India's Bio-Economy Grows to $165.7 Billion, Boosting Jobs and Economic Growth
By CCN News | Published: Mar 25, 2025
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India's bio-economy has achieved a remarkable 16-fold growth in the past decade, surging from $10 billion in 2014 to an estimated $165.7 billion in 2024. This substantial expansion reflects India's growing prominence in the global biotechnology sector and its role as a key driver of economic growth. The announcement was made by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh during the BIRAC Foundation Day event held at the National Media Centre on 21 March 2025.
According to the India Bioeconomy Report 2025 (IBER 2025), the bio-economy now contributes 4.25% to India's overall GDP, demonstrating its increasing significance. The sector has also posted a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9% over the last four years, underscoring India's potential as a global biotechnology powerhouse. Dr. Singh noted that the growth had exceeded the initial target of $150 billion by 2025, further solidifying India’s position in the global bio-economy landscape.
BioSaarthi Mentorship Initiative Launched to Support Biotech Startups
As part of the celebration, Dr. Jitendra Singh also introduced the BioSaarthi Mentorship Initiative, a global mentorship program designed to support emerging biotech startups. The initiative, which will run in six-month cohorts, aims to foster innovation by facilitating mentor-mentee relationships and providing personalized guidance to entrepreneurs. The initiative will also engage experts from the Indian diaspora as international mentors, further strengthening India’s biotech ecosystem.
Dr. Singh emphasized that BioSaarthi would enhance collaboration between the biotech industry and academia, positioning Indian startups for global success. The mentorship program aligns with the government's broader strategy to accelerate biotechnology research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This initiative follows the recent launch of the BIO-E3 Policy—Biotechnology for Economy, Employment, and Environment—aimed at integrating advanced technologies with biomanufacturing, including the establishment of Bio-AI Hubs and Bio Enabler Hubs.
India’s Biotech Startup Ecosystem and Research Developments
India's biotechnology startup ecosystem has seen a dramatic rise over the past decade. From just 50 startups in 2014, the sector now boasts more than 10,075 biotech startups, a tenfold increase attributed to public-private partnerships and supportive policies. Dr. Singh highlighted several groundbreaking advancements within the sector, including the development of Nafithromycin, India’s first indigenous antibiotic for respiratory diseases, and a successful gene therapy trial for hemophilia.
The Minister also highlighted India’s whole genome sequencing project, which has mapped the genomes of 10,074 individuals from 99 communities, positioning the country at the forefront of precision medicine and healthcare. In addition, Dr. Singh referenced the collaboration between the Department of Biotechnology and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which is advancing space biology and space medicine research, crucial for astronaut health as India prepares for its first space station.
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