BioE3 Policy and Biotechnology in India | 02 Sep 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal ‘BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for Fostering High-Performance Biomanufacturing’ of the Department of Biotechnology.

• Alongside the BioE3 Policy, the Union Cabinet also merged three schemes of the Science & Technology Ministry into a single scheme, called Vigyan Dhara, with a financial outlay of Rs 10,579 crore until 2025-26.

What is BioE3 Policy?

• About: The BioE3 is aimed at fostering high-performance biomanufacturing, which involves the production of bio-based products across various sectors. 
  • The policy aligns with broader national goals such as achieving a 'Net Zero' carbon economy and promoting sustainable growth through a circular bioeconomy.
• Objectives: The BioE3 policy emphasizes innovation in  research and development (R&D) and entrepreneurship, establishes Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs and Biofoundries, aims to expand India's skilled biotechnology workforce, aligns with 'Lifestyle for Environment' programs, and targets the development of regenerative bioeconomy models.
  • The BioE3 Policy aims to generate significant employment, especially in tier-II and tier-III cities through the establishment of biomanufacturing hubs. 
    • These hubs will utilise local biomass, fostering regional economic growth and equitable development. 
  • The policy also emphasizes ethical biosafety and global regulatory alignment to boost India's global competitiveness while ensuring responsible biotechnology development.
• Core Themes of the BioE3 Policy:
  • Bio-Based Chemicals and Enzymes: Development of advanced bio-based chemicals and enzymes to reduce environmental impact.
  • Functional Foods and Smart Proteins: Innovations in functional foods and smart proteins to enhance nutrition and food security.
  • Precision Biotherapeutics: Advancing precision medicine and biotherapeutics to improve healthcare outcomes.
  • Climate Resilient Agriculture: Promoting agricultural practices that are resilient to climate change, ensuring food security.
  • Carbon Capture and Utilization: Fostering technologies for efficient carbon capture and its utilization in various industries.
  • Futuristic Marine and Space Research: Expanding research in marine and space biotechnology to explore new frontiers in biomanufacturing.

What is the Vigyan Dhara Scheme?

• Background: The Department of Science & Technology (DST) acts as the nodal department for organising, coordinating, and promoting science, technology, and innovation activities in the country. 
  • The three (Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building, R&D and Innovation,  and Technology Development and Deployment) central sector umbrella schemes implemented by DST have been merged into the unified scheme 'Vigyan Dhara'.
• Objectives and Goals: The merging of the three schemes into Vigyan Dhara is designed to improve fund utilisation and synchronisation among various sub-schemes and programs.
  • Vigyan Dhara Scheme aims to expand the R&D base in the country and increase the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) researcher count.
  • Focused interventions will enhance the participation of women in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) fields, with the goal of achieving gender parity.
  • All programs under Vigyan Dhara align with the 5-year goals of DST and are directed towards the larger vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047" a developed India by 2047.
• Complementing the BioE3 Policy: Enhancing S&T institutional infrastructure and developing a critical human resource pool.
  • Promotes basic and translational research in sustainable energy, water, and other critical areas.
  • Supports innovations from school to industry levels and increases collaboration between academia, government, and industries.

What is Biotechnology?

• About: Biotechnology, a field that intertwines biology with technology, harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to create products and technologies that enhance our lives and safeguard our planet. 
• Benefits: 
  • Healthcare Advancements: Medical Biotechnology (Red Biotech) enables the development of advanced drugs, vaccines, and therapies, including personalised medicine, gene therapy, and targeted cancer treatments. 
    • It also facilitates rapid vaccine production, as seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. Stem cell research and tissue engineering offer the potential to regenerate damaged tissues and organs, opening doors to treatments for previously untreatable conditions.
  • Agricultural Improvements: Agricultural Biotechnology (Green Biotech) involves genetic modification and engineering in plants that can produce crops that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stressors like drought, thus improving food security.
    • Biotech allows for the development of crops with enhanced nutritional profiles, such as Golden Rice,  which is fortified with vitamin A to combat malnutrition.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Biotechnology uses microorganisms to clean up pollutants (bioremediation) like oil spills, heavy metals, and plastics, helping to restore ecosystems and reduce environmental damage.
    • Industrial Biotechnology (White Biotech) applies biotechnology to industrial processes, such as the production of biofuels, bioplastics, and biodegradable materials. 
      • It focuses on reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability through cleaner production methods.
    • Biotechnological innovations help recycle and upcycle waste materials, contributing to a circular economy and reducing landfills.
  • Economic Growth: The biotech industry drives economic growth by creating jobs in research, development, and manufacturing sectors.
    • Countries investing in biotechnology lead in cutting-edge innovations, giving them a competitive edge in global markets and trade.
  • Climate Change Mitigation: Certain biotechnologies can capture and utilize carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
    • Biotechnology aids in the production of cleaner biofuels, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing carbon footprints.
  • Innovation in Materials: Biotechnology enables the engineering of novel materials, including bio-based fibers and high-performance bio-composites, which have applications in industries ranging from fashion to aerospace.

