Bio Spectrum Magazine - BioSpectrum India Nov 2024

In this issue

Will Boosting Biofoundries Transform India's Biomanufacturing Landscape?
Biofoundries hold the potential to emerge as the backbone of biomanufacturing
and synthetic biology, offering integrated infrastructure to streamline the design,
construction, and testing of genetically engineered organisms. Biofoundry is a place where biomanufacturing meets automation. The highly modular structure of a
biofoundry helps accelerate the design-build-test-learn (DBTL) workflow to deliver
products fast and in a streamlined fashion. Advanced platforms to enable rapid,
high-throughput experimentation, and automating processes that were once labourintensive and time-consuming is a central theme. India has come up with multiple initiatives to support and set up biofoundries, including the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy, the Bio-RIDE scheme, and the Vigyan Dhara scheme. The BioE3 Policy lays out plans for accelerating the transition to biomanufacturing by promoting integrated use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitalisation with ‘omics’, and upstream biotechnology innovations through bio-AI hubs, biofoundries, and biomanufacturing hubs across the country. With the new BioE3 Policy in place, coming years will provide insight into how biofoundries will play a role in boosting innovation, scale-up and commercialisation of biobased products. In addition, with a Global Biofoundry Alliance now established to coordinate biofoundry activities and innovations worldwide, the question arises: how is India positioned in this rapidly evolving field, and what role do biofoundries play in India’s biomanufacturing initiatives?

Health Ministry releases revised operational guidelines for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease

The Union Health Ministry has released the revised Operational Guidelines and Training Module of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).

1 min

CDSCO becomes Affiliate Member of International Medical Device Regulators Forum

To achieve global alignment in its medical device regulatory system, enhance the competitiveness of the domestic industry, and boost transnational prominence, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, applied for Affiliate Membership in the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) in 2024.

1 min

PMBI and Coal India ink MoU to provide highquality generic medicines

In a significant milestone under the mission to provide quality generic medicines and surgical equipment at affordable prices to the masses, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) and Coal India Limited (under the administrative control of the Ministry of Coal, Government of India) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for opening of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the premises of every coal field, selected hospitals or any suitable location specified or decided by Coal India Limited.

1 min

Cabinet approves 'Bio-RIDE' scheme to support cutting edge biotech R&D

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, has approved continuation of the two umbrella schemes of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), merged as one scheme‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE)’ with a new component namely Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry.

1 min

Neovantage Innovation Parks secures Rs 300 Cr for life sciences real estate portfolio

Neovantage Innovation Parks, South Asia’s largest private owner and operator of life sciences-focused real estate, has secured its inaugural green loan of Rs 300 crore from HSBC India.

1 min

Piramal Pharma Solutions announces $80 M expansion plan for sterile injectables facility in US

Mumbai-based Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) and part of Piramal Pharma, has unveiled an $80 million investment plan to expand its Lexington, Kentucky facility in the US.

1 min

Twist Bioscience teams up with MedGenome to diagnose rare diseases

To address the rare disease burden in India, Bengaluru-based MedGenome is partnering with Twist Bioscience, a leading and rapidly growing synthetic biology and genomics company based in the US, to establish the HOPE for Rare Diseases Programme in India.

1 min

Lupin partners with Celnova to commercialise orphan drug NaMuscla in Argentina and Colombia

Mumbai-based global pharma major Lupin has announced that its subsidiary Lupin Atlantis Holdings SA has entered into a distribution agreement with Celnova Pharma for Lupin’s orphan drug NaMuscla (mexiletine).

1 min

Venture Center partners with UNIDO and BEE to strengthen technology transfer offices in India

Pune-based Venture Center, a leading technology business incubator for science-driven enterprises in India, has announced a partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to support capacity-building efforts aimed at strengthening technology transfer offices in Indian institutions, to increase commercialisation of innovations.

1 min

Qure.ai completes $65 M Series D funding round

Mumbai-based startup Qure. ai, a global healthcare artificial intelligence (AI) innovator, has announced the completion of a $65 million Series D funding round.

1 min

BizDateUp leads $1 M Pre-IPO funding round in pharma packaging startup Sorich

BizDateUp, amongst the largest ecosystem enablers for startups that provide comprehensive support services, has taken a significant step in the health and wellness sector by announcing a $1 million investment in the pre-IPO funding round for Gujarat-based Sorich, an innovative company committed to revolutionising pharmaceutical packaging.

