The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and its Public Sector Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) envisioned to organize Global Bio-India 2023, a mega international congregation of biotechnology stakeholders, including international bodies, regulatory bodies, Central and State Ministries, SMEs, large industries, bio-clusters, research institutes, investors, and the startup ecosystem. The event was aimed to showcase India's biotech growth and opportunities, connecting global stakeholders in biotechnology.

The Global Bio-India 2023 was held at Bharat Mandap, New Delhi, India from 4-6 December 2023 and participated by over 30 countries. The event attracted global interest in India's biotechnology, and biopharmaceuticals industry which is expected to grow to a size of $300 billion. It is one of the biggest tradeshows where the whole spectrum of biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries are offered the best opportunity to showcase their innovations, products and services. The first edition of Global Bio India was held in 2019.

The Global Bio-India 2023 aimed to further strengthen India's biotech industry and to support creating a robust ecosystem for biotech research, innovation, and business growth. Besides, it attempts to

• Showcase India's biotech growth and opportunities
• Facilitate collaborations and partnerships between international and Indian biotech stakeholders
• Position India as a hub for international biotech partnerships
• Promote policy initiatives and regulatory frameworks that support the biotech industry
• Attract investments and funding for biotech research and development
• Accelerate entrepreneurial momentum in the biotech sector
• Foster innovation and R&D in biotech, with a focus on areas like bio-manufacturing, clinical trials, and drug discovery

KEY FEATURES

Key features of Global Bio-India 2023 included a focus on bio-manufacturing, clinical trials and drug discovery, biotech industry growth, and bioeconomy. The event promoted policy initiatives, attracted investments and accelerated entrepreneurial momentum in the biotech sector. It also built a forum for covering policy initiatives, regulatory frameworks, biotech industry growth, networking, partnering, and showcasing innovations and products. Additionally, it highlighted India's biotech potential, facilitated global collaborations, and positioned India as a biotech hub.

KEY GROWTH AREAS IDENTIFIED

Biomanufacturing: Leverage India's strengths in biomanufacturing to become a global hub for biologics and vaccine production.

Precision medicine: Develop personalized healthcare solutions tailored to Indian populations.

Digital health: Harness India's IT expertise to drive innovation in digital health and telemedicine.

Agricultural biotech: Develop innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture, such as precision farming and gene editing.

Bioenergy: Develop sustainable bioenergy solutions to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Biotech entrepreneurship: Encourage start-ups and SMEs to drive innovation and job creation.

Artificial intelligence in biotech: Apply AI and machine learning to biotech research and development.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF GLOBAL BIO INDIA 2023: KEY SESSIONS

Global Bio-India 2023 featured several sessions, including keynote addresses, super sessions, and panel discussions. Additionally, there were startup pitches, product launches, and networking opportunities.

The Biotech Innovation, Global Trends and Opportunities session was chaired by Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, and featured keynote addresses by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Science & Technology, and Dr. Ted Bianco, Director, Wellcome Trust highlighted India's biotech potential and aimed to foster international partnerships.

The Biotech in India, Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities session was chaired by Dr. K. Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. The Biotech Innovation, Startups and Entrepreneurship session was chaired by Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, DBT, and featured talks by successful entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.

The Biotech Partnerships and Collaborations, Global and Local session was chaired by Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC. The plenary session at Global Bio-India 2023 was led by Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology and Chairman, BIRAC, and session focused on the theme of "Biotechnology: Frontiers and Opportunities".

The session "Biotech Ecosystem – views from Key Opinion Leaders” featured a panel of experts discussing the current state and future prospects of the biotech industry. They shared their insights on the growth drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the sector. The panelists also discussed the importance of collaboration, innovation, and funding in driving the growth of the biotech ecosystem. Additionally, they highlighted the need for a supportive regulatory environment and talent development to foster the industry's growth. The session provided valuable insights and perspectives from key opinion leaders in the biotech industry.

