechnology Name of the start-up- Nutri Bread NutriBread is diabetic friendly bread which contains non diabetic ingredients and can be helpful in reducing sugar level in blood. It also has sprinklers which is an anti-diabetic in nature that improves the taste and maintains the sugar level. And Name of the Founders – Jalak Rawal and Param Rawal College/ Institute Name – Mumbai University and Bhagubai College Department – Biomedical Engineering and Diploma in Computer Science Name of the start-up: Fally - future of healthy eating Fally is modernized app which suggest you everyday food recipe and meals as per your body type it also helps you in grocery shopping and ordering healthy foods. About RiiDL Somaiya Vidyavihar fosters a start-up ecosystem that encourages multi-disciplinary collaboration, accelerates innovation, and cultivates the next generation of start-up leaders. Riidl (Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory) is an initiative by Somaiya Vidyavihar to nurture entrepreneurship and innovation amongst its’ Students, Faculty, Staff & Alumni.   RiiDL supports the creation and incubation of early stage companies by offering educational programming, space and infrastructure, events, industry-specific resources, intellectual property protection, access to business support services, go-to-market strategies, early-seed capital and mentorship. With its interdisciplinary approach, RiiDL engages the vast pool of Somaiya Vidyavihar’s faculty, students, alumni and external networks to provide the education, experiences, and resources that students need to become innovators and empowering them to change the world around them. RiiDL serves over 39,000 studentsand 1,500 plus faculty across Somaiya Vidyavihar’s 34 institutionsin Mumbai and rural areas of Karnataka and Maharashtra. External start-ups must have faculty, alumni, students or stafffrom Somaiya Vidyavihar on the founding team.  RiiDL encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration. Registered as a not-for-profit Section 8 Company, RiiDL has over 8000 square-foot facility in the heart of the Somaiya Vidyavihar’s Mumbai campus where aspiring entrepreneurs from across all of Somaiya Vidyavihar’s schools and colleges—be they students, faculty, or researchers—can meet to connect, collaborate, and tap into a vast array resources to help develop their ideas and inventions into start-up companies. Further, to enable access of knowledge, experience and funding for the start-ups, RiiDL has forged academic collaborations, industry-driven alliances, and participated in government entrepreneurship programs. About DIY BIO Do-it-yourself biology (DIY biology, DIY bio) is a growing biotechnological social movement in which individuals, communities, and small organizations, study biology and life science using the same methods as traditional research institutions. DIY biology is primarily undertaken by individuals with extensive research training from academia or corporations, who then mentor and oversee other DIY biologists with no formal training. This may be done as a hobby, as a not-for-profit endeavor for community learning and open-science innovation, or for profit, to start a business. The DIYbio movement seeks to revise the notion that one must be an academic with an advanced degree to make any significant contribution to the biology community. It allows large numbers of small organizations and individuals to participate in research and development, with spreading knowledge a higher priority than turning profits.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9235/biotech-projects-incubated-in-indias-first-diy-bio-lab-and-bioincubator-at-bioriidl.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9235/biotech-projects-incubated-in-indias-first-diy-bio-lab-and-bioincubator-at-bioriidl.html Tue, 11 Jul 2017 17:40:00 +0530 Biotech projects incubated in India’s first DIY Bio Lab and Bioincubator at BioRiiDL showcase their projects to compete for funding An incubation cell for biotechnology start-ups BioRiiDL and a DIY bio lab has been launched by Somaiya Vidyavihar. It aims to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship in various aspects of biotechnology. To encourage and support this initiative Bio RiiDL has set up DIY BIO LAB, which is a space where biologists can come, execute their ideas and innovate, even after completion of their studies, they can come and work on their own projects and a bioincubator where potential projects can be taken into the market. The BioRiiDL will facilitate 100 students in the first year. This is the first DIY Bio lab in India where students will have access to mentoring from Scientists and Experts, access to investors via RiiDL, a chance to become a part of global discussion biologist group. Applications for the bio-incubator are accepted year round. A screening committee evaluates the applications on several criteria—technical merit, proof of expertise, economic viability, funding and compatibility with the incubator. Selected start-ups are provided lab and office space, high-end equipment, scale-up facilities, technical support and centralised utilities for process development to help the innovators mature their ideas and attain commercialization. The first Bio-entrepreneurship Incubation Program by BioRiiDL announced in May 2017, received 33 applications from across India including Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bhopal and Mumbai. Five shortlisted start-ups were given 7 minutes each to present their ideas to a panel of biotech experts and investors to win funding and further access to the BioRiiDL Labs. After their pitch, the start-ups had to answer questions raised by the biotech experts and investors present. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9158/sun-pharma-joins-hands-with-niv.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9158/sun-pharma-joins-hands-with-niv.html Tue, 27 Jun 2017 15:40:00 +0530 Domestic pharma major Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and National Institute of Virology (NIV) have signed a pact to test new medicines developed by the company to combat zika, chikungunya and dengue diseases. Under the agreement, Sun Pharma will provide drug molecules to NIV for testing against zika, chikungunya and dengue in model systems. The new molecules could be based on phytopharmaceutical (plant based), biologic and chemical entities. Candidate molecules with encouraging data will then be taken forward for commercial development. Sun Pharma Executive VP and Head, Global Business Development Kirti Ganorkar stated that it is part of the company's broader commitment for developing new and improved vaccines and drugs against arboviruses that are of significant health importance to India and rest of the world. NIC Director Devendra Mourya said that dengue and chikungunya are major public health problems in India like most of the tropical and subtropical countries. The recent rapid spread of Zika virus across the world has added threat to the list of Aedes borne infections. Sun Pharma and NIV aim to promote discovery sciences, translational health research and development of medical products, which is in sync with the direction provided by government's 'Make In India' initiative. The latest agreement with NIV follows Sun Pharma's MoU with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for conducting joint scientific research and innovation for testing of drugs, biosimilars and vaccines and disease control and elimination programmes. NIV Pune is an institution of the Indian Council of Medical Research, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9144/indian-delegation-at-2017-bio-international-convention-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/9144/indian-delegation-at-2017-bio-international-convention-.html Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:00:00 +0530 The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) BIO 2017 is being held in the San Diego Convention Centre, San Diego from 19th June to 22nd June, 2017. The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry and attracts the biggest names in biotech, offers key networking and partnering opportunities, and provides insights and inspiration on the major trends affecting the industry. The event features keynotes and sessions from key policymakers, scientists, CEOs, and celebrities. The Convention also features the BIO Business Forum (One-on-One Partnering), hundreds of sessions covering biotech trends, policy issues and technological innovations, and the world's largest biotechnology exhibition - the BIO Exhibition. The first BIO International Convention was held in 1993 and attracted approximately 1,400 attendees. It is hosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO performs many services for members, but none of them are more visible than the BIO International Convention. The BIO International Convention helps BIO fulfill its mission to help grow the global biotech industry. Profits from the BIO International Convention are returned to the biotechnology industry by supporting BIO programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation. The key benefits of attending the BIO International Convention are access to global biotech and pharma leaders via BIO One-on-One Partnering, exposure to industry though-leaders with over 1,500 education sessions at your fingertips, and unparalleled networking opportunities with 16,000+ attendees from 76 countries. India is taking part in the BIO 2017.  The Indian delegation taking part in the BIO 2017 is being led by Y S Chowdary, Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences. As a part of his program, the Minister visited Jacob School of Engineering, University of California San Diego Campus on 19thJune, 2017 to interact with Indian students and the local faculty, many of whom have roots in India. While welcoming him, Dr. Albert Pisano, Dean, Jacob School of Engineering, University of California San Diego stressed the need of collaboration with India in various fields related to Science & Technology.   Dr. Pisano also highlighted the “high end scientific growth in Indian Academia and stressed the need for growth of technologies such as point of care diagnostics and lab on chip diagnostics for infectious diseases prevalent in the country” “UCSD had its strengths in the area of Stem Cell engineering and emphasized that it could be a potential area of collaboration, besides areas like maternal health and geriatrics”, he added Y S Chowdary in his address said, “Various aspects that have been the guiding factor in the advances of research and development and said that the key words are affordability and sustainability as both these had a huge potential in Indian scenario. India need not be dependent on reverse technology based research as the talent is over flowing with original research that is primarily an outcome of the various forms of handholding by the government in promoting research in the country” “The students to be future players for initiating start-ups in the areas of potential growth and informed the audience that the Indian Government had several prestigious schemes like Ramalingaswamy Fellowship; DST Inspire, DBT-Welcome Trust Fellowship and IYBA to name a few among such schemes that facilitate the re-entry of Indian researchers working abroad into India who are desirous of pursuing post-doctoral research in the country. He even stressed that any suggestions shall be welcome to initiate a specific tailor made program for students and researchers who would come up with specific issues.”, he added   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/8898/sterile-mice-becomes-fertile-through-stem-cell-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/8898/sterile-mice-becomes-fertile-through-stem-cell-therapy.html Wed, 24 May 2017 15:45:00 +0530 Sterilized female mice produced healthy babies after receiving a transplant of egg-generating stem cells from another mouse. It was reported in Molecular Therapy that if such a procedure worked in humans, although a distant prospect, it could help women with early menopause or chemotherapy induced infertility to conceive. Developmental biologist Ji Wu and her colleagues at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China took germ line stem cells from the ovaries of a 6-day old mouse, cultured them in a petri dish, and then transplanted those cells into the ovaries of sterilized adult mice. There, the stem cells gradually moved to a spot just under the ovary’s surface, where they settled down and turned into eggs. Five to eight weeks after the transplant, Wu and colleagues mated those mice with healthy males. Six of the eight stem cell recipients became pregnant, and went on to deliver healthy baby mice with normal-looking chromosomes. The results show that germ line stem cells can indeed restore fertility when transplanted into other mice. However, such a therapy is said to have a long way to go before it could help humans. In an additional evidence, germ line stem cells collected from a very young female mice can still turn into viable eggs. The fact that germ line stem cells can help sterile mice conceive marks a big step forward. Other projects are seeing similar positive results. Researchers at Children’s Hospital, Philadelphia developed an artificial womb that was used to save the lives of premature infants. In addition, news broke about a 3-D printed ovary which successfully produced healthy mouse pups. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/8897/iranian-researchers-conduct-studies-on-stem-cells-and-their-effect-on-hair-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/8897/iranian-researchers-conduct-studies-on-stem-cells-and-their-effect-on-hair-growth.html Wed, 24 May 2017 14:35:00 +0530 Researchers at Royan Institute, the leading center for Stem Cell research, conducted a study in which they cultivated dermal papilla and epithelial stem cells extracted from human scalp in laboratorial conditions. Dermal papilla are small ridges at the surface of the skin, and in scalp, they provide oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicle so that healthy new hairs may grow. Epithelial stem cells (EpSCs) in the hair follicle bulge are required for hair follicle growth and cycling. Damage to these cells is the main cause of hair loss. In the experiment, fifteen laboratory rats were divided into three groups. One group received dermal papilla, the second group simultaneously received dermal papilla and epithelial stem cells while the third group is the control group and did not receive any cells. Hair growth occurred in both groups but the second group in which both dermal papilla and epithelial stem cells were present, the hair growth was more tangible and visible to unaided eye. The results were published in the Cell Journal. The thinking as outlined by Mehr News, says that this could pave way for understanding of hair growth mechanism in humans and treatment of hair loss. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/8895/stem-cells-from-fat-aid-in-the-regeneration-of-cartilage-in-wrists.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/8895/stem-cells-from-fat-aid-in-the-regeneration-of-cartilage-in-wrists.html Wed, 24 May 2017 12:30:00 +0530 Bill Marlette was recommended a treatment of stem cells for his lost arm. Marlette lost his arm in an accident in his teens but that didn’t slow him down. As an active kid, he continued to play football and golf, running track and even wrestling. Over time, the strain on his remaining arm and wrist took a toll. As he grew older, even the simplest things, like tucking in his shirt or putting on a jacket, became incredibly painful. Marlette developed cysts and holes in the bones of his wrist. Doctors prescribed anti-inflammatory medications but they only managed the pain doing nothing to heal the problem. One day, his doctor, Dr. Bob Van Demark at Sanford Health in South Dakota, saw a presentation by Dr. Eckhard Alt from Munich, Germany about a new treatment using stem cells and recommended it to Marlette. To relieve his pain, he travelled from Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Munich, Germany with the hopes that a special procedure using stem cells could make a difference. Alt was the first person to use adipose tissue, or fat, as a prime source of stem cells. Fat tissue has a lot of blood vessels, making it a prime source of stem cells, and Alt recognized that stem cells derived from adipose tissue are also particularly good at becoming cartilage and bone. In his procedure, stem cells are taken from fat tissue with a liposuction procedure. An enzyme mixture helps to separate the stem cells from oil and fat tissue, with the stem cells settling at the bottom of the vial. "I had one treatment, and my wrist felt better almost within the next couple weeks," Marlette said to the news source. "Through the course of the next seven months, it continued to feel better and better." One injection was enough for this ongoing improvement. MRIs confirmed what he was feeling: The cartilage had begun to regenerate in his wrist. Because the procedure uses autologous cells, which are cells from the patient's own body, there's little to no chance of rejection by the body's immune system. Although the procedure worked for Marlette, the use of stem cells as a form of treatment is controversial and risky. However, Alt hopes to see stem cells for heart procedures and treating pancreas to help diabetics. For him, growth is limitless. For Marlette, it has meant a wrist free from pain and a life free from pain medication.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/8868/researchers-produce-blood-stem-cells-in-lab-for-the-first-time.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/8868/researchers-produce-blood-stem-cells-in-lab-for-the-first-time.html Mon, 22 May 2017 15:15:00 +0530 In two separate studies, researchers successfully create blood stem cells in the laboratory for the first time. One study was spearheaded by George Daley at the Boston Children’s Hospital in Massachusetts and the other was led by Shahin Rafii at the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Daley’s team chose skin cells and other cells taken from adults as their starting material. Using a standard method, they reprogrammed the cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which are capable of producing many other cell types. Until now, however, iPS cells have not been morphed into cells that create blood. The next step was the novel one: Daley and his colleagues inserted seven transcription factors — genes that control other genes — into the genomes of the iPS cells. Then they injected these modified human cells into mice to develop. Twelve weeks later, the iPS cells had transformed into progenitor cells capable of making the range of cells found in human blood, including immune cells. The progenitor cells are “tantalizingly close” to naturally occurring ‘haemopoetic’ blood stem cells, says Daley. By contrast, Rafii’s team generated true blood stem cells from mice without the intermediate step of creating iPS cells. The researchers began by extracting cells from the lining of blood vessels in mature mice. They then inserted four transcription factors into the genomes of these cells, and kept them in Petri dishes designed to mimic the environment inside human blood vessels. There, the cells morphed into blood stem cells and multiplied. When the researchers injected these stem cells into mice that had been treated with radiation to kill most of their blood and immune cells, the animals recovered. The stem cells regenerated the blood, including immune cells, and the mice went on to live a full life — more than 1.5 years in the lab. Because he bypassed the iPS-cell stage, Rafii compares his approach to a direct aeroplane flight, and Daley’s procedure to a flight that takes a detour to the Moon before reaching its final destination. Using the most efficient method to generate stem cells matters, he adds, because every time a gene is added to a batch of cells, a large portion of the batch fails to incorporate it and must be thrown out. There is also a risk that some cells will mutate after they are modified in the lab, and could form tumours if they are implanted into people. According to the news reported by the Nature, Daley and other researchers are confident that the method he used can be made more efficient, and less likely to spur tumour growth and other abnormalities in modified cells. One possibility is to temporarily alter gene expression in iPS cells, rather than permanently insert genes that encode transcription factors, says Jeanne Loring, a stem-cell researcher at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. She notes that iPS cells can be generated from skin and other tissue that is easy to access, whereas Rafii’s method begins with cells that line blood vessels, which are more difficult to gather and to keep alive in the lab. Time will determine which approach succeeds. But the latest advances have buoyed the spirits of researchers who have been frustrated by their inability to generate blood stem cells from iPS cells.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/8805/a-new-therapeutic-cell-separation-technique-developed.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/8805/a-new-therapeutic-cell-separation-technique-developed.html Wed, 10 May 2017 12:30:00 +0530 Biomedical Engineers, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, at the University of Surrey developed the new cell separator - which could help medical advances into cancer and Alzheimer's disease research. Thanks to the new design the separation process, which is used in vital therapies for life-threatening diseases, can be carried out at a fraction of the usual cost and can be used for therapeutic as well as research purposes. Separating cells, such as red and white blood cells, has become fundamental in the biomedical sciences for identifying cells for therapeutic and regenerative cell-based therapies. Separation techniques are also vital in biochemistry, electrical engineering, physics, and materials science. However, to date the process has been complicated and expensive. To overcome this, the University's dielectrophoresis (DEP)-based cell-separation method uses 3D electrodes on a low-cost disposable chip. Using a simple electrical charge, one cell type is allowed to pass through the chip and the other is retained and subsequently recovered. This offers significant promise as a new standard benchtop laboratory technique, and it can provide major benefits towards health and other fields. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/96/125/everybody-wants-a-good-pay-but-it-is-most-important-to-do-good-science.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/96/125/everybody-wants-a-good-pay-but-it-is-most-important-to-do-good-science.html Wed, 19 Apr 2017 11:15:00 +0530 For Shannon Hall, being a part of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc (Bio-Rad), the 65-year-old organisation that is engaged in the development and production of specialty chemicals used in biochemical, pharmaceutical, and other life science research applications, is both exciting and challenging. Speaking to BioSpectrum, Hall, the company's President of Life Science Group, shares her career lattice and career development as the company's President of Life Science Group. How do you analyse your journey in Bio-Rad? I took my professional stint in Bio-Rad with 2-year and 4-year achievable objectives. I joined the company thinking that I will work here while I prepare for graduate school. It is a good place to work and I was drawn to it as they encouraged me to use the technical support, saying that you can learn so many things and come to know of all the operations. When we were part of the technical support group, we were talking to customers every day. Most of the day goes by helping people and it feels good. And it kept me going. We had lots of new technologies coming up then such as HPLC, capillary electrophoresis, confocal microscopy. So, my experience for those four years was like - We have a new technology, are you interested in this? It felt really fulfilling and I loved helping people all day long. I got a chance to do some teaching as well as I had to explain to customers how our product works. It took some talking for me to get into the product development group but my friends who had been a part of the technical support group thought this was a good thing to go ahead with. I was assigned the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) project in the late 90s and at that time it was a completely new technology. So I was very excited about that. I miss that routine of making people happy day to day but these projects take time and you can see where things are going. We used to hover over the instrument for each and every data point initially. That was a very good experience. It went for 10 years with different products and projects. I had a chance to then join the protein group and worked with them for 4-5 years. Now it has been almost 25 years in Bio-Rad. People you are working with are totally immersed in this stuff. And when you get enough customer feedback, it is all worth it. Now I don't do product development myself anymore, there is a team dedicated to it. My most satisfying moments are talking to customers.