QUAD-LED BIOMANUFACTURING HUB – INTERNATIONAL
News: India
as a Quad-led biomanufacturing hub
What's in the news?
● In
March 2021, the Quad (Australia, India, Japan, and the United States) set up a Critical and Emerging Technology Working
Group to facilitate cooperation, monitor trends, and scout for
opportunities related to developments in critical and emerging technologies,
that included biotechnology.
● However,
the potential for Quad cooperation in biotechnology remains insufficiently
tapped. The establishment of a Quad-led bio-manufacturing hub in India will
give the necessary fillip to enhance this cooperation.
Biomanufacturing:
● Biomanufacturing uses
living systems, particularly microorganisms and cell cultures, to produce
molecules and materials on a commercial scale.
● It
has the potential to transform the global industrial system, with up to 60% of
physical inputs to the global economy expected to be producible using this
technology.
● Many
countries, including the United States and China, recognize the need to optimize
this ecosystem and have designed specific policies to shape their
bio-economies.
Potential of Bio-manufacturing:
● Bio-manufacturing
can encompass a wide range of products,
including pharmaceuticals, enzymes, biofuels, specialty chemicals,
biomaterials, and more.
● Bio-manufacturing
is often more sustainable and
environmentally friendly, as it relies on renewable resources and has the
potential to reduce waste and pollution.
India as the ideal choice to host the biomanufacturing
hub:
1. India’s ambition of biomanufacturing:
● India’s National
Biotechnology Development Strategy sets a target of
reaching $100 billion in the bio-manufacturing sector.
2. Existing infrastructure:
● India
already has existing infrastructure in place, including pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and research institutions,
that can be utilized to establish and expand bio-manufacturing capabilities.
● This
infrastructure provides a solid foundation for the development of a
bio-manufacturing hub.
3. Pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise:
● India
has a long-standing reputation as a major player in the global pharmaceutical
industry.
● The
country has established expertise in manufacturing and quality control
processes, which can be leveraged for biomanufacturing.
● The
experience gained in pharmaceutical manufacturing can be applied to
biomanufacturing, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and maintaining
high-quality production.
4. Skilled workforce:
● India
possesses a large pool of skilled
professionals in the life sciences and biotechnology sectors.
● The
country’s workforce includes scientists, engineers, and technicians with
expertise in various aspects of biomanufacturing.
● This
skilled workforce can contribute to the success of the biomanufacturing hub by
driving research, development, and production activities.
5. Research output:
● India
has demonstrated its research capabilities in biomanufacturing, ranking high in
terms of the quality of research output and the share of research publications.
● The
country’s strong research base provides a solid
foundation for innovation and advancements in biomanufacturing processes and
technologies.
6. Cost-effectiveness:
● India
has a competitive advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness.
● The
cost of manufacturing in India is generally lower compared to countries like
the United States, making it an attractive destination for cost-efficient
biomanufacturing.
● This
cost advantage can contribute to the affordability
and accessibility of bio-manufactured products.
7. Potential for affordable scale:
● India
has the potential to provide affordable scalability in biomanufacturing
processes.
● With
its large population and manufacturing capabilities, India can meet the demand
for bio-manufactured products on a large scale, leading to cost-effective
production and availability of essential biopharmaceuticals and other
biotechnological products.
STRENGTHS OF QUAD NATIONS
1. Advanced biotechnology innovation ecosystems:
● Japan, Australia, and the
United States have well-established and advanced
biotechnology innovation ecosystems.
● These
ecosystems comprise research institutions, universities, biotech companies, and
startups that drive innovation and technological advancements in biotechnology.
2. Funding capability:
● The
United States, being one of the Quad
nations, brings significant funding capability to the table.
● The
U.S. government and private sector invest heavily in research, development, and
commercialization of biotechnology.
3. Skilled workforce:
● India,
as a Quad member, offers a large pool of skilled manpower, particularly in the
life sciences field.
● Collaborative efforts
can facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building to enhance the skills of
the workforce across the Quad nations.
4. Manufacturing and scale-up capabilities:
● India
has well-established pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.
● The
country has a robust infrastructure and expertise in large-scale production,
which can be harnessed for bio-manufacturing purposes.
5. Intellectual property and technology transfer:
● The
Quad nations, particularly Japan and the
United States, have strong intellectual property protection systems and
expertise in technology transfer.
● Sharing
intellectual property and facilitating technology transfer can accelerate the
development and commercialization of biomanufacturing technologies, benefiting
all Quad nations.
6. Research output and innovation:
● All
Quad nations contribute significantly to global research output in the field of
biotechnology.
● They
produce high-quality research publications and drive innovation in various
subfields of biotechnology.
● Collaboration
within the Quad can facilitate knowledge exchange, joint research projects, and
the development of innovative solutions in biomanufacturing.
WAY FORWARD:
1. Collaborative research and development:
● Foster
collaborative research and development initiatives between the Quad nations and
India. This can involve joint projects, knowledge
sharing, and technology transfer to accelerate the development of
biomanufacturing processes, products, and technologies.
2. Capacity building and skill development:
● Establish
training programs, workshops, and exchange programs to enhance the skills and
knowledge of professionals in biomanufacturing.
● This
can include specialized training in
areas such as advanced bioprocessing techniques, quality control, regulatory
compliance, and technology transfer.
3. Infrastructure investment:
● Allocate
resources for infrastructure development, including the establishment of
specialized bioreactor facilities, research centers, and manufacturing
capabilities.
4. Regulatory framework alignment:
● Collaboratively
work towards aligning regulatory frameworks among the Quad nations and India.
● This
involves harmonizing regulations,
streamlining approval processes, and ensuring consistent quality standards.
5. Public-private partnerships:
● Foster
public-private partnerships to leverage the expertise, resources, and
capabilities of both sectors.
● Engaging industry
stakeholders, academia, research institutions, and government agencies
in collaborative initiatives can drive innovation, facilitate technology
transfer, and accelerate the commercialization of bio-manufactured products.
6. International collaboration:
● Explore
collaborations beyond the Quad nations to foster international cooperation in
biomanufacturing.
● Engaging
with countries outside the Quad can expand opportunities for knowledge
exchange, market access, and research collaboration.