State launches initiative to boost marine biotech research, innovation & blue economy
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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC), a pioneering research initiative aimed at fostering marine biotech startups, was inaugurated by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday.
The platform is designed to leverage local resources while adhering to global standards.
Majhi said the initiative by the science and technology department is poised to significantly impact environmental protection, science-based tourism, investment, employment and livelihood support for coastal communities.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the department and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the ministry of earth sciences.
Additionally, six higher education institutes in Odisha have partnered with the state govt to provide research and development support for the initiative.
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he CM emphasised that the platform will serve as a beacon of hope for the scientific community and innovation, not only in Odisha but across the nation and world. It aims to transform the blue economy and contribute significantly to national economic growth.
"As the world increasingly looks to the oceans for solutions to pressing challenges such as sustainable food systems and climate resilience, Odisha is taking a bold and visionary step forward," Majhi noted.
Aligning with the vision of Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit India 2047, OMBRIC would connect the lab to the land, translating research into real-world impact. From gene discovery to bioactive molecules, bioremediation to nutraceuticals, thw initiative covers the entire pipeline of marine biotechnology innovation, culminating in job creation, environmental sustainability and economic growth.
Expressing confidence in the initiative, the CM said that Odisha is evolving from a coastal state to a coastal innovator. "We are not just blessed by nature; we are investing in nature-based solutions. We are harnessing our biodiversity not by exploiting it, but by preserving, understanding and responsibly utilising it," he said.
Highlighting the geographic advantage and the strength of Odisha's academic and research institutes, Majhi said that an alliance of knowledge, research and innovation has been initiated to explore the coast's unseen gifts and threats with the help of biotechnology.
Science and technology minister Krushna Chandra Patra highlighted Odisha's vast potential in marine biotechnology, stating that the state will make all efforts to explore the sector to promote growth. "OMBRIC is a blueprint for a prosperous future."
Science and technology secretary Chithra Arumugam noted the immense potential of Odisha's 574-km long coastline, rich with unexplored marine bioresources. The govt has conceptualised OMBRIC as a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming and positioning Odisha as a global leader in marine biotechnology and 'blue economy' development.
OMBRIC is designed to translate research into tangible economic outcomes. Through IP generation, incubation support and entrepreneurial mentoring, research findings will evolve into market-ready products, fostering the growth of marine biotech startups and enterprises. This "lab-to-market" pipeline ensures a sustainable ecosystem for innovation-driven marine industrialisation in Odisha.
In addition to advancing research, OMBRIC places strong emphasis on community engagement and social impact. The initiative seeks to involve coastal populations through training, education and participatory conservation, thereby fostering marine stewardship while improving local livelihoods and social equity.
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