The session "Biomanufacturing: Biosciences to Bio-Economy for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’" featured a conversation between policy leaders and industry representatives on how biomanufacturing can contribute to India's goal of becoming self-reliant (Atmanirbhar Bharat). They discussed the potential of biomanufacturing to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve access to healthcare and other essential products. The panelists highlighted the need for policy support, infrastructure development, and investment in research and development to create a favourable ecosystem for biomanufacturing in India. They also explored opportunities for collaboration between industry, academia, and government to drive innovation and growth in the sector. The session aimed to foster a dialogue between stakeholders to enable biomanufacturing to drive India's bio-economy.

The session "How Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Will Drive Future Biotech Innovations" explored the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and biotechnology. Panelists discussed how AI and big data analytics are transforming biotech research and development, enabling faster and more accurate discoveries, and improving efficiency in fields like drug development, precision medicine, and genomics. They also delved into challenges like data privacy, security, and the need for domain-specific AI expertise. The session highlighted collaborative efforts between AI and biotech industries, showcasing successful partnerships and innovative applications driving future biotech innovations. The discussion demonstrated how AI and big data are poised to revolutionize biotechnology, enabling groundbreaking advancements and improvements in healthcare, agriculture, and beyond.

The session on "Fostering enabling ecosystem with conducive regulatory frameworks" focused on the importance of regulatory frameworks in promoting innovation and investment in the biotech industry. The moderator led a discussion on how regulatory frameworks can be simplified and streamlined to support the growth of the biotech sector while ensuring safety and ethical considerations are met. Panelists shared best practices and examples of successful regulatory frameworks from around the world and explored opportunities for collaboration between government, industry, and academia to create a favorable ecosystem for biotech innovation. The session aimed to foster a dialogue between stakeholders to develop enabling regulatory frameworks that support the growth of the biotech industry in India.

The session on AI in Drug Discovery explored the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the drug discovery process. Speakers discussed how AI can enhance efficiency, accuracy, and speed in various aspects of drug discovery, such as target identification and validation, lead optimization, virtual screening, and predicting drug efficacy and toxicity. They also highlighted challenges, like data quality and integrity, and the need for collaboration between AI experts, biologists, and chemists. The session showcased successful case studies and cutting-edge technologies, demonstrating how AI is transforming drug discovery and enabling the development of new and effective treatments.

The session "Advancing biologics product development – From PoC to pilot" focused on the challenges and opportunities in developing biologics products, specifically from proof-of-concept (PoC) to pilot scale. Speakers discussed strategies for successful scale-up, process development and optimization, analytical characterization and quality control, and regulatory considerations and compliance. They shared best practices, case studies, and innovative solutions to overcome hurdles in biologics development, emphasizing collaboration and innovation to accelerate the journey from PoC to pilot and ultimately to commercialization.

The session "Entrepreneurs & Investor's View from India and Abroad" brought together entrepreneurs and investors from India and abroad to share their perspectives on the biotech industry. They discussed opportunities and challenges in the Indian biotech ecosystem, investment trends and strategies, success stories and lessons learned and collaboration and partnership opportunities. The session provided insights into the entrepreneurial and investment landscape in biotech, highlighting the potential for growth and innovation in India and globally. It also facilitated networking and potential partnerships between entrepreneurs and investors.

The session "Strategic Blueprint for Catalyzing Investments in Biotech Industry" focused on strategies to stimulate investments in the biotech industry. Speakers discussed key drivers and challenges in biotech investments, successful investment models and exit strategies, government initiatives and policies to encourage investments, and collaboration opportunities between industry, academia, and government. The session aimed to provide a comprehensive blueprint for stakeholders to enhance investments in the biotech industry, foster innovation, and drive growth in the sector. It highlighted the importance of a cohesive ecosystem, strategic partnerships, and informed policy-making to catalyze investments and propel the biotech industry forward.

At Global Bio-India 2023, states promoting biotech policies and investments included Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, highlighting their industry-friendly policies and investment opportunities in the biotech sector. This session could have more impactful if more states could have participated.

Setting the stage for future innovation and progress, Dr. Jitendra Singh in his valedictory speech emphasized the importance of innovation and investment in the biotech sector for India's growth. He encouraged continued collaboration between industry, academia, and government to drive biotech advancements.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF GLOBAL BIO INDIA 2023: KEY INSIGHTS GATHERED

BIO-MANUFACTURING INITIATIVES

The Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) initiative, a national project on biomanufacturing, and pilot-scale biomanufacturing units that employ fermentation and enhanced microbial cell factories.