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/96/8587/biospectrum-ranking-survey-kpmg-analysis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/96/8587/biospectrum-ranking-survey-kpmg-analysis.html Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:18:00 +0530 Global biotechnology marketGlobally, the biotechnology industry, part of the life sciences sector has emerged as an attractive segment and is expected to grow by 37 percent at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.2 percent over the four-year period 2015-19.This growth, although single digit, is significantly higher than the more traditional segments in the life sciences sector, such as pharmaceuticals (expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 4 percent during 2015-19).The global sales contribution of biologic drugs in the total drug market is expected to increase from 23 percent in 2014 to 27 percent in 2020.The Americas and Europe currently account for the largest share in the global biotechnology market; however, due to favourable government policies; a relatively low cost of conducting clinical trials and manufacturing products; and an improving healthcare ecosystem, higher growth is expected in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Growth drivers of the global biotechnology marketBiotech-based products, including monoclonal antibodies and recombinant products are increasingly being used to effectively treat diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Hepatitis C and diabetes; the increasing prevalence of these diseases is likely to serve as a high-impact driver for this industry:almost 14 million new cancer cases were diagnosed worldwide in 2012; by 2025, this number will be increase to 19 million new cases per annumalmost 400 million people had diabetes in 2015; the figure is expected to increase to 640 million by 204039 percent of the total drugs approved by the US FDA in 2015 were biologic drugs compared with 36 percent in 2014 and 22 percent in 2013; FDA approvals for biopharmaceutical products are expected to increase going forward. Indian biotechnology marketIndia is the twelfth-largest biotechnology market in the world with a 2 percent share of the global market; it ranks third in APAC after Japan and China.The Indian biotechnology sector was estimated at USD5.2 bn in 2015 with exports usually contributing to almost 50 percent of the total sales.Increase in biotechnology applications providing effective and targeted treatment to patients; and about 400 biotechnology-based drugs and vaccines in clinical trial stage, targeting more than 200 diseases. Market segmentationIndia's biotech industry comprises biopharmaceuticals, bio-services, bio-agriculture, bioindustry and bioinformatics. Biopharmaceuticals is the largest segment of the Indian biotechnology market as it accounts for approximately 60 percent of the total biotechnology sector 1 and is likely to remain so in the future as well. Biopharmaceuticals is dominated by vaccines, where India is the global leader by volume. India's biopharmaceutical segment is one-third of the global vaccine market by volume.2 Further, India is the largest producer of Hepatitis B vaccines in the world.3The Indian government has been keen to support the biotechnology industry's growth to counteract the threat of neglected tropical diseases. The 'Make in India' initiative along with other forms of input and assistance, is providing the necessary thrust to the indigenous production of biotech products. BiopharmaceuticalBiopharmaceuticals comprise three main segments - vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.There are as many as 100 players in the biopharmaceutical market in India, dominated naturally by vaccine makers. Growth driversThe sale of vaccines is expected to get a boost due to high demand from developing countries, and global efforts towards eradication of some diseases.Therapeutics continue being the focus in Indian R&D, with human insulin being the most common area of research. Several opportunities in biosimilars are opening up for Indian companies with regulatory approval pathways in Europe and the U.S. becoming clearer. TrendMaking a steady shift from traditional vaccines, Indian biopharmaceutical players are now stepping up their focus on biosimilars; several Indian pharmaceutical companies are also focussing on the biosimilar market. With the FDA signalling changes in its stance on biosimilar medicines, Indian companies are now focussing on the U.S. market to tap this opportunity. Additionally, Indian biopharmaceutical companies are making strong efforts to launch price-competitive bio-therapeutics and recombinant vaccines - both in India and in semi-regulated markets - likely to boost both revenue and margins. Bio-servicesThe Bio-services segment mainly constitutes clinical research organisations that are involved in conducting clinical trials for domestic as well as international pharmaceutical companies.India, which was once a lucrative clinical trial destination, has now less than 1.5 percent share in global clinical trials (by numbers) due to stringent regulatory laws. Growth driversThe Drugs Controller General of India has eased guidelines to conduct clinical trials in the country; these relaxations include removal in the restrictions on the number of clinical trials an investigator can undertake at a time, allowing clinical trials in less than 50-bedded hospitals etc.With R&D cost increasing in developed markets, global pharmaceutical companies are outsourcing research services to enhance their drug pipeline. The average cost of conducting phase I studies in India is 50 percent lower that the U.S. and European nations. TrendsStrategic alliances in the CRO industry has increased in the recent years. For example, a leading contract research and manufacturing organisation and a leading BioPharma company have been working together since 2007 to develop integrated capabilities in medicinal and process chemistry, biology, biotech, biomarkers, drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics and analytics. Consolidation within the industry is another trend that one has observed in the recent years. For example, a leading Ahmedabad headquartered global lifesciences company acquired a Mumbai based CRO in 2014 to expand its services in clinical data management, pharmaceutical analytics and medical marketing. Bio-agri The Bio-agri segment mainly includes seed companies as well as technology development companies for seed producersIndia has the fourth-largest area covered by genetically modified crops - largely BT cotton.GM seeds follow a long drawn process of trials and approval. Due to the stringent regulations, only cotton is planted using GM seeds in India. Growth DriversGM seeds could help improve yield of agriculture products, which can help address the rising food needs of the country TrendsIncrease in government interventions: In March 2016, the government intervened to control cotton seed price in the country. The government also launched GM Technology Agreement Guidelines, 2016, under which technology providers are required to compulsorily give licence to all applicants.2 However, these guidelines are yet to be implemented in the country. Bio-industrialThe Bio-industrial segment primarily comprises enzyme-manufacturing and marketing companies. India has a very low share in the global industrial enzyme market; however, we are in a sweet spot to leverage this opportunity with our low-cost manufacturing strength and R&D capabilities. Lack of stringent government mandates have hurt the sector's potential. Interventions are required to promote usage of bio-enzymes. Growth driversThe Pharmaceutical sector is a prominent user of enzymes and therefore growth in pharmaceutical sector is expected to boost sale of enzymes as wellWith stringent environmental laws and higher emphasis on energy conservation, demand for enzymes is expected to witness higher growth from various industries TrendsBiotechnology companies in this space have started focusing on manufacturing cellulosic enzymes that aid the production of bio-fuels Bioinformatics The Bioinformatics segment is involved in the design and maintenance of extensive electronic databases for various biological systems.Regulatory frameworks are required in the country to monitor and control genomic data. Growth driversAvailability of good infrastructure and skilled workers is likely to help the bioinformatics industry grow in India. The country possesses around 10 percent of the global professional and skilled bioinformaticians.3There is thus a significant opportunity for India to utilise this talent pool in various areas, such as DNA sequencing, data mining, proteomics, functional genomics and molecule design simulation. TrendsIncrease in government funding and the opening of several bioinformatics institutes is expected to lead the future growth of the segment. Increase in government supportSteps taken under the 'Make in India' initiative, such as new IP policy, setting up of biotech parks, entrepreneurship and skills development, can help position India as a leading hub for biotechnology products. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has recently released the National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-20; implementation of which could help create and improve infrastructure for R&D and commercialisation; bring in investment capital, IP regime, technology transfer; help set up regulation standards, skills development etc Emerging areasWith increased acceptance and demand for baiosimilars globally, India can potentially emerge as a key player in this segment. Many Indian companies have developed capabilities to manufacture biosimilars and have successfully launched them in the Indian marketThe government has released draft guidelines in April 2016 to streamline the regulatory process for biosimilars and similar vaccines in India.Domestic companies are also venturing into other emerging areas, such as cell therapies and regenerative medicine - which are still nascent in revenue terms but likely to grow rapidly in the near future.Dominance of the biopharmaceuticals segmentThe biopharmaceutical segment has been generating more than one-half of the Indian biotech industry's total revenues. The country is ranked as the world leader in the production of vaccines.Pharmaceutical companies are also focussing on the biotech sector for future growth. Greater collaborationGlobal companies are collaborating with Indian biotech companies owing to India's cost advantage and availability of skilled manpower.India has also signed pacts with foreign universities to promote research and innovation. For example, India has signed a pact with Cambridge University to develop a biotechnology-specific programme for early-career fellowships.   Opportunities for Indian biotech playersDevelopment cost for biosimilars is low: The global Biosimilar market stood at USD5 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach USD24 billion by 2020.2 This presents a good opportunity for growth due to low development costs in India as compared to the developed nations. Domestic demand for vaccine is high: India's growing population and the fact that a large number of children are still not immunized keeps up the domestic demand for vaccines. Also, the government's impetus on eradication of a few diseases through vaccination present vast opportunities for vaccines manufacturers. Global demand for vaccines: Sale of vaccines is also expected to get a boost from developing countries from global efforts towards eradication of diseases.Other areas of growthOpportunities in the agriculture biotech space: the success story of BT cotton in the agriculture biotech space has had a positive impact on rural lives in so many states and positioned India as a major producer of genetically engineered crops and vegetables globally Availability of skilled workforce for the Bioinformatics industry: India's strong IT capabilities and availability of skilled manpower is expected to help the bioinformatics industry grow in the coming years. As the practice of using biological database for drug discovery grows, India's bioinformatics industry could well leverage this opportunity. Growth in global industrial enzyme market: the global industrial enzyme market is likely to reach USD6.2 billion by 2020.1 Currently, India's share in this space is very low; however, strengths in low cost manufacturing and R&D could be growth drivers. Advantage India The following factors could potentially place India as a key biopharmaceuticals player: Availability of low-cost inputs: Compared with developed countries, India has lower cost of inputs to manufacture cost-competitive biotechnology-based products such as vaccines and insulin. These inputs include the initial land cost, electricity prices and low-cost skilled labour.For instance, the compensation cost for labour in the manufacturing industry in India is much lower, compared to developed nations, such as the U.S., Germany and Italy.1The labour cost is also lower in India as compared with other competing countries, such as China and the eastern European countries.The price of electricity in developed nations, such as Germany, Spain, Japan, the U.K., France, among others, is more than twice the price prevalent in India.2 Moreover, many Indian states offer industrial power rates (ranging between INR4.2/KwH and INR6.4/KwH) that are equal to or even more competitive than the Chinese average of about INR6.4 /KwH.3 Presence of a large number of technical institutes:Cost competitiveness also comes from the large pool of qualified personnel that come from the various nationally recognised technical institutes.This can be further supported by the fact that the number of technical institutes providing pharmacy and engineering courses has consistently increased in the past five years.Moreover, the enrolment percentages for science related streams have been encouraging and increasing over the years. Large vaccine production base:Indian companies have developed capabilities in producing large volume of vaccines. For example, a Pune-based vaccine manufacturer has an installed capacity of over one billion doses of different vaccines annually.5 Key Challenges faced by the biotechnology industry Although significant opportunities exist in the biotechnology industry, India needs to immediately address the following challenges:Multiple regulatory bodies: There are multiple regulatory bodies, which directly, or indirectly, frame rules and guidelines for the biotechnology industryThis multiplicity has inadvertently led to inefficiencies in the drug approval process, often causing long delays Moreover, the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI), which was conceived in 2008 to bring biotechnology industry related regulatory processes under one umbrella, is yet to become operational.Setting up single window clearance process could be a way forward for the industry.Doing away with redundant processes and making use of online portals, wherever feasible, could also help in improving efficiency and transparency. Sub-optimal alignment between the states and the central government:When a biotechnology company needs to take a new drug approval from the central government, the manufacturing, sales and distribution licences for these new drugs are issued by the respective state government This distributed responsibility sometimes creates divided agenda between the centre and states making the process tedious and time-consumingSetting up a single Stakeholder Consultative Platform (SCP) with a fixed charter and representation from all stakeholders could help establish an efficient policy and drug approval process.Complex clinical trial approval process:Currently, clinical trial applications have to go through a three-tier approval system in India (passing through a subject committee of 10-12 members for specific therapeutic areas, then to a technical committee of 20 members and an apex committee for a go ahead).1 After getting due approvals, the application awaits a final approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).Stringent guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court have also led to a sharp decline in clinical trials over the years. Lack of stringent regulations for quality:Lack of stringent regulations to oversee the quality of manufacturing; and low harmonisation on quality standards with various global regulators (USFDA and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency - MHRA), hamper India's image as a high quality supplier in the international markets. Proposed withdrawal of tax exemption on R&D:The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has recently proposed to reduce tax exemptions on investments made for scientific research from the current 200 per cent to 100 percent.2The pharma and biotechnology industry has raised concerns over this development as they expect it to impact the innovation efforts of the industry. Globally, many countries have introduced various steps to promote R&D initiatives in the form of R&D tax credit, R&D weighted tax deduction, patent box, etc; hence, the continuation of R&D weighted deduction is important for giving Indian companies a competitive advantage and also encourage innovation. Low focus on cluster development and collaboration:A sector as technical as biotechnology requires quick access in the vicinity to low-cost raw materials, skilled manpower, R&D support and other allied support services; typically, a cluster-based approach would address these requirements.In India, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are the only thriving clusters for the biotechnology industry; these, however require more collaboration amongst operating units with industry-academia linkage and technology transfer.The government had also proposed to develop three Biotechnology Science Clusters in the 2014-15 Budget, which are yet to be made operational. Lack of access to funding for early-stage companies:Due to regulatory uncertainties and delay in product approvals, the sector has seen a drop in funding in the past few years.Since biotechnology is a knowledge-driven sector, investors need to have a good grip on the dynamics involved so as to make informed decisions.Further, PE and VC firms are also showing a keen interest in technology and e-commerce sectors, as they are perceived to provide higher rate of returns with shorter gestation periods. Lack of industry-academia partnership: The current level of academia-industry collaboration is perceived to be inadequate, leading to gaps in the transfer of skills from academia to industry. Unpredictable IP regime:In the past, MNCs in India have often faced a crisis of confidence with respect to IP due to unclear and unpredictable regulations. Cases in point are a few cancer treatment drugs where patents have been successfully challenged in courts. Section 3(d) of the Indian patent law does not support patents for inventions which are minor modifications of the current product. Though it is well accepted that authorities need to balance innovation and public health at large, bringing transparency in the IP regime could help remove ambiguity and enable biotech players plan business strategies around IP. Steps undertaken by government to remove challengesMake in India programmeInitiatives under the 'Make in India' programme can potentially help the sector achieve its vision of being a global manufacturing hubRegulatoryStrengthening and upgrading the drug regulatory system at the centre and state levels, with a budget of INR1750 crores, over the next three years.1Will include setting up of new laboratories and training academies for regulatory and drug testing officials.InfrastructureThe Government is planning 50 research parks in the country and many of these will focus on biotechnology.2The Government is planning to take steps such as establishment of national investment & manufacturing zones and industrial corridor to enable the sectorSectoral policyNational Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Guidelines on Similar Biologics-regulatory Requirements for Marketing Authorization in India.FDI policy100% FDI is permitted through the automatic route for greenfield projects.IP RegimeIndia has recently released New National Intellectual Property Rights Policy which upon implementation could increase predictability, clarity and transparency with respect to IP.Entrepreneurship and skill developmentThe Government is supporting entrepreneurship through BIRAC by providing funding and incubation support. BIRAC has established nearly 15 incubators to provide high-tech equipment, mentor and hand-holding networks.The country aims to have 1500-2000 biotech start-ups in the next two to three years from 500 start-ups currently.3The Government has also launched the Skill India campaign to link entrepreneurship with skill development. National Biotechnology Development (NBD) Strategy 2015-20DBT has recently released the National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-20, which aims to propel India's biotechnology sector into a new phase of growth. Following are the key features of this strategy: Capacity buildingEstablish specialised centers and technology platforms.Skill developmentDevelop skills through trainings, new courses, faculty improvement programmes and fellowships.Streamline regulatory systemEstablish Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India, a toxicology center for safety, and strengthen agencies such as Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).Enhance R&D and innovationEnhance innovation through establishment of accelerators, rural technology support, application centers and new schemes to encourage commercialisationEncourage start-ups and SMEsCommercialise technology through establishment of technology incubators, technology transfer organisations and funding schemes.Streamline clinical trialsDCGI has recently taken some positive steps to streamline clinical trial regulations in the country such as removal of the requirement of no objection certificate (NOC) from DCGI for addition of new clinical trial sites, increase in number of clinical trials an investigator can undertake etc.To increase transparency, the Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) had launched a new online submission sytem.Global market overviewOver the past several years, biologics have gained prominence in the global pharmaceutical industry; global sales contribution of biologics is expected to increase from 23 per cent in 2014 to 27 per cent in 2020.1The global biosimilar market is forecasted to grow to approximately USD24 billion in 2019 as compared with USD5 billion in 2015.2The biosimilar market is dominated by the European Union followed by the Asia Pacific region. Key growth driversPatent cliffBiologic products with aggregate sales of approximately USD60 billion are expected to go off-patent in the U.S. alone by 2016. Large biologics brands (such as Humira and Rituxan) are likely to open up biosimilar opportunities worth USD10 billion with expiration of their patents in 2016 alone. Moreover, by 2020, 25 per cent of biologics sales by value are expected to come from off-patent therapeutics.3 Evolving regulatory pathwaysWith regulatory approval pathways in Europe and the U.S. becoming more transparent and streamlined, significant opportunity is opening up in biosimilars.In 2012, FDA issued first draft guidelines for biosimilars with several additional releases subsequently:In March 2016, the USFDA released long-awaited biosimilar labeling guidelines.In April 2015, the USFDA finalised three guideline documents related to biosimilar science and qualityIn April 2016, the USFDA approved the second biosimilar for the US market.Healthcare cost savingWith rising pressure to curtail growing healthcare cost, preference for generic versions is rising.Biosimilars are expected to cost 10 to 30 per cent less than the biologic drug and therefore likely to save a lot in the healthcare bill.4The Indian biosimilar marketThe last few decades have seen generic versions of life-sciences' products emerge as a lucrative business option for the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Taking advantage of India's low-labor costs and high technology skills, domestic companies have already established their presence in the global generic business of small molecules.With more and more complex biological drugs going off-patent as compared to small molecules in near future, India has an opportunity to garner market share.In India itself, the biosimilar market is witnessing strong growth due to launch of new products, growing acceptance of biosimilars and entry of many new players. Key growth driversThe key drivers of the Indian biosimilar market include:Evolving regulationsIndia launched its first biosimilar guidelines in 2012; and the new guidance for biosimilars were released in March 2016 to further strengthen the regulatory regime.In July 2016, the CDSCO among other things amended its guidelines on situations in which comparative studies of biosimilars and reference products are needed. The amendments are expected to provide clear guidelines for development and approval of biosimilars.Increasing access to healthcareThe rise in the number and quality of tertiary care hospitals in the country has resulted in a greater usage of biologics.Shift in diseases patternThe increase in the number of patients inflicted by cancer, diabetes and cardiac ailments has created a demand for treatment options with biosimilars.Global demand for low-priced biologicsRising demand for low priced biologics globally is expected to provide export opportunities for Indian players.Key trendsIncreased collaboration to develop and launch biosimilars in developed countriesMany Indian companies are collaborating with foreign partners to launch their products in developed countries. For example, in 2014, a Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company formed a joint venture with a Japanese pharmaceutical company for clinical development of certain biosimilars, including regulatory filings and obtaining marketing authorisation in Japan. Similarly, a Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company is also planning to launch a biosimilar product in Japan with a partner in 2018. The company had also previously partnered with a German pharmaceutical company to co-develop a portfolio of biosimilar compounds (such as, rituximab and pegfilgrastim) in the oncology space. A Bengaluru-based biotechnology company has tied-up with a US-based pharmaceutical company to launch biosimilars in their market, starting fiscal 2017. Growing number of pharmaceutical companies launching biosimilars in the domestic marketMany pharmaceutical companies in India are investing to increase their capacity and technology to launch biosimilar products in the domestic market. In the last one year itself many biosimilars were launched in India; this is likely to be the trend given the rising burden of NCDs and an increasing base of ageing population. An Ahmedabad-based company, for example, has launched a biosimilar version of a US-based biopharmaceutical company's popular biologic, Humira (adalimumab), in India. Similarly, a Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company has launched a biosimilar drug - Rituximab, used in the treatment of blood cancer.Key challengesHigh cost of developmentAlthough biosimilar development cost is lower than developing a new biologic, it still requires significant investment not only in terms of time taken to bring a single drug to the market, but also in terms of the cost associated with R&D as compared with developing a conventional generic drug.Further, innovator companies are likely to have the additional advantage of bringing their own follow-on biologics as compared to a company that is starting afresh. Setting up and running a manufacturing plant for biosimilars is costlier than that for small molecules.Regulatory hurdleApprovals from multiple government agencies are required to launch a biosimilar in the Indian market thus increasing the time taken to launch a product in the market.Dearth of expertise in biologicsCapabilities in applied research in biology is limited as compared to chemical generics.Talent development is required in molecular biology and process development for manufacturing biologicsGrowing competition from other countriesCountries such as South Korea and China are likely to give stiff competition to India as they are actively supporting their biopharmaceuticals sectors.In South Korea, regulatory pathways for biosimilars were introduced in 2009 and product-specific guidelines are also issued at regular intervals. The government is also providing funding support to the sector.In China, the government announced final guidelines for biosimilars in 2015 to streamline the approval process.OutlookStrong technical skills, latest manufacturing technologies, ability to navigate through complex regulatory environments and a healthy balance sheet are prerequisites for companies that want to foray into the biologics universe.With further strengthening of the IPR environment, global players are expected to open R&D centres in India; this move is expected to enhance technology skills of the industry. The country also needs to develop a research ecosystem in biology to gain strength in biosimilars."The vast opportunity offered by biosimilars would be challenged by regulatory hurdles and the cost associated with conducting clinical trials in various geographies. These costs are likely to mitigate the cost advantage that Indian companies have over other developed geographies" Utkarsh Palnitkar, Partner, Head - Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare, and Life Sciences, KPMG in India   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8528/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-10-gsk-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8528/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-10-gsk-india.html Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:34:00 +0530 GSK IndiaMD & VP South Asia: Annaswamy VaidheeshDesignation: Revenue: Rs 400 crore GSK India's vaccines business revenue for FY2015-16 stood at over Rs 400 crore compared to Rs 440 crore in FY2014-15. In FY2015-16, GlaxoSmithKline India's biggest milestone was its investment in building its new tablet manufacturing factory in Vemgal, Karnataka, with a whopping investment of Rs 1,000 crore. The facility is expected to be fully operational in 2017. The factory is said to manufacture more than 8 billion tablets and 1 billion capsules in areas of gastroenterology and anti-inflammatory medicines for the Indian market.In June last year, the company announced the appointment of Annaswamy Vaidheesh, as GSK India's VP for South Asia and MD, succeeding Dr Hasit Joshipura. In September 2015, GSK Pharmaceuticals completed acquiring Novartis' vaccines business. In April 2016, the company launched its school sanitation project at Nashik, Maharashtra.   The company has initiated CSR partnerships addressing the entire continuum of care for newborn survival in high-burden districts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The fiscal year under review also saw GSK winning second rank under the title 'Most Respected Companies in India' by Business World magazine in the pharma sector. Business Today magazine ranked it at second place under 'Best Companies to Work For' in the pharma and healthcare sector.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8529/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-11-anthem-biosciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8529/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-11-anthem-biosciences.html Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:33:00 +0530 Anthem Biosciences CEO: Dr Ajay Bhardwaj Revenue: Rs 350 crore Bangalore-based CRO Anthem Biosciences registered a total revenue of Rs 350 crore in the fiscal year 2015-16 against Rs 280 crore in FY 14-15.Anthem Biosciences, is contract research and innovation service provider (CRISP), located in an industrial park in Bangalore with a built-up capacity to house over 500 researchers. Currently, the company employs over 350 people. Anthem Biosciences' key achievements for the last fiscal include, adding new manufacturing facilities like high potent compounds manufacturing plant, larger microbial and cell culture facility. The company also started construction on a new large scale manufacturing facility. As a CRISP - Anthem offers a whole gamut of services dedicated to enabling and sustaining global research efforts in the discovery of new compounds by pharmaceutical, biotechnology, specialty chemicals, agriculture chemicals and material science companies. In discovery research, Anthem provides pharmaceutical clients services from generation of hits, transforming hits to leads and optimization of leads to developable drug candidates against known or client's targets.   