1 min

Lissun raises $2.5 M in Pre-Series A funding round

Gurugram-based mental healthcare startup Lissun has announced a successful Pre-Series A funding round, raising $2.5 million, marking a significant milestone in Lissun's continued growth and success.

1 min

WHO adds HPV vaccine, Cecolin for single-dose use

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that a fourth WHO-prequalified human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine product, Cecolin (developed by Xiamen Innovax Biotech) has been confirmed for use in a single-dose schedule.

1 min

WHO and multilateral development banks kick off $1.5 B primary health financing platform

Execution is starting under the new Health Impact Investment Platform on the first country health investment plans turning original commitment into operational reality.

1 min

Gavi harnesses innovation to mitigate effects of climate change on global health

Four global health innovators, from a pool of over 100 applicants, have been chosen as the 2024 Gavi Innovation for Uptake, Scale and Equity in Immunisation (INFUSE) Pacesetters.

1 min

UK to scale up production of mRNA vaccines

Scientists at the University of Sheffield, in the United Kingdom (UK), will receive up to £3.7 million ($4.8 million) from Norway-based Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to establish proof-of-concept for RNAbox, a specialised process designed to scale up production of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines at regional vaccine manufacturing sites.

1 min

World Bank approves new financing for Nigeria to improve health outcomes

The World Bank has approved three operations for a total of $1.57 billion to support the government of Nigeria in strengthening human capital through better health for women, children and adolescents and building resilience to the effects of climate change such as floods and droughts through improving dam safety and irrigation.

1 min

Rwanda strengthens Marburg virus disease response

US-based pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences, Inc., in collaboration with Africa CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) and Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, has donated 5,100 vials of remdesivir to support Rwanda’s response to the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).

1 min

Will Boosting Biofoundries Transform India's Biomanufacturing Landscape?

Biofoundries hold the potential to emerge as the backbone of biomanufacturing and synthetic biology, offering integrated infrastructure to streamline the design, construction, and testing of genetically engineered organisms.

10+ mins

"To achieve our 'Skilled India' vision, we'll train a large number of individuals quickly and to high standards"

Jayant Singh Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, in an interaction with BioSpecturm in Hyderabad, shares his insights on the various initiatives taken up by the Centre for skill development programmes, boosting self-employment. He exudes confidence that the new BioE3 Policy will give a new direction to the Indian industry, further grounding its roots and boosting its manufacturing prowess to meet the domestic needs and global demands in key areas of pharma, biotechnology and other sectors.

5 mins

"A network of Biofoundries, will boost ecosystem's value creation status as 'Innovator"

After a policy shift under Narendra Modi’s regime, biotechnology research and Bio StartUps are prioritised and have taken centre stage. Now the centre has announced a BioE3 Policy aimed at ‘Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing’. The policy lays out plans for accelerating the transition to biomanufacturing by promoting integrated use of AI, digitalisation with ‘omics’, and upstream biotechnology innovations through bio-AI hubs, biofoundries, and biomanufacturing hubs across the country. In an interaction with BioSpectrum, Dr Manish Diwan, Mission Director, Make in India for Biotech Sector, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and Head, Biofoundry, NCR Biotech Cluster & IVCOL shared some insights about new BioE3 policy and plans for upcoming iBRIC Biosciences Innovation Park and goals of this pioneering facility.

5 mins

Can India Leverage US Biosecure Act to Strengthen CRDMOS?

The United States of America (USA) is set to implement an Act that will impact the global biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, potentially opening opportunities for India to dominate the landscape – the Biosecure Act.

9 mins

How AI is Propelling Radiology & Medical Imaging Capabilities

Medical imaging has been used extensively for early diagnosis of various diseases. Be it computed tomography (CT), mammography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine tests, radiologists and pathologists have relied on these images to analyse the condition of patients. However, most of the analysis has been manual, heavily depending on the skill sets of the radiologists or pathologists to identify anomalies in the images. The challenge has been the enormous volumes of patient samples to be analysed and the limited number of radiologists or pathologists. Let's take an in-depth look at the impact and possibilities of AI and new applications in the Indian context.

3 mins

Targeted Transformation of Diabetes Care in India

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) about 63 per cent of people with diabetes say that the fear of developing diabetes-related complications affects their well-being. And around 28 per cent of people with diabetes find it hard to remain positive in relation to their condition. Hence the theme for this year's World Diabetes Day (WDD) 2024-26 observed on November 14, the world's largest diabetes awareness campaign reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in over 160 countries, is Diabetes and well-being. Let's look at ways to reduce or reverse diabetes in India.

