Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, chaired the 2nd Annual General Meeting of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) Society today. The event took place at the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi, and included a presentation on BRIC by Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary of DBT and Director General of BRIC.
During the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the successful trial of gene therapy for Haemophilia conducted with the support of the Department of Biotechnology at Christian Medical College, Vellore. This groundbreaking achievement was reported by the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr. Singh highlighted the key role of BRIC in consolidating the governance of 14 premier biotechnology institutions in India. This unification fosters research, innovation, and capacity building across the sector, positioning India as a global leader in biotechnology.
The Union Minister also launched several significant initiatives, including BRIC’s First Annual Report (2024), the i3c BRIC-RCB-PhD Programme Brochure, and BRIC News, which showcase the council’s achievements and future goals. Additionally, the Audited Annual Accounts for 2023-24 were approved, ensuring transparency and accountability in the council’s operations.
The launch of the i3c BRIC-RCB Ph.D. Programme was also celebrated. This interdisciplinary initiative promotes innovative research and hands-on training in biotechnology. The first batch of 58 students has already been enrolled in the program.
Dr. Singh also commended the Zero Waste Life Initiative, which promotes sustainability across BRIC campuses, and praised the progress of the iBRIC+ Biosciences Innovation Park in the NCR Biocluster, aimed at supporting biotechnology startups and advanced R&D.
A significant milestone was the establishment of BRIC-NABI, India’s first Biomanufacturing Institute, inaugurated in October 2024. This institute is seen as a major step forward in the nation’s biotechnology journey.
The Union Minister emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly between institutions like AIIMS and IITs, to enhance research and promote techno-entrepreneurship. He urged institutions to embrace innovative training methods and foster transdisciplinary research to help achieve India’s vision of self-reliance in biotechnology.
Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded the meeting by expressing confidence in BRIC’s capacity to drive biotechnology research and innovation, addressing both national and global challenges. The session ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Ekta Vishnoi, Joint Secretary at DBT. BRIC continues to play a critical role in advancing India’s bioeconomy and reinforcing its position as a leader in the global biotechnology sector
