The newly inaugurated BRIC Secretariat is located on the fourth floor of the NSIC Business Park in New Delhi. It has been designed as a lean and efficient coordinating mechanism to strengthen collaboration among BRIC’s 14 autonomous institutions while preserving their individual identities and scientific independence.
BRIC was conceptualised in November 2023 as a unified institutional framework to bring some of India’s leading biotechnology and bioscience institutes under a single umbrella. The initiative aims to enhance governance efficiency, reduce duplication of efforts, and promote integrated research outcomes that translate into real-world applications.
Backbone of India’s Biomanufacturing Vision
Following the inauguration, Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired a comprehensive review meeting of key BRIC initiatives. Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Director-General of BRIC, Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, presented an overview of the Council’s progress and highlighted its critical role in advancing India’s biomanufacturing agenda under the BioE3 Policy.
The Minister noted that BRIC is envisioned as the backbone of India’s biomanufacturing ecosystem, supporting the transition from laboratory research to pilot-scale manufacturing and commercial deployment. He emphasized the planned development of BioE3 Parks, where BRIC institutions, startups, MSMEs and large industries can co-locate to enable seamless innovation-to-market pathways.
Driving Viksit Bharat 2047 Through Biotechnology
Dr. Jitendra Singh said BRIC institutes are well-positioned to contribute significantly to national development goals aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He stressed the importance of a collaborative, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to dismantle institutional silos and accelerate India’s global competitiveness in biotechnology and biosciences.
During a round-table interaction with senior officials and representatives from various departments and State Governments, the Minister highlighted that governance reforms over the past decade have focused on simplifying systems, eliminating outdated practices and using technology to enhance transparency and efficiency.
Industry Linkages and Future-Ready Talent
The Minister also acknowledged the proactive role of the Department of Biotechnology and its industry interface, the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), in fostering collaboration between academia, industry and startups. He said such partnerships are crucial for optimising resources and nurturing future-ready human capital.
Directors of BRIC institutions reiterated the transformative potential of biology-led technologies and emphasised the need for indigenous biological data, strong biosecurity frameworks and sustained investment in skill development. They reaffirmed their commitment to positioning India as a global hub for biotechnology and biomanufacturing.