BioE3 Policy – India’s Push for Biomanufacturing Hubs

BioE3 Policy Latest News

• India remains heavily dependent on imports for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), fermentation-based drugs, enzymes for biofuels, and biofertilizer reagents.
• Post Covid-19 pandemic, the government has accelerated efforts for domestic manufacturing under policies like the PLI scheme.
• The Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment (BioE3) policy/ BioE3 policy of the Government of India envisions setting up 16 biomanufacturing hubs to strengthen the bioeconomy and ensure self-reliance (Atmanirbharta).

India’s Bioeconomy

• The bioeconomy is an economic system that utilizes renewable biological resources from plants, animals, and microorganisms—along with organic waste—to create food, feed, energy, and bio-based products. 
• As in December 2023, Bioeconomy contributes 4.25% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• Indian Bioeconomy has grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $151 billion in 2023, achieving this target two years ahead of projections for 2025.
• The number of Biotech Startups has grown from 50 Biotech Startups in 2014 to 8,531 Biotech Startups in 2023.

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About the BioE3 Policy

• Launched on August 27, 2024, it is a Union S&T Ministry’s policy that sets forth a framework to ensure the adoption of cutting-edge advanced technologies for promoting Biomanufacturing. 
• The policy outlines guidelines and principles for enabling mechanisms for ‘Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing’ in the country across diverse sectors. 
• It is aligned with India’s vision of Green Growth and also with the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative that envisions collective approach towards sustainability. 

Key Features of the BioE3 Policy

• Biomanufacturing hubs:
  • Around 16 hubs to be set up across India.
  • Each hub will house large fermenters (500–1,000 litres).
  • Focus: Fermentation-based medicines, biofuels, bioproteins, carbon capture technologies, and novel monoclonal antibody treatments.
  • Hubs will pool resources → reducing capital burden for start-ups and MSMEs.
• Product focus:
  • The government has listed approximately 1,000 critical products needed for indigenous manufacturing.
  • Categories:
    • APIs and drugs
    • Enzymes for biofuels
    • Reagents for biofertilizers
    • Smart proteins and nutrition enhancers
    • Carbon capture innovations

Biofoundries – The First Step

• 6 Biofoundries already supported by Department of Biotechnology (DBT):
  • NABI, Mohali, for sustainable food & nutrition.
  • Tata Memorial Centre, for new drugs.
  • ICGEB, New Delhi, for synthetic biology, microbial cells, biofuels, carbon capture.
  • THSTI, Faridabad, for monoclonal antibody therapies.
  • IPFT, Gurugram, for biopesticides.
  • NCCS, Pune, for enzymes and metabolites.
• Function: Conduct proof-of-concept testing, and innovations are transferred to hubs for scaling up.

Implementation Model

• Location: The biomanufacturing hubs will be set up within research institutes, private companies, or near knowledge hubs.
• Accessibility: Open to government R&D labs, universities, start-ups, and private industry.
• Cost-sharing model: The start-ups will be charged a maximum of 5% over the actual costs while private companies may be charged up to 15% over the cost.
• IPR policy: Facilities will not claim IP rights, ensuring innovation ownership with developers.

Significance of BioE3 Policy for India

• Reduces import dependency in critical pharma and bio-based sectors.
• Strengthens bioeconomy and aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
• Supports innovation-to-market pipeline through biofoundries → hubs.
• Boosts R&D collaboration among government, academia, and industry.
• Promotes start-up ecosystem in biotechnology.

Conclusion

• The BioE3 policy, by integrating biofoundries with biomanufacturing hubs, positions India to emerge as a global leader in biotechnology-driven solutions for health, energy, and agriculture. 
• Going forward, sustained investment, industry-academia collaboration, and supportive regulatory frameworks will be key to realising the vision of a self-reliant and innovation-led bioeconomy.

Source: IE