Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Nov 10: 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; Earth Sciences; Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, 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 also launched BRIC-BIRAC Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Program. The Union Minister recalled that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri 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.
The Minister said that the integration of institutions under BRIC reflects the spirit of “synergized working” in Indian science. “The age of silos is over. We have moved towards collaboration across biotechnology, medical research, agriculture, and data-driven science. BRIC now partners not only with other science departments but also with IITs, medical institutions, and private industry to accelerate innovation,” he added.
Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that biotechnology has become the key driver of India’s growth in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Referring to the recently launched BioE3 Policy, he said India has positioned itself among the global frontrunners in bio-innovation. The Union minister stated that when the next phase of global economic growth will be biotechnology-driven, India will not be a follower-it will be a leader.
The Minister cited BRIC and BIRAC as examples of successful public-private partnership (PPP) models that have become benchmarks even in global forums. Highlighting India’s progress in translational research, Dr. Singh mentioned several milestones such as the establishment of advanced biosafety facilities, breakthroughs in hemophilia gene therapy, and India’s rising global ranking in biotechnology. He said, “The vaccine story during the pandemic has transformed India’s image from being a recipient of global healthcare to being a provider of preventive healthcare solutions.”
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.
The event was also attended by Dr. Kalaivani Ganesan, Scientist-F DBT/Nodal Officer, BRIC, Dr. Anand Deshpande, Founder Chairman and MD, Persistent Systems & Co-Chair, Governing Body, BRIC, Prof. SantishreeDhulipudi Pandit, Vice-chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and Dr. P. M. Murali, President, Council of Presidents of ABLE; the Founder & Chairman of Jananom Pvt. Ltd. along with other dignitaries.
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