In one of the major deals past fiscal, the firm has garnered GMP projects for major pharma and global biotech companies. Another highlight includes global launch of nutrition products developed at Anthem. In addition, the company's new GMP biology labs will open this year. In the future, Anthem will inaugurate a new large scale manufacturing facility including state of the art fermentation by Q4, GLP accreditation. Since its inception, the CRO has diversified export base to countries like South America, South-East Asia, the Middle East countries.In the ever crowding space of CROs, Anthem Biosciences distinguishes itself as a top tier organization, with a highly skilled team, quality services and a guarantee of on-time performance.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8530/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-12-metahelix-life-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8530/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-12-metahelix-life-sciences.html Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:32:00 +0530 Metahelix Life SciencesDesignation: MD & CEO : V ShankarRevenue: Rs 334.08 crore For the FY2015-16, Bangalore-based Metahelix Life Sciences' revenue hit Rs 334.08 crore, a major jump from Rs 310 crore from the previous fiscal. Metahelix is a fully-owned subsidiary of Tata Group's Rallis India, an agro-chemical company. During the fiscal year under review, Metahelix entered into a joint venture with a local business partner in Indonesia for seed production and distribution. Metahelix is said to hold 49 percent stake in the JV. The JV is part of Metahelix's strategic plan to expand its seeds business in the South East Asian region. In the future it aims to broaden its geographical boundaries in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar and Vietnam. The agro-based biotechnology company's capabilities includes all aspects of gene mining, development, molecular biology, crop transformation, phenotyping, assaying and trait development. Metahelix's biotech activities are all based out of Bangalore.   The transgenic traits being developed in the company include Bt cotton (Bollworm and Spodoptera tolerance), and Bt rice (Yellow Stem Borer tolerance). According to the company, new and novel RNAi technologies are being developed for virus and fungal tolerance traits in rice, maize and vegetable crops. Metahelix's breeding programs are spread across Ahmedabad, Attur, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8536/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-14-concord-biotech.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8536/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-14-concord-biotech.html Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:32:00 +0530 Concord BiotechCMD: Sudhir VaidRevenue: Rs 272.9 crore Gujarat-based pharmaceutical firm Concord Biotech is driven by a strategic focus on biopharmaceuticals APIs. It is said to be India's leading manufacturer of fermentation and semi-synthesis-based biopharmaceutical APIs, focused on niche segments such as immunosuppressant and oncology. From a single product company in early 2000, Concord today has a product portfolio and near term pipeline of over 30 products across niche therapies such as immunosuppressant, oncology, antifungal and antibacterial. The company has commercial operations in more than 50 countries with significant revenue contributions from products that are sold in regulated markets such as USA, Europe and Japan. It also offers contract research and manufacturing services (CRAMs) in the areas of natural products and is working with global biotech companies in the area of CRAMs. From single manufacturing block in 2000, now Concord has built-up more than 20 dedicated biotech blocks, with total fermentation capacity over 500 cubic metres. Concord is coming up with a new formulation facility in Ahmedabad, and expects to start operations by end of 2016.   The company has launched several products in the area of oncology, immunosuppressant, anti-fungal and anti-Infectives. On some of these products, the company has got associated with formulation companies on P-IV opportunity. Concord has also entered into Contract Research & Manufacturing agreements with global biopharmaceutical companies in the area of natural products and semi-synthetic products. Company has set up a new formulation facility for Oral Solid Dosage (OSD) to cater to global markets and expects to file ANDAs in FY2016-17. The company feels that getting faster land and environment clearance from the state and Centre for newer biotechnology manufacturing units would definitely help in getting early access to markets.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8541/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-15-panacea-biotec-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8541/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-15-panacea-biotec-.html Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:31:00 +0530 Panacea BiotecJMD: Dr Rajesh JainRevenue: Rs 253 crore (Bioscience) Panacea Biotec is the first company in the world to develop fully-liquid pentavalent vaccine Easyfive-TT (HepB-Hib-DTwP). It played a pivotal role in the eradication of polio from India and many other countries by supplying more than 10 billion doses of oral polio vaccine to Government of India and UNICEF. It is also the first Indian company to develop generic nanoparticle-based paclitaxel 'PacliALL' for treating breast cancer and launched the product in India at ~50 percent lower cost. Granted patent in Russian Federation on a new formulation. Panacea was awarded the 'Top 50 Innovator Company of India Award' in 2016 based on its contribution in R&D and patents filings by Thomson Reuters. Panacea's net turnover of pharmaceutical formulations business has grown at a CAGR of around 7.6 per cent from Rs 2,398.8 million in FY2009-10 to Rs 3,727.0 million in FY2015-16. The net turnover from domestic pharmaceutical formulation business has grown at a CAGR of around 6.7 percent from Rs 2,105.9 million in FY2009-10 to Rs 3,107.3 million in FY2015-16 with diabetes and cardiology and transplantation segments being the top two therapeutic segments, contributing around 28 percent and 29 percent respectively during the year under review.   The global vaccines market was estimated at $41 billion in 2015 and is expected to grow $100 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 10 percent. At present, North America, with about a 49 percent share, is the largest vaccine market followed by Europe, with 31 percent share. However, the future demand and significant revenue for vaccines is expected to come from India, China and other emerging developing countries with sizeable birth cohort. Clinical trials with respect to world's first patented wP-based hexavalent vaccine (Easy6) and Quadrivalent vaccine (Easy4TT) has been successfully completed. In accordance with 'Global Switch with respect to Polio, Comparative Monovalent OPV1 (or mOPV1)/bOPV/IPV Clinical Trial Protocol was successfully submitted by Panacea to DCGI, in collaboration with WHO. The company has already developed 10-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (Nucovac).Sampann drug delivery centre is also supporting the development of new generation vaccines like Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine 10-valent (Nucovac) and Dengue tetravalent vaccine, Easyfour-Pol and Easysix vaccine, Sabin-Inactivated Polio vaccine (S-IPV), Tetanus vaccine, indigenous Pentavalent vaccine, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine and Measles vaccine. Panacea focuses on R&D of generics and NDDS technologies such as depot injections, oral modified release, SMEDDS in soft gels, MD tablets, critical dose drugs and biotherapeutics. Novel Dengue Vaccine (LATV) Phase I/II Protocol & Pneumococcal Vaccine (10 Valent, Conjugate Vaccine) Phase III Clinical Protocols have been approved by DCGI. These studies are slated to begin in the near future. During the year, Panacea has launched India's first indigenously developed brand CABAPAN, a brand of cabazitaxel, at one-fifth of the innovator's price, thereby bringing a paradigm change in the treatment of metastatic Castration Resistant Prostrate Cancer (mCRPC). The company is now in the process of expanding its exports business with focus on the large regulated markets and emerging markets. As part of this, the company has already filed 6 ANDAs with the USFDA and is working on 2 more ANDAs to be filed in 2017. The Indian vaccine industry is estimated to be around $1 billion. The market is expected to further expand as the Indian Government has included Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV) in its Universal Immunization Program. The vaccine industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15% over the next five years.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/96/8539/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-16-ankur-seeds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/96/8539/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-16-ankur-seeds.html Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:30:00 +0530 Ankur Seeds Managing Director: M G ShembekarTotal Revenue: Rs 250 crore Ankur Seeds was established in 1976 as a seed company with cotton as its primary seed portfolio. Over a period it steadily established itself as a business catering to major cereal and vegetable crops and today Ankur Seeds has one of the largest portfolios among Indian seed industry encompassing 16 different vegetable and cereal crops. Ankur Seeds R&D division comprises 300 acres of research farms and multi location centers and a state-of-the-art breeding support facility. Nagpur-based Ankur Seeds total revenue for the FY 15-16 was Rs 250 crore a significant decrease from Rs 350 crore in FY 14-15. The reason for this stunted growth, as per the firm, is the onslaught of whiteflies and the accompanying cotton leaf curl virus damage left the Indian cotton seed industry stunned in the last year. Another major factor causing a hindrance to the Bt cotton business is the slow regulatory approvals for new hybrids which delays the process of new hybrids and traits coming up in the market. In this fiscal, however, it is targeting a 25 percent growth.   The firm launched two BG-II cotton hybrids Suwarna and Ankur 4252 in the previous financial year. It says, "Farmers, especially in Central India, have been facing the drought situation for several years. We have been successful in alleviating the issue to a large extent by introducing cotton hybrids that perform excellently under rain fed conditions. Two of our new cotton hybrids launched recently have been well received by farmers from these regions." Other highlights include expansion of its research satellite centers and centers for multi-location trials for cotton, paddy and vegetables it has also initiated large scale projects for identifying nitrogen use and water use efficient genotypes in germplasm. The firm is also focusing research and marketing efforts in South India for cotton hybrids. Looking at the unpredictable climate, for Indian agriculture which is largely dependent on monsoons, it is vital that R&D activities are focused towards developing products which are tolerant to scanty rainfall. Ankur Seeds has number of drought tolerant hybrids in the pipeline and it continues investing in R&D to this end. Virus incidence has been increasing for the past several years in vegetables and the crop losses have been great. Identifying virus tolerant donors and developing tolerant hybrids will also be of focus for the coming years. The firm's overall plans and goals are to strengthen cotton and paddy portfolio and bolstering vegetable seed portfolio and increase presence all over India in the vegetable seed market.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8537/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-18-zytex-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8537/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-18-zytex-.html Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:29:00 +0530 ZytexDirector: Rashesh Doshi Total Revenue: Rs 55 crore Mumbai based Zytex's revenue for the FY 15-16 was Rs 55 crore against Rs 48 crore in FY 14-15. It is projecting a 20 percent growth for the present fiscal. The firm attributes its growth to increased activities in R&D and development and being focused on bacillus technology. Zytex set up its first manufacturing facility in 1996 at Silvassa for enzyme formulation. In 2009 a new state-of-the-art fermentation facility in Baroda. Zytex has a world-class R&D centre and application support lab approved by DSIR (Department of Science and Industrial Research), Government of India. It is the first company in India to develop and manufacture Nattokinase Enzyme (NattoLife) and Gamma-Polyglutamic acid (Aquadip). Zytex develops and markets enzymes and biotech products in more than 5 countries to improve process efficiencies, performance and sustainability in a wide range of industries, from textile, nutraceutical, cosmetic, animal feed and agriculture. Zytex is also the chosen partner for Unilever's global enzyme analytical lab for their home care division supporting more than 70 factories and labs around the world. Zytex is expert in production of bacillus strains.   In the last financial year, the firm opened new division 'PlantbiotiX' - a BioAgri division with focus in 3 areas - bio nutrition, bio control and soil health, launched its commercial products in India and under testing in several countries. It also expanded the fermentation capacity by 50 percent. The firm also bagged research grant from DBT under BIRAC. The firm's future plans include expansion of fermentation capacity and also strategic tie ups.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8538/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-17-ecron-acunova.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8538/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-17-ecron-acunova.html Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:29:00 +0530 Ecron AcunovaTotal Revenue: Rs 144.99 Vice Chairman: H R Srinivasan Ecron Acunova (EA) is a CRO headquartered in Bangalore having global presence across Asia, Europe and USA. The firm's revenue for the FY 15-16 was Rs 144.99 crore against Rs 135.41 crore in FY 14-15. EA's projected growth for this fiscal is around Rs 156.00 crore, overseas business contributed majority of its revenue (Rs 121.51 crore) while domestic sales contributed around Rs 23.48 crore. The firm attributes its Asia business growth to more biosimilar studies. In a major development Ecron acquired Non Interventional Business in Europe.   EA offers services in clinical research from Phase I - IV to pharmaceutical, biotech, nutritional, medical device and diagnostic companies. EA end-to-end services include, but are not limited to trial set-up, clinical trial management, monitoring, clinical data management, medical writing, biostatistics, pharmacovigilance, PK/PD and central lab services, either as a complete service package or as single services on a project basis or as functional outsourcing. In addition, the firm also launched new service line: Non interventional studies in previous fiscal. In November 2015, BSE-listed TAKE Solutions, technology solution provider for supply chain and life sciences segments, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Bangalore-headquartered Ecron Acunova (EA), a leading clinical research organisation, in a transaction that is valued at Rs 115 crore.             ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8526/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-20-bhat-bio-tech-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8526/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-20-bhat-bio-tech-india-.html Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:28:11 +0530 Bhat Bio-Tech India CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR: Dr Shama BhatTotal revenue: Rs 22.78 crore Bhat Bio-Tech India is specialized in the design development, manufacture and marketing of diagnostic products and biotechnology based products. Diagnostic test devices are for various types of tests like, Pregnancy, HIV, Hepatitis, Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Swine Flu (H1N1), Syphilis, TB, Cardiac Markers, Dry Chemistry, Bio-Chemistry, Haematology & Immunology and ELISA's used in the analysis of body fluids in human. The Bangalore-based firm clocked Rs 22.78 crore in the FY 15-16 a slight increase from Rs 22.46 crore in FY14-15. Domestic sales contributed majorly in the revenue with Rs 20.89 crore and the rest Rs 1.89 crore is by exports. In Life Science related products Bhat Bio-Tech manufacture and market Genomics (DNA, RNA), Proteomics and Lab Instruments. Now, it plans to bring the molecular diagnostics to the point of care. State-of-the-art Molecular Diagnostic kits, reagents and instruments are being developed and marketed. PCR Machines and i-PCR, the real time machine in less than 20 minutes is the company's latest invention and will be launched shortly. Bhat Bio-Tech also offers contract manufacturing, third party labelling, and contract research. Our products are manufactured with International Standards. Also we have ISO 9001, ISO 13485, CE and GMP certifications.   In the last fiscal, the firm garnered key clients like, Piramal Enterprises; Monarch Scientific, TATA Africa, The UNOPS Myanmar OC, MHS Pharma, HLL Life Science.Bhat Bio-Tech also launched PCR and i-PCR machine; Bhat Bio-Scan Anti ABD, Malaria PAN (PF, PV, Pm, Po) antigen test. It has built a PCR machine completely indigenously and are now developing an electrical method for the detection of DNA amplification measuring the impedance of the PCR solution. The firm is also working on developing an instrument for the measurement of glycated hemoglobin. As per the company, contract manufacturing; OEM business helped in the growth of its bioscience business. In the future, Bhat Bio-Tech is looking for development of probes based on a human BAC library for the diagnosis of disease for use in situ hybridization and in microarray; validation of kits for the detection of PCR kits; DNA and RNA Purification Kits, Agriculture Pathogen Detection Kits.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8547/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-19-accurex-biomedical-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8547/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-19-accurex-biomedical-.html Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:28:00 +0530 Accurex Biomedical Managing Director: Abhinav ThakurRevenue: Rs 30.00 crore Accurex is manufacturer and marketer of Clinical Chemistry Reagents, Instruments (Semi & Fully Auto Biochemistry Analyzers, Haematology and Urine Analyzers, Electrolyte Analyzer), and Urine chemistry strips, Rapid Tests, POCT, Elisa and other IVD products. The firm has been in this business for over 30 years and is currently one of the top 3 Indian companies in the field of clinical chemistry, known for high quality of products. Mumabi based Accurex's revenue for the FY 15-16 is Rs 30 crore over 30 percent growth from Rs 22.42 crore in FY 14-15. The firm attributes its growth to clinical chemistry automation and rapid tests. In the previous fiscal, the company launched Sphera 200 tests per hour fully automatic clinical chemistry analyzer, HCV and HIV rapid test, Cholinestrase reagent.Accurex plans to achieve Rs 50 crore in sales this financial year.   As per the company, India is only 1% of the world IVD market. All Indian companies that have grown large have grown via exports. Huge growth opportunity exists in exports.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8525/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-3-jubilant-life-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8525/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-3-jubilant-life-sciences.html Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:48:12 +0530 Jubilant Life Sciences Limited Co-chairman and MD: Hari S Bhartia  Total revenue: Rs 3,144 crore (Life Sciences business only) Jubilant Life Sciences is an integrated global pharmaceutical and life sciences company engaged in manufacturing and supply of APIs, solid dosage formulations, radiopharmaceuticals, allergy therapy products, advance intermediates, fine ingredients, crop science ingredients, life science chemicals and nutritional products. It also provides services in contract manufacturing of sterile injectables and drug discovery solutions. The company's strength lies in its unique offerings of pharmaceutical and life sciences products and services. Jubilant Life Sciences revenue for the FY 15-16 is Rs 3,144 crore.Over the years, Jubilant Life Sciences has extended its footprint beyond India in the USA, Canada, Europe, and other countries across the globe. It has also expanded the business by building capabilities internally, through strategic expansions and acquisitions. This resulted in a network of 7 world class manufacturing facilities in India and 4 in North America and a team of around 6,100 multicultural people across the globe with ~ 1,200 in North America and ~900 in R&D.   In the last fiscal, Jubilant Biosys, a Bengaluru-based subsidiary of Jubilant Life Sciences, and Sanofi Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany, announced a strategic alliance to discover and develop small molecule inhibitors for multiple targets in the metabolic disorders therapeutic area. The research alliance is aimed at developing therapeutic small molecules that will address the unmet needs in diabetes and obesity. As per the terms of the agreement, Jubilant shall provide Sanofi integrated drug discovery and early development services across computational, synthetic chemistry, biology, GLP/GMP services, to identify lead candidates and demonstrate clinical proof of mechanism in the metabolic disorders therapeutic areas. The research for the projects, which has been initiated, will be undertaken primarily at state-of-the-art R&D labs of Jubilant Biosys (Bengaluru, India) and Jubilant Chemsys (Noida, India). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8546/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-13advanced-enzyme-technologies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8546/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-13advanced-enzyme-technologies.html Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:46:00 +0530 Advanced Enzyme TechnologiesMD: Chandrakant RathiRevenue: Rs 293.76 crore Advanced Enzymes is the largest Indian enzyme company with global leadership in the manufacturing enzymes. It provides eco-safe solutions to a wide variety of industries including human healthcare and nutrition, animal nutrition, baking, fruit & vegetable processing, brewing & malting, grain processing, protein modification, dairy processing, specialty applications, textile processing, leather processing, paper & pulp processing, biofuels, biomass processing, and biocatalysis. It aims to replace traditionally used chemicals with eco-friendly enzymatic solutions. The company exports across 6 continents, and witnessed revenue growth of 31 percent and profit growth of 58 percent during FY2015-16. The company attributes its growth to its laser-focus on nutraceuticals, food and feed enzymes. Its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and R&D centers are located across India and the US, offering 100 enzyme products. The company comprises of 6 subsidiaries of which, 2 are wholly-owned subsidiaries and 3 are step-down subsidiaries. Advanced Enzymes USA, California, caters to the American markets. While Advanced Enzymes India caters to the European and Asian markets.   In India, the company has 2 subsidiaries, Advanced Enzytech Solutions and Advanced Bio Agro Tech. The former focuses on the industrial processing market in South Asia, the latter focuses on the animal nutrition market in the same region. For FY2016-17, Advanced Enzymes aims to expand its geographical footprint beyond its current 50 countries. The company is aware and is catering to consumers who are increasingly adopting enzyme-based nutraceuticals. More and more industries becoming aware of green technologies and are keen on adopting them.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8527/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-4-syngene-international.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8527/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-4-syngene-international.html Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:45:00 +0530 Syngene International CEO: Jonathan Hunt Revenue: Rs 1,113 crore The global healthcare CRO market is expected reach $45 billion by 2022, according to report by Grand View Resarech. The global CRO market expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 6 percent over the next seven years. According to a report, increasing R&D spend, M&A, outsourcing, patent expirations & government organizations are assigning projects to CROs. In 2015, Bengaluru-based CRO Syngene International's starry IPO debut took the whole industry by storm.   It offers a suite of integrated, end-to-end discovery, development and manufacturing services for novel molecular entities across industrial sectors including pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrochemicals, consumer health, animal health, cosmetic and nutrition companies. Over the years, Syngene has made strategic investments in capacity expansion and enhancing its capabilities to meet the growing requirements of its clients. In FY 2015-16, Syngene invested in expanding its R&D laboratory space; added new services in stability, analytical and bio-analytical services as well as viral testing; and invested in new platforms including Small Interfering RiboNucleic Acid (SiRNA) and Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs). The company intends to invest $200 million through 2019 across the following:1. Setting up a multi-product, multi-client commercial scale contract manufacturing facility at Mangaluru. 2. Setting up Syngene Research Center spread across a total area of 2,00,000 square feet. The center will support integrated discovery programs in chemistry and biology.3. Investing in state-of-the-art formulation centre for various dosage types.4. Investing in new biologicals manufacturing facility. Over the last five years, the company has amply diversified and more than doubled its client base -- from 115 in FY12 to 256 in FY16.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8531/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-5-biological-e.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8531/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-5-biological-e.html Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:44:00 +0530 Biological ETotal Revenue: Rs 1,018 croreMD: Mahima Datla Established in 1953, Biological E, claims to be the first private sector biological products company in India and the first pharmaceuticals company in South India.Originally incorporated as Biological Products Private Limited, and launched by Dr Vijay Kumar Datla, Biological E (BE) is a significant leader in the world of vaccine market. Based in Hyderabad, BE supplies several essential and lifesaving vaccines and pharmaceuticals to UN agencies viz. UNICEF, Pan American health organizations, other global markets and within India to Central and State government hospitals, public sector undertakings, the Indian Armed Forces and the domestic retail market. BE crossed Rs 1,000 crore mark in revenue and clocked Rs 1,018 crore in revenue in the financial year FY15-16. In addition to the impressive financial gains, the company has bagged a prestigious tender award of Rs 895 crore over the next two years for supplying 'ComBE Five', 5-in-1 Liquid Pentavalent Vaccine (LPV), to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.   This vaccine would be inducted into the Government of India's Universal Immunization Program (UIP) and give a boost to Mission Indradhanush, an initiative to empower the UIP and extend full immunization coverage to at least 90 percent of all children of the country. With scale up plans on the anvil and new business opportunities that present themselves, BE expects to register approximately 25 percent topline growth in the coming year. