BioE3 Policy - India’s Push for Biomanufacturing Hubs

Aug. 31, 2025

Why in News?

India remains heavily dependent on imports for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), fermentation-based drugs, enzymes for biofuels, and biofertilizer reagents.
Post Covid-19 pandemic, the government has accelerated efforts for domestic manufacturing under policies like the PLI scheme.
The Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment (BioE3) policy/ BioE3 policy of the Government of India envisions setting up 16 biomanufacturing hubs to strengthen the bioeconomy and ensure self-reliance (Atmanirbharta).

What’s in Today’s Article?

India’s Bioeconomy:

The bioeconomy is an economic system that utilizes renewable biological resources from plants, animals, and microorganisms—along with organic waste—to create food, feed, energy, and bio-based products.
As in December 2023, Bioeconomy contributes 4.25% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Indian Bioeconomy has grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $151 billion in 2023, achieving this target two years ahead of projections for 2025.
The number of Biotech Startups has grown from 50 Biotech Startups in 2014 to 8,531 Biotech Startups in 2023.

About the BioE3 Policy:

Launched in August 2024, it is a Union S&T Ministry’s policy that sets forth a framework to ensure the adoption of cutting-edge advanced technologies for promoting Biomanufacturing.
The policy outlines guidelines and principles for enabling mechanisms for ‘Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing’ in the country across diverse sectors.
It is aligned with India’s vision of Green Growth and also with the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative that envisions collective approach towards sustainability.

Key Features of the BioE3 Policy:

Biomanufacturing hubs:
- Around 16 hubs to be set up across India.
- Each hub will house large fermenters (500–1,000 litres).
- Focus: Fermentation-based medicines, biofuels, bioproteins, carbon capture technologies, and novel monoclonal antibody treatments.
- Hubs will pool resources → reducing capital burden for start-ups and MSMEs.
Product focus:
- The government has listed approximately 1,000 critical products needed for indigenous manufacturing.
- Categories:
  - APIs and drugs
  - Enzymes for biofuels
  - Reagents for biofertilizers
  - Smart proteins and nutrition enhancers
  - Carbon capture innovations

Biofoundries - The First Step:

6 Biofoundries already supported by Department of Biotechnology (DBT):
- NABI, Mohali, for sustainable food & nutrition.
- Tata Memorial Centre, for new drugs.
- ICGEB, New Delhi, for synthetic biology, microbial cells, biofuels, carbon capture.
- THSTI, Faridabad, for monoclonal antibody therapies.
- IPFT, Gurugram, for biopesticides.
- NCCS, Pune, for enzymes and metabolites.
Function: Conduct proof-of-concept testing, and innovations are transferred to hubs for scaling up.

Implementation Model:

Location: The biomanufacturing hubs will be set up within research institutes, private companies, or near knowledge hubs.
Accessibility: Open to government R&D labs, universities, start-ups, and private industry.
Cost-sharing model: The start-ups will be charged a maximum of 5% over the actual costs while private companies may be charged up to 15% over the cost.
IPR policy: Facilities will not claim IP rights, ensuring innovation ownership with developers.

Significance of BioE3 Policy for India:

Conclusion:

The BioE3 policy, by integrating biofoundries with biomanufacturing hubs, positions India to emerge as a global leader in biotechnology-driven solutions for health, energy, and agriculture.
Going forward, sustained investment, industry-academia collaboration, and supportive regulatory frameworks will be key to realising the vision of a self-reliant and innovation-led bioeconomy.

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