BIRAC Invites Proposals From Indian Biotech Cos For Supporting Affordable Product/Technology Development

Mumbai, 12 July 2019: The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under its Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) scheme, has invited proposals from Indian biotech companies for supporting affordable product/technology development in the field of biotechnology from discovery to pre-commercialisation stage.

The programme supports industry for development of proof-of-concept and early stage validation of products/technologies. The eligible companies can send their proposals till July 31, 2019.

Major objectives of the SBIRI scheme are to provide support for early stage, pre- proof- of-concept research in biotechnology by industry; to support new indigenous technologies particularly those related to societal needs in the healthcare, food and nutrition, agriculture and other sectors; and to nurture and mentor innovative and emerging technologies/entrepreneurs, to assist new enterprises to forge appropriate linkages with academia and government. 

SBIRI scheme of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology was launched in 2005 to boost Public-Private- Partnership (PPP) efforts in the country. SBIRI was the first of its kind, early stage, innovation focused PPP initiative in the area of biotechnology. Launching of SBIRI has worked as an enabling platform for the target organizations to realize their potential in terms of product and process development and taking them to the market. It has facilitated innovation, risk taking by small and medium companies and bringing together the private industry, public institutions and the government under one roof to promote the research and innovation in the Indian biotech sector. The projects supported under the scheme have resulted in prominent outcomes in the form of some products which have already come to the market and some promising research leads seeing ray of hope for commercialization.

As a unique institutional mechanism, SBIRI has consistently prioritized early stage funding for high risk innovative research in small and medium companies led by innovators with science backgrounds to get them involved in development of products and processes which have high societal relevance.

The SBIRI aims to strengthen those existing private industrial units whose product development is based on in-house innovative R&D; encourage other smaller businesses to increase their R&D capabilities and capacity; create opportunities for starting new technology-based or knowledge-based businesses by science entrepreneurs; and stimulate technological innovation.

A single or consortia of Indian company(ies), registered under 'The Indian Companies Act 2013' with minimum 51 per cent of Indian ownership, and in-house R&D unit, are eligible to apply for this programme, either alone or in collaboration with another company, institute or university. Pharmabiz