Lok Sabha Question No. 545 (STARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SUDHEER GUPTA, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *545 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12/ 04/201 7

## Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council

- *545. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA :

SHR IBIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

## Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- ( a) w hether  the  Biotechnology  Industry  Research  Assistance Council (BIRAC) has been set up under the Department of Bio - technology in the country;
- ( b) i f so, the details thereof along with its aims and objectives ;
- ( c) t he details of the products/technologies and intellectual property rights which hav been generated by BIRAC so far ;
- ( d) t he details of BIRAC schemes that are supported and funded by the Government; and
- ( e) t he steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  develop  India  into  a  global innovation hub ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES ( DR. HARSH VARDHAN )

(a), (b), (c), (d) & (e)  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARED QUESTION NO. * 545 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12/04/2017 REGARDING 'BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY RESEARCH ASSISTANCE COUNCIL'

- ( a) Biotechnology  Industry  Research  Assistance  Council  (BIRAC)  was  set  up  as  a Section 8 (not for profit) Public Sector Undertaking in 2012underthe Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India.
- ( b) BIRAC's  Vision  is  ' to  stimulate,  foster  and  enhance  the  strategic  research  and innovation capabilities of the Indian Biotech Industry, particularly startups and SME for creation of affordable products addressing the needs of the largest section of t society '.
- ( c) Over the l ast 5 years, through BIRAC support 66 products and technologies have been generated. These products belong to important domain areas of biotechnology such as medical  technologies  (devices  &  diag nosis  for  detecti on  of  infectious  and  chronic diseases),  healt hcare  including  vaccines  and  therapeutics,  improved  crop  varieties, industrial processes and renewable energies. Through BIRAC support, 120 intellectual  properties  have  been  generated  encompassing  all  important  areas  of biotechnology.
- ( d) BIRAC  has  initiated several  funding  schemes  to  bridge  the  existing  gaps  in  the industry - academia  Innovation  research  and  facilitate  novel,  high  quality  affordable products development through cutting edge technologies. These xtend from ideation to proof of concept (POC) , ea rly and late stage validation toscale - up.

The BIRAC funding schemes are as follows:

· BIG  (Biotechnology  Ignition  Grant):  Flagship  start - u funding  programme  of BIRAC which provides Seed grant of up to INR 50 lakhs for research projects with commercialization  potential  with  duration  of  up  to  18  months  to  individuals, researchers from academ ia and startups .

· SPARSH (Social Innovation Programme for Products Affordable & Relevant to Societal Health): Aims to develop innovations that would create direct impact in the society in the near to medium term future. Grant -in -aid assistance up to INR 5 0 lakhs for a period up to 18 months is provided in this scheme.

· Small  Business  Innovation  Research  Initiative  (SBIRI):  Early  stage,  innovation focused  PPP  initiative  in  the  area  of  Biotechnology,  aims  at  funding  high  risk innovative  R&D  beyond  proof - of - concept.  Support  in  form  of  grant - in - aid  for projects up to INR 100 lakhs in PPP mode is provided under this scheme.

· Biotechnology  Industry  Partnership  Programme  (BIPP):  Support  for  high  risk, accelerated technology development especially in futuristic t echnologies having major economic potential and focused on IP creation. Under this scheme Financial support of up to 50% of the approved project is provided.

· Contract  Research  Scheme  (CRS):  Supports  validation  of  academic  research having commercialisatio n potential, by the industry.

- ( e) The National Biotechnology Development Strategy (2015 - 20) announced by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in December, 2015 had laid down a clear action plan to build the Indian biotech ecosystem of the country to US $100 billi on by 2025. This is through creation of required infrastructure and human resources, nurturing th innovation ecosystem, launching focussed Mission Programmes in Health, Agriculture and Energy and forging International Partnership. There is also a major em phasis on enhancing manufacturing capabilities.

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