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8532/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-6-nuziveedu-seeds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8532/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-6-nuziveedu-seeds.html Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:44:00 +0530 Nuziveedu Seeds CMD: M Prabhakar Rao Revenue: Rs 1,051.36 crore Started in 1973, Nuziveedu Seeds (NSL) has transformed into a leading company in R&D and seeds. It operates in 20 states in India with more 160 products in 27 crops, including 17 vegetable crops. NSL has also developed world-class supply chain infrastructure across its 11 processing plants. NSL's seed testing laboratory is among the six ISTA (International Seed Certification Agency) certified laboratories in India.   During FY2015-16, NSL has promoted use of high density planting technology in addition to optimal plant spacing for its different products. It has also promoted the use of precision planting technology using precision planters for establishment of optimal plant stand and growth regulation in cotton. The company has also launched its Subeej Krishi Vignan extension services to educate farmers on improved agronomic practices. The delayed onset of monsoon and crop shifts to pulses and soybean has reduced the overall cotton area and thereby the market size reduced by 15 percent. Despite the reduction in market size, NSL increased its market share due to superiority in performance of its new hybrids Bhakti, Puja, Malini and Raja. NSL launched Raja for commercial marketing in FY2015-16. The product clocked ~4000 percent growth in the first year. The company also launched precision planter sowing services as a demonstration to farmers for establishment of optimum plant stand and improving their overall farm profitability. Currently, NSL is working on R&D for product development with respect to enhanced pest resistance to bollworms, improved sucking pest tolerance, drought tolerance and improved resource utilization efficiency. It is also working on alternative technology paradigms for development of improved seeds, seed and plant nutrition and integrated pest management concepts and products. Reduced commodity prices of cotton in FY2015-16 has also triggered crop shifts in FY2016-17. Increased demand for cotton in future will again spur demand in FY2016-17, NSL said. NSL's recent partnership include the R&D collaboration with Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8533/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-7-astrazeneca-pharma-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8533/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-7-astrazeneca-pharma-india-.html Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:43:00 +0530 AstraZeneca Pharma India Total Revenue: Rs 570.5 croreMD: Sanjay Murdeshwar Bangalore based AstraZeneca Pharma India's total revenue for FY 15-16 is Rs 5,705,049,408 (Rs 5705 million). The company registered sales of Rs 5167.6 million with a growth of 11 percent achieving a Net Profit of Rs 53 million, during the year. The company's key growth brands - Brilinta, Forxiga, Onglyza, Kombiglyze and Symbicort, witnessed robust growth of 76 percent over last year, providing strong momentum to the company's performance throughout the year. Diabetes portfolio of the company grew by 74 percent post acquisition from Bristol Myers-Squibb and launch of Forxiga. Forxiga is part of a newer class of medicines known as SGLT2 (Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2) inhibitors that act to block reabsorption of sugar in the kidneys. In addition, Brilinta won the OPPI Marketing Excellence Awards in the category of 'Best New Pharma Product Launch'. Brilinta also won the 'Brand of The Year' AWACS - AIOCD Award for Chronic category under 'Best New Pharma Product Launch'. The drug, Brilinta (Ticagrelor) which provides cardiologists with a new and effective treatment to help reduce the rate of heart attack and cardiovascular deaths in adult patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).   AstraZeneca Pharma India has entered into three Distribution Services Agreement in FY 2015-2016. With Dr Reddy's Laboratories for Saxagliptin and its fixed dose combination with metformin, its patented therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The second Distribution Services Agreement is with Sun Pharma for Ticagrelor, treatment for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the third Distribution Services Agreement for the treatment of type 2 diabetes with Sun Pharma to promote and distribute Dapagliflozin and its fixed dose combination with metformin. Pursuant to the above agreements, AstraZeneca Pharma India, Dr Reddy's Laboratories and Sun Pharma will co-promote, market & distribute Saxagliptin, Dapagliflozin and Ticagrelor under different brand name in Indian market. These partnerships are in line with the firm's commitment to transform patient care in diabetes and ACS. The company believes it will enable them to increase the share of voice for the molecules through a wider reach to physicians, thereby benefitting more number of patients. As of March 31, 2016, AstraZeneca India had 15,876 employees.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8534/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-8-mahyco-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8534/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-8-mahyco-.html Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:42:00 +0530 Mahyco MD: Raju BarwaleTotal Revenue: Rs 471 crore Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco) is focused on research and development, production, processing, and marketing of seeds for India's farming fraternity of approximately 115 products in 30 crop species including cereals, oilseeds, fibre and vegetables. Mahyco is also developing genetically enhanced crops with use of gene transfer technology. Headquartered in Jalna, Maharashtra, Mahyco has a national presence with network across the country. Founded in 1964, Mahyco is the pioneer of high quality hybrid and open pollinated seeds. Through the use of cutting edge technology and intensive research activities, Mahyco has revolutionized the agrarian face of the country.Continuing its growth story, the firm clocked Rs 471 in revenue in the FY15-16 against Rs 423 crore in the FY14-15. In addition, the firm completed the acquisition of subsidiaries of Quoton in Tanzania and Malawi for cotton seed business.   Despite its growth and expansion, the company remains unchanged at its core. It is still driven by a visionary zeal and the belief that it is possible to improve the lives of farmers by using science to develop superior quality agricultural products.Earlier this year, Mahyco and Arcadia Biosciences announced achievement of a pipeline advancement target in the development of salinity tolerant rice. In two years of initial field trials, rice varieties with Arcadia's salinity tolerance (ST) trait showed that double-digit yield increases under saline conditions with no loss of yield under normal conditions. Mahyco will be advancing these ST rice lines into their trait introgression program and conducting further multi-location field trials to validate trait performance, a significant step in product development and commercial advancement for both companies. On the firm's future plan, the firm says, "We have several new products in the research and regulatory pipeline. If the regulatory and policy environment in India for biotech is supportive, we are optimistic of bringing them to our farmers. We believe based on the green house trials that some of these products have large potential to benefit the farmers like BT cotton technology."**** ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8535/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-9-bharat-biotech-international.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8535/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-9-bharat-biotech-international.html Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:41:00 +0530 Bharat Biotech International Chairman & Managing Director: Dr Krishna EllaTotal Revenue: Rs 450 crore Bharat Biotech International (Bharat Biotech) is an innovation leader and a multi-dimensional biotechnology company, specializing in product-oriented research and development, manufacturing and marketing of vaccines and biotherapeutics. In a short span of less than 20 years, the company has 20 products in the market and about 50 patents showcasing innovation and dedication of the team.Bharat Biotech clocked revenue of Rs 450 crore in the FY 15-16, against Rs 322.24 crore in the FY 14-15. Domestic sales contributed majority of the revenue with Rs 278.25 crore and exports contributed Rs 171.75 crore. The company's inline portfolio contains vaccines for Hepatitis B (Revac-B), Hemophilus influenza (BioHib), Polio (BIOPOLIO), Pertussis, Tetanus (Comvac4-HB, Comvac5, Comvac3) Rabies (INDIRAB), Japanese encephalitis (JENVAC), Rotavirus (ROTAVAC) and typhoid fever (TypbarTCV). The biotherapeutic line of products comprises of BIOGIT, REGEN-D, SLVRGEN and ZELECT. The firm had quite an eventful year in the previous fiscal. Some of the major activities include launch of rotavirus vaccine, ROTAVAC in Indian markets in April 2015; announcement of ZIKAVAC - first vaccine candidate against Zika virus in February 2016. In March 2016, rotavirus vaccine was launched as part of the Universal Immunization Program.   The firm says, "Our focus has now expanded to work towards the development and manufacture of underutilized and new vaccines and to take up the challenge of emerging priority pathogens. These pathogens have a global impact and affect millions of people. We wish to continue to participate in the global polio eradication program by developing the Inactivated Polio Vaccine from Sabin's strains."Apart from undertaking new projects the firm is also working to strive in the making of vaccines stable at ambient temperatures and thereby dispense with cold chain conditions in the transport and storage of vaccines. This would be of great importance to developing countries and disease affected endemic regions that do not have the necessary infrastructure to store vaccines. Financially the firm is projecting 18 percent growth this fiscal.Bharat Biotech is transitioning into newer markets such as adult vaccines and therapeutic vaccines. Diseases such as typhoid are relevant to adults and research work is currently underway. Introduction of therapeutic vaccine for typhoid is another pipeline project and a Human Challenge study is currently in progress. This would open up whole new avenues in both domestic and global markets. It would revolutionize the perspective of vaccine from being a preventive to a therapeutic product. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/8524/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-2-biocon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/8524/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-2-biocon.html Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:40:49 +0530 BioconCMD: Dr Kiran Mazumdar-ShawRevenue: Rs 3570 crore At Rs 35.70 billion, Biocon's overall revenue grew by 14 percent, while Net Profit at Rs 8.96 billion reported an 80 percent jump in FY16. Excluding certain exceptional items, the company's profit after tax for the year was Rs 4.37 billion. The EBITDA margin was steady at 25 percent despite a 63 percent increase in R&D expenses to Rs 2.75 billion. From a segment perspective, the biopharmaceuticals segment showed annual growth of 7 percent to Rs 23.91 billion. Research services subsidiary, Syngene, continued to make good progress with an annualized growth of 29 percent to Rs 10.60 billion. Biocon has among the largest and most diversified portfolios of biosimilars, spanning monoclonal antibodies, generic insulin and insulin analogs and other recombinant proteins.The most significant milestone in FY16 was the approval of Insulin Glargine in Japan. This is Biocon's first biosimilar approval in a developed country and the first biosimilar developed by any company in India to be approved in Japan. Biocon's biosciences business grew on the back of increasing global demand for affordable biosimilar insulins, analogs and monoclonal antibodies. The company augmented capacity in FY16 through the inauguration of a top-of-the-line insulin device facility in Bengaluru, from which was launched the first disposable pen - Basalog One for Glargine in India. In FY16, Biocon's Malaysian insulin facility received local cGMP certification from the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau, Malaysia. In FY17, Biocon will focus on building sustainable competitive advantages in its chosen areas, namely biosimilars and generic insulins.   Biocon, with its partners Mylan, expects to submit applications for approvals in Europe and the US for Pegfilgrastim, Trastuzumab, Glargine and Adalimumab. Biocon will continue to invest in its novels portfolio through a judicious focus on US-IND enabling studies for early-stage assets and proof-of-concept or Phase II/III studies for its more advanced assets. It will develop a strong intellectual property base to enable monetization in future.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8523/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-1-serum-institute-of-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8523/biospectrum-ranking-survey-rank-1-serum-institute-of-india-.html Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:15:34 +0530 Serum Institute of India Name: Dr Cyrus PoonawallaDesignation: CMDRevenue: Rs 4,153 crore Serum Institute is the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by number of doses produced and sold globally - the number of doses account to more than 1.3 billion.It supplies vaccines to more than 140 countries. According to the company, 65 percent of all the children in the world receive at least one vaccine produced by Serum Institute. For the FY2015-16, the company achieved a revenue of Rs 4,153 crore.Delivering world class, high quality and affordable vaccines to the world, the company has collaborated with global health organizations including WHO, NIH, PATH, NVI/RIVM and CBER/USFDA, developing vaccines against Meningococcal A, H1N1 Influenza, Rotavirus and other diseases. In December 2015, the company announced its interest in entering the Russian market through a joint venture (JV) with the Russian government-owned vaccine maker, National Immunobiological Company (NIC). Through this JV, Serum aims to increase its sales up to $60-80 million by FY2017-18.Prior to this, in June 2015, the Poonawalla Group in a move decided to sell 20 percent of its stake in Serum Institute of India (SIL). September 2015 saw Serum buying exclusive rights from US-based Visterra, to sell its monoclonal antibody (mAb) in treating dengue in India. The transaction was priced at $39 million. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8390/top-20-series-rank-20-anthem-biosciences-rise-above-the-rest.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8390/top-20-series-rank-20-anthem-biosciences-rise-above-the-rest.html Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:25:00 +0530 Organization: Anthem Biosciences Pvt Ltd CEO: Mr Ajay bhardwaj Bioscience Revenue: Rs 180 crore   With a growth of 40 percent, Anthem Biosciences registered a total revenue of Rs 280 crore in the fiscal year 2014-15, out of which Rs 180 crore was contributed by its biotech business. Anthem Biosciences is a Bangalore-based Contract Research and Innovation Service Provider (CRISP), located in an Industrial Park with a built-up capacity to house over 500 researchers. Currently, the company employs over 350 people. Anthem Biosciences' key achievements for the last fiscal include, adding new manufacturing facilities like High Potent compounds manufacturing plant, Larger Microbial and Cell Culture facility. The company also started construction on a new large scale manufacturing facility. As a CRISP, Anthem offers a whole gamut of services dedicated to enabling and sustaining global research efforts in the discovery of new compounds by pharmaceutical, biotechnology, specialty chemicals, agriculture chemicals and material science companies. This is done by leveraging the company's core competencies in organic synthesis, process development, analytical chemistry, discovery biology and regulatory compliance. In December 2014, the company's Vivarium got AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care) Accreditation. The CRO whose export base has now diversified to South America, SouthEast Asia and the Middle East plans to enter new markets like Japan, Latin America. The Firm also plans to inaugurate its new plant in Bangalore, in the present fiscal Also,it plans expanding its lab facilities (R&D and Analytical) by 60 percent, at its current site.   In the ever crowding space of CROs, Anthem Biosciences distinguishes itself as a top tier organization, with a highly skilled team, quality services and a guarantee of on-time performance. Mr Ajay Bharadwaj, one of the founders of Anthem Biosciences was also selected as BioSpectrum Entrepreneur of the year in 2013 for his outstanding leadership to an entrepreneural venture. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6884/top-20-series-rank-19-concord-biotech-a-year-of-substantial-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6884/top-20-series-rank-19-concord-biotech-a-year-of-substantial-growth.html Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:19:00 +0530 Organization: Concord Biotech Ltd CMD: Mr Sudhir Vaid Bioscience Revenue: Rs 247.95 crore   Ahmedabad-based Concord Biotech, a R&D based biotechnology firm, clocked a total turnover of Rs 253.45 crore in the fiscal 2014-15, out of which the biosciences business contributed Rs 247.95 crore. The company is eyeing Rs 300 crore turnover in the present fiscal. FY2014-15 has seen Concord launch new products in the market across different therapeutic segments and also collaborated with the formulation players for P-IV products. It is the only manufacturer in India which manufactures the entire range of Immunosuppressant APIs. The company has launched products in the area of Veterinary, Oncology, Antifungals, Antibiotics and Immunosuppressants. Concord is focused on becoming a strong player in contract research and manufacturing of fermentation and semi-synthesis based products. This year the company has collaborated with some of the major pharmaceutical players in developing molecules through fermentation and semi-synthesis. In order to cater to the growing demand for its existing and new products, it has added new manufacturing blocks taking the total to 23 manufacturing blocks.Also in the previous fiscal Concord was re-inspected and approved by the USFDA and the EUGMP. Concord continues to work towards becoming a global power in the field of biotechnology. In FY2015-16, the company plans to further strengthen its commercial position as well as pipeline product portfolio. It is also focused on contract research and manufacturing of fermentation and semi-synthetic based product and continues to explore opportunities of collaboration globally.   According to various reports, London-based private equity firm Actis Capital is in discussions to buy a significant minority stake in Concord Biotech Ltd. Reports suggests that investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala will part-exit Concord Biotech by selling about 25 percent stake and the promoters will dilute 10-15 percent under the proposed transaction. In 2005, Hyderabad-based Matrix Labs acquired 58 percent stake in Concord Biotech. In 2009, Matrix Labs, which was acquired by US generic company Mylan NV in 2006, sold its Corcord stake back to the promoters and Rare Enterprises. Jhunjhunwala's Rare Enterprises had acquired about 14 percent stake in Concord in 2004 and sold part of the stake to Matrix in 2005. When Matrix sold back, Rare acquired about a 25 percent stake. Rare Enterprises now holds about 30 percent in Concord Biotech. The rest is held by the promoters and the employees. Concord has a presence in more than 50 countries spanning North America, Europe, Central and Latin America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia-Pacific. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7541/top-20-series-rank-18-bharat-biotech-rising-with-rotavac.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7541/top-20-series-rank-18-bharat-biotech-rising-with-rotavac.html Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:13:00 +0530 Organization: Bharat Biotech International Ltd CMD: Dr Krishna M Ella Bioscience Revenue: Rs 308.16 crore   Bharat Biotech has clocked a turnover of Rs 308.16 crore in the fiscal 2014-15, from Rs 270.34 crore, a growth of 14 percent from the FY 2013-14. The CMD, Dr Krishna Ella with his vision to develop high technology products at an affordable pricing has achieved the success by launching India's first indigenously developed Rotavirus Vaccine "Rotavac" in the market. The vaccine was launched by Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi. This announcement fulfilled Bharat Biotech's promise of a $1 per dose vaccine to governments in low-income countries. The company has received commercial licensure and the vaccine is safe to use. The firm attributes its success to the helping hand extended by the Government of India and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in developing vaccines by keeping in view under privileged people in developing countries. The other major developments include, signing off large grant proposal with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and also a co-marketing agreement with a multinational company. As a key strategy initiatives for the last fiscal, the company got its products and manufacturing facilities approved by the WHO. In this direction, it also has started filing application for the WHO PQ for multiple products and facilities. The company's future plans for the FY2015-16 include getting international regulatory approvals for its existing products. With over 50 technology-driven patents, Hyderabadbased Bharat Biotech is a multi-dimensional biotechnology company involved in quality product-oriented research and development. The company is presently carrying out research on Bio-Antibiotics, Combination Probiotics, Lysostaphin, THR-100 (Recombinant Staphylokinase Injection), Chikungunya Vaccine, Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine, Oral Rotavirus Vaccine, Malaria Vaccine, Liquid Rabies Vaccine and Staphylococcus aureus vaccine.   Bharat Biotech was established in the year 1996 by Dr Krishna M Ella and Ms Suchitra K Ella, with a vision to generate innovative technologies, along with a strong backbone of intellectual capital for the manufacturing of unique vaccines and biotherapeutics. Today, Bharat Biotech is a multidimensional biotechnology company specializing in product-oriented research and ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6655/top-20-series-rank-17-metahelix-leverages-expertize-in-crop-genetics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6655/top-20-series-rank-17-metahelix-leverages-expertize-in-crop-genetics.html Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:07:00 +0530 Organization: Metahelix Life Sciences Ltd MD: Dr KK Narayanan Bioscience Revenue: Rs 310 crore   Bangalore-based Metahelix Life Sciences' turnover for the financial year 2014-15 was Rs 309.99 crore, an almost 38 percent up from the figure of Rs 224.81 crore in the fiscal 2013-14. Domestic sales contributes majority of its business,around Rs 308.76 crore and the export contribution is quite miniscule, Rs 0.86 crore. In the present fiscal year, the company is targeting a growth of 34 percent. Metahelix, started by Dr K K Narayanan along with four other scientists in the year 2001. Metahelix is an agri-biotech company focused on developing traits and technologies for crop protection and improved productivity. The firm leverages its expertize in crop genetics and plant biotechnology to develop high performance hybrid seeds in rice, maize, cotton and millets for Indian markets with transgenic traits for insect, viral and fungal protection traits. Hybrid seeds and traits are commercialized by its wholly owned subsidiary seeds business, Dhaanya Seeds. Metahelix has its main biotechnology research laboratories in Bangalore and crop breeding stations at Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Attur (Salem Dt). The Hyderabad research station focuses on rice and cotton. The Ahmedabad and Aurangabad research stations focus on pearl millet and cotton and is also a key trialing station for all the other crops. The transgenic traits being developed by the company include Bt cotton (Bollworm and Spodoptera tolerance), Bt rice (Yellow Stem Borer tolerance). In addition, it is working on developing new and novel RNAi technologies for virus and fungal tolerance traits in rice, maize and vegetable crops. The company also provides customized research to select global agri-biotech business using its proprietary technologies in crop transformation and functional genomics. Metahelix aims to be a leading provider of seed and technology traits to farmers in India and other relevant markets of Asia and across globe.   Metahelix has three distinct functional groups that work in tandem to meet the overall organizational goals, Crop Breeding, Trait Development and Regulatory Sciences. Its core crops among the field crops are Rice, Maize, Cotton and Millets and among the vegetable crops are tomato, hot-pepper and okra where it has strong programs in crop breeding and trait development. In the year 2010, Rallis India (Rallis), a subsidiary of Tata Chemicals had acquired the majority stake, about 53.5 percent in the company for about Rs 99.5 crore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6802/top-20-series-rank-16-ankur-seeds-bollgard-technology-a-success.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6802/top-20-series-rank-16-ankur-seeds-bollgard-technology-a-success.html Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:59:00 +0530 Organization: Ankur Seeds Pvt Ltd MD: Mr MG Shembekar Boiscience Revenue: Rs 350 crore    Beginning with a modest office of a little over 200 sqft in 1976 at Nagpur Ankur Seeds has expanded exponentially. Nearing its 40 years of establishment, Ankur Seeds today offers over 115 quality seed products over 16 crops. The company has 11 processing plants spread over Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. The company has initiated a project on complete mechanised farming of cotton beginning from sowing to harvesting. Ankur seeds has been working on to develop plant type which would be suitable for mechanized cultivation. The company's Bollgard II technology has been a big success and it has reached to 95 percent of cotton growing farmers across the country owing to its trait of providing protection against all four major worms - American bollworm, spotted bollworm, Pink bollworm, and tobacco leaf eating caterpillars. However, with the universal acceptance of bollgard technology, sucking pest has become major pest for cotton growers and they have to toil hard to keep at bay. Besides, lot of illegal Bollgard III (RR cotton) is being sold in the market, although government is yet to give the permission for sale of such seeds according to unconfirmed reports. Sale of such spurious and illegal seeds in the name of advance technology are putting a lot of pressure on organized seed sector business growth, claims company. Ankur Seeds has been incorporating a lot of desired traits in paddy product using modern technology to impart resistance against major disease and insect of rice like Blast, Bacterial leaf blight and BPH.   Similarly, using technology to enhance nitrogen and phosphorous usage efficiency etc in rice. Ankur Seeds is in the process of developing drought tolerant, sucking and grey mildew resistant and lintless cotton in coming days. In vegetables, the company's major focus is on chilli, brinjal and tomato crops. Drought and heat resistant, virus resistant and anthracnose resistant chilli, bacterial wilt resistant, phomopsis blight resistant brinjal and early blight resistant, virus resistant and bacterial wilt resistant tomato products are in the offing. The company has been working in collaboration with international and national research organizations like Cornell University, Texas Tech University from USA, KeyGene from Netherland, AVRDC from Taiwan, Trait Genetics from Germany, IRRI from the Philippines, ICRISAT, IARI, ICGEB and Delhi University in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6881/top-20-series-rank-15-rasi-seeds-rapid-advances-in-rd.