India as a Quad-led biomanufacturing hub

Source: This post is created based on the article “India as a Quad-led biomanufacturing hub”, published in The Hindu on 22^nd May 2023.

Syllabus Topic: GS paper 3- Science and technology –

News: The Quad (Australia, India, Japan, and the United States) created a Critical and Emerging Technology Working Group in March 2021. However, the potential for Quad cooperation in biotechnology is not yet fully utilized.

The creation of a Quad-led biomanufacturing hub in India could bolster this cooperation​.

What is Bio-manufacturing?

Biomanufacturing involves the use of living systems, especially microorganisms and cell cultures, to generate molecules and materials on a commercial scale.

This technology can revolutionize the global industrial system. An estimated 60% of the physical inputs to the global economy are potentially producible by this method.

Challenges in creation of Quad-led biomanufacturing hub in India?

Dominance of China in small-molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is a concern.

Scaling up the biomanufacturing sector in India necessitates improving the quality of its workforce.

While India has many life science professionals, they often lack access to cutting-edge technology and training.

What is the potential of creation of Quad-led biomanufacturing hub in India?

India aims to become a leading biomanufacturing hub and has plans to increase its fermentation capacity tenfold to 10 million litres in the next three to five years.

India’s National Biotechnology Development Strategy envisions the country as a “Global Biomanufacturing Hub” by 2025.

The U.S. has significant funding capability, while all three (Japan, Australia, and the U.S.) have advanced biotechnology innovation ecosystems and intellectual property. India, on the other hand, has skilled manpower and the potential to provide affordable scale.

India is also an ideal choice to host the biomanufacturing hub due to its existing infrastructure, low-cost pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise, and available workforce.

The proposed hub can facilitate technology transfer, connect investors, and establish a biomanufacturing fund administered through the Quad.

The hub can also harmonize language, regulations, and data-sharing regarding biomanufacturing to secure supply chains for Quad nations and facilitate international collaboration.