Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 20: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, met with Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates to discuss strengthening collaborations in biotechnology, health innovations, and startup development in India.

During their meeting, Gates, who is currently visiting India, explored advancements in gene therapy, vaccine innovations, biotechnology manufacturing, and India's rapidly evolving startup ecosystem. Singh emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has witnessed a surge in biotech innovations, supported by policies such as Bio E3—biotechnology for the economy, employment, and environment. He highlighted the growing role of private enterprises and startups in driving India’s bio-revolution, with initiatives like the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) fostering innovation and funding emerging biotech ventures.

Gates praised India's leadership in vaccine development, particularly in its contributions to the HPV and Covid-19 vaccines. He noted that India's research ecosystem holds immense potential for groundbreaking health solutions and expressed interest in supporting the country’s efforts to combat diseases like tuberculosis and malaria.

Singh pointed out that India now has over 10,000 biotech startups, with nearly 70 percent focusing on medical and health innovations, while others contribute to agriculture, environmental, and industrial biotechnology. He reiterated the government’s commitment to scaling up these innovations through increased funding and policy measures aimed at enabling faster commercialization of biotech advancements.

The discussions also explored opportunities for direct investments in Indian biotech startups through Gift City, a financial hub designed to attract global investors. While the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation primarily operates in the philanthropic sector, Gates acknowledged that leveraging new financial structures could facilitate direct investments in promising Indian startups.

As India accelerates its biotechnology growth, Singh reaffirmed the government’s focus on fostering public-private partnerships to sustain long-term progress. He stated that with enhanced research funding and international collaborations, India is well-positioned to become a global hub for biotechnology.