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6881/top-20-series-rank-15-rasi-seeds-rapid-advances-in-rd.html Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:54:00 +0530 Organization: Rasi Seeds Pvt Ltd CMD: Mr M Ramasami Bioscience Revenue: Rs 363.59 crore   Rasi Seeds has recorded revenue of `363.59 crore from its bioscience segment. The segment mainly consists of Bt Cotton seed production. The company has made rapid advances from seed production and supply ventures to a commendable position in Research and Development (R&D) and transformed as Rasi Seeds (P) Ltd. Having 700 qualified workforce, the company serves over 4 million Indian farmers. Rasi Seeds is one of the recognized companies in cotton hybrids, besides hybrids in maize, pearl millet and vegetables. The company has processing facilities and follows efficient seed production techniques considering seed quality and purity. The services network provides technical support to several thousand farmers enabling them to produce high quality seeds. Rasi Seeds (P) Ltd. was envisioned and initiated by Mr Ramasami in 1973 at Attur, located in Salem District, India. Rasi Hybrid Seeds has made rapid advances from seed production and supply ventures to a commendable position in Research and Development (R&D) and transformed as Rasi Seeds (P) Ltd in 1986. Rasi Seeds has been recognized as the leader in cotton hybrids, besides hybrids in maize, pearl millet and vegetables. Over 15,000 seed-growing farmers are under the company's direct supervision and are responsible for effective seed production. An exclusive team is involved in the production of seeds for each hybrid crop such as Cotton, Vegetables, Pearl Millet, Maize, Sunflower and Paddy by effective supervision through out the seed production period. Seed processing is a crucial aspect of seed production. In 2013-14, Rasi Seeds has acquired the hybrid corn seed business of Bayer BioScience in India for an undisclosed sum. India was the only geography, where Bayer Crop Science had a presence in the corn seed segment, through its subsidiary Bayer BioScience. Bayer was one of the top 10 players in the Indian corn seed market and its volumes were around 3,000 tonnes a year, almost same as that of Rasi.   Besides bringing Bayer's five to six hybrid varieties to Rasi's portfolio, the acquisition also gave the Attur, Salembased firm access to the multinational's corn germplasm and breeding stations in Bangalore, Hyderabad and in North India. On future outlook, the company says that the seed demand continues to be a matter of concern for cottonseed suppliers though the South-West monsoon has covered most of the country. However, other leading kharif crops such as hybrid rice, maize and soyabean showed a mixed trend in different growing regions. The company anticipates a drop in cotton seed sales. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7746/top-20-series-rank-14-mahyco-defying-the-odds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7746/top-20-series-rank-14-mahyco-defying-the-odds.html Wed, 14 Oct 2015 15:35:00 +0530 Organization: Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Pvt Ltd (Mahyco) MD: Mr. Rajendra Barwale Bioscience Revenue: Rs 423 crore     Bt cotton business during 2014-15 was quite challenging forMahyco as the monsoon played truant in the major states where it operates. While it improved/maintained its market share in Maharashtra and Karnataka, there was some decline in market share of Btcotton in Andhra Pradesh market. Mahyco has been working on new technologies of biotech crops for water use efficiency, nutrient use efficiencies, and salinity tolerance, apart from herbicides tolerance cotton. While the field trials for the new technologies have been permitted by the new central government, it has been a challenge to get NOCs from the state governments for the trials. ''Bt cotton business would have done better during last year,if the rainfall was on time and not earratic in our key markets. Price control of Bt cotton without allowing the adjustment for the cost increase is another hindrance to invest more in building the business'', say the officials at the company. Bt cotton business will continue to be a large focus area of the company, while expanding into other business segments of hybrid seeds. In November last year, Mahyco had announced acquisition of 60 percent stake in Quton from Africa's largest seed supplier, Seed Co Ltd, for an undisclosed amount. The company is now looking to introduce hybrid seed varieties of cotton in the African market. The company will emerge as a major cotton-seed supplier to the region. The foray into African market is likely to strengthen Mahyco's positioning in the cotton market. Giving guidance for the next year, Mahyco says that, during the Kharif 2015, there is an expectation of crop shift in certain regions from cotton to pulses and oilseeds. This would be due to relative poor economics of cotton compared to other crops due to subdued market prices of cotton during most part of last year. This may impact the overall area under cotton adversely.   Set up in 1964, Mahyco was the first seed company in the world to successfully commercialize F1 hybrid cotton. It is currently conducting research, production, processing and marketing of approximately 150 products in 30 crops, which includes cotton, grains, oilseeds and vegetables. Mahyco strongly believes that R&D is the key to producing superior products and maintaining market leadership. This belief has resulted in several milestones in the company's history. Mahyco was the first seed company worldwide to successfully commercialize F1 hybrid cotton based on GMS/CMS system. It was also the first private enterprise in India to produce and market hybrids in sorghum, pearl millet, wheat and sunflower. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6855/top-20-series-rank-13-gsk-riding-high-on-acquisition.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6855/top-20-series-rank-13-gsk-riding-high-on-acquisition.html Wed, 14 Oct 2015 15:29:00 +0530 Organization: GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd MD: Mr A Vaidheesh Bioscience Revenue: Rs 440.33 crore   GSK develops and makes medicines to treat broad range of acute and chronic diseases. GSK India continues to be a leader in many of the therapy areas. The year has witnessed key brands in the mass markets portfolio such as Zinetac, Calpol, Neosporin, Betnesol, Zyloric, Zentel and Cetzine maintain dominant market leadership. In the vaccine segment, during the fiscal year 2014-15, GSK has acquired GlycoVaxyn AG, a specialist vaccine biopharmaceutical company based in Switzerland, incorporated in 2004. The company is focused on development of next-generation bioconjugate vaccines against bacterial infections, utilizing its versatile and innovative bioconjugation platform. Since forming a scientific collaboration in 2012, GSK has held a minority stake in GlycoVaxyn and has now acquired the remaining shares for $190 million (approximately £124 million) in cash to take full ownership of the company. GlycoVaxyn has developed an innovative biological conjugation platform technology which has the potential to play an important role in the development of new prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for a range of bacterial diseases. This proprietary technology also has the potential to enable GSK to develop a simplified conjugate vaccine manufacturing process. Under the terms of transaction, GSK will additionally acquire a small number of early stage vaccines in development against bacterial infections such as pneumonia, pseudomonas, staphylococcus aureus and shigellosis, supplementing the company's existing vaccines pipeline. In April 2014, GSK, London, UK, entered into three interconditional agreements with Novartis AG (Novartis), Basel, Switzerland. In one such agreement GSK agreed to acquire Novartis' vaccines business (excluding influenza vaccine) and manufacturing capabilities and facilities from Novartis, and in the second agreement, GSK agreed to sell the rights of its Marketed Oncology Portfolio, related R&D activities and AKT Inhibitors currently in development to Novartis.   Globally, these transactions with Novartis were completed on March 2, 2015. In connection to the above transactions, GSK Pharma in its board meeting, approved the transactions on an asset sale basis with Novartis Healthcare Pvt Ltd. Pursuant to the global deal, GSK will have its distribution rights terminated for the oncology portfolio and it will acquire distribution rights for vaccines portfolio. The transaction is expected to be profit neutral for the company. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8467/top-20-series-rank-12-ajeet-seeds-hybrid-vegetable-seeds-export-next.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8467/top-20-series-rank-12-ajeet-seeds-hybrid-vegetable-seeds-export-next.html Wed, 14 Oct 2015 15:16:00 +0530 Organization: Ajeet Seeds Pvt. Ltd MD: Mr Sameer Mulay BioScience Revenue: Rs 455 crore   Ajeet Seeds Pvt Ltd established in 1986 during the Green Revolution era has recorded overall turnover of `700 crore for the year 2014-15 and Bt cotton alone has contributed around 65 percent of its total revenue. The company had an encouraging Kharif season in 2014 and is looking at hybrid vegetable seeds export next year for growth. With the clear understanding of the pivotal role biotechnology plays in seed industry, the company had established a separate research and diagnostics division, Plant Biotechnology Research Center (PBRC) in 2003 and the company is trying to develop indigenous patentable transgenic technology for the crops which shall accelerate the progress furthermore in future. Ajeet Seeds, the company with many years of excellence and earnestly dedicated to farm prosperity, is already geared up for genetic research using crop biotechnology for the prosperity of Indian farmers. It had introduced genetically modified three Bt cotton hybrids in Kharif-2006. In 2015 it is looking at introducing new variety of hybrid rice, corn and vegetable seeds. The company is also looking at expanding its business to new territories in the country with tissue cultured plants. The thrust of research at the Plant Biotechnology Center is to bring to bear the science of plant tissue culture and plant molecular biology in the development of novel crop plants via the usage of techniques like embryo rescue, in vitro regeneration, induction of somatic embryogenesis, in vitro mutagenesis, dihaploid and transgenic technology.Ajeet Seeds is also involved in-vitro propagation of banana on a commercial scale. Banana breeding is handicapped by the fact that banana is triploid and sterile. Hence, there is need to develop alternatives. The Plant Biotechnology Center has embarked upon a program of in-vitro mutagenesis of banana to develop novel genotypes with enhanced agronomical characteristics. The plant molecular biology lab is involved inisolation and heterologous expression of novel genes for introduction of resistance for biotic and abiotic stresses, for enhanced biomass and crop yields, says company.   Apart from this marker assisted selection (MAS) for different agronomic traits, germplasm evaluation and hybrid purity testing are routinely being employed in PBRC. It has also embarked upon the development of DNA and protein- based diagnostic tools and kits for bacterial/viral disease indexing recently.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7508/top-20-series-rank-11-astrazeneca-acquires-global-diabetic-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7508/top-20-series-rank-11-astrazeneca-acquires-global-diabetic-business.html Wed, 14 Oct 2015 15:10:00 +0530 Organization: AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd MD: Mr Sanjay Murdeshwar Bioscience Revenue: Rs 468.13 crore   AstraZeneca (AZ) Pharma India reported total business of Rs 468.13 crore for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2015. AZ registered six percent growth in bioscience revenue. The primary business here includes manufacture and sale of pharma products, clinical trial services, and copromotional services. AZ rendered co-promotion services for pharmaceutical products to Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) India till January 31, 2014. AstraZeneca group companies also acquired the global diabetic business of BMS. Consequent to the aforesaid acquisition, AZ has entered into a consignment sale agreement with BMS and accordingly sale of diabetic products by BMS in India for the period February 1, 2014 to March 31,2014, has been included as part of the sales of the company. AZ and Dr Reddy's Laboratories (DRL) entered into a distribution agreement for two drugs namely, Riax and Riax-M. The drugs' trademarks are with AstraZeneca group. DRL will distribute the two drugs in the country. It also announced its collaboration with Sun Pharmaceutical Industries in June 2015. They entered into a distribution services agreement for AZ's brand 'Axcer', a new brand of ticagrelor, a drug used for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in India. AZ also announced the launch of FORXIGA (dapaglifozin), a breakthrough treatment for type-2 diabetes mellitus.AstraZeneca India was established in 1979 and is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It is present in seven crucial areas of healthcare - Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Oncology, Respiratory & Inflammation, Infection, Local Anesthesia and Maternal Healthcare. AstraZeneca has been regularly launching products from its global portfolio in India over the past years, leading to the development of several domestic power brands including Crestor, Seloken XL, Meronem, Arimidex, Zoladex, Nexium and most recently Brilinta. AstraZeneca India employs over 1,500 people in sales, marketing and manufacturing. AZ, this year, faced its fiery patent trial in India when Hyderabad-based Lee Pharma filed for compulsory licensing with the Indian Patent Office for manufacturing AZ's diabetes drug, Saxagliptin. However, the patent controller issued decision in favor of AZ, stating Lee's failure in making a Prima Facie case for granting the compulsory license ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6858/top-20-series-rank-10-novozymes-plans-new-innovation-campus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6858/top-20-series-rank-10-novozymes-plans-new-innovation-campus.html Wed, 14 Oct 2015 15:03:00 +0530 Organization: Novozymes South Asia Pvt Ltd Regional President India: Mr GS Krishnan Bioscience Revenue: Rs 469 crore   It is the 32nd year for Novozymes in India, world's largest industrial enzymes supplier, which prides in catering to 30 different industries. According to a report (Markets and Markets), the industrial enzymes market will touch $6.2 billion by 2020. Novozymes supplies enzymes and microorganisms in India catering to the requirements of the detergent, food & feed, leather, oils & fats, and biofuel industries. Some of its other business areas include food & beverages, textiles, household care, baking and beverage alcohol. It's estimated business in India was Rs 469 crore. Novozymes recently launched Extenda, a new enzyme solution that lowers the cost of converting starch into sweeteners. According to the company, the enzyme is said to produce more dextrose than any other product in the market. The company this year launched another new enzyme called Liquozyme for ethanol producers, who wish to minimally use chemicals without sacrificing the yields. In June 2015, it officially announced its plans to set up its new innovation campus in Copenhagen, Denmark, specifically dedicated to research and business development. The new campus will be unveiled in 2018 subject to approvals.Annually, the company invests 14 percent of its revenue into its R&D. Novozymes globally has entered into partnership with Adisseo, a French company dealing with food additives, to develop probiotics for animals. According to another Markets and Markets report, the animal feed additives market is expected to reach $21.9 billion by 2022. Secura is another enzyme the company launched, which is used in the production of maltose syrups. Novozymes sees enormous opportunities in the food and beverages industry in India. The global food enzymes market is projected to reach $1.57 billion by 2022, according to Stratistics, a market research consulting firm.   It also signed a deal to supply all the enzyme needs to the world's first refinery producing biofuel from sawdust. Novozymes, worldwide is a $2 billion biotech company, is increasingly looking at developing region specific applications to cater to the changing food and dietary habits of consumers. According to the company, with the changing demographics and consumption patterns of food in India, the middle class population is growing and there is demand for quality and nutritious processed food and ready-to-eat meals. This is where biotechnology can play a major role in providing better food development, better shelf life and food extraction, in turn giving consumers quality food ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7701/top-20-series-rank-9-indian-immunologicals-to-launch-worlds-first-pig-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7701/top-20-series-rank-9-indian-immunologicals-to-launch-worlds-first-pig-vaccine.html Wed, 14 Oct 2015 14:57:00 +0530 Organization: Indian Immunologicals LtdMD: Mr KV Balasubramaniam Bioscience Revenue: Rs 482.70 crore   Hyderabad-based Indian Immunologicals occupied the top spot as the world's largest manufacturer of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine. Alongside, it made strategic plans for setting up its facility worth Rs 300 crore as part of its expansion for developing new products IIL is also planning to build its new facility in Puducherry, Tamil Nadu. According to the company, in the next 3-4 years, there will be an estimated demand of 600 million doses of animal vaccine in India, which the government believes will be catered to by this facility. In December 2014, IIL announced its plans in erecting bovine serum manufacturing plant in New Zealand with an investment of $1 million through its subsidiary Pristine Biologicals (NZ). The facility will help in meeting the bovine requirements for manufacturing animal vaccines.In January 2015, IIL launched its vaccine for the blue tongue disease, a condition that is seen among cattle population. Currently there are no preventive mechanisms for this disease. It took a three years for IIL to develop the vaccine with collaborative partners including Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and Tamil Nadu University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (TANUVAS). The vaccine is priced at Rs 5 per dose. Currently, it exports animal vaccines to more than 50 countries. In a partnership-deal, IIL joined hands with Scotland-based NGO GALVmed and Australia's University of Melbourne for manufacturing vaccines. The company also has audacious plans to soon launch the world's first pig vaccine for ProcineCysticercosis.   On the human health side, IIL's pentavalent vaccine has reached phase II of clinical trials and is expected to be launched soon, which the company claims will be offered at significantly reduced rates. IIL invested Rs 200 crore in building its pentavalent and hexavalent divisions in its current facility located in Hyderabad. IIL, which has emerged as the world's largest manufacturer of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine, has readied plans for setting up a Rs 300-crore facility at Puducherry. The company plans to utilise the new facility for new product development. The proposed plant at Puducherry, for which IIL had already got 30 acres of land, is also part of the government's plan to have enough domestic capacity for meeting an estimated demand of 600 million doses of animal vaccine in the country in the next 3-4 years, an IIL official said.IIL said sales of FMD vaccine in the country stood at 270 million doses in the last fiscal, while this year it would be 320 million doses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6821/top-20-series-rank-8-jubilant-with-its-growth-story.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6821/top-20-series-rank-8-jubilant-with-its-growth-story.html Wed, 14 Oct 2015 14:51:00 +0530 Organization: Jubilant Life Sciences Co-chairman & MD: Hari S Bhartia Revenue (Vaccines): Rs 483 crore   While its growth has been primarily driven by the generic pharmaceutical businesses, the Jubilant Life Sciences is also betting big on contract research. Jubilant LifeSciences is an integrated global pharmaceutical and lifesciences company engaged in manufacturing and supply of APIs, generics, specialty pharmaceuticals and lifescience ingredients. It also provides services in contract manufacturing and drug discovery and development. The company's strength lies in its unique offerings of pharmaceutical and lifesciences products and services across the value chain.With 10 worldclass manufacturing facilities in India, US and Canada and a team of over 6,300 multicultural people across the globe, the company is committed to deliver value to its customers spread across 98 countries.The company is well recognized as a 'Partner of Choice' by leading pharmaceuticals and lifesciences companies globally. "Sustained strong performance in our radiopharmaceuticals business and normalization of CMO operations supported revenue growth in the pharmaceuticalssegment. Going forward,we expect the pharmaceuticals segment to drive revenue growth with improvement in profitability in key businesses across both segments," mentioned Mr Shyam S Bhartia, chairman and managing director and Mr Hari S Bhartia, co-chairman and managing director, Jubilant Life Sciences, adding further, "We also expect the management consolidation to drive the businesses in a focused manner to improve the operating performance. We will also continue our endeavors to strengthen the balance sheet." The growth trend in pharmaceuticals products continued to be strong during the year. Generics saw benefit from new launches in multiple regions as well as marketsharegains in existing products supported by integrated in-house API operations. While specialty pharma gained with the launch of products in multiple geographies, growth in CMO business was due to better utilization of capacities.There have been total of 620 filings for formulations of which 167 have been approved in various regions of the world including 58 ANDAs in US and 41 Dossier filings in the Europe. Similarly, the company has a total API product pipeline of 235 filings across regions including 65 DMFs in US and 29 CEPs in Europe.The company has managed to resolve the FDA warnings issued in Montreal (Canada) and also remediation measures in Spokane (US). Company expects to normalize its CMO business during the FY 2015-16. As per company, the strategy of new product launches and geographic expansion will continue to drive growth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6824/top-20-series-rank-7-eli-lilly-retains-its-stronghold.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6824/top-20-series-rank-7-eli-lilly-retains-its-stronghold.html Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:42:00 +0530 Organization: Eli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt Ltd MD: Mr Edgard Olaizola Bioscience Revenue: Rs 516.98 crore    The well-established marketing set up at Gurgaon in India has helped Eli Lilly to maintain its growth pace. The company caters to the patients suffering from diabetes, cancer, sepsis, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disorders and growth hormone deficiency. The major products from its biotech stable include human insulin (Huminsulin), human insulin analogues (Humalog), human growth hormone (Humatrope), teriparatide (Forteo); ReoPro (Abciximabmonoclonal antibody) and in oncology segment, there are Almita and Gemcite. During the fiscal year, 2014-15 the company has garnered an estimated bioscience revenue of Rs 516.98 crore (BioSpectrum estimates) as compared to Rs 430.82 crore in previous fiscal. The growth was around 20 percent which it expects to repeat in the current financial year as well. Overall, anti-diabetes product range contributes nearly 70 percent of the Lilly India's revenue. Having introduced its HumaPen SAVVIO, an innovative insulin delivery pen in 2014, the company has plans to launch its new diabetes formulation by the end of 2015. Besides known as a renowned brand in market, Eli Lilly has played an efficient role in fulfilling the corporate social responsibility. In October 2014, the company published details of its long-standing technology transfer program to increase the global supply of medicines for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Begun in 2003, the effort included Lilly donating manufacturing technology and know-how for two antibiotics to pharmaceutical manufacturers in China, India, Russia and South Africa - all MDR-TB 'hot spots'. It also served as the foundation for the Lilly MDR-TB Partnership, the company's largest-ever philanthropic effort. After close consultation with global TB experts, Lilly embarked on a novel approach: transferring its manufacturing technology and know-how for capreomycin and cycloserine free of charge to seven manufacturers. In India, the technology transfer of second line drug cycloserine has been completed with Shasun Chemicals and Drugs, Chennai. In light of the growing incidence of diabetes, Lilly in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), released a National White Paper on "Synergizing Efforts in Diabetes Care at the Tertiary Level" at the 3rd edition of the National NCD Summit 2015. Held on August 12, the summit aimed at creating a national level platform to strengthen public health strategies for comprehensive diabetes management specifically at tertiary level. Speaking exclusively with BioSpectrum, Mr Edgard Olaizola, MD, Eli Lilly India, mentioned, "Our focus has been mainly on diabetes as its product portfolio brings 70 percent of revenue to the company.'' ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/6850/top-20-series-rank-6-bharat-serums-and-vaccines-ltd-a-year-of-robust-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/6850/top-20-series-rank-6-bharat-serums-and-vaccines-ltd-a-year-of-robust-growth.html Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:19:00 +0530 Organization: Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd CMD: Mr Bharat Daftary Bioscience Revenue: Rs 565 crore   During the fiscal year 2014-15, the bioscience revenue for Bharat Serums and Vaccines (BSV) stood at Rs 565 crore, a growth of 32 percent from Rs 428 in the FY 2013-14. Founded in 1971, Mumbai-based BSV is one of the leading player in the area of biologics. The company focus on the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of specialized biological, pharmaceutical and biotechnology products that combat disease and enhance quality of life. It has three R&D centers located in India, Germany, and USA. The company also has a horse farm for production of equine anti-sera and anti-toxins. Its brands are marketed all over India and exported to over 45 countries across the world. In the FY 2014-15, the company received marketing approval for the world's first monoclonal tetanus immunoglobulin, mTIG. The other key development is the successful completion of a bioequivalence study for one its fertility drugs in comparison with the innovator, bringing the firm closer to a potential worldwide approval in targeted markets. The other major development includes receiving an EU orphan drug designation for its biopharmaceutical molecules to treat severe acute pancreatitis. The company claims that it is possibly the first Indian company to receive this designation. The company also observed promising growth in its international market business.In the FY 2015-16, BSV is focusing on partnering and developing some of its biopharmaceutical molecules for eventual launch in the US and Europe. It is also identifying key emerging market countries with emphasis on our biopharmaceutical portfolio and expansion of its sales and marketing efforts. The company is also eyeing expansion of the domestic market with its recently launched molecules.   More recently Gujarat-based drug maker Cadila Healthcare Ltd, which runs under the brand Zydus Cadila, has acquired entire 50 per cent stake in Zydus BSV Pharma Pvt Ltd from its JV partner Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd. Post this acquisition, Zydus BSV has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cadila Healthcare. The company focuses on the niche segment of targeted therapies in oncology. It develops, manufactures and markets novel drug delivery system of anti-cancer agents for global markets. Zydus BSV has a finished dosage manufacturing plant in Ahmadabad. Mumbai-based Bharat Serums and Vaccines, which was founded in 1971, manufactures and markets pharma and biotechnology products. