Government Outlines Funding Boost for High‑Risk Biotech Projects

The Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge), Dr. Jitendra Singh, announced a suite of measures aimed at attracting private capital into India’s biotechnology arena. Speaking in New Delhi, he said the country’s scientific capacity must be coupled with strong industry and investor alliances to ensure swift commercialisation of home‑grown biotech innovations.

During a session with BIRAC senior leadership, the minister detailed the functioning of the BIRAC‑RDF, a fund drawn from the central ₹1 lakh crore research allocation. The RDF is earmarked for deep‑tech, high‑risk biotech projects, offering financial assistance from ₹5 crore up to ₹200 crore, covering up to 50 % of total costs through long‑term, non‑collateralised loans, equity, or hybrid financing.

Since the first call for applications in February 2026, 198 proposals have been logged, 50 have completed initial review and eight have entered an intensive assessment phase.

Other focal points included strengthening links between more than 1,700 Life Sciences Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and Indian biotech incubators, bio‑e3 bio‑foundries, and start‑ups, thereby creating a robust platform for technology sharing and joint commercial ventures.

The minister also advocated for channeling CSR funds into biotech‑enabled social solutions such as low‑cost health services, diagnostics, maternal and infant care, nutrition, climate‑resilient agriculture and skill development, leveraging BIRAC’s scientific evaluation network.

To ease capital access for biotech start‑ups, a new digital marketplace named “BIRAC Startup Investor Connect” was proposed, aiming to match investors with ready‑to‑scale innovators and accelerate market entry.

These initiatives are positioned to fast‑track indigenous innovations from laboratories to the marketplace, reinforcing India’s ambition to become a self‑reliant, globally competitive biotech hub by 2047.