A range of biotechnology startups in India are achieving milestones in the health sector, supported by the National Biopharma Mission (NBM), a program financed through the World Bank’s Innovate in India for Inclusiveness (i3) Project.
Voxel Grids Innovations Private Ltd, led by Arjun Arunachalam in Bangalore, has developed and marketed an MRI scanner that is comparable to leading global models but at a significantly lower cost. These scanners are already being used in cancer hospitals across Mumbai and Assam, expanding access to advanced diagnostics for many Indians.
Levim Lifetech Pvt Ltd, headed by Jatin Vimal in Chennai, is now producing Liraglutide—a biosimilar drug for Type 2 diabetes—at one-third the price of imported alternatives. This marks the first time such a biosimilar has been produced domestically. Other private ventures are developing new antibiotics and vaccines targeting diseases like dengue, chikungunya, malaria, and hepatitis E.
Indian companies have also made progress with cell therapies for acute lymphoma and research into medical devices such as endoscopes and heart valves. Many of these advances have received critical support from NBM at various stages of development.
Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of Biotechnology Innovation Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), which implements the project, said: “The National Biopharma Mission, with the World Bank’s support, is more than a program—it is a catalyst for India’s health innovation ecosystem. By bridging discovery with delivery, we are not only advancing affordable therapies but also building a resilient, globally credible biopharma sector that places India at the forefront of equitable healthcare solutions.”
Since its inception in 2017 with World Bank backing—and BIRAC’s broader efforts since 2012—the NBM has focused on fostering collaboration between public research institutions and private enterprises. Nearly 10,000 bio-based startups have emerged since 2014; many benefited from early-stage funding or other forms of support from NBM.
To help startups advance their work affordably, about 100 incubation centers have been established by BIRAC across India. These centers offer shared laboratory facilities as well as mentorship and networking opportunities. Additional specialized research and pilot-scale manufacturing sites were created under NBM’s guidance.
Arjun Arunachalam acknowledged that while Tata Trusts provided initial funding for his company upon his return to India after completing doctoral studies abroad, it was “the Rs 12.4 crores he received from the Mission that enabled him to take his idea from concept to production.”
To address intellectual property challenges faced by innovators—45% of whom were women—over 7,000 participants were trained on national and international regulations regarding intellectual property rights. Seven Regional Technology Transfer Offices have handled more than 850 IP filings and facilitated nearly 120 technology transfers.
Clinical trial infrastructure has also expanded under NBM: approximately 30 hospital sites and ten field sites now maintain databases totaling around 800,000 volunteers available for trials covering cancer, rheumatology, diabetes, ophthalmology among others. Over one hundred clinical trials have been supported so far.
Jatin Vimal noted: “the funding he received through the Mission covered 85% of his clinical trial costs,” adding that regular scientific advisory meetings provided valuable input on development strategy and regulatory matters.
Among key achievements attributed to NBM is supporting Zydus Cadila’s creation of ZyCoV-D—the world’s first DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine—with essential funding alongside technical assistance from both Zydus’ own team and external advisors. The Mission also supports Bharat Biotech's development of India's first chikungunya vaccine intended for domestic use as well as export markets where demand exists due to disease prevalence.
According to Dr Raj K. Shirumalla: “India has the capability and the will to make a mark in the $1.1 trillion global pharma industry... All it needs is support and sustained investment to emerge as a global biopharmaceutical powerhouse—not just in volume but also in value and impact.”
The National Biopharma Mission continues its efforts toward creating an environment conducive to biopharmaceutical innovation with ongoing calls for further public-private partnership investment.