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6857/top-20-series-rank-5-kaveri-seeds-strengthening-structural-drivers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6857/top-20-series-rank-5-kaveri-seeds-strengthening-structural-drivers.html Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:34:00 +0530 Organization: Kaveri Seed Company LtdCMD: GV Bhaskar RaoBioscience Revenue: Rs 680 crore   Kaveri Seeds, named after Cauvery river, has a good 2014-15 with an income of Rs 680 crore for its Bt cotton business.This company produces and markets around 50 varieties of hybrid seeds. The majority of its seeds are for corn, paddy, cotton and sunflower. The company is getting ready to introduce another 50 hybrid seeds.Kaveri has a strong presence in the hybrid cotton segment - with little over 16 percent share. The company expects that this could increase to 19 percent in 2015-16, aided by higher realization in other key cotton-growing states such as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Kaveri Seeds is planning to launch corn hybrids in 2015, particularly in central and north India.This should help the company gain market share in the current year. Over the years, Kaveri Seeds has undergone a concerted growth transformation from a corn only player to one of the largest cotton seed developer and a multi-crop player. During the year, Kaveri Seeds launched nine new hybrids in different crops that are progressively becoming more accepted in the market. The growth trend in the company's financial performance has continued. Kaveri Seeds has maintained its revenue growth and has also improved its operating profitability. At a consolidated level, revenue for the year stood at Rs 1,161 crore as compared to Rs 1,011 crore in the previous year, an impressive growth of 15 percent. EBITDA was at Rs 325 crore in FY15 as compared to Rs 230 crore in FY14. The company's consolidated PAT for FY15 was at Rs 301 crore as compared to Rs 209 crore in FY14. Providing the outlook for 2015-16, the company says on a near term basis the cotton sector faces headwinds in the form of lower cotton seed inventory, discounted selling by unorganized players and MRP cut by Maharashtra government. Anticipation of a weak monsoon also makes farmers hold their purchases. Further, decline in cotton prices have resulted in shifts in favor of other crops, thereby, effecting a decrease in cotton acreage under production for the coming year. However, the company believes the long term cotton story remains intact with the advent of herbicide tolerance, highdensity planting and mechanical harvesting. On the non-cotton side, rising demand for corn and higher seed penetration of hybrid paddy remain the key drivers. Going forward, the structural drivers of Kaveri will continue to strengthen - benchmark R&D program to successfully launch new hybrid seeds, de-risked portfolio with growing non-cotton seed sales, expansion in new geography and growing farmer acceptance across the country, says the company. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7601/top-20-series-rank-4-syngene-moving-up-the-value-chain.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7601/top-20-series-rank-4-syngene-moving-up-the-value-chain.html Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:26:00 +0530 Organization: Syngene International Ltd CEO: Mr Peter Bains Bioscience Revenue: Rs 842.7 crore   Syngene, with an employee strength of over 2,600, plans to invest up to $200 million towards capacity augmentation in its discovery services (discovery chemistry and discovery biology), developmental services (formulation and biologics or large molecules development) and cGMP drug substance manufacturing. The company's total bioscience revenue in FY2014-15 stood at `842.7 crore. Syngene registered 23 percent growth. Syngene serves over 220 clients including eight of the global top 10 pharma companies. The year also saw the amalgamation of subsidiary Clinigene International into Syngene, which provides clinical research and clinical trial services. It also forayed into commercial manufacturing. Its main growth drivers stemmed from expanded and extended on-going client collaborations, increase in the number of new client engagements, and expanded service offerings across its integrated service platform. As one of the leading India-based contract research organizations, Syngene extended its contract with BristolMyers Squibb (BMS) till 2020. It cleared the USFDA audit for the manufacturing facility and clinical services with no observations. It also started operations at the newly commissioned Stability Center in Bangalore. As biopharmaceutical companies and other clients outsource more of their value-added R&D functions to focus on core competencies such as brand management, marketing and sales, CROs, including those is Asia, are moving up the value chain. Syngene has a unique and flexible business model to engage with global customers. A key feature of its business framework is its plug-and-play model. The company is building an integrated discovery and development continuation to provide both horizontal and vertical integration opportunities.   Historically, India has offered a significant cost advantage and skilled personnel. However, as pharmaceutical companies outsource more R&D functions, outsourcing to India is increasingly seen as a strategic move to garner quality and value, rather than just a tactical decision to lower costs. The company has also acquired 40 acres in Mangalore SEZ with co-developer status to support commercial manufacturing requirements of pharmaceutical and agrochemical clients. Listing of Syngene was one of the major stepping stones for the company this year. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7594/top-20-series-rank-3-nuziveedu-seeds-retains-leadership-in-cotton.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7594/top-20-series-rank-3-nuziveedu-seeds-retains-leadership-in-cotton.html Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:20:00 +0530 Organization: Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd Chairman: M Prabhakar Rao Bioscience Revenue: Rs 884 crore   Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd is one of the largest Bt cotton seed company in India which develops, produces, and markets hybrid and varietal seed products. It is the flagship company of NSL Group which is a multimillion (in INR) conglomerate with interests in power, textiles, retailing, sugar and infrastructure. The company's total business from Bt cotton seeds sale was Rs 884 crore. Nuziveedu is one of the largest seed producers in India with an annual output of around 80,000 MT hybrid seeds spread over 95,000 acres.It partners with over 98,000 farmers, who produce seeds on behalf of the company. Overall cotton area increased 5 percent from 2013-14 to 2014-15 up to a record area of 12.3 million hectares. The dip in cotton area in some parts is believed to be lowest in the decade in 2015-16. "But still we have retained our leadership in cotton with our new introduced products, brand identity and exclusive marketing team dedicated to cotton only," claims NSL. In the year 2014-15, the company has launched two new Bt cotton products Raja and Puja. Both the products are suitable for varied agro-climatic zones of India. Under the public-private partnership, plans have been designed in Maharashtra for Kharif season wherein Nuziveedu Seeds will play a crucial role in supplying cotton seed and provide pre and post season package of practices through farmer training, claims company. NSL will provide the forward market linkage to the farmers for selling their products. "Our sister concern will buy the kapas from these farmers at the prevailing market rate on the day of sale. Farmers can store the lint after ginning at our unit in the proposed warehouse by us and this will be useful for them to obtain bank loan at a lower interest rate. The farmers can sell their produce as and when they get a reasonable price, says company. The company has set a goal to achieve an overall market share of 25 percent from current 22 percent because of newly launched products and the intensive extension work and expansion of its marketing network though copartners like KRIBHCO and Tata Chemicals. NSL is also focusing on three other major crops i.e. maize, paddy and vegetables for the year 2015-16. This Hyderabad-based company has received a green signal from the capital markets regulator SEBI for its proposed initial public offer (IPO). The company had filed its draft red herring prospectus with SEBI in April 2015 to raise `125 crore through a fresh issue besides an offer for sale of up to 9.9 million equity shares by promoter Mandava Prabhakara Rao and up to 1.9 million shares by existing investor Blackstone. Blackstone had invested `250 crore in the firm in February 2011 and currently owns 10.5 percent stake. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7600/top-20-series-rank-2-biocon-the-next-big-bolus-of-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/7600/top-20-series-rank-2-biocon-the-next-big-bolus-of-growth.html Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:12:00 +0530 Organization: Biocon Ltd CMD: Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Bioscience Revenue: Rs 3,143 crore   Recording Rs 3,143 crore in sales, Biocon is ramping its biopharmaceuticals business. From $1.3 billion in 2013, the biosimilars market is expected to reach $24 billion in 2019 (Source: Frost & Sullivan Global Biosimilars Report) as a higher number of products penetrate North America, Europe and Asia. The unfolding biosimilars opportunity in emerging markets and the developed markets subsequently will provide Biocon with the next big bolus of growth. Biocon's innovation-led strategy is aligned with the trends in global healthcare wherein biologics are playing an increasing role in addressing unmet medical needs. This has resulted in increasing demands for affordable biosimilars and other generic protein drugs to mitigate the pressures on healthcare budgets.Although R&D costs are significant and gestation periods for biologics development are longer than small molecules, Biocon has managed the risks prudently through a judicious mix of partnering and phasing of capital investments. It has also focused on revenue generating opportunities in emerging markets whilst working towards approvals in the developed markets. Each of the company's biosimilars R&D programs that has advanced into the clinic address potentially large commercial opportunities as reflected by the cumulative current market size of about $60 billion for the reference products. Biocon's Small Molecules portfolio comprises of specialty, largely fermentation-derived or complex generics wherein it believes the competitive intensity may be lower. Biocon also announced that it has made signigificant progress on its partnered programs with Mylan. PEG-GCSF and Adalimumab entered Phase 3 clinical trials. It has also completed recruitment for one Insulin Glargine Phase 3 study. Biocon and US-based CytoSorbents Corporation expanded the scope of their strategic partnership for CytoSorbents' CytoSorb(R) cytokine reduction therapy to treat patients experiencing severe whole body inflammation, often called a Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). Biocon filed the initial set of Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) in the US and Marketing Authorization Applications (MAAs) in the EU. Thebiopharma giant has also successfully commissioned its greenfield generic insulins facility in Malaysia, one of Asia's largest, to cater to its global ambitions in this space. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8162/top-20-series-rank-1-serum-institute-numero-uno.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8162/top-20-series-rank-1-serum-institute-numero-uno.html Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:02:00 +0530 Organization: Serum Institute of India CMD: Dr Cyrus Poonawalla Bioscience Revenue: Rs 3,539 crore   Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's fifth largest vaccine manufacturer (by volume), is BioSpectrum-ABLE top company of the year by revenue. India's largest vaccine manufacturer has maintained it position of Numero Uno, by topping the charts again. SIL registered record revenue of `3,539 crore for the year ending March 31, 2015. The Pune-based SII struck an important deal this year In an exclusive agreement, Serum tied up to market flu vaccine with another major drug maker Cipla. As per the deal, Serum will develop and manufacture the vaccine, while Cipla will exclusively market it in India. More recently, the company has joined hands with the US based Visterra for the development, manufacture, and commercialization of VIS513 in the Indian subcontinent countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. VIS513 is Visterra's humanized monoclonal antibody that was designed to bind and potently neutralize all four serotypes of dengue virus and was engineered using its innovative and proprietary Hierotope technology. The company also launched fresh batches of H1N1 vaccine that aims to protect against H1N1 and influenza A & B in one intra nasal shot.The vaccine major will be investing $160 million in setting up a new vaccine manufacturing facility in Pune, where it will be making vaccines for pneumonia, rotavirus, dengue, and many other diseases. The company is also planning strategic acquisitions that support its vaccine base for expansion. Founded in 1966, SII is a leading producer of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, BCG, r-hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. The company supplies vaccines to over 140 countries. It is estimated that about 65 percent of the children in the world receive at least one vaccine manufactured by Serum. Asia's largest vaccine maker, SII, has halted plans to sell a minority stake in the company. The company was in discussions to sell - up to 10 percent stake in the company about two months ago. SIL is valued close to $12 billion. The company is not looking at listing its shares on public exchanges in India.Serum Institute recently announced that it is seeking fasttrack approval to launch a dengue treatment in India for which it purchased local rights from US biotech Visterra in September 2015. This will help SII become the first company in the world to launch a drug for the mosquitoborne illness. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4880/top-20-strong-growth-in-insulin-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4880/top-20-strong-growth-in-insulin-business.html Wed, 13 Aug 2014 15:20:00 +0530 FY 2013-14 saw Sanofi India garner estimated biotech sales of Rs 265 crore as compared to Rs 213 crore in the last fiscal. The impressive growth rate of more than 25 percent speaks volumes about the company's progress.Sanofi India was incorporated in May 1956 under the name Hoechst Fedco Pharma. Over the years, its name was changed to Hoechst Pharmaceuticals Private, Hoechst India, Hoechst Marion Roussel and Aventis Pharma. Sanofi, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, and its 100 percent subsidiary, Hoechst GmbH, are the major shareholders of Sanofi India and together hold 60.4 percent of its paid-up share capital. Lantus, Sanofi's leading brand of long acting insulin grew by 25 percent in  terms of value and commands a market share of 11.9 percent. It continues to be the second leading brand in insulin in terms of value. Sanofi launched a major diabetes awareness initiative to encourage people to take proactive steps to effectively prevent, manage, and control diabetes. It roped in acclaimed dancer and actor, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, to join its campaign as a goodwill ambassador by creating a "signature step" to instill solidarity for patients with diabetes. Actress Dixit was joined by eight winners of Diabetes Patient Champions from across India. The Sanofi team also spread across the country and conducted around 900 activities for awareness, care and education. A major achievement for Sanofi in 2013 was the prestigious "2013 GOOD DESIGN Award" for Sanofi India's innovative, indigenously manufactured re-usable insulin pen AllStar. Sanofi launched this indigenously manufactured reusable insulin pen in 2012 and priced it significantly lesser than its competitors. The company also ensures continuous monitoring and management of the safety profile of all its products through its drug safety data collection worldwide, as pharmacovigilance remains a key activity in the assessment of the therapeutic value of products. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and new Genzyme. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4805/top-20-bt-cotton-business-slows.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4805/top-20-bt-cotton-business-slows.html Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:04:00 +0530 For the 41-year-old Rasi Seeds, a leading player in hybrid seeds business, FY2013-14 did not usher in good growth for its Bt cotton business. It could register only an estimated Rs 266 crore in revenue from the sale of Bt cotton seeds. The company's growth was around 16 percent. The company is estimated to have sold about 35 lakh packets of Bt cotton seeds in 2013. It was affected by the lack of approvals like many others in the industry. Some of its exceptional hybrid cotton varieties include RCH 134 BGII, RCH 656 BGII, RCH 650 BGII, RCH 602 BGII, RCH 659 BGII, RCH 776 BGII, RCH 773 BGII, RCH 668 BGII, RCH 530 BGII, RCH 779 BGII, RCH 533 BGII, and RCH 2 BGII.One of the major developments for Rasi in 2013 was the acquisition of the hybrid corn seed business of Bayer BioScience in India. This deal will enable Rasi to double its share in the Indian hybrid corn seed market, which is estimated to be about Rs 1,000 crore. It may be mentioned here that Rasi Seeds has three major divisions, which include Cotton Crop Division, Field Crop Division, and HyVeg Vegetable Division.The company has a strong R&D focus and has inked several collaborations with leading agricultural research institutes. In fact, it is one of the early seeds companies in India to work on several genetically modified crops. It worked on Bhendi for Bhendi Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus Disease (BYVMVD) resistance, transgenic cassava production with gene(s) conferring resistance to Indian cassava Mosaic virus Disease(CMD), cotton for Leaf curl virus (CLCuVD) disease resistance through RNAi approach, tomato for fruit borer resistance, rice with gene conferring resistance to Yellow Stem Borer (YSB), and Brinjal for Fruit and Shoot Borer (FSB) Resistance using the genetic engineering technique along with leading research institutes and varsities. Rasi Seeds has collaborated with the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and is in the process of creating new breeding lines under field crops. Its other collaborations include Madurai Kamaraj University, Center for Plant Molecular Biology (CPMB), National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology (NRCPB), IARI, New Delhi, University of Ottawa, Canada, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Manila, Philippines, and CIMMYT, Mexico. Most of its work has slowed down owning to a lack of clear guidelines on transgenic crops other than Bt cotton. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/5359/top-20-slow-steady-wins-the-race.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/96/5359/top-20-slow-steady-wins-the-race.html Tue, 12 Aug 2014 15:00:00 +0530 Ajeet Seeds is a producer and processor of hybrid cotton seeds in India. It is very strong in Maharashtra. During 2013-14, the company's Bt cotton revenue totaled to Rs 309 crore which as per market estimates is much higher than what it was a few years ago. The company certainly has slowly made its way up and has over 10 percent market share in the total Bt cotton market. Ajeet-11, the cotton variety introduced in 1992, is known for its seed quality, tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Also Ajeet-33 is known for its distinguishing differences and attributes. Ajeet is strong in R&D. Its R&D center has been recognized by the DSIR. Understanding the role of biotechnology for its growth, the company set up a separate center known as Plant Biotechnology Research Centre (PBRC) in 2003. Subsequently, the company geared up for genetic research and introduced Bt cotton seeds into its range of products through a tie up with Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech company. The company has also upgraded its warehouse facility by introducing scientific methods for packing, storage and transportation for speed and accuracy. Its seed processing plants are situated at Chitegaon and Phulambri in Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Over the last one decade, the company has established a network of close to 400 distributors, 3,000 dealers and 30,000 seed growers across India. Besides cotton, it has many hybrids in Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Sunflower, and other vegetables. The company launched its hybrid bhendi variety, Ajeet-311 in 2002. It was followed by hybrid chilli, brinjal, tomato, bottle gourd, bitter gourd etc. The progress of the company has been continuous and spontaneous. As a result, the product profile of the company covers 22 crops and their 55 different hybrid varieties. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4745/top-20-past-glorious-future-promising.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4745/top-20-past-glorious-future-promising.html Tue, 12 Aug 2014 10:05:00 +0530 During FY 2013-14, the company's revenue stood at Rs 310 crore as compared to Rs 299.83 crore in the previous fiscal. Despite a marginal growth of 3.39 percent, Bharat Biotech is expected to perform exceptionally well in the coming years owing to much stronger product portfolio. Bharat Biotech is the only company in India to attain approval of the Korea Food and Drugs administration. The core focus of the company is to develop novel healthcare solutions for rare and neglected diseases. The company continues to leave a mark in the domain of disease prevention by researching, manufacturing, and marketing newer vaccines. With over 50 technology-driven patents, the company is involved in quality product-oriented research and development. The major milestone of the company, in recent times, has been the successful completion of the Rotavirus vaccine development program. The vaccine, Rotavac, developed by Bharat Biotech was put at an exceptionally lower price of $1 per dose and has now recently been included in India's Universal Immunization Program (UIP). Bharat Biotech has continued to embark on its vaccines, launching newer ones to tame epidemics like Japanese encephalitis and Typhoid. The launch of world's first clinically proven typhoid conjugate vaccine Typbar-TCV, a fourth generation vaccine against typhoid in August, 2013, has been lauded as a great achievement. In October, 2013, Bharat Biotech launched its Vero cell- derived purified inactivated JE vaccine, JENVAC. It is a fully indigenous vaccine and provides long term sero-protection. The company has also been a part of many CSR initiatives. As a noble gesture for the Andhra Pradesh gas explosion victims, Bharat biotech has donated 500 tubes of Regen-D, a wound healing drug to the chief minister's relief fund. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4744/top-20-drug-development-facilitator.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4744/top-20-drug-development-facilitator.html Tue, 12 Aug 2014 10:00:00 +0530 Having initiated its operations in 2005, Fortis Clinical Research Ltd (FCRL) is a leading full service Indian CRO providing clinical research services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and device companies across the globe. The company's comprehensive drug development services deliver expert quality and cost effective solutions for end to end management of clinical trials. Its huge infrastructural capacity consists of a state-of-the-art facility spread over 19,000 sq. ft., and four floors of the Sunflag Hospital and Research Centre in Faridabad (in the National Capital Region). Within a short duration, FCRL has been able to garner major projects. Despite a slow market, the company was able to retain its growth, though marginal. During the FY 2013-14, the company recorded a revenue of Rs 350 crore as compared to Rs 344.40 crore in the FY 2012-13. FCRL has 90 full time professionals with expertise in medicine, pharmacology, pharmacy, pharmaceutics, bioanalytics, nutrition, and statistics. Fortis has crossed more than 300 BA/BE studies since its inception in 2005 till date. The infrastructure consists of a 78-bed ward, two-bed ICU, phlebotomy stations, pharmacy, bioanalytical labs with LCMS and HPLC machines. The company boasts of a rich bank of healthy volunteers drawn from the local community in Faridabad and NCR, and is currently conducting bioequivalence studies with generic products and clinical studies (phase 1 to IV) using healthy volunteers and patients at investigator sites as its main service offering. It has also conducted a number of BE studies in young, healthy female volunteers and post-menopausal female volunteers.Its central laboratory was India's first to get ISO 15189:2007 NABL and CAP accreditation. Fortis has an experience of over 550 clinical trials in over 35 therapeutic segments. It has a 24-hour dedicated sample archiving facility, dedicated clinical research service department and real time web-based online reporting systems. The company claims to extend its services to about eight million patients annually. The FCRL team excels in end-to-end management across all clinical and pharmacovigilance studies. The company has been approved and audited by regulatory agencies across the globe. These include the approval to conduct BA/BE studies by the DCGI (India). Audits were also done by AFSSAPS (France) in February 2008, ANVISA (Brazil) in March 2006, August 2007 and August 2009. The USFDA has also successfully audited the company in July 2010. Successful inspection of a Bioequivalence study and Quality Management System of FCRL by AGES PharmMed. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4097/top-20-consolidates-its-position.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4097/top-20-consolidates-its-position.html Mon, 11 Aug 2014 12:13:23 +0530 Haffkine Bio-Parmaceutical Corporation Ltd (HBPCL), a Government of Maharashtra undertaking, has reported estimated revenue of Rs 355 crore as compared to Rs 253.41 crore in the previous financial year. The growth of 40 percent in a single year is a major achievement for the company. It is clearly the company's quality vaccine supply that has raised its stature among manufacturers. HBPCL is the second largest vaccines supplier to UNICEF, after Serum Institute of India, with its supplies to the agency totalling to $55 million. In 2010, the company received UN accreditation for the first time for its bivalent type 1 and 3 Oral Poliomyelitis Vaccine (OPV). HBPCL also produces trivalent type 1, 2 and 3 OPVs besides the type 1 monovalent OPV. The company has been able to successfully revamp its OPV production units and upgrade them as per the requirements of international standards. It has its facilities at three locations in Mumbai. The Antitoxin and Sera (ATS) department of HBPCL is located at Pimpri near Pune, and it is engaged in the manufacture of Antiserum against Tetanus, Diphtheria, Gas gangrene, Snake and Scorpion Venoms. The ATS department was established in 1940 at Mumbai for the production of Anti Snake Venom Serum (ASVS) and was subsequently shifted to Pimpri from 1952-53 onwards in a phased manner. A Lyophilisation project confirming to WHO-GMP standards has been commissioned in the year 2002 and is being used for freeze drying of the antisera. In 1997, HBPCL was successful in introducing Scorpion Venom Antiserum for the first time in India, which was specifically developed to fulfil a longstanding demand from the Konkan region. Currently, HBPCL is the only manufacturer of the same in the country. HBPCL is a pioneer in the production of ASVS in India and has been producing it since 1940. Even the lyophilized ASVS has been introduced by HBPCL in the country in 1945. Earlier it used to be the largest manufacturer of ASVS in the country, producing about 60-70 percent of the country's total production. ASVS produced by HBPCL has been exported to neighbouring countries through WHO and UNICEF. The company has produced over 4 lakh vials of ASVS during 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. However, due to various restrictions imposed by CPCSEA on the use of equines in the production of antisera, the production of ASVS has considerably reduced from 2001-2002 and has been producing about 1.5 lakh vials for the last 4-5 years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/5548/top-20-innovator-products-propel-gsks-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/5548/top-20-innovator-products-propel-gsks-growth.html Mon, 11 Aug 2014 10:40:36 +0530 The vaccines sales of GlaxoSmithKline in 2013-14 recorded a 12 percent growth over the previous year's figures. The company recorded Rs 361.9 crore as revenue in FY 2013-14 as compared to Rs 312 crore in the previous fiscal year. In the area of preventive healthcare, GSK Vaccines became the leading company in the private market for vaccines in India. The recently introduced vaccine for pneumococcal conjugate disease, Synflorix, became the biggest brand in the vaccine portfolio of the company in the second year of its launch. The efforts of GSK in raising awareness about vaccines against preventable diseases continued with increasing fervor. Exports recorded a sales turnover of Rs 9.5 crore comprising of both Bulk Drugs andFormulations. Exports of Bulk Drugs were to major markets like Japan, France, Jordan, and Sri Lanka. Some of the innovator products approved by the regulatory agency in India during the year under review, include a biological oncology product Panitumumab, in-licensed from Amgen (Vectibix) for the treatment of patients of metastatic colorectal carcinoma as a third line treatment option, a line extension for amoxicillin and clavulanic acid formulation (Augmentin Drops) for paediatric use, expansion of use of DTaP vaccine (Boostrix) for use in adults and new indication for the use of cefixime formulation (Cefspan) in enteric fever. All these new products approved for the company during the year under review will be beneficial to Indian patients. In addition, the company also received approval for import and marketing of seven cosmetic products in India. GSK globally continues to be committed to research and development of medicines that will improve the quality of life of people around the world and truly make a difference to patients. GSK PLC, the parent organization of the company, is one of the biggest investors in R&D to bring new products and vaccines to the market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4445/top-20-the-growth-story-continues.