5 mins

How Seed Funding is Driving Indian Pharma Startups

For pharmaceutical businesses in India, seed capital is more than just a financial boost; it is an essential component of long-term success. In order to draw in future investors, it assists businesses in innovating, scaling up, and overcoming regulatory obstacles. This has a beneficial knock-on impact and helps to create a healthier and more inventive future for India's health industry. Let's explore further.

5 mins

Impact of Digital Transformation on Lab Efficiency

The rapid advancement of technology has triggered a wave of digital transformation across various industries, and laboratories are no exception. Laboratories, especially those involved in research, clinical diagnostics, and development, have seen significant shifts in the way they operate due to the integration of advanced digital tools. From optimising workflows to improving accuracy, digital transformation is revolutionising lab operations, making them faster, more efficient, and capable of handling larger data volumes. This shift is not just a technological upgrade but a complete rethinking of how laboratories function to deliver more value while meeting increasingly stringent compliance and operational standards. Let's find out more.

5 mins

IIM Lucknow, IIT Kanpur partner to offer joint PG programme in healthcare management

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to launch a joint postgraduate (PG) programme in Healthcare Management.

1 min

IIIT Hyderabad offers AI-based online courses for medical professionals

International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT-H) has launched an online course on 'AI for Medical Professionals', in collaboration with National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and IHub-Data.

1 min

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun win 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovery of microRNA

The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has decided to award the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.

1 min

Integris appoints medtech veteran Probir Das as new CEO

Integris Healthcare, a global diversified medical technology company, has announced the appointment of Probir Das as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

1 min

Bhushan Akshikar steps in as OPPI President

The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), which represents the global research-based pharmaceutical companies in India, has appointed Bhushan Akshikar as its President for a term of two years effective September 26, 2024.

1 min

Dr R N Gupta steps in as National President of Indian Pharmaceutical Association

Dr R N Gupta has been elected as the National President of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), the oldest and largest association of pharmaceutical professionals in the country, for the term 2024 - 2026 (October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2026).

1 min

Practo strengthens Board with appointment of TVG Krishnamurthy and Dr Alexander Kuruvilla

Practo has appointed two new directors to its board: TVG Krishnamurthy and Dr Alexander Kuruvilla.

1 min

QR678 brings medtech leader Sridhar Ranganathan to advisory board

QR678, a pioneering company dedicated to revolutionising hair and skin science through groundbreaking research and innovative solutions, has announced the appointment of Sridhar Ranganathan to its Board of Advisors.

1 min

IIT Madras identifies enhanced drug delivery method for eye treatments

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) have demonstrated how drugs injected in the human eye can be better delivered to the target region through ‘convection caused by mild laser heating’.

1 min

IIT Madras develops indigenous POCUS scanner for sports injury diagnosis

A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has developed an indigenous portable Point-of-Care-Ultrasound (POCUS) Scanner for sports injury diagnosis and management.

1 min

Singleron, Bioscreen to enhance access to single cell multi-omics solutions for Indian researchers

Singleron Biotechnologies, a leading innovator in single cell multi-omics solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Bioscreen, a renowned distributor of advanced life science products in India.

1 min

Thermo Fisher introduces iCAP MX Series ICP-MS to simplify trace elemental analysis

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has launched the Thermo Scientific iCAP MX Series ICP-MS to simplify trace element analysis with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

1 min

Qiagen launches QIAcuityDx digital PCR system for clinical testing in oncology

Qiagen N.V. has announced the launch of the QIAcuityDx Digital PCR System, a pivotal addition to its digital PCR portfolio now expanding into clinical diagnostics.

1 min

Promega unveils GloMax Galaxy Bioluminescence Imager for illuminating protein dynamics in real time

US-based Promega Corporation, a life-sciences research partner dedicated to providing intuitive tools that empower scientists to innovate, has unveiled the new GloMax Galaxy Bioluminescence Imager.

1 min

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Bio Spectrum Magazine Description:

India's leading publication that covers the business of bio-technology. With comprehensive analyses of policy issues, products and services across the bio-pharma, bio-informatics, bio-infrastructure and bio-agriculture segments, it is the industry's most authoritative source of information.