What is the Current State of Biotechnology in India?

• Biotechnology Hub: India ranks among the top 12 biotechnology destinations globally. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the growth of biotechnology in India, leading to advancements in vaccines, diagnostic tests, and medical devices. 
  • In 2021, India saw a record number of biotech startup registrations, with 1,128 new entries, the highest since 2015. The total number of biotech startups reached 6,756 by 2022, with expectations to hit 10,000 by 2025.
• Bioeconomy: India’s bioeconomy has seen a meteoric rise, from USD 10 billion in 2014 to over USD 130 billion in 2024, with projections to reach USD 300 billion by 2030.
  • Biopharma remains the largest segment of India’s bio-economy, accounting for 49% of its total value, estimated at USD 39.4 billion. The vaccination market is projected to be worth Rs. 252 billion (USD 3.04 billion) by 2025.
• Bioresources: India’s vast biodiversity, especially in the Himalayas, and the 7,500 km long coastline provide a significant advantage in biotechnology. 
  • The Deep Sea Mission aims to explore the biodiversity beneath the seas.
• Government Initiatives: 
  • National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2020-25
  • National Biopharma Mission
  • Biotech-KISAN Scheme
  • Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech Mission
  • One Health Consortium
  • Biotech Parks
  • Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
  • Genome India Project
• Recent R&D Achievements in Applied Biotechnology:
  • ADVIKA Chickpea Variety: A drought-tolerant chickpea variety was developed with enhanced seed weight and yield under drought conditions.
  • Accel Breed Facility: A state-of-the-art speed breeding facility at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, accelerates crop improvement programs.
  • Indigenous Vaccines: India developed several pioneering vaccines, including the quadrivalent Human Papilloma Virus (qHPV) vaccine, ZyCoV-D (DNA vaccine), and additionally, GEMCOVAC-OM, an mRNA-based Omicron booster, was introduced.
  • Gene Therapy: India’s first gene therapy clinical trial for Hemophilia A received approval.
  • Novel Blood Bag Technology: Researchers at inStem, Bengaluru created special sheets that protect stored red blood cells from damage. 
    • This technology could help make better blood bags and reduce problems during transfusions.
• Future Outlook:
  • The biotechnology industry is set to reach USD 150 billion by 2025 and has the potential to grow to USD 300 billion by 2030.
    • The sector is expected to contribute around 3.3-3.5% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025.
  • The market for diagnostic and medical devices is predicted to grow significantly, with the therapeutics sector expected to generate USD 15 billion in bioeconomic activity by 2025.
  • The expansion of biotech incubators and support for startups is anticipated to drive further growth and innovation across various sectors, including health, agriculture, and industrial processes.

What are the Challenges for Biotechnology in India?

• Strategic Roadmap Development: There's a lack of a comprehensive strategic roadmap for biotechnology that outlines competitive areas and industry-specific R&D needs.
  • The biotechnology sector requires a revolution similar to the Green and White Revolutions to achieve significant advancements in crop improvement and therapeutics.
• Bio-Networking: Effective bio-networking is needed to enhance interaction among biotechnology businesses, address intellectual property rights, and ensure biosafety and bioethics.
• Human Resources: There is a need for more specialised human resources in biotechnology, particularly in remote regions.
• Regulatory Burden: India's regulatory environment for biotechnology is complex and slow, particularly for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). 
  • The approval process is cumbersome, with multiple agencies and the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) leading to overlapping jurisdictions and delays.
• Funding and Investment: Although there is government funding for biotechnology projects, under the Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP), further investment is needed to support high-risk, leading-edge research.
• IT Integration and Data Management: Biotechnology research requires extensive IT support for data management, including challenges related to data integration and the establishment of technical standards.

Way Forward

• Expand training programs such as the Biotech Industrial Training Programme (BITP) to develop a skilled workforce in biotechnology.
• Encourage venture capital investment in biotech startups and early-stage companies. Foster public-private partnerships to mobilise resources and accelerate innovation.
• Formulating and implementing supportive policies and incentives will be vital. Policies should focus on regulatory streamlining, tax benefits, and subsidies to attract and retain biotech firms.
  • Leverage initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to enhance competitiveness. Focus on building global market presence and brand recognition through strategic partnerships and investments.
• Actively participate in global initiatives related to biotechnology, such as the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health and the International Association of Plant Biotechnology (IAPB). Support the export of biotechnology products and services to global markets.