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4445/top-20-the-growth-story-continues.html Mon, 11 Aug 2014 10:39:23 +0530 Novozymes, a global leader in the enzymes business, has had another good year. In sync with the good performance in the global market last year, the company's India business too registered increased growth. Novozymes South Asia is estimated to have recorded 15.7 percent growth in FY14, clocking Rs 397 crore in sales. The company sees future growth coming from the bioenergy segment, especially second generation ethanol from agricultural residues. One of the key strategies adopted by Novozymes that begets it success is focusing on developing India specific solutions. For example, in India only 15 percent of the detergents are enzymatic. The company is working in this area with its customers, developing specific products for India specific stains like turmeric. Similarly, it is also looking at developing India specific solutions in the food segment. Currently, Mr G S Krishnan sees an upward trend in the Indian enzyme business with an organic growth of 12-15 percent. In particular, this trend is being witnessed in the textile, detergent, food and beverage segments. He also expects the biofuel segment to pick up in the next couple of years, especially with the government's ambition to reach 20 percent ethanol blending in fuels.In the textile and leather industry as well, enzymes play a vital role in supporting the industry to produce, not only quality products to compete globally but also reduce effluent load, facilitating water conservation and protecting the environment. In fact, in the textile industry, enzymes can lead to water and energy savings of 28 percent and 25 percent respectively. There are new application developments in these segments to support the industry, which would help it grow further and compete in the global market. In the food industry, Novozymes is closely working with its customers to produce more, using fewer biotechnological tools. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4687/top-20-pentavalent-vaccines-drive-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4687/top-20-pentavalent-vaccines-drive-biz.html Mon, 11 Aug 2014 10:38:00 +0530 During the fiscal year 2013-14, Biological E clocked an estimated Rs 420 crore in sales from its biologics business. This is almost a 19 percent jump from its previous year's revenue of Rs 353 crore. It was the third largest supplier to UNICEF in 2013, with over $50 million vaccines sent to the international agency. Biological E recently entered into a long term $200 million supply agreement with Vacsera (and its subsidiary Egyvac), an Egyptian vaccines company under the Ministry of Health of Egypt, for the pentavalent vaccine manufactured by Biological E. Vacsera, the sole vaccine procurement agency of Egypt, is likely to procure 8 million doses annually. The company, which has significantly increased its market share in the pentavalent vaccines and TT vaccines segment, had launched its inactivated Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine in 2012. During this period, Biological E also received OHSAS 18001 accreditation for occupational health and safety management systems. It also accomplished the ISO 14001 certification for an environmental management system. Acknowledging its performance, Biological E was presented the "Outstanding Exports Award" for its exports performance in Asia, Middle East and the African region for 2012-13 by Pharmexcil, the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council, based in Hyderabad. The company sees the Indian regulatory environment becoming more complex. There is an increased interest in R&D in the country but uncertainties regarding the regulatory environment and clinical trials is disconcerting. As a manufacturer of vaccines that are mostly used by the pediatric segment, the top most priority for the company is to ensure delivery of high quality vaccines at affordable prices. In this background, the government's support for clinical development and trials would go a long way in supporting the industry's drive to launch affordable vaccines in time. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3425/top-20-biotech-industry-2013-survey-ranking-methodology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3425/top-20-biotech-industry-2013-survey-ranking-methodology.html Tue, 23 Jul 2013 12:26:14 +0530 #BioSpectrum conducted this survey jointly with the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE). BioSpectrum and ABLE have jointly been doing this exercise since 2003. A detailed questionnaire (survey form) was sent to over 200 companies to capture the needed information for the analysis. This was done during April-May 2013. Companies shared information with us to the extent it was possible by them.#The revenues considered for the analysis are biotech products sales and service figures. In several cases, where revenue figures were not available, estimates were arrived in discussion with industry experts. These are denoted (*) as "BioSpectrum Estimates".#This year in the list of Top 20 companies, biotech focused companies across the life sciences spectrum have been considered, including diagnostics space.#Biotech suppliers' revenues are not considered/included in this analysis.#BioPharma segment included products made by fermentation/animal cell culture (not animal extracts) and plant cell culture (not plant extracts).#The BioAgri segment analysis includes only the GM seeds and molecular markers and related products. So, the hybrid seeds business is not a part of the agri-business sales values.#The BioServices segment analysis includes the contract as well as clinical research services revenue.#For all the ranking purposes, we have taken the biotech business only into consideration. Wherever 'TURNOVER' is mentioned, it means, sales turnover from biotech. Therefore, turnover wherever mentioned is not necessarily the total sales turnover of the company. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4187/industry-at-inflection-point.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4187/industry-at-inflection-point.html Tue, 23 Jul 2013 12:11:00 +0530 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6002/19-advanced-enzymes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6002/19-advanced-enzymes.html Tue, 23 Jul 2013 11:25:11 +0530 Rank 19 Will go public While most companies, life sciences space continue to stick to private source of funding for their operations, Advanced Enzymes will soon enter the relatively small league of Indian biotech companies that are listed on the stock exchange. Mr C L Rathi, managing director, has said, "We will be going in for an IPO within this financial year. We have already filed the necessary documents with SEBI to be listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) as well as the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)." Currently Advanced Enzymes exports to more than 45 countries. The company has had a 29 percent CAGR growth from FY 2008 to FY 2012 with a growth in PAT of 61 percent CAGR during the same period. Recently private equity firm Kotak had also invested in the company. Currently Advanced Enzymes manufactures more than 50 different enzymes for different industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, paper, leather and more. Of the different types of enzymes, the demand for food and feed enzymes showed maximum growth in the last financial year.One of the important milestones achieved last year was the completion of its fully automatic manufacturing facility with a 240m3 capacity in Indore. Mr Rathi proudly says that this was done entirely using internal resources and proprietary knowledge. Though, this led to a few delays, it proved to be a great learning experience for the management. An emphasis has been laid on providing eco friendly solutions for the detergent, paper, food, fruit processing and biofuel industries. Moving ahead, Mr Rathi said that they would focus on fermentation enzymes. He added, "While we see good growth in enzymes space for the food and feed industry, we also plan to enter the detergent enzyme space in a big way soon." Following its keen strategy to expand overseas, Advanced Enzymes have enhanced its product registrations abroad and also acquired a US-based retail marketing enzyme company last year. The acquisition will aid its expansion plans in the West. Moving ahead, it will target large companies in Europe and other countries that import enzymes in bulk quantities, and those that prefer eco friendly enzymes. Company: Advanced EnzymesBusiness: Enzymes for Human Health Care and Nutrition, Animal Nutrition, Food Processing and Non-Food ProcessingRevenue: 2013 `229.36 crore   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3340/20-rasi-seeds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3340/20-rasi-seeds.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 18:21:58 +0530 Rank 20 Dip in Bt cotton revenues One of the earliest adopters of Bt cotton technology in India, Rasi had become an early entrant into the market. However a number of issues such as increased competition and environmental factors resulted in a downward trend in the growth curve. Last year, Rasi released two new cotton hybrids which have been well received this Kharif season by farmers across the country. Rasi currently has over 20 Bt products under BGI and BGII for different zones of the country. Rasi's Bt cotton revenue during FY 2012-13 was `292 crore. The company expects this year to be a better one and is estimated to reach `575 crore through Bt cotton sales. In a bid to expand its operations, Rasi acquired the Bayer Crop Science's hybrid corn business recently. About the move, Mr Ramasami says, "We took this step to increase our market share in the hybrid corn market." This step will hopefully allow Rasi to double its share in the hybrid corn seed market. Rasi will now be able to add five to six hybrid varieties to its existing portfolio besides allowing Rasi to access Bayer Crop science's corn germplasm. Officials have stated that this would help them strengthen their own germplasm bank and further develop hybrids. It will also give access to expertise and breeding stations in Bangalore, Hyderabad and in North India.Rasi Seeds has set a target to increase the corn seed production volumes to around 10,000-12,000 tonnes in the next few years while exploring different markets in South-East Asia. Currently both Rasi and Bayer had volumes of around 3000 tonnes of corn seed a year.Rasi Seeds has a number of existing collaborations with both national and international institutes to develop high yielding hybrid varieties such as Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai kamaraj University, Indian Agricultural Research Institute and University of Ottawa, Canada, and International Rice Research Institute, Phillipines. Some of these are under DBT schemes in a public private partnership mode.Another partnership Rasi Seeds entered into was with Evogene, an Israel based firm to introduce its hybrid rice varieties. Under the agreement, Rasi will get an exclusive license to introduce Evogen's drought tolerant and yield enhancing gene traits into its own varieties of hybrid rice. Evogen had identified a total of 24 genes, that have been validated in model plants and that possess both drought resistant and yield enhancing traits. Besides this Rasi also has a fledgling business of distributing vegetable seeds under HyVeg brand. Company: Rasi SeedsBusiness: Field crops, Bt cotton, hybrid vegetable seedsRevenue: 2013 `292 crore ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6991/17-haffkine-biopharmaceuticals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/6991/17-haffkine-biopharmaceuticals.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 18:14:25 +0530 Rank 17 Polio vaccine makes the difference The production of OPV doses is under full swing at Haffkine, where 390-400 million doses were manufactured and supplied to various agencies last year. Haffkine has had a major role in supplying oral polio vaccine for the last 38 years. While vaccines fetched the bulk of the revenues, other biological therapeutics also contributed to the total bioscience revenues of `253.41 crore. A senior official commented that their ability to meet the demand of supplying OPV doses promptly has been the company's strong suit and helped it be on an upward curve of growth over the last few years.Haffkine Biopharmaceuticals has a long history of indigenously manufacturing biological products. It was established in 1975 as a Government of Maharashtra undertaking to produce life saving vaccines, antisera and pharmaceuticals. Since then, the company has come a long way and also set up a GMP facility that is prequalified by World Health Organization for supply to United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). It was one of the first public sector vaccine-manufacturing units to get a WHO accreditation for a trivalent OPV almost seven years ago.Haffkine Biopharma has three facilities in Maharashtra for different products. The expansion and modernization of these sites is an ongoing process, quipped a company official. Located n the heart of the city, amidst various central and state research institutes and hospitals, the Mumbai facility manufactures the oral polio vaccine as well as the DPT vaccine. Currently the production facilities for the DPT vaccine are undergoing a modernization exercise. Another facility at Jalgaon produces beta lactam products and oral rehydration salts. Haffkine remains one of the few companies that produces life saving products such as antisera and antivenoms. These are manufactured in Pimpri where about 400 equines are also maintained to produce various antisera. Haffkine is also the only manufacturer of scorpion venom antiserum in the country.Over the last year, the company also boosted its exports to other ASEAN, African and Latin American countries. Company: Haffkine BiopharmaceuticalsBusiness: Vaccines, antisera, pharmaceuticalsRevenue: 2013 `253.41 crore     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4811/16-tulip-group.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4811/16-tulip-group.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 18:07:00 +0530 Rank 16 Product launches galore Last year saw Tulip soft launch a unique product in the market that it hopes will be a game-changer in the diagnostics field. RT PCR or Truelab Real Time PCR is a product that is borne of MolBioDiagnostics, a joint venture between Bigtec and Tulip that was initiated in late 2011. Essentially working on the principles of PCR for diagnosis, it is an easy to use point of care device that consists of a handy instrument that analyzes a patient sample after it has been processed and loaded on a specially designed chip. The results are then displayed in less than 30 minutes, thus making it very effective for quick diagnosis.Currently the instrument can analyze samples for seven diseases. These include malaria, tuberculosis, dengue, malaria, swine flu, chikungunya, HPV and salmonella. Mr Tripathi, director, Tulip Group, says that with the India launch they hope to gauge market reception and then announce it in other countries in a year's time. In addition to manufacturing in vitro diagnostic reagents and kits, Tulip also produces biochemistry kits, high technology disinfectants, dehydrated culture media, bases, and other products such as supplements, stains, laboratory reagents, antibiotic sensitivity discs, plant tissue culture media and chemicals. It also does the marketing of immunoassay reagents, semi automated and automated analyzers for the IVD Industry. Tulip currently has eight manufacturing sites in Goa and two others in North India. The recent expansion of a plant in Uttarakhand, which is specifically for in vitro diagnostics, has been a major endeavor for Tulip during the year. Additionally, the company will also be making substantial facility additions in the times to come, depending on the demand. A number of other products in the diagnostics range were launched last year, which include rapid diagnostic tests for blood grouping and drugs of abuse. Additionally enzymatic tests for biochemistry, new dehydrated culture media, plant tissue culture were also introduced into the market. Almost 40 percent of Tulip's revenues come from exports. Currently it exports the entire range of products to over 70 countries across the world. Company: Tulip GroupBusiness: Manufacturing in vitro diagnostics, reagents and rapid diagnostic testsRevenue: 2013 `260 crore ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3339/15-bharat-biotech.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3339/15-bharat-biotech.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 18:01:00 +0530 Rank 15 Betting on Rotoavac During the FY 2012-13, the Bharat Biotech registered an annual turnover of `299.83 crore as against `277.7 crore recorded in FY 2011-12. Though the company has displayed marginal growth during this fiscal year, it is banking upon new opportunities. It has invested a significant amount of money on conducting clinical trials of seven of its products. These products include therapeutics and vaccines that are at an advanced stage of development. It has product development projects in varying stages for the vaccines and therapeutics, such as malaria, rotavirus, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, pandemic influenza, chikungunya, and staphylococcus aureus. The company has developed a three-dimensional business model with emphasis on biogenerics, contract manufacturing and research, and novel products. This strategy has given Bharat Biotech the ability to earn revenues in the short and medium term while focusing on novel patent protected products for the long term. The company claims to have the largest manufacturing capacity for making hepatitis-B (10 crore doses), typhoid vaccine (five crore doses) and rabies (80 lakh doses). Rotavac, the first oral rotavirus vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech has successfully completed the phase III clinical trials, being one of the first and largest phase III clinical trial in Indian history encompassing 10,000 infants. The company has invested `231.7 crore ($50 million) in the clinical trials, with funding assistance from Gates Foundation.and the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. With the trials data reporting 60 percent efficacy and no significant side effects, the Bharat Biotech is set to approach the DCGI in July, 2013 for approval to produce the vaccine. "Rotavac represents the successful research and development of a novel vaccine from the developing world with global standards," said Dr Krishna M Ella, chairman and managing director, Bharat Biotech. "It is a testament of our strong vision and commitment to develop affordable health care solutions for infectious diseases." Company: Bharat BiotechBusiness: Vaccines and TherepeuticsRevenue: 2013 `299.83 crore   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4007/14-glaxosmithkline.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4007/14-glaxosmithkline.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:59:58 +0530 Rank 14 Distinction in Pneumococcal vaccines In 2012-13, GSK is estimated to have recorded `312 crore in revenues from its vaccines business. Earlier, the company had limited presence in many important therapeutic areas such as life saving cancer drugs, cardiology and preventive vaccines. However over the past few years GSK took a number of strategic steps such as increasing the field force to correct this.Synflorix, a 10-valent pneumococcal vaccine, was introduced recently and achieved a landmark distinction of being the first brand in the Indian pharmaceutical industry to achieve a high level of success in the first year of launch. The other important vaccines which continue to receive increasing support from the physician community were Cervarix and Rotarix. Another important development in 2013 has been the joint venture between GSK and Biological E. This is a 50:50 joint venture (JV) for the early stage research and development of a six-in-one combination pediatric vaccine to help protect children in India and other developing countries from polio and other infectious diseases. If approved, the vaccine, which would combine GSK's injectable polio vaccine (IPV) and Biological E's pentavalent vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (whole cell pertussis), hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenza type b, and hence could be the first of its kind. The vaccine would enable fewer injections for children thereby improving compliance in immunization schedules. Also, the fully liquid formulation of the vaccine would be ready to use with no additional ingredients or materials required, freeing up space at local storage facilities.The JV will bear the development costs for the candidate vaccine, which is expected to enter phase 1 development in the next two years. A small initial cash investment will be made by both companies to cover start-up costs for the JV and subsequent development costs will be split equally.Supply chain management of vaccine has also shown improvement over the last year, at GSK. An overall positive trend in supply performance especially in vaccines helped in supporting the larger business performance as well. GSK has adopted a flexible pricing policy in order to expand access to its products, both vaccines and medicines, based on a country's ability to pay. This has resulted in signiï¬?cant reduction in prices. Company: GlaxoSmithKlineBusiness: Sales of vaccinesRevenue: 2013 `312 crore     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3847/13-indian-immunologicals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3847/13-indian-immunologicals.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:58:10 +0530 Rank 13 Socially consious Indian Immunologicals (IIL) has evolved over the years to gain formidable share in human vaccines and garner a leadership position in animal vaccines. During FY 2012-13, it grew at 27 percent to achieve revenues of `325.65 crore. It also crossed the `400 crore figure for its total turnover. Mr Anandkumar, deputy managing director, attributed this performance to an overall growth in both animal and human vaccine products.The company is planning investments to the tune of `800 crore over the course of the next five years. While staying true to the philosophy with which it was set up, the bulk of IIL's revenues are through domestic sales to governments and through the private market. However, its bioscience exports have increased from 6.95 percent to almost 14 percent.This year, Raksha Ovac became the largest selling veterinary brand in India with sales exceeding `125 crore. Raksha Ovac is a vaccine for Foot and Mouth disease that was launched more than three decades ago has been a major contributor to preventing loss of cattle. While IIL has produced more than a billion doses of FMD vaccine since inception, the FMD vaccine plant in Hyderabad today has a capacity to manufacture 240 million doses annually. IIL also has plans to set up another facility exclusively for producing the FMD vaccine at Puducherry. The proposed new facility will be the largest one in the world for FMD vaccines with a capacity to produce 500 million doses of the vaccine. IIL is one of the few companies which has exported the vaccine to other countries in a super-concentrate form. In terms of human vaccines, IIL has also developed a pentavalent vaccine that is currently awaiting approval for Phase II/III trials. Vaccines for neglected diseases like chikungunya and Japanese Encephalitis are also currently under research. When it comes to their oral HPV vaccine, IIL has completed its toxicology studies and is seeking approval for further studies.Other vaccines like DPT, TT and vero cell Rabies vaccine that are produced at IIL are directly supplied to the Indian government. Company: Indian ImmunologicalsBusiness: Manufacturing of animal and human vaccinesRevenue: 2013 `325.65 crore     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8297/12-ankur-seeds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/8297/12-ankur-seeds.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:56:30 +0530 Rank 12 Public private partnership pave the way Riding high on its Bt cotton success, Ankur Seeds has recorded revenues of `341 crore for this year, while keeping a strong pipeline of research projects in store. Two new hybrid varieties of cotton were also introduced on a large scale during the year; Ankur 3034 BGII and Ankur 216 BGII. Hybrids were launched across the cotton growing zones of India, that were suitable for both irrigated and rain-fed conditions, including intra and inter specific Ankur-bred hybrids. Ankur has initiated both transgenic and classical breeding R&D projects in collaboration with the Texas University for the cotton crop. They are currently evaluating different lines for their efficacy. Through this study, certain genes from Ankur's proprietary germplasm have been identified that offer drought tolerance. The next step would be to identify markers that are responsible for these traits.Dr Ashwin Kashekar, general manager, R&D, Ankur Seeds spoke about other PPPs that Ankur has been a part of in recent times. "We are currently in a public private partnership with ICGEB, for researching virus resistance in tomato. This project was partly funded by DBT and Ankur. A few years back, we had also signed an MoU with GKVK (Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra), Bangalore, for screening germplasm and identifying lines that exhibit traits of water efficiency and drought tolerance. Additionally, we have also done some contract research work with Cornell University centering on genotyping and marker associated research."A great example of technology transfer through a public private partnership (PPP) has been with Rajendra Agricultural University, Bihar. Researchers at the university had done early research and developed a more efficient crop variety. After the technology transfer from the public university, Ankur is all set to produce and market the same variety under a royalty sharing agreement.The focus for Ankur Seeds has been on field work through demonstrating use of biotech material and helping famers understand good management practices like drip irrigation to get higher yields. Activities like Farmers field days, that had been conducted on large scale also helped in the business growth. Ankur Seeds now has multicrop R&D proposals on board seeking government approvals for Biosafety Research Level (BRL) trials, which it hopes to get started in the next year. Company: Ankur Seeds Business: Seed dealers and distributorsRevenue: 2013 `341 crore ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3343/11-novozymes-south-asia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3343/11-novozymes-south-asia.