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New Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
‘Biotech shaping future economy, public health': Union Minister Jitendra Singh
BENGALURU: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh on Thursday emphasised the role of biotechnology in shaping India's future economy and public health. Dr Singh, who inspected the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council -- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (BRIC-inStem), a research institute under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, described the sector's contribution as pivotal for nation-building. 'This is not just about science, it's about nation-building,' he said and lauded the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for its achievements and transformation from a relatively obscure sector to a national powerhouse. The minister inspected the facilities and reviewed clinical trials, including the first-in-human gene therapy trial for haemophilia, conducted in collaboration with CMC, Vellore, at the institute. Stating that India's biotechnology industry is witnessing a remarkable growth, Dr Singh said it has expanded 16-fold over the past decade to reach $165.7 billion in 2024, with a target of $300 billion by 2030. Dr Singh attributed this progress to policy reforms such as the BIO-E3 Policy, designed to boost the economy, create jobs, and improve environmental sustainability. 'The country now boasts of having over 10,000 biotech startups, an increase from just 50 a decade ago,' he added. He visited BRIC-inStem's Biosafety Level III Laboratory, which serves as a critical facility for studying high-risk pathogens under India's One Health Mission. The Union minister also visited the new Centre for Research Application and Training in Embryology (CReATE), which focuses on addressing birth defects and infertility through research. He highlighted its vital role in improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes, noting that approximately 3 to 4% of babies are born with some defects. Dr Singh stressed the need for increased collaboration between scientific and medical institutions and suggested that BRIC-inStem should explore MD-Ph.D programmes, strengthen ties with clinical research, and enhance its visibility through coordinated communication. What's being done here should echo across the country. It's not just for publicity, the nation needs it, he said.
Hans India
24-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
India achieves breakthrough in gene therapy for haemophilia: Minister
New Delhi: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday inspected various facilities at the BRIC-inStem facility and reviewed ongoing clinical trials in collaboration with premier medical institutes and hospitals, including the landmark first-in-human gene therapy trial for Haemophilia conducted with CMC Vellore. Calling it a 'milestone in India's scientific journey,' the minister hailed the institute's contributions to preventive and regenerative healthcare. During his visit, Dr Singh underscored the strategic importance of biotechnology in shaping India's future economy and public health infrastructure. 'This is not just about science—it's about nation-building,' he said, commending the Department of Biotechnology's (DBT) recent successes and its emergence from relative obscurity into national relevance. India's biotechnology sector has seen an extraordinary leap, growing 16-fold in the past decade to reach $165.7 billion in 2024, with a vision to touch $300 billion by 2030. The minister credited this growth to enabling policy reforms, including the recently approved BIO-E3 Policy that aims to boost economy, employment, and environment through biotechnology. 'We now have over 10,000 biotech startups compared to just 50 a decade ago,' he pointed out. He praised the creation of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) that unified 14 autonomous institutions under one umbrella. 'BRIC-inStem is at the cutting edge of fundamental and translational science,' he said, highlighting innovations like the germicidal anti-viral mask during the pandemic and the 'Kisan Kavach' that protects farmers from neurotoxic pesticides. 'The recent pandemic taught us that we must always be prepared. Facilities like this will help us stay a step ahead,' Dr Singh stated. The minister also praised the newly launched Centre for Research Application and Training in Embryology (CReATE), which addresses birth defects and infertility by advancing developmental biology research. 'With about 3 to 4 percent of babies born with some form of defect, this centre is vital for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes,' he said. Calling for greater collaboration between scientific and medical institutions, he suggested that BRIC-inStem explore MD-PhD programmes, integrate more with clinical research, and enhance visibility through coordinated communication strategies.
