Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 28 (UNI) union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Jitendra Singh, on Saturday said the BioE3 Policy reflects the strategic vision of the Central Government and underlines the country’s commitment to building a bio-driven economy.
Addressing a function after laying the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facility at the Akkulam campus of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Centre–Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB) here, the minister said the liberalisation of the nuclear medicine domain has opened up significant opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations between national research institutions and the private sector.
He dedicated the National Facility for Recombinant Cells & Sensors and inaugurated the annual National Science Day programme at the campus.
Noting that there is vast scope for collaboration in nuclear medicine research, the minister said BRIC-RGCB can partner with other institutions across the country, including private entities, especially as the nuclear medical mission has been opened to broader participation.
He pointed out that India is among the few countries to introduce a dedicated biotechnology policy — the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy — aimed at strengthening the bio-economy.
The announcement of the Biopharma SHAKTI Mission in the latest union Budget, he said, reflects policymakers’ recognition that the global economy is increasingly bio-driven.
He added that emerging domains such as green cycling, regeneration and circular economy would become key determinants of national economic growth.
Referring to developments over the past decade, the minister said science and technology sectors, particularly biotechnology, have received unprecedented policy push and prioritisation.
Highlighting BRIC-RGCB’s achievements, he said its researchers have earned national recognition in molecular biology, disease biology, genomics and cancer research. The institution has attracted researchers and students from across the country in areas such as sequencing, bioinformatics and interdisciplinary cancer research.
On the occasion, the minister released a book titled “Quantum Physics: One Hundred Magical Years,” authored by Prof. VPN Nampoori of Cochin University of Science and Technology.
Secretary, Department of Biotechnology and Director General, BRIC, Rajesh Gokhale, who presided over the function, said biotechnology systems are poised to become game changers for the country’s progress.
He observed that the BioE3 Policy 2024 encapsulates the government’s strategic outlook by covering six thematic sectors, including bio-manufacturing.
Lauding BRIC-RGCB’s contributions, he said the government has launched the HPV vaccination drive based on data generated by the institution.
In her welcome address, DBT Nodal Officer for BRIC-RGCB, Jyoti Logani, said the institute has emerged as a model organisation contributing to national health initiatives for the past 35 years.
Director (Additional Charge), BRIC-RGCB, T R Santhosh Kumar, said the National Facility for Recombinant Cells & Sensors currently houses around 600 to 700 different types of stable cells covering several cancer targets.
With this, BRIC-RGCB has become one of the leading global resource centres for such innovative tools, he said.
He added that the upcoming cGMP facility aims to develop cost-effective models to support cell and gene therapy solutions, ensuring that next-generation treatments become affordable and accessible.
Dean, Research Administration, BRIC-RGCB, Asha Nair, proposed the vote of thanks.
