SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Institutions: Ministry of Commerce & Industry
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed an MoU with Thermo Fisher Scientific (TFS) to accelerate innovation in India’s biotechnology startup ecosystem. The collaboration, under the Startup India framework, will support over 500 biotech startups in the next three years through technology access, strategic mentorship, and investor connect.
At the core is the BioVerse Challenge, aimed at identifying 100 high-potential biotech startups with subsidized R&D access and investor linkages. The BioVerse Mentors Circle will guide an additional 400 startups with skill training across bio-incubators. An Alumni Network will provide long-term mentorship and funding avenues. TFS also plans to leverage its upcoming facilities in Genome Valley, Hyderabad, to give Indian startups access to global-standard biotech infrastructure.
The initiative directly strengthens India’s bioeconomy goals, aligning with Startup India’s mission to foster high-growth ventures and advance the National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2025. It enhances domestic innovation capacity while positioning India as a global biotech hub. The Thermo Fisher MoU follows DPIIT’s earlier partnership with Pfizer, which targeted 14 medtech startups with incubation, grants, and regulatory support. Taken together, these collaborations show a deliberate DPIIT strategy: using global life sciences companies as anchors to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem.
What is DPIIT? → The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry is responsible for policies that promote industrial growth, startups, and foreign direct investment in India. It anchors the Startup India initiative.
What is Thermo Fisher Scientific? → A US-based global life sciences company that provides laboratory instruments, reagents, diagnostics, and research services. Its partnerships in India bring advanced technology and expertise to local biotech ecosystems.
What is the National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2025? → India’s national roadmap to build a $150 billion bioeconomy by 2025 through innovation in healthcare, agriculture, industrial biotech, and bio-manufacturing. It aims to strengthen R&D, startups, and global competitiveness in biotechnology.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can India ensure that biotech startup scaling is supported not just by global firms, but also by stronger linkages with domestic R&D and public health priorities?
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