Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme

The biotechnology industry partnership program is a type of government program in which the government is tied up with many industries to support their development. It provides financial support to the industries to research and introduces new technologies in their work. It mainly focuses on implementing those technologies which will provide good economic outcomes in the future and spread India’s industries worldwide. It promotes the best technologies in various sectors like bio-energy, health, agriculture, etc. Although, all the strategies and fundamentals of birac projects are designed by keeping the nation’s priorities in mind. 

Biotechnology industry partnership programme

The Indian government introduced the biotechnology industry partnership program in 2008, December 5. It mainly focuses on the creation of IP by collaborating with scientists. Birac projects are mainly based on seven main themes. These are:

• Drugs along with the drug Delivery

• Clinical trials and Vaccines 

• Stem cells and Biosimilars

• Diagnostics and devices 

• Agriculture

• Industrial Biotechnology along with Secondary Agriculture 

• Bioinformatics and Facilities 

The facilities of Bioinformatics must contain every critical aspect of virtual Biotechnology. 

Features of Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme 

All the strategies and fundamentals of birac projects are designed for handling risky technologies. 

• The biotechnology industry partnership program provides support for the development of accelerated technology. It mainly focused on those technologies which will provide outcomes in the long term. 

• It supports the development of those social areas where public engagement is very high. The researchers analyse those areas in India and invest the amount based on nearby resources and technology available. 

• The biotechnology industry partnership program also provides free agriculture treatment and free trials for agriculture products. It also promotes the agricultural sector of India. 

• The Biotechnology industry partnership program also supports the healthcare sector in India. It provides free medicine and free trials of therapies to the patients. 

Eligibility criteria for the biotechnology industry partnership programme

Any company developed in India, whether it is a large scale or small, can become a part of this program. A company must have a DSIR-recognised in-house R&D unit. If a company does not contain a DSIR-recognised in-house R&D unit, it is not eligible for this program. Joint associations, R&D organisations, and Indian companies groups are also eligible for the biotechnology industry partnership programe. 

Biotechnology industry partnership programme Categories

The Biotechnology industry partnership program is subdivided into four categories. These categories are: 

• Category I: In this category, the areas with high public engagement but an inappropriate market are involved. 

• Category II: The fields which need good research and are eligible to become worldwide famous come under this category. It mainly focuses on those domains which can compete with the global market. 

• Category III: It is subdivided into two more categories. 

  • Category III A mainly focuses on those highly developed sectors but is based on local technology. Clinical trials mainly come under this category. It works on the upliftment and development of old technologies. 

  • Category III B: It also focuses on those highly developed sectors but is based on local technology. But, Agriculture Field Trials come under this category.

• Category IV: Providing financial help to the businesses lacking in the implementation of new technology. 

BIRAC projects

The complete form of birac projects is Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council. The Indian government launches this project to empower the Biotechnology sector in India. It provides support to Biotechnology enterprises to research and develop innovations in India. The primary purpose of the birac projects is to grow the research sector in Biotechnology and promote its businesses, mainly new startups and SMEs. The vision of the birac projects is to develop affordable clinical products so that the medical demand of every Indian citizen is fulfilled. 

BIRAC funded project

The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council funds many projects. Here are some birac funded projects listed, along with their aims:

• Achira Labs Pvt Ltd: It focuses on the development of platforms that are based on aptamer. It will help in detecting the markers of Tuberculosis in human serum. 

• Sea6 Energy: It focuses on metabolic engineering. It mainly researches marine bacteria for producing isobutanol under seawater. 

• Western Range Biopharmaceuticals: It focused on developing cancer treatment with the help of autologous activated dendritic cells. 

Conclusion 

The biotechnology industry partnership program is introduced with the vision of developing the industrial sector in India through the implementation of new technology. Many businesses are affected by the implementation of this program. According to data on March 31, 2020, the biotechnology industry partnership program supports 214 industries in India. These industries have developed various innovations, due to which a total of 52 new technologies have been introduced in India in just one year. On the other hand, birac projects mainly focus on developing the Biotechnology sector. There are many birac-funded projects in India that are growing at a rapid pace.