BIRAC’s Startups Initiative and Bio incubators for potential entrepreneurs aimed to promote circular bioeconomy, foster innovation, and strengthen India's biotech industry.

HEALTHCARE INNOVATIONS FOR LOW-RESOURCE SETTINGS

The potential of innovation to improve healthcare outcomes in low-resource settings and the need for continued support and investment in these solutions need consideration. This includes the importance of affordability and accessibility in healthcare solutions for low-resource settings. Innovations like portable diagnostic tools, low-cost medical devices, and digital health solutions can improve healthcare delivery in resource-constrained environments. Local entrepreneurs and startups are driving innovation in healthcare. To address unique challenges in low-resource settings and to scale up innovations, collaboration between stakeholders, including government, industry, and academia, is crucial. To address the global health disparities, and to foster innovation, investment and funding opportunities are pivotal.

HARNESSING THE POWER OF GENOMICS FOR PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

Innovations in genomics and related technologies are revolutionizing healthcare in India and worldwide. However, there is a need for responsible and ethical approaches to genomic research and application. Important considerations involve genomics-based precision medicine which is becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, enabling tailored treatments for individuals. Advances in genomics are enabling a better understanding of disease mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes. India has a unique genetic diversity, making it essential to develop genomics-based solutions contextualized for the Indian population. A collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and industry experts is essential to translate genomic research into clinical practice, and ethical considerations, data privacy, and regulations must be addressed to ensure responsible use of genomic data.

INSIGHTS PRESENTED ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) DISCUSSIONS WERE THE MOST FORWARD LOOKING

AI is not just a tool for automation, but a catalyst for innovation in biotech. By leveraging AI, we can unlock new possibilities in drug discovery, personalized medicine, and agricultural biotech, and transform the industry in the next decade. AI drives innovation and transformation in the biotech industry, beyond just automating existing processes. According to Global Bio India 2023, India has the potential to gain a significant market share in AI in healthcare. AI expenditure in India is expected to reach $11.78 billion by 2025 and add $1 trillion to India's economy by 2035. The Indian healthcare AI market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 40.5% from 2020 to 2025, reaching USD 1.6 billion by 2025. AI in healthcare has the potential to add about 25 billion dollars to India's GDP by 2025.

STARTUPS AND INNOVATION COMPANIES RECEIVED SPOTLIGHT

The startups that received awards at Global Bio-India 2023 include JanCARE Healthcare Technologies, CortX, Your Health, Our Priority, Pollution Alert App, and Zephyrus - A Breath of Fresh Innovative Air. Additionally, the Women Biotech WInER Fellowship Awards were presented to three recipients. The innovation companies that pitched at Global Bio-India 2023 include Eyestem Research, Levim Biotech, Althion Tech Innovations, and OmniBrx Biotechnologies. These companies were recognized for their innovative work in various categories such as healthcare therapeutics and vaccines, healthcare devices and diagnostics, and industrial biotechnology. Additionally, companies like Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Bharat Biotech International, Zydus Lifesciences, and Biological E were awarded for their outstanding contribution to pandemic management.

ATTRACTING GLOBAL CAPITAL TO INDIA'S BIOTECH INDUSTRY

India has unparalleled potential as a destination for biotech investment and continued ecosystem development will enable industry in India to attract global capital. Industry in India needs to focus on India's growing biotech market and talent pool. They must attract international investors and seek opportunities for partnerships and collaborations between Indian and global biotech companies.

The government must provide a supportive regulatory environment and tax incentives to attract foreign investment, showcase innovative Indian startups and research to attract venture capital and private equity investors, and leveraging government initiatives and funding programs to boost biotech growth and attract global capital.

RAISING FUNDS

The key insights that may equip biotech entrepreneurs and startups with practical knowledge to navigate the fundraising landscape and secure funding for their innovative ideas include awareness about current trends and challenges in biotech fundraising, strategies for crafting a compelling pitch and business plan, reaching out to different funding sources (VC, angel investors, crowdfunding, grant), carrying out due diligence and term sheet negotiations, networking and building relationships with potential investors, AND regulatory and tax considerations for fundraising in India and globally.

