India Eyes Biomanufacturing Pact with Delaware
Dr. Jitendra Singh proposes dedicated working group to fast-track biotech collaboration
- India proposes India–Delaware Biomanufacturing Working Group
- Talks focus on biotech, pharma, clean energy and innovation
- Minister flags regulatory alignment and supply chain resilience
- Startup, R&D and workforce co-training linkages discussed
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd March: India has proposed the creation of a structured India–Delaware Biomanufacturing Working Group to deepen collaboration in advanced biotechnology, research and startup ecosystems, Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Monday.
The proposal was made during a meeting with a visiting US delegation led by Delaware Governor Matt Meyer at Seva Teerth. Discussions centered on expanding cooperation in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, clean energy and innovation-led industrial growth.
Dr. Singh underlined that science and biotechnology form a critical pillar of the India–US comprehensive strategic partnership. He said India sees strong potential for deeper engagement with US states that host robust innovation ecosystems.
Highlighting India’s growing stature as a global biotechnology and pharmaceutical hub, the Minister pointed to the country’s integrated innovation architecture linking government, academia, industry and startups. He noted that the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), with 37 laboratories and over 7,500 scientists, anchors much of India’s industrial R&D efforts, contributing to missions such as Green Hydrogen, Quantum Technologies and biopharma process development.
Referring to Delaware’s bio-science ecosystem, including the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, Dr. Singh identified opportunities in advanced biomanufacturing, AI-enabled processes, rapid scale-up technologies, and next-generation biologics and vaccines.
He said India’s cost-efficient manufacturing capabilities, combined with Delaware’s proximity to major US pharmaceutical companies, could support co-development of affordable biologics, biosimilars and vaccines for global markets.
The Minister also outlined avenues for collaboration such as joint biomanufacturing platforms, translational research bridges, startup and incubation exchanges, and workforce co-training in GMP manufacturing and regulatory science. Regulatory cooperation and resilient supply chains for critical biopharmaceutical inputs were highlighted as priority areas.
Dr. Singh noted that India’s Ministry of Science and Technology supports around 150 incubators and has established a ₹1 lakh crore research, development and innovation fund to catalyse private-sector and deep-tech investment.
Governor Meyer described Delaware’s strong industrial and scientific base and welcomed deeper engagement with India’s research and manufacturing ecosystem. The delegation also explored cooperation in clean hydrogen, workforce development and startup frameworks.
Both sides agreed that a structured working group would help translate discussions into joint research calls, startup exchanges and institutional partnerships, adding a strong state-level dimension to the expanding India–US strategic partnership.