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:42:36 +0530 Rank 11 Novozymes thrives on novelty Considered to be the largest supplier of industrial enzymes to industries across the spectrum in India, Novozymes holds the dominant share of the enzyme market. The company provides enzyme solutions for the detergent, food, feed, textile, leather, oils and fats, beverage alcohol, and biofuel industries. Novozymes India has recorded estimated revenues of Rs 343 crore in FY 202-13, registering over 15 percent growth. Novozymes has a significant business in India with over 400 employees. In the recent years, the company has invested to develop a state-of-the-art R&D facility in Bangalore, which is not only involved with fulfilling the requirements of local customers but also in the application development for the needs of global entities. It entered into an exploratory agreement with Sea6 Energy, a young start-up involved in using novel methodologies for the conversion of seaweed into biofuels. Novozymes will be involved in identifying the kind of enzymes that are required for the conversion of available sugars in the biomass in the sea water, while Sea6 is developing the technology of cultivating the seaweed at offshore locations. The research alliance will use enzymes to convert seaweed-based carbohydrates to sugar, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol for fuel, fine chemicals, proteins for food, and fertilizers for plants. The collaboration with Praj Industries, which started a few years ago for development of second generation biofuels, is also steadily moving ahead. The pilot production plant for the same is currently under evaluation. The team is now exploring the use of local biomass such as corn cobs and bagasse for the production of biofuels. Additionally, Novozymes also launched Cellic CTec3 in India. It is an enzyme for better conversion of biomass to ethanol. Novozymes is looking to maintain its growth in the next couple of years and increase awareness for environmentally friendly solutions in industrial processes. Company: Novozymes South AsiaBusiness: Industrial enzymesRevenue: 2013 `342 crore ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3842/10-fortis-clinical-research-limited.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3842/10-fortis-clinical-research-limited.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:39:07 +0530 Rank 10 Delivering quality services Fortis Clinical Research Ltd (FCRL) is a leading full service Indian CRO operational since 2005, providing clinical research services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and device companies across the globe. It comprehensive drug-development services focused on expert quality and cost effective solutions for end-to-end management of clinical trials. Its state-of-the-art facility is spread over 19,000 sq. ft. and four floors of the Sunflag Hospital and Research Center in Faridabad (near Delhi). Within a short duration of eight years, FCRL has been able to garner major projects. During FY 2012-13, the company recorded revenues of `344.40 crore as compared to `287 crore in the FY 2011-12. It was one of the four CROs joining the Maximax Pharmaceutical Research, which launched a global CRO alliance (CRO Development Group). The infrastructure consists of a 78-bed ward, two-bed ICU, phlebotomy stations, pharmacy, bioanalytical labs with LCMS and HPLC machines.The company boasts of a rich bank of healthy volunteers drawn from the local community in Faridabad and Delhi/NCR and is currently conducting bioequivalence studies with generic products in healthy volunteers and clinical studies (phase 1 to IV) in healthy volunteers and patients at investigator sites as its main service offering. It has also conducted number of BE studies in young, healthy female volunteers, post-menopausal female volunteers. According to Mr Anil Panwar, CEO, FCRL there are many areas where it is ahead of its competitors. "Our central laboratory was India's first to get ISO 15189:2007 NABL and CAP accreditation. We have experience of over 550 clinical trials for over 35 therapeutic segments. We have a 24-hour dedicated sample archiving facility, dedicated clinical research service department and real time web-based online reporting systems. We extend the services to about eight million patients annually. The FCRL team excels in end-to-end management across all the clinical and pharmacovigilance studies," concluded Panwar. Company: Fortis Clinical research LimitedBusiness: Clinical research/drug development servicesRevenue: 2013 `344.40 crore   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3331/9-biological-e-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3331/9-biological-e-.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:35:00 +0530 Rank 9 Phenomenal growth Established in 1953 and based out of Hyderabad, Biological E (BE) has built a strong and balanced product pipeline that includes a range of vaccines marketed primarily within emerging markets. The company supplies several essential and lifesaving drugs to UNICEF, central and state government hospitals, public sector undertakings, the Indian armed forces and the domestic retail market.Over a period of time, the company has consolidated its financial performance remarkably. During FY 2012-13, BE recorded total biotech revenues of Rs 353 crore as compared to the FY 2011-12 period when it had grossed Rs 98 crore. It is phenomenal growth rate of more than 250 percent over the last fiscal year. The company's product development efforts are driven by an internationally experienced management team through strategic partnerships with leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and research institutes around the world.In another major development, GAVI Alliance in April 2013 signed a supply agreement with BE, according to which it will receive the latter's five-in-one vaccine for just $1.19 per dose, as compared to the 2012 weighted average price of $2.17. UNICEF, an alliance partner, managed the tender process for GAVI, which saw agreements made with Biological E and four other companies. In September 2012, BE launched the county's first indigenous vaccine, JEEV, to prevent Japanese Encephalitis. Priced at `985, the vaccine filled a huge unmet medical need. At the moment, there is no strong anti-viral therapy for this (Japanese Encephalitis) except for a vaccine that the government imports from China and its supply is limited. The vaccine will be made in Hyderabad and that the technology has been obtained from Austrian vaccine maker Intercell. Company: Biological E Business: Vaccines and PharmaceuticalsRevenue: 2013 `353 crore ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3335/8-bharat-serums-and-vaccines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3335/8-bharat-serums-and-vaccines.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:33:08 +0530 Rank 8 Diversifying services Started as a blood products company, Bharat Serums and Vaccines now has operations in everything ranging from biosimilars and stem cells to diagnostics. Bharat Serums and Vaccines (BSV) with revenues touching `389 crore in FY2012-13 recorded 30 percent growth over the previous fiscal. BSV today has 2,500 people spread across various divisions both in India and abroad. BSV Biosciences in USA focuses on biotechnological research, while another research unit in Germany specifically researches natural products for their platforms in biotech, biologicals and new drug delivery along with animal health. Dr Gautam Daftary, vice chairman and managing director, Bharat Serums and Vaccines says, "In 2013-14 period, our main goal is to finish the regulatory filings for the products I have mentioned earlier. Hopefully, we will see our products commercialize. We have to maintain a balance with the R&D so that we reap dividends as well."A few months ago, BSV announced its plans to enter into the area of rapid diagnostic tests-for malaria and later HIV. A separate venture for molecular biology based diagnostics for detecting inborn errors of metabolism in newborns is also in the works. These would be its entry products into the diagnostic range. Additionally, it also set up a joint venture with Morpheus, a German company under which BSV set up around 30 IVF clinics in India with plans of further expansion. An important product from India's point of view to come out of BSV's stables is for the treatment of kala azar. BSV has a global patent for Amphotericin emulsion(Ambisome). BSV recently launched in India Ulinastatin, a biosimilar for the treatment of sepsis. Sepsis today, is the leading cause of fatalities, with more 65% mortality associated with it. Lack of treatment options prompted BSV to carry out research in natural products at the Dusseldorf to develop the product isolated from urine, a serine protease that suppresses polymorphonulear elastase (PMNE). There is only one product like this which has a market size of $250 million. BSV hopes to utilize UK as an entry point for Europe by 2013-2014. Company: Bharat Serums and VaccinesBusiness: R&D, manufacturing and marketing of biopharmaceuticalsRevenue: 2013 `389 crore   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/5117/7-eli-lilly-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/5117/7-eli-lilly-india.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:31:27 +0530 Rank 7 Expanding horizons With an annual growth of close to 35 percent, Lilly's seven products from biotech stable include human insulin (Huminsulin), human insulin analogues (Humalog), human growth hormone (Humatrope), teriparatide (Forteo), Drotrecogin Alfa (Xigris), ReoPro (Abciximab-monoclonal antibody) and Exenatide (Byetta). The anti-diabetes product range roughly contributes for 60-65 percent of the Lilly India's revenue. After the change in guard at its Indian operations in late 2011, Lilly not only restructured its sales and marketing structure but also is now working closely with the government, healthcare providers and local communities to expand treatment access and improve outcomes for patients. With the goal of improving patient quality of life and increasing positive self-care behavior and control of diabetes, Lilly India has introduced Diabetes Educator Service. This comprehensive and sustainable approach provides education and counseling on diabetes, nutrition, lifestyle management and appropriate way to use Lilly injectable devices prescribed by treating physician. In September 2011, Eli Lilly had announced the launch of a new open innovation platform designed to help build the company's pipeline of tomorrow and, from a philanthropic perspective, identify molecules that may have application for treating multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The company also entered into collaboration with the Strides Arcolab to expand delivery of cancer medicines in the emerging markets. As a part of this arrangement, the company will in-license a portfolio of high-quality, branded generic injectible and oral cancer medicines from Agila Specialties, the specialties division of Strides Arcolab, based in Bangalore, India. The company also continues to work on the global "Lilly MDR-TB Partnership" which was first announced in 2003 to confront multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, a disease so daunting that no single organization can fight it alone. Since then, this unique public-private partnership with total plan outlay of nearly $135 million has mobilized 25 partners across the five continents to tackle the scourge of TB and MDR-TB. The Partnership in India works in close coordination with the National TB Control Program. Company: Eli Lilly IndiaBusiness: Biopharmaceuticals for diabetes, cancer, sepsis, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disorders and growth hormone deficiencyRevenue: 2013 `391.66 crore     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3572/6-reliance-life-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3572/6-reliance-life-sciences.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:29:36 +0530 Rank 6 On a scale up mode Of the different segments that Reliance Life Sciences (RLS) operates in, including regenerative medicine, molecular medicine, cord blood banking, APIs and more, biopharmaceuticals showed the maximum growth. RLS has followed a strategy of developing products first for the Indian market, followed by ROW markets and, eventually, to developed markets. Mr KV Subramaniam, president and CEO, Reliance Life Sciences, says, "For biosimilars, we are looking to form partnerships or licensing deals with other companies to target specific markets and allow for mutual growth. During this year, we signed several out-licensing deals for biosimilars and pharmaceutical products with companies across the globe. We can be a global player in biosimilars in the years to come." The company also received 12 overseas product registrations during the year. The biopharmaceuticals portfolio consists of plasma proteins, which have grown significantly, biosimilars, and recombinant proteins. RLS has the only manufacturing facility in South Asia that produces a broad portfolio of plasma proteins. Eight new products were launched during FY 2012-13. An in-house CRO currently handles an equal amount of internal projects as well as those commissioned from other institutes. Other emerging departments include regenerative medicine and molecular medicine, which are set to play a bigger role in the future.RLS has a strong pipeline of products in the categories of oncology formulations, stem cell therapies and tissue engineered products as well. Other emerging areas of research at RLS include novel proteins, especially fusion proteins and novel monoclonal antibodies, siRNA molecules for treatment of dengue and cancer, some of which are their long term projects. Research is also being conducted in other poorly researched disorders such as brain stroke, incontinence, and more. During the past year, 10 biopharmaceutical products entered advanced clinical development phase. Company: Reliance Life SciencesBusiness: Biopharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals, clinical research services, regenerative medicine and molecular medicine servicesRevenue: 2013 `535 crore (estimates) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4162/5-syngene-international.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4162/5-syngene-international.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:27:29 +0530 Rank 5 Milestone year Established in 1994 as a subsidiary of Biocon, Syngene is an internationally recognized custom research and manufacturing organization, which supports R&D programs from lead generation to clinical supplies. Among India's leading contract research organizations, Syngene offers integrated drug discovery and development services with capabilities in medicinal chemistry, biology, in vivo pharmacology, toxicology, custom synthesis, process research and development, and formulation development for small and large molecules. During FY 2012-13, the company recorded robust turnover of `557 crore in revenue as compared to `410 crore in FY 2011-12.During the last fiscal, the company signed an agreement with GE Equity International Mauritius, a subsidiary of GE Capital Corporation, which will make a primary equity investment in it. As per the terms of the agreement, GE Capital would invest `125 crore for a 7.69 percent equity share in Syngene. The company believes that it is an endorsement to the quality of innovation and the role played by its scientific team in accelerating innovation and productivity of its global customers. Also, the deal has established the standard valuation of the company which it felt was low earlier and hindered its plans for listing in capital markets. However, the company has ruled out the listing of the company any sooner.In another development, Syngene in a strategic partnership with Abbott, one of India's largest healthcare companies, launched the first of its kind, The Abbott Nutrition Research and Development Center. The state-of-the-art center will focus on the development of science-based, affordable nutrition products for the country and enable the expansion of Abbott's nutrition product portfolio at Biocon Park in Bangalore. The combined market insights and nutrition science expertise of two organizations will enable them to address the healthcare and nutritional challenges of an emerging economy like India across a diverse range of diseases that straddle both infectious and chronic maladies. Company: Syngene InternationalBusiness: Drug discovery and development servicesRevenue: 2013 `557 crore   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3333/4-novo-nordisk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3333/4-novo-nordisk.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:25:06 +0530 Rank 4 Emphasis on patient awareness Novo Nordisk has retained its leadership position in the diabetes care segment in FY2012-2013 with estimated revenues of `712 crore. The company recorded over 10 percent growth in this segment. The product portfolio is a healthy mix of different types of insulins. It consists of NovoRapid (a rapid-acting analogue), NovoMix (a premix analogue), Levemir (long-acting basal insulin), Victoza, Human insulins like Actrapid, MixTard and Insulatard. Additionally Novo Nordisk also markets its insulin delivery device, NovoPen that is available for use with appropriate types of insulin.One of the features in favour of Novo Nordisk is that it is said to have a lower average price as compared to its competitors. The price is also found to be lowest in India as compared to the other countries it operates in. Across the world too, Novo Nordisk is a leader in this therapeutic segment. In Europe Novo Nordisk is said to have more than 51 percent share in insulin space by volume. Novo Nordisk in March announced Tresiba, a simple once-a-day injection, which last for 40 hours instead of a maximum of 18 hours.Novo Nordisk has been focusing on its customer centric initiatives through various programs over the last few years. Changing Diabetes for Children is one such ongoing initiative partnered with the World Diabetes Foundation and local governmental bodies, in various countries including India that looks at children with Type 1 diabetes and tries to improve access to necessary medication.Novo Nordisk has also been creating awareness about diabetes among the general population as well. It had organized a unique diabetes exhibition aimed at creating awareness about diabetes among the people in Bihar along with providing free diabetes screening for the participants. Such efforts have been replicated elsewhere as well.Novo Nordisk has a long standing agreement with Torrent Pharma for the formulation and packaging of Insulin, exclusively for Novo Nordisk to be carried out by the latter. Torrent has been manufacturing insulin for Novo Nordisk's India requirement for more than 15 years now.In addition to its activities in the insulin space, Novo Nordisk also markets its brand of growth hormone, Norditropin. It also produces a recombinant Factor VIIa marketed under the name NovoSeven for the treatment of haemophilia A and B. Company: Novo NordiskBusiness: Insulin and insulin analRevenue: 2013 `712 crore*   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3326/3-nuziveedu-seeds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3326/3-nuziveedu-seeds.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:16:15 +0530 Rank 3 Undisputed leader in Bt cotton Currently almost half (40-45 percent) of the total cotton production in the country can be traced to the cotton hybrids developed by Nuziveedu Seeds (NSL). This year, NSL launched two new Bt cotton products Sona and Surakhsha, both of which are suitable for varied agro-climatic zones of India.The Bt cotton market is encountering a stagnation in the amount of area under cultivation. The total area decreased by 6 percent in 2012-13 as compared to the previous year. Regardless, this year, NSL strategically improved the sales of new promising hybrids like Uttam, Raghav, and Shalimar. Despite the fact that the area is set to reduce even further by 8-9 percent, NSL has plans in place to increase its cotton market share from 25 percent to 30 percent by introducing new varieties, creating and promoting a brand identity and having an exclusive marketing team dedicated to cotton only. Of all the hybrids approved by the GEAC, NSL has contributed to almost 16 percent. Today, it has 179 hybrids approved by GEAC till 2012 as against 1,128 total hybrids approved in India NSL has been an early starter in entering into collaborations with state governments through PPPs. The Maharashtra government sanctioned a PPP project with NSL in 2012 to improve cotton productivity by 30 percent in the drought prone Vidarbha region, while covering around 10,000 acres. This project was found to be very successful with an average increase in yield by 50 percent, and in some cases up to a 100 percent increase. Due to this achievement, the same project is planned for this year as well, to cover a total of 20,000 acres.In order to increase the per acre yield of crops, Nuziveedu Seeds has been taking up extension services to the farmers in big way. The state governments of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have invited the company for a Public-Private partnership for its extension work which benefits more than two million farmers annually. In lieu of such activities, The Cotton Research and Development Association awarded Nuziveedu Seeds the Public Private Partnership-2012 award for its work in the seed industry. Company: Nuziveedu SeedsBusiness: Production and marketing of seedsRevenue : 2013 `778.13 crore     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3341/2-biocon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3341/2-biocon.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 17:09:42 +0530 Rank 2 Global Top 20 Biotech employer Registering 13 percent growth over the last fiscal year, Biocon ended FY 2012-13 with total biopharmaceutical revenues of `1,871 crore. The key contributors to Biocon's growth have been research services, branded formulations and growing biosimilar business, led by generic insulin. The company's insulin franchise continues to garner market share across India and emerging markets and now accounts for more than 10 percent of its sales. Biocon is equally upbeat about its biosimilars. The company expects the sales revenue from this segment to treble by FY 2015. It hopes the patent expiry of eight of the top 10 biotech products by 2018 will boost the Indian generics market. From about five percent of Biocon's sales in FY 2012, the contribution of this segment is expected to grow to over 10 percent by 2015, when the company is projected to achieve total sales of $700 million. Biocon's biosimilar business also offers a promising portfolio of recombinant human insulin and insulin analogs. It is developing more complex biosimilar biologics, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), for the global market. Moving forward, the company hopes to ink licensing and marketing deals especially in the rest-of-the-world markets for its insulin products. It sells recombinant human insulin (Insugen) in India and also has approvals to sell it in more than 40 countries. The biosimilar insulin glargine (Basalog) is available in the Indian market and it has approvals to sell it in over five countries. The global phase III trial for biosimilar Trastuzumab for treating cancer has gained further traction with ongoing recruitment and trial approval in major European countries. It has also completed patient recruitment in a separate Phase III trial for the drug in India. In another significant development of the last fiscal year, Biocon enhanced its partnership with Mylan Inc. through the re-licensing of three biosimilar insulin analog products for the global development and commercialization. The partnership with Mylan endorses the intrinsic value of this asset and significantly reduces its burden of development costs involved in global commercialization. Looking ahead, the company intends to sustain growth momentum by optimizing its small molecules portfolio, further expanding its insulin footprint in emerging markets, and continuing to deliver robust growth in branded formulations and research services. Company: BioconBusiness: Biopharmaceuticals and branded formulationsRevenue: 2013 `1,871 crore     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3976/1-serum-institute-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/3976/1-serum-institute-of-india.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 16:52:00 +0530 One new vaccine per year goal A lot of Serum's success story stems from the vision of Dr Poonawalla who foresaw the need to build manufacturing sites with larger capacities in anticipation of higher demand. Senior officials state that SII today has broadened its market reach as its current capacities exceed the requirements of UN agencies. SII also has set an ambitious goal of launching one vaccine per year, for the next few years. A major project at SII has been the Rotavirus vaccine, which is currently in Phase III trials. A stand alone Pneumococcal vaccine and a Vero cell rabies vaccine are in the late stages of development as well. The first to come out in the market will probably be the Vero cell rabies vaccine followed by the Rotavirus and Pneumococcal vaccines. SII bagged major orders for its pentavalent vaccines, Pentavac, which was administered in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. SII's brand of measles (M-Vac), MMR (Tresivac), TT and quadravalent (SII Q Vac) vaccines too were supplied in large quantities. SII also joined the oral polio vaccine list of manufacturers in 2013. This decision was made after UN agencies anticipated a shortage in OPV doses. While staying focused on vaccines, SII also ventured into the biopharmaceutical arena, with the launch of its own brand of erythropoetin (EPO). A separate dedicated facility for bipharmaceuticals is currently being used for the same and it is being expanded to allow large scale manufacturing of other products as well. SII is also researching the production of monoclonal antibodies, which it hopes to launch in the next two years. In July 2012, SII made its first overseas acquisition with Dutch biologics company Bilthoven Biologicals. "This acquisition will significantly strengthen our position in the global vaccines market, while giving us access to the technology and production facility of Injectable Polio Vaccine (Salk), which is the only logical solution available to the world for the eradication of polio," said Dr Poonawalla. Currently at SII, the global eradication of polio is an important prerogative. With the impending adoption of the next phase of the Global program for Polio eradication, this could prove to be a game changer. Company : Serum Institute of IndiaBusiness : Vaccines and biopharmaceuticalsRevenue: 2013 `2,374 crore ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4875/top-20-maharashtra-bangalore-top-the-charts.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/96/4875/top-20-maharashtra-bangalore-top-the-charts.html Tue, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0553 BioSpectrum ranks the most prominent biotech clusters based on the revenue generated by the companies headquartered in a specific place. South and West are the two major regions where the biotech companies are headquartered. Southern region is the largest biocluster with 46.5 percent share and West is closely behind it with 43.3 percent share. Companies from south recorded Rs 11,707 crore ($2.1 billion) in sales, while those from West registered Rs 10,905.6 crore ($1.9 billion). North with 10 percent share accounted for Rs 2552.31 crore ($450 million) Maharashtra is the top biotech state. It is followed by Karnataka with 30 percent share and revenue contribution of Rs 7,574.67 crore ($1.33billion). Karnataka is closely followed by the newly created state Telangana (Hyderabad region) with 20 percent share contributing Rs 5,063 crore in sales.The second largest biotech city after Bangalore is Hyderabad with 19 percent share and revenues of Rs 4,986.5 crore. It is followed by Pune with 16 percent share and Mumbai with 15 percent share respectively. Bangalore is the top biotech city in 2013-14 with total revenues of Rs 7,086 crore and accounted for 28.2 percent. Maharashtra is top biotech state in the country with 38.2 percent share of the total biotech revenues of Rs 25,165 crore. Companies based in the state generated Rs 9,609.8 crore ($1.7 billion) in sales. ]]>