GOALS AHEAD FROM THE GLOBAL BIO-INDIA 2023

KEY CHALLENGES FACED BY INDIA TO PLAY BIG ROLE IN THE REALM OF AI IN HEALTHCARE

• Data quality and availability (limited access to high-quality, standardized healthcare data),
• privacy and security concerns (ensuring patient data confidentiality and security in AI applications),
• regulatory frameworks, (lack of clear guidelines and regulations for AI in healthcare),
• talent and skill gap (limited availability of trained professionals in AI and healthcare),
• infrastructure and resources (limited access to advanced computing resources and specialized hardware),
• ethical considerations (ensuring AI applications are culturally sensitive and address health disparities),
• affordability and accessibility (making AI-powered healthcare solutions affordable and accessible to all)

CHALLENGES INDIA MUST OVERCOME

Global Bio India 2023 discussed some key challenges that India is facing, these are-

• improving regulatory environment to encourage innovation and investment, funding and investment
• retention of top talent to drive innovation
• necessary infrastructure and resources required for research and commercialization, and improving accessibility to affordable healthcare to its large population

India has announced several key initiatives to play a significant role in AI in healthcare:

• National Health Stack (NHS): A comprehensive digital health platform that leverages AI and machine learning to improve healthcare outcomes.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission: to create a digital health ecosystem that uses AI to improve healthcare access and outcomes for underserved populations.
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Program: to develop and deploy AI-powered solutions for healthcare, including disease surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Healthcare AI Marketplace: A platform to promote innovation and collaboration in healthcare AI, connecting startups, researchers, and healthcare providers.
• AI-powered telemedicine and remote health monitoring initiatives.

These initiatives aim to improve healthcare access, outcomes, and affordability, while also fostering innovation and collaboration in AI-powered healthcare solutions.

WHAT INDIA CAN OFFER

Global Bio India 2023 highlighted several unparalleled opportunities that the world can take advantage of from India. It included

• biotech innovation and R&D capabilities,
• biomanufacturing and vaccine production,
• clinical trials and drug development,
• access to a large and diverse genetic pool,
• affordable healthcare solutions,
• market opportunities in a $300 billion biotech industry,
• collaborations with Indian research institutions and start-ups,
• taking part in shaping policy and regulatory frameworks supporting biotech growth, and
• skilled workforce and cost-competitive advantages

Global Bio India 2023 discussed how India can contribute to solving global challenges and that include affordable healthcare as India's expertise in frugal innovation and low-cost healthcare solutions can benefit global populations, vaccine equity: India's vaccine manufacturing capabilities can help address global vaccine shortages and ensure equitable access, climate change as India's expertise in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, bio-based solutions can help mitigate climate change impacts, global health security as India's experience in tackling infectious diseases and pandemics can inform global preparedness and response efforts, food security as India's advancements in agricultural biotech and precision farming can help address global food security challenges, and access to clean water as India's innovations in water technology and conservation can benefit water-scarce regions worldwide.

STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GLOBAL BIO-INDIA

By building and implementing strategies, Global Bio-India can further enhance its impact and achieve more on its objectives. The strategic recommendations involve developing a strong innovation ecosystem:

• Encourage research and development, and foster collaboration between academia, industry, and government, build global partnerships
• Collaborate with international partners to leverage expertise, resources, and markets, develop a skilled workforce
• Invest in education and training programs to build a strong talent pool, strengthen regulatory frameworks
• Develop clear and streamlined regulations to encourage innovation and investment, focus on translational research
• Encourage research that addresses real-world problems and has commercial potential, promote entrepreneurship and start-ups
• Support the growth of biotech start-ups and SMEs to drive innovation and job creation, develop infrastructure and resources
• Invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure and resources, such as bio-manufacturing facilities and data analytics platforms, and position India as a global biomanufacturing hub
• Leverage India's strengths in biomanufacturing to become a global leader in this area.

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