India’s Life Sciences Sector Grows to $166 Billion in 10 Years, Says Amit Shah
India's biotechnology sector surges from $10 billion to $166 billion in ten years.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced on Saturday that India's bioeconomy has expanded dramatically from $10 billion in 2014 to $166 billion in 2024. Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for a high-security BSL-4 biocontainment facility at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre in Pethapur, Gandhinagar, Shah described the growth as evidence of India's transition from dependence to leadership in life sciences through consistent policy support and innovation.
Shah termed the new BSL-4 laboratory a pivotal development and the second-largest such facility in the country after Pune. He described it as a critical "protective shield" that will enhance India's readiness to handle dangerous pathogens and potential future pandemics. The minister emphasised that the facility, built entirely on Indian soil and expertise, underscores the nation's commitment to safeguarding public health through indigenous scientific capabilities.
The rapid rise in the bioeconomy has been accompanied by a significant increase in biotechnology startups, incubators, and patent filings. Shah asserted that India has moved beyond merely following global trends in biotechnology to actively shaping them. He highlighted how sustained efforts in research and development have positioned the country as a key player in the global life sciences landscape.
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Addressing concerns over antimicrobial resistance, Shah cautioned that indiscriminate antibiotic use threatens to undermine decades of medical advancements. He called upon students, researchers, and scientists to prioritise responsible innovation in their work. The minister stressed that combating infectious diseases remains a collective responsibility shared by humanity.
The BSL-4 facility will bolster India's One Health Mission by enabling advanced research on zoonotic diseases that transmit from animals to humans. Shah referenced recent outbreaks such as the Chandipura virus and Lumpy Skin Disease in Gujarat, noting the importance of local diagnostic and research capacity. He affirmed that Indian scientists should no longer depend on foreign resources for